Key Accomplishments
PARA was founded in 2011 by a small group of Patagonia residents who believed protecting water, wildlife, and community health required vigilance, science, and a willingness to speak up. Since then, the organization has grown into a respected citizen watchdog, uncovering hidden mine pollution, pushing government agencies to act, and ensuring that the voices of local communities are heard in decisions that affect the Patagonia Mountains and surrounding watersheds. The milestones below highlight key moments where dedicated advocacy, research, and community engagement led to real protections for the land and water that sustain our region.
Milestones
2011: Founding
Six Patagonia residents establish PARA as a citizen watchdog to protect water, wildlife, and community health from mining impacts.
2014: Exposing Pollution
PARA documents toxic orange mine drainage from abandoned Lead Queen and Trench Camp mines, triggering investigations and regional media attention.
2015–2016: Forcing Federal Cleanup
- PARA’s advocacy leads the U.S. Forest Service to initiate a Time-Critical Removal Action at Lead Queen Mine.
- Cleanup actions begin to protect Harshaw Creek and the Sonoita Creek watershed.
2019–2020: Stopping Ongoing Contamination
Installation of a hydraulic plug at the Lead Queen adit halts a major source of acid mine drainage.
2010's–2020's: Sustained Watchdog Leadership
- Ongoing monitoring of mining exploration and legacy sites.
- Publication of technical reports on water risks and mining impacts.
- Community education through forums, field tours, and outreach.
2023: Taking Action in Federal Court
- PARA partners with Earthjustice and others to challenge U.S. Forest Service approvals of Sunnyside and Flux Canyon exploration projects.
- Seeks injunction to protect fragile watersheds and species habitat.
2024: Challenging Weak Permits
- Petitions the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to object to the Hermosa Mine air permit under the Clean Air Act.
- Appeals water discharge permits threatening Harshaw Creek and downstream ecosystems.
2025: Forcing Federal Intervention
- EPA orders Arizona regulators to reopen and revise the Hermosa air permit after finding it failed to meet Clean Air Act requirements.
- PARA leads a coalition of 16 organizations submitting extensive technical comments on the Hermosa Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS), identifying major deficiencies.
2026: Securing Stronger Protections Through Advocacy
- Arizona issues a revised air quality permit for the Hermosa Project only after EPA intervention and public pressure.
- The updated permit includes stronger monitoring, reporting, and compliance requirements—directly addressing concerns raised by PARA and partners.
- The revision process required reopening public comment and additional scrutiny, demonstrating PARA’s ability to force accountability and improve regulatory oversight, even when projects move forward.
Impact
For over a decade, PARA has:
✔ Exposed hidden mine pollution
✔ Forced state and federal cleanups
✔ Triggered federal intervention on unlawful permits
✔ Strengthened environmental protections through advocacy
✔ Mobilized community voices in decision-making
✔ Defended Patagonia’s most precious resource — water