Activity Report Explorer

Tucson Broadband • Entered by Andrea Hoerr on May 6, 2025

Community Networking and Care

April 8, 2025 – May 6, 2025

Key Issue: Oil, Gas, or Mineral Development
Activity Type: Relationship Building with non-white and/or frontline communities (relational meetings, attending events, community support, etc.)
Key Partners: Corona de Tucson Preservation Alliance, University of Arizona Southwest Environmental Health Science Center

Short Description of Activity

Formed a relationship with the UA Southwest Environmental Health Science Center during tabling on April 8 at Pima Community College. In speaking with their Associate Director, Sofia Forier-Montes, I learned that they have an active program that lends air quality monitoring devices to impacted communities. The Corona de Tucson Preservation Alliance (CDTPA) is a neighborhood organization comprised of homeowners who will be directly impacted by the Copper World mine. They are extremely concerned about the air quality in their neighborhood and the Class II air quality permit that the mine operator, Hudbay, has been granted by Arizona. There were plans for these residents to purchase their own devices. I facilitated an introductory meeting with the UA and CDTPA.

Reflection/Evaluation

The result is that the UA will be loaning 10 air quality monitors to the community, assisting with determining the optimal placement of the monitors, and doing a site visit to place the monitors and provide training. UA will also be helping with the calibration of the devices, with data gathering and subsequent analysis. This will be a great tool as the fight to get a more stringent Class I air quality permit proceeds through the bureaucracy. The Great Old Broads are gaining respect in the community as a key ally in the fight. I don’t expect that we will have much follow up activity, except if there are questions around data aggregation and reporting in the future.