Other Affected Wildlife

A Biodiversity Ecosystem Under Threat

This composite image visualizes the “domino effect”. It moves the conversation beyond just the “pronghorn fence” and onto a whole ecosystem threat.

• Acoustic Masking : The graphic visually explains “acoustic masking”—showing that the songs of the Chihuahuan Meadowlark are literally drowned out by the repetitive engine noise of the training aircraft. This is the visual key for ornithology-based arguments.
• Apex Predator Conflicts: We show that when we fence the large herbivores like mule deer and elk, we force apex predators like bobcats and mountain lions into surrounding neighborhoods. This turns the issue from “wildlife protection” to “public safety.”
• Silent Aquifer Impact: The inclusion of the Spikedace fish and the link to the Verde River baseflow highlights the “silent” impact of industrial water pumping at the Perkins Ranch site.

1. Birds of Prey (Raptors)
The Perkins Ranch area is a prime hunting ground for large raptors that rely on the open, quiet grasslands to hear and see small mammals.

• Bald & Golden Eagles: Nesting pairs are documented near Del Rio Springs and the upper Verde. Aircraft noise at 20 operations per hour can cause “nest abandonment,” where parents leave chicks exposed due to the stress of low-flying planes.
• Ferruginous & Swainson’s Hawks: These hawks are “grassland specialists.” The construction of a 390-acre industrial park removes their primary foraging habitat.
• Burrowing Owls: These small, ground-dwelling owls are a “Species of Concern.” They are highly sensitive to ground vibrations from heavy construction and the constant landing of aircraft.

2. Grassland Songbirds (The “Hidden” Residents)
Many of the birds in the Big Chino are Important Bird Area (IBA) residents that are disappearing across the West.

• Chihuahuan Meadowlark: Their complex songs are used to defend territory and find mates. “Acoustic Masking” from constant engine noise can drown out their calls, leading to a collapse in local breeding populations.
• Grasshopper Sparrows: These birds require “intact” native grasses. The fragmentation caused by runways and taxiways makes their habitat too small to support healthy colonies.

3. Large & Medium Mammals

• Mule Deer & Rocky Mountain Elk: While more adaptable than pronghorn, these animals use the Perkins Ranch area as a winter corridor. The introduction of 8-foot “airfield-standard” fencing creates a hard barrier that can lead to starvation or “entrapment” during heavy winter snows.
• Mountain Lions & Bobcats: As top predators, they follow the deer and pronghorn. If the prey moves or is fenced out, the predators are pushed into residential neighborhoods in search of domestic livestock.

4. Aquatic & Riparian Species (The Water Connection)
This is the “silent” impact. Because the Big Chino Aquifer feeds the Verde River, any industrial water contamination or over-pumping at the Perkins Ranch site affects:

• Native Fish: Endangered species like the Spikedace and Loach Minnow rely on the baseflow of the Verde. If industrial growth in Chino Valley lowers the water table, their habitat literally dries up.

The Argument: “It’s not just about one herd. It’s about a domino effect. When we fence the pronghorn, we push the lions into our yards. This project is a threat to the entire biological web of Chino Valley.”