Chino Valley Proposition 410 – Jill Keller, Ph.D.

November 3, 2026, is election day and Proposition 410 will be on the ballot. Proposition 410 presents voters with choosing the future of Chino Valley. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University has a proposal to build a private training airport near Chino Valley to alleviate congestion at its Prescott campus. This facility will be exclusively for student use.

Proposition 410 concerns protecting and preserving the beauty of Chino Valley, Arizona. In addition, it is a proposal that will preserve the Perkins Ranch and keep Chino Valley rural. It will benefit the preservation of the Pronghorn Antelope which graze here as it is a corridor for wildlife which has been part of the Chino Valley community for more than 126 years (Yes On 410, 2026). In addition, Game and Fish noted:

• No anticipated alterations to riparian corridors, ephemeral washes or natural drainage patterns.
• No noise-sensitive land is used within 2,000 feet of the proposed runway.
• Wildlife-exclusion fencing and pre-flight monitoring around the operating area.
• Wildlife awareness and reporting procedures for airfield operations (Yes On 410, 2026).

Considering the heavy building and growth which the Prescott Tri City area has seen in recent years, with many ranches and farms disappearing to make way for housing developments, the residents of Chino Valley need to get out and vote in order to preserve their own way of life but also protect the environment and the animals that call this area home. The Chino Valley Aquifer is not capable of more expansion for housing development and if it drops too low, the entire Prescott Tri City area, including Prescott, Prescott Valley and Chino Valley could suffer. Preserving the rural way of life in Chino Valley can assist Tri City residents and wildlife.

Thoughts from Chino Valley Residents

Interviews with several long-time residents of Chino Valley revealed that the airfield will not bring a lot of noise to the area. Dale Young shared that planes fly in and around Prescott and Chino Valley everyday and night, and they are not hindering our way of life. The airfield is planned to be far enough away so that it will not affect the area at all.

Susan Hall stated she would like to see the airport extension. Dennis Dutton agreed and felt strongly that the airport extension for Emry-Riddle will preserve the rural life and community that we all love.

Carol Armstrong commented that housing developments are far more of a drain on the area, and there are not going to be take-offs and landings in the middle of Chino Valley. Ms. Armstrong added that too many people are not properly informed and a ‘Yes Vote’ will enhance our community. Emry-Riddle is a fine university and when you see the map of the new airfield, it is so far away we are not going to be affected.

The following link explains in detail what this new airfield means to the community. Please see https://www.yeson410.org/commitment. Be sure to vote on November 3, 2026.

Reference

Yes On 410 (2026) Prop 410: Keep Chino Valley Rural

https://www.yeson410.org/commitment