The historic Lead Queen Mine in the Patagonia Mountains, which produced lead, silver and small amounts of copper between 1898 and 1940, has intermittently leaked toxic minerals, both visible and invisible, ever since. In 2014, monsoon rains caused a dramatic orange outflow that attracted media attention, followed by two Coronado National Forest (CNF) projects attempting […]
Robert Gay
Posted inLocal News
Rio Tinto Mining Claims Large Tracts of Land in Eastern SCC
In the last three years, Rio Tinto, an international mining company, has staked two large groups of mineral claims in the Santa Rita and Patagonia Mountains. The claim stakes typically bear the initials “KEX”, for Kennicott Exploration Company, an American subsidiary of Rio Tinto, the third largest mining company in the world. Claims are generally […]
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Changes Coming to Downtown Patagonia
As Patagonia enters a new decade, a quiet renewal is occurring in the heart of its ‘downtown’ retail district. Between the Stage Stop Inn and a vacant lot, two new owners share a joined building on McKeown Ave, fronted by a covered sidewalk with a step to the pavement that provides pedestrians with both protection […]
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Spirit World 100 Bike Race
Early on November 9th, 110 very fit riders set of to pedal the dirt and gravel between Patagonia and the border in the Spirit World 100 bicycle race. The race drew about 150 visitors to town. The riders, who came from 22 states and one Canadian province, were challenged to finish either the 100-mile or […]
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Remediation Work Continues in Mansfield Canyon
Map adapted from U.S. Forest Service Road Closure Map. A mine remediation project in Mansfield Canyon, accessed by Temporal Canyon Rd, is being conducted by the Nogales District of the Coronado National Forest (CNF). There are four phases in the project: tunnel and shaft protection, road maintenance and realignment, tailings relocation and biological restoration. The […]
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Luau, Shirt Sale Benefit KPUP
Guests enjoy the evening of food and dancing at the annual KPUP luau. Photo by Robert Gay Every spring for the last 11 years, a tropical fever of sorts spreads in the Patagonia region, culminating with a tropical-themed community party to benefit Patagonia’s favorite (and only) radio station, KPUP. 70 diners spread happily under the […]
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Casting Light on Light Pollution
(C) Google Earth, Fabio Falchi et al (2016) Light pollution, which has joined air, water, and soil pollution as a major environmental concern, occurs by direct transmission of light which we experience as “skyglow.” It can be caused by many sources including homes, businesses, signs parks, roadway lighting, sports events, vehicles, construction, airports and military […]
Posted inLocal News
Remediation Still in Planning Stage for Lead Queen Mine
Sludge can still be seen in the entrance to the Lead Queen Mine off of Harshaw Rd. Photo by Robert Gay The Lead Queen Mine’s dramatic orange discharge and relative ease of access via Forest Road 4646 make it a highly visible poster child for acid mine drainage. It is even possible to see a […]
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Fairborn Observatory: A Hidden Gem
Fairborn Observatory, located in the the Coronado National Forest south of Patagonia, uses two types of telescopes to search for exoplanets. Photo by Robert Gay Fairborn Observatory lies tucked away on the east side of the Patagonia mountains. It is not open to the public, but very open to the deep bowl of the night […]