Why should we preserve all of this land in its natural state in perpetuity?

Fairness, Lower Property Taxes, Recreation, Quality of Life, Water, Animal Habitat and

Ecotourism

1. Preservation means conserving our scarcest resource: WATER. We have more land than water.

Signing this petition means that we are guaranteeing a good life not just for our grandchildren

but for our grandchildren’s grandchildren. Our children and generations to come are far more

important.

2. Preservation means lower property taxes. In other words, sprawl means that existing homes are

paying for the uncompensated costs of sprawl which are at least $10,000 per house, maybe

considerably more, without even considering the costs of increased water needs. Sprawl

means additional services such as police and fire. It means more schools (and we are closing

schools in the central area!!). It means more streets and the ongoing maintenance of those

streets. Sprawlers don’t even want to pay 75% of the costs of capital improvements for water

and sewer services needed for the sprawl! That would be the fair thing to do. They want us to

pay for that and more. If sprawl pays for itself and makes El Paso more prosperous, why do our

property taxes keep going up and up and up?

3. Preservation will help our City save money, create neighborhoods where people can walk, drive

to work or catch a bus or even bicycle. Throughout the country, infill (not sprawl) brings

financial health to communities and lower property taxes. Why? Because the existing

infrastructure for water, sewer, schools, roads, transit, parks, fire and police stations are used

more efficiently. After two years and $2Million for a study that democratically included

thousands of El Pasoans in hundreds of meetings, the city adopted such a guide for intelligent,

human-friendly development: Plan El Paso. Signing the petition means that City Council just

can't let that plan gather dust on the shelf. It means following it and making our lives healthier

and happier.

4. Preservation means that we can enjoy hiking, biking, walking and more healthful outdoor

activities. Preservation means improving the quality of life, decreasing obesity and diabetes

which have become epidemic here in El Paso.

5. Preservation means millions of dollars annually for El Paso from eco-tourism. More people will

come to El Paso to enjoy mountain biking, rock climbing, hiking and other recreational activities

in our mountains and the surrounding region.

6. Preservation means protecting wildlife. The lowland desert areas surrounding Franklin

Mountains State Park provide habitat for many species of animals and plants. To survive many

species require lower elevations for food and protection. Other species require habitat at both

low and high elevations. Species such as Golden Eagles and other raptors, Mule Deer, the Texas

Horned Lizard, and Javelina are already losing critical range and habitat needs. Future

opportunities to re-introduce other species such as the Mexican Wolf will be impaired by more

urban sprawl developments.