; (2) role as a water conservation sanctuary through a dozen natural canyons, arroyos ( gullies, washes ) and alluvial fans which efficiently transport run-off from the heights through seepage into the large underground Hueco Bolsón ( aquifer , which along with the West Side Mesilla Bolsón supplies much of El Paso’s water); (3) historical significance, as it contains numerous archaeological and historical resources that date as far back as the Paleo-Indian, Archaic and historic Indian groups, lasted from about 8000 B.C. to 4000 B.C. and was initially characterized by big-game hunting; (4) significance as a habitat for an extremely diverse aggregation of wildlife and plant species of special concern that are thought to inhabit Castner Range, including the sand prickly pear, the Texas lyre snake, and the western burrowing owl