---
The Town finally responded on February 7
The Town responded that an Oro Valley Water Utility Engineering Manager is overseeing the project and claimed that after reviewing the pipeline work being done, it was determined that “the contractor has properly maintained the site.”
The Town added, “Prior to construction, the water utility performed Environmental Clearance Surveys, including a Cultural Resources Inventory, Biological Evaluation, and Native Plant Inventory.”
Regarding the widening of the construction zone beyond the original plans, the Town stated that “During the design phase it was discovered that the project could not take place within the limits of the existing dirt road” which necessitated the unplanned additional clearing to the east.
Mr. Amato pointed out that despite the additional clearing to the east, there were multiple areas where a backhoe operator went off the designated road and plowed through the plants. He informed the Town that multiple large Palo Verde trees (the State tree) were destroyed and large cactus were uprooted from the ground and rolled down a hill.
He asked, “So, it’s in the nature of Oro Valley to destroy nature? Quite a slogan there.” He continued, “Animals, plants, trees, destroyed with no regard. Where is the conscience of the Oro Valley government? [This destruction] is within your standards?”
The Town closed their letter with the words… ”we apologize for any inconvenience we may have caused the surrounding community” which prompted Dr. Eisenberg to respond in part…
“Inconvenience?... These workers destroyed the flora that the tortoises depend on for life. It was completely unnecessary for these careless and sloppy workers to smash living shrubs and leave them broken and dying. Roots are the command center of these sentient beings that experience the pain from the slovenly onslaught…
It is deeply regrettable that you and your colleagues do not realize this or even understand this reality…This is a very serious violation… The damage is done…I am thoroughly shocked and appalled by such insensitivity, ignorance, and disrespect for life.”
Eisenberg and Amato have implored the Town to repair the native hacked trees, remove the trunks, limbs, and branches that were dumped onto native living plants, and to refrain from any further dumping of debris onto living plants. They have also asked to meet with whomever will be overseeing this work “before more sentient beings are destroyed, injured and left to die a painful death."
Be good for the town to follow its own directives!
