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Mon, October 06, 2008
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Clocking In

Sahba leader says environmentalists' goal is "depopulating Southern Arizona"

07/07/2008 03:16 PM
Christie Smythe

Oh, no. Not the pygmy owl again.

At about 6 1/2 inches long and weighing less than a hamster, the cactus ferruginous pygmy-owl is not very intimidating.

But the president of the Southern Arizona Home Builders Association appears to find the pygmy owls — or at least efforts to get the birds back on the endangered species list — downright scary.

“Southern Arizona Hotbed for Rabid Environmentalism” was the headline for Sahba president Ed Taczanowsky’s message in Sahba’s July newsletter.

“The real goal of radical environmentalism is not to save species,” he wrote. “It’s about stopping the building of homes and infrastructure, and I believe, depopulating Southern Arizona.”

(Hmmm … I can see it now. An army of organic produce-munching, hemp-wearing cactus-huggers concocts a nefarious plan to rid Southern Arizona of people. Sounds like the plot of a guaranteed summer blockbuster.)

Taczanowsky criticized efforts by the Defenders of Wildlife and The Center for Biological Diversity to pressure the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service into reconsidering the agency’s removal of the little bird from the list.

Environmentalists say that about 500,000 acres of Southern Arizona under development restrictions could be available to builders if the pygmy owl is not classified as endangered.

“How many people can live here and who will be allowed to stay?” wrote Taczanowsky. “I bet the Center (for Biological Diversity) has its list, and it is really short.”

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  1. Don’t laugh at this one. The environmental groups want an unbroken wildlife corridor from the Mexican border to the Canadian border and it encludes moving humans out. Read their histories.


    Char    07/07/2008 05:47 PM    #
  2. Love the histrionic rhetoric coming from both sides. While this plays out, I think I’m going to go depopulate my company’s candy dish.


    WanderingMex    07/08/2008 01:35 PM    #
  3. I think they are right on here, never thought of it like this but the elites may win out and have their illegals to do their work for them at a very low price.


    gene    07/10/2008 04:57 PM    #
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About 'Clocking In'

'Clocking In' is the joint blog of the Star’s Business news staff. We're punching out news tips, outtakes and other morsels for people with an appetite for local business, consumer and workplace news. Have some news of your own to share? Be sure to drop us a line using one of the e-mail addresses below.




'Clocking In' Authors


Tim Steller
Business editor
Phone: 573-4663
E-mail: tsteller@azstarnet.com


Jack Gillum
Technology and aerospace reporter
Phone: 573-4178
E-mail: jgillum@azstarnet.com


Dale Quinn
Health-care industry and workplace issues reporter
Phone: 573-4197
E-mail: dquinn@azstarnet.com


Gabriela Rico
AzStarBiz.com editor, Economic development and tourism reporter
Phone: 573-4232
E-mail: grico@azstarnet.com


Shelley Shelton
Consumer issues and small business reporter
Phone: 434-4086
E-mail: sshelton@azstarnet.com


David Wichner
Assistant business editor
Phone: 573-4181
E-mail: dwichner@azstarnet.com