The agreement is to carry out a comprehensive environmental response, compensation, and liability act (cercla) environmental response action at the european and ventura mines near patagonia, arizona

The Department of Agriculture Forest Service R3-Southwestern Region awarded a Cooperative Agreement totaling $3.78 million to the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality on August 24, 2026, under the Good Neighbor Authority program (CFDA 10.691) to conduct environmental remediation and safety closure work at the abandoned European and Ventura mines near Patagonia, Arizona.

The project addresses Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) environmental response at these sites on National Forest System lands within the Middle Sonoita Creek watershed. Work includes construction activities for environmental remediation, physical safety closures of hazardous mine openings, and site monitoring. The abandoned mines contain contaminated waste and hazardous openings that pose risks to water quality and public safety in a watershed supporting riparian habitat and sensitive species. The project reduces environmental contamination, improves watershed health, enhances public safety, and supports long-term land stewardship and resource protection across state and federal jurisdictions.

Performance occurs in Arizona with a period of performance from the award date through April 30, 2028. The obligated amount is $3,780,266.94.

Work includes construction activities to perform environmental remediation, physical safety closures, and site monitoring to improve conditions within the middle sonoita creek watershed on national forest system lands. These abandoned mines contain contaminated waste and hazardous openings that pose risks to water quality and public safety, in a watershed that supports rich riparian habitat and several sensitive species. This project reflects shared interest and mutual benefit as IT reduces environmental contamination, improves watershed health, enhances public safety, and supports long-term land stewardship and resource protection across state and federal jurisdictions.