Our View: Good news for the fort. Findings of the Biological Opinion reward fort's efforts

Sierra Vista Herald ^ | Staff/Herald Recview

[SandRat]

Fort Huachuca’s leadership over the years on water conservation has established an indisputable record of accomplishments, which serves to protect the San Pedro River and its watershed. And the surrounding civilian communities have also provided hard work and innovation — actions that other communities with similar challenges now try to emulate.

Confirmation that this team is doing things the right way was announced on Friday. Officials from the Army and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reached agreement on a formal Biological Opinion last Monday.

For those wondering what the fuss is about, the lack of a Biological Opinion has been a centerpiece argument for those who wouldn’t mind seeing Fort Huachuca closed, or at least drastically reduced in its missions.

With the completion of the opinion, another step in an ongoing argument will both end, and begin.

The conclusion of the Biological Opinion — which represents a formal statement by the Fish and Wildlife Service — is that the operation of Fort Huachuca does not present a threat to endangered species in and around the San Pedro River.

Further, the opinion points to the leadership role that Fort Huachuca has played both on the post and in the community. Partnership efforts with the Upper San Pedro Partnership, The Nature Conservancy, Cochise County, Sierra Vista and surrounding communities have resulted in land acquisitions, recharge projects, new building codes and innovative community programs that promote water conservation.

On the post, Fort Huachuca has distinguished itself for a “net-zero” impact on water consumption. The policies and practices of the military community at the fort, including the Army’s commitment to the necessary infrastructure, offers a model for other installations.

Despite the findings, however, the Biological Opinion is almost certain to be challenged. Arguments that the opinion is flawed or fails to weigh factors that threaten the San Pedro are sure to be presented in the future.

What is significant for Southeast Arizona is that the leadership of Fort Huachuca, and the partnerships the post has formed with the area’s communities, have been recognized by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as not causing harm to the San Pedro, and in fact helping to preserve the National Riparian Conservation Area.