Monthly Archives: December 2016

State Route 89A near Slide Rock to be narrowed to one lane for cell tower installation

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Motorists using State Route 89A between Sedona and Flagstaff should allow extra travel time next week when the roadway is reduced to one lane near Slide Rock while a new cell tower is installed.

SR 89A will be narrowed to one lane between mileposts 381 and 384 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, December 13, and Wednesday, December 14. Flaggers will be on site to provide alternating north- and southbound travel through the work zone and delays are possible.

Drivers should proceed through the work zone with caution, slow down and watch for construction personnel and equipment.

ADOT works to inform the public about planned highway restrictions and closures, but it’s possible that unscheduled impacts might occur because of weather or other factors. For the most current information about highway conditions statewide, visit ADOT’s Travel Information Site at www.az511.gov, follow ADOT on Twitter (@ArizonaDOT) or call 511, except while driving.

When you see flashing lights, “Move Over”

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Travel Arizona’s highways this week and you’ll see this message on overhead signs:

FLASHING LIGHTS?
GIVE ‘EM SPACE
MOVE OVER


We hope “Move Over” rings familiar. If not, let’s refresh your memory:

• “Move Over” is a state law that requires motorists to move over one lane—or slow down if it is not safe to change lanes—when approaching any vehicle with flashing lights pulled to the side of a road or highway.

• That includes first responder vehicles such as tow trucks, fire trucks, ambulances and police cruisers, as well as utility trucks and even passenger vehicles that have emergency flashers blinking. Click the graphic at right for this information.

Lives can be saved when vehicles “Move Over.” In June near Benson, a tow truck operator was killed when a vehicle struck him as he assisted a stranded motorist on the shoulder of Interstate 10.

Tragically, that’s not uncommon, as being a first responder to vehicle crashes and disabled motorists is dangerous work. Nationally, one tow truck operator is killed every six days. On average, about 23 highway workers and one law enforcement officer are killed every month and five fire fighters are killed every year in the United States.

Remember, when you see flashing lights on, give ’em space and “Move Over.”

Voluntary Class II Recall of Chocolate Hazelnut Butter CLIF® Nut Butter Filled

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Clif Bar & Company is initiating a voluntary Class II recall of one production run of Chocolate Hazelnut Butter CLIF® Nut Butter Filled energy bars due to the presence of small plastic pieces found in a limited number of bars sold in the U.S. Clif Bar has not received any reports of injuries as a result of the plastic; however, the company is initiating the voluntary recall out of an abundance of caution.

Only product meeting the following criteria is affected:

  1. Individual bars of Chocolate Hazelnut Butter CLIF® Nut Butter Filled energy bars with “best by” dates of 10JUN17N4 or 11JUN17N4
  2. 12-count caddies of Chocolate Hazelnut Butter CLIF® Nut Butter Filled energy bars with “best by” dates of 10JUN17N4 or 11JUN17N4; and

UPC Codes:
a. Bar: 7-22252-26800-6
b. 12-count Caddy: 7-22252-36800-3
c. Case: 00722252-56800-7

No other CLIF® Nut Butter Filled energy bar products, pack sizes, configurations, or flavors are affected.

The company is asking consumers to return product to the store where purchased to request an exchange or full refund. Affected product should then be discarded and not consumed.

Consumers with questions may contact 1-866-967-9776, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. PST, Monday-Friday.

Jaguar photograph taken by Fort Huachuca trail camera

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PHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Department and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently received a photograph of a jaguar taken by a Fort Huachuca trail camera in the Huachuca Mountains. Fort Huachuca is a U.S. Army installation near Sierra Vista in southeastern Arizona.

“Preliminary indications are that the cat is a male jaguar and, potentially, an individual not previously seen in Arizona,” said Dr. Benjamin Tuggle, regional director for the Southwest Region of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. “We are working with the Arizona Game and Fish Department to determine if this sighting represents a new individual jaguar.”

“While this is exciting news, we are examining photographic evidence to determine if we’re seeing a new cat here, or if this is an animal that has been seen in Arizona before,” said Jim DeVos, assistant director of the department’s Wildlife Management Division. “We look forward to partnering with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and thoroughly vetting the evidence.”

AZGFD, USFWS and Fort Huachuca personnel will notify the public when the final determination is made.

Clouds, but no snow in sight.

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WILLIAMS — Last night Williams may have received a small amount of rain. Clouds moved in overhead in the early morning hours, but should clear off and remain mostly sunny the rest of the week. Winds are expected to be about 6 to 9-mph through Friday. Temperatures will reach the 50s during the day dropping to the mid-to-low 20s overnight.

Flagstaff has a 10% chance of snow before 11 a.m., but otherwise the weather pattern is expected to be about the same as Williams.

AZGF Top 5 AZ fishing holes for this winter

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fish-catch-background1In Arizona, winter doesn’t have to mean sending boats and rods and reels into hibernation. While outdoor recreation opportunities across many U.S. states shut down during the season of freeze, Arizona rolls on with trout stockings and water temperatures just warm enough to convince fish to bite during the holidays.

Although fishing tends to slow a tad this time of the year, there are some spots that are winter-friendly.

Here, then, are the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s top-5 fishing holes for this winter.

ADEQ comment period for Hayden Sulfur Dioxide Nonattainment Area State Implementation Plan

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ADEQ welcomes comments on the proposed Hayden Sulfur Dioxide Nonattainment Area State Implementation Plan (SIP) Revision.

The plan demonstrates that the Hayden nonattainment area will attain the 2010 Sulfur Dioxide National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). The revision will be submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency for incorporation in Arizona’s SIP as required by the Clean Air Act under Section 110.
View Public Notice/Related Documents here.

Public Comment Period:
Dec. 5, 2016 to Jan. 10, 2017

Public Hearing:
Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017 at 2 p.m.
1110 W. Washington St., Rm. 3175
Phoenix, AZ 85007

Comments may be submitted as follows:
Email | Send Email
Mail: (Must be postmarked by Jan. 10, 2017)

Stakeholder Meeting for Ozone Air Quality Standards December 19

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ADEQ welcomes interested parties to attend a stakeholder meeting regarding EPA’s proposed 2015 Ozone Implementation Rule. During the meeting, ADEQ will discuss key topics from the proposed rule in which the agency will most likely make comments.

When: December 19, 2016 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Where: Arizona Department of Environmental Quality
1110 W. Washington St.
Phoenix, Arizona, 85007
Room 145

View EPA’s proposed implementation rule here >

Johnson Utilities Drinking Water Problem Resolved

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The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) is pleased to report that we are lifting the Johnson Utilities Drinking Water Advisory for nitrate. ADEQ notified Johnson Utilities (PWS 11182) customers on Dec. 2, 2016, to not provide water to infants under of the age of 6 months or use the water to make infant formula because of elevated nitrate levels. ADEQ has confirmed the problem has been resolved and tap water can be given to infants under the age of 6 months.

Today, ADEQ received confirmation from Johnson Utilities that their sample collected on Nov. 30, 2016, demonstrated the nitrate level met the federal drinking water standard (lower than the Maximum Contaminant Level of 10 mg/L at 7.15 mg/L). This sample was analyzed using certified analytical methods.

Contact Katherine Nierva with Johnson Utilities at 480-998-3300 if you have questions.

Please share this information with all people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.

ADEQ DRINKING WATER WARNING

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The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) learned today that drinking water test results of Johnson Utilities water exceeded the federal drinking water standard for nitrate. Because Johnson Utilities has not contacted ADEQ or responded to our inquiries, ADEQ is not able to verify whether Johnson Utilities has completed the required notification to its customers about this important water quality concern.

DO NOT GIVE THE WATER TO INFANTS UNDER 6 MONTHS OLD OR USE IT TO MAKE INFANT FORMULA

Water sample results collected 10/27/2016 and 11/21/2016 showed nitrate levels of 12 mg/L and 11.4 mg/L, respectively. This is above the nitrate standard, or maximum contaminant level (MCL), of 10 mg/L. Nitrate in drinking water is a serious health concern for infants less than six months old.

Nitrate in drinking water can come from natural, industrial, or agricultural sources (including septic systems and run-off). Levels of nitrate in drinking water can vary throughout the year.

What should I do? What does this mean?

  • DO NOT GIVE THE WATER TO INFANTS. Infants below the age of six months who drink water containing nitrate in excess of the MCL could become seriously ill and, if untreated, may die. Symptoms include shortness of breath and blue baby syndrome. Blue baby syndrome is indicated by blueness of the skin. Symptoms in infants can develop rapidly, with health deteriorating over a period of days. If symptoms occur, seek medical attention immediately.
  • Water, juice, and formula for children under six months of age should not be prepared with tap water. Bottled water or other water low in nitrates should be used for infants until further notice.
  • DO NOT BOIL THE WATER. Boiling, freezing, filtering, or letting water stand does not reduce the nitrate level. Excessive boiling can make the nitrates more concentrated, because nitrates remain behind when the water evaporates.
  • Adults and children older than six months can drink the tap water (nitrate is a concern for infants because they can’t process nitrates in the same way adults can). However, if you are pregnant or have specific health concerns, you may wish to consult your doctor.

What is being done?

ADEQ is unable to determine what corrective action Johnson Utilities may be performing at this time and is continuing attempts to contact the company to determine what actions they have taken.

ADEQ urges Johnson Utilities’ customers who have questions to contact the company directly: Katherine Nierva, Johnson Utilities, 480-998-3300

Please share this information with all people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.