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Balaji Vaidyanathan with the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) answers questions during a community meeting about a pending air quality permit for the South 32 Hermosa Mine project in Patagonia on Thursday, Jan. 11. Residents in the area are primarily concerned about potential negative health outcomes from manganese exposure. The Hermosa Mine looks to source "critical minerals" zinc, manganese, lead and silver from its two main deposits.

ADEQ proposes Air Quality permit for Mine near Patagonia

Locals oppose the South32 Hermosa mine, state concerns of manganese exposure.
An aerial view of the Molino 2 Fire on Catalina Highway in the Coronado National Forest. April 30, 2023

Tucson man who started Molino II Fire ordered to pay restitution to United States Forest Service

Michael J. Sobcynski enters a plea agreement for using incendiary ammunition.
An electric transmission line.

Construction resumes on SunZia Transmission Project following temporary suspension

Bureau of Land Management’s pause addresses cultural property concerns in the San Pedro Valley, work progresses on 520-mile transmission project
We visit Altar Valley west of Tucson where various members from the community and different agencies have created the "Altar Valley Conservation Alliance" to try to protect the land for future generations while allowing ranchers and others to continue to make a living on it.

Federal initiative awards Altar Valley Watershed $1.2 million for flood resilience

The investment drives innovation for water infrastructure projects
The San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area in Cochise County, Arizona.

Conservation windfall in Arizona: America the Beautiful Challenge funds key initiatives

Statewide grant recipients develop nature-based solutions

Stargazing marvel: Saguaro National Park earns Urban Night Sky certification

International Dark-Sky Association taps park to join its cosmic club
This photo distributed by NextEra Energy Resources shows the 100-megwatt Borderlands Wind Project, which entered service in late 2021. Its 34 turbines will provide enough energy for Tucson Electric Power to supply 26,000 average homes.

BLM halts SunZia Transmission Project in Arizona amid concerns over cultural impact

A temporary suspension sparks consultations as the Bureau of Land management responds to cultural concerns, impacting a segment of the transmission project
Sec. Stewart Udall vists Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming with Lady Bird Johnson on Aug. 16, 1964.

"Stewart Udall: The Politics of Beauty"

Also on Arizona Spotlight: How teachers are dealing with AI in classrooms; and a story of survival in plain sight from Children of the Holocaust.
The San Pedro River post-Monsoon rain. September 14, 2023.

Center for Biological Diversity demands action on depleting aquifer in Sierra Vista

Environmental advocates call for fair water use policies to save the San Pedro River.

An unprecedented water line in an unprecedented place

In this Tapped episode, Danyelle Khmara delves into the Grand Canyon's water infrastructure challenges and the extraordinary Transcanyon Waterline upgrade, highlighting the complexities of delivering clean water in this iconic natural wonder.
Bands of discolored rock show that Lake Powell's water levels are lower than they have been for much of its past.

When a reservoir is more than just stored water

Reservoirs are a common solution to the seasonal ebbs and flows of river water. But, for some communities, they are so much more.
San Pedro River pre-Monsoon rains. August 15, 2023.

Water and housing redux

The story of a home development in Cochise County has taken a second big turn since we published Episode 4 of this series, so Summer Hom is back with the latest on this ongoing saga.
South 32 Hermosa Project in the Patagonia Mountains. The mine development project earned a FAST-41 federal designation which streamlines its permitting process.

Environmental groups seek court order to stop two exploratory mining projects

The groups filed a lawsuit against the USFS in June.
President of the Patagonia Area Resource Alliance (PARA), Carolyn Shafer, stands in one of her favorite places along Harshaw Creek in Patagonia, Arizona. Shafer has lived in the community for about 26 years.

Permitting timetable published for Southern Arizona critical minerals mine

The South32 Hermosa project is located in the Patagonia Mountains
The stretch of the Verde River that goes through Clarkdale ends near the Tuzigoot Road Bridge.

The Buzz takes a trip down the Verde River

We're revisiting this episode after it and another The Buzz episode were honored by PMJA

Environmental groups file lawsuit against the U.S. Forest Service

The agency authorized two mineral exploration projects in the Patagonia Mountains.

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