Land Use Measures Face Hurdles Before Ballot

Lawmakers in Arizona are hoping to get two land-use measures on the ballot that would allow the state to sell off trust land to conservationists, and make right-of-way lands available for road construction.

1 minute read

May 18, 2007, 5:00 AM PDT

By Nate Berg


"A measure that would allow for the sale of undeveloped state-owned lands for conservation purposes and the easier disposition of right-of-way lands for road and highway construction is running into some roadblocks."

"The idea behind the Nelson plan is to get something that conservation and real estate advocates can agree upon and approved by voters. Sales of State Trust Land go towards public education and conservation programs."

"The measure would specify more than 2,300 acres of state lands that could be sold to local governments and conservation groups who would then preserve them as natural reserves and open spaces. Those sales would be for appraised value and would not occur via auction."

"The proposed ballot measure would also allow the state to convey right-of-way land with or without compensation for roadway, flood control and utility construction."

Wednesday, May 16, 2007 in The Business Journal of Phoenix

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

October 28, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

A car drives through a puddle, making a large splash. Rain pours down.

California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour

If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.

October 28, 2026 - Grist

Lake Powell with much of the water evaporated.

Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River

Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.

October 30, 2026 - Yale Environment 360

: Construction of massive Samsung semiconductor fabrication plant

In Texas, data centers are swallowing promised parkland

Residents who moved to Taylor, Texas for a rural community now have to contend with three data centers in their backyard.

4 hours ago - Inside Climate News

A construction crew working on SunZia.

How a Chicago-sized wind farm beat the odds and powered on

The project spanned five presidential administrations and a standoff with a U.S. military base.

5 hours ago - Grist

A rendering of the basketball court, a green court under a blue sky.

MTA gives itself 30 days to transform pit into basketball court

The site has been under construction since 2022; the city originally estimated it would finish the court in 2024.

6 hours ago - Gothamist