Monthly Archives: February 2017

Snow today, rain through tomorrow

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WILLIAMS – Williams and Flagstaff may experience some snow before noon, today, turning to rain in the afternoon and through Tuesday. Ash Fork, Valle and the surrounding area can expect rain through the same period.

Winds today will be West southwest wind 18 to 21 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph. On Tuesday winds will be 15-mph with gusts up to 23. The chill factor will be minimal and temperatures will remain in the mid-40s.

It is expected to clear Wednesday and Thursday with temperatures in the 50s. Chance of rain will return Friday and through the weekend, but temperatures are currently expected to remain in the upper-40s and lower-50s.

No hazardous conditions are predicted for the time frame. The rain should wash away some of the remaining snow and residents can expect muddy conditions. Icy conditions may exist in the early morning hours, so drivers should take caution.

BLM to host two additional public meetings on target shooting management on Sonoran Desert National Monument

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The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has scheduled two additional information meetings at which it seeks input on recreational target shooting management alternatives for the Sonoran Desert National Monument. The meeting dates and locations are:

  • Feb. 11: noon to 3 p.m., Copper Sky Recreation Center, 44342 W Martin Luther King Blvd., Maricopa.
  • Feb. 21: 4-7 p.m., Burton Barr Central Library, 1221 N Central Ave., Phoenix.

The purpose of the meetings is to present the draft management alternatives, answer public questions, and receive public input to be considered as the planning process progresses. During the first 30 minutes of each meeting, the BLM will provide opening remarks describing the ground rules and will proceed to present the alternatives. The remaining time will be conducted in an open house format, during which staff will answer additional questions and receive input to be considered. Three meetings were previously held Jan. 19-21 in Phoenix and Casa Grande.

The 90-day comment period will close on March 15, 2017. All comments must be received prior to this date in order to be included in the final analysis.

Following the public comment period, the BLM will consider all of the input and begin work to finalize the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Draft Resource Management Plan Amendment (RMPA).

Stakeholders and other members of the public are encouraged to submit their comments for the record through the BLM online land use planning tool, ePlanning. Written comments may be mailed to the BLM’s project manager, Wayne Monger, at 21605 N. 7th Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85027, faxed to (623) 580-5623, or e-mailed to BLM_AZ_SDNMtargetshooting@BLM.gov.

SDNM RMP Planning Website: http://bit.ly/SDNMtargetshooting.

Annual bald eagle event set for Flagstaff

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FLAGSTAFF – Did you know that Arizona is visited by over 200 bald eagles during the winter? To learn more about these amazing birds and to see live eagles, the public is invited to attend the Annual Bald Eagle Celebration on Saturday, Feb. 25, at the Willow Bend Environmental Educational Center at 703 E. Sawmill Road in Flagstaff.

Several programs will be offered during this year’s event, which is hosted by the Arizona Game and Fish Department and Willow Bend Environmental Education Center. The cost for the event is $5 per participant for each program or free for Willow Bend Members.

All programs, except field trip, will be held at Willow Bend. The day will also include an opportunity to see live bald eagles up close and a chance to talk with dedicated individuals from Liberty Wildlife Rehabilitation Foundation.

  • 8-10 a.m. – “Early Birds” Field Trip: Join current and retired AZ Game and Fish wildlife biologists for an early morning field trip searching for bald eagles and local waterfowl around Lake Mary. Meet at 8 a.m. at AZ Game and Fish Office at 3500 Lake Mary Road. Personal transportation is required and carpooling is encouraged. The field trip will be cancelled if there is inclement weather.
  • 10-11 a.m. – “Eaglets” Family Presentation: A family-focused interactive program especially designed for families with young children (ages 4-12 years old). Learn about and view live eagles.
  • 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. – “Fully Fledged” Community Presentation 1: Learn about the incredible bald eagle from an Arizona Game and Fish biologist and view live eagles up close. Presentation is open to all ages. (Please note this is the same presentation as the 1 p.m. session. Please only sign up for one presentation.)
  • 1-2 p.m. – “Fully Fledged” Community Presentation 2: Learn about the incredible bald eagle from an Arizona Game and Fish biologist and view live eagles up close. Presentation is open to all ages.

“Educating people about wildlife, conservation and management is a goal for Willow Bend and Arizona Game and Fish,” Willow Bend Director Moran Henn said. “We are very excited to be partnering with Game and Fish and Liberty Wildlife again for this year’s event.”

Those going on the early bird field trip should remember to dress appropriately for weather conditions, and bring binoculars and bird field guidebooks. To register for one of the programs offered or for more information, visit www.willowbendcenter.org.

Volunteers can help to spotlight endangered black-footed ferrets

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SELIGMAN — The Arizona Game and Fish Department is seeking volunteers to assist with spotlighting efforts to help document the population of endangered black-footed ferrets in Aubrey Valley and on the Double O Ranch near Seligman.

As part of the recovery effort, the department has scheduled two spring spotlighting projects – March 9-12 and April 6-9 (the department also conducts two spotlighting projects in the fall). The spotlighting method involves using high-powered lights to locate and identify black-footed ferrets. Their eyeshine is reflected by the spotlight and helps surveyors with identifying and locating these elusive, nocturnal carnivores.

Volunteers must have the ability to stay attentive from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. while spotlighting for black-footed ferrets and use, or learn how to use, a Global Positioning System (GPS). Volunteers can sign up by e-mailing azferret@azgfd.gov — with “spring spotlighting” in the subject line – by March 3 for next month’s project and by March 30 for the later opportunity.

Volunteers are reminded to include their full name, a contact phone number, month(s) and night(s) available to spotlight, and full names of others who also will be attending (a parent or guardian must accompany any youth under 18). Volunteers also should note any equipment they can bring, such as GPS, clipboard, headlamp, pen, binoculars, walkie-talkies, compass, cordless rechargeable spotlight, backpack or 4X4 vehicle.

Visit www.azgfd.gov/wildlife and click on “Nongame Species” for more information about the black-footed ferret recovery effort.

Game and Fish Commission to meet Friday in Lake Havasu City

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LAKE HAVASU CITY — The next meeting of the Arizona Game and Fish Commission will be Friday, Feb. 3, at ASU Colleges at Lake Havasu City, Santiago Hall, Room 109, located at 100 University Way in Lake Havasu City. The meeting will begin at 8 a.m.

The meeting can be attended in person or viewed at http://www.azgfd.gov/inside_azgfd/CommissionCam.shtml. The meeting also can be viewed on streaming video at department headquarters in Phoenix, or any of the department’s regional offices statewide.

Those who wish to speak to the commission may submit “speaker cards” (blue cards) in person at the meeting, or from any regional office. The ability to speak to the commission is not available for those viewing the webcast.

Items on the agenda include:

A briefing from Lake Havasu City staff on the Havasu Riviera Project.
A presentation on the results of the Lake Havasu Satellite Watercraft Registration Pilot Program (June-Dec. 2016).
A briefing on the status of state and federal legislation related to the department’s mission.
An update on the department’s efforts toward accomplishing commission priorities.
An update on the department’s statewide outreach campaign to increase public awareness of the department, its mission and how it’s funded.
A briefing on the department’s threatened and endangered species program, including a resolution in support of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies’ (AFWA) Blue Ribbon Panel’s recommendation to Congress to dedicate up to $1.3 billion annually to support the State Wildlife Action Plan and wildlife diversity funding.
A first-read item: A Memorandum of Understanding with the Arizona Antelope Foundation that would allow the department to partner with AAF on conservation and education programs.
A first-read item: A license agreement with Triskee Farms LLC for the purpose of planting and harvesting crops on the Quigley-Achee Wildlife Area.
Hearings on license revocations for violations of Game and Fish codes, and civil assessments for the illegal taking and/or possession of wildlife (time certain at 10 a.m. Friday).
A request to review, for future approval, proposed recommendations to be included in the five-year rule review report for Article 3, regarding taking and handling of wildlife.
A briefing on public comment received to date on existing hunt guidelines.

To view a copy of the full meeting agenda, visit www.azgfd.gov/commission and click on the “commission agenda” link.

On Saturday, Feb. 4, community members will lead the commission and department staff on a field trip/boat tour of conservation and recreation projects on Lake Havasu.

The Arizona Game and Fish Commission is a five-member, policy-setting board that oversees the Arizona Game and Fish Department. For more information about the commission, visit www.azgfd.gov/commission.

Lake Mary Road to fully reopen by noon today

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FLAGSTAFF – Coconino County Public Works crews are clearing a previously closed seven-mile stretch of Lake Mary Road about 35 miles southeast of Flagstaff and the roadway is scheduled to fully reopen by noon.

Lake Mary Road, also known as Forest Highway 3 (FH3), was closed on Thursday, Jan. 19 from the north entrance of Mormon Lake (near the scenic overlook) to the south entrance of Mormon Lake. The closure was implemented in the interest of public safety due to a trio of winter storms that dropped more than three feet of snow in the area and created hazardous driving conditions from blowing snow.

During the closure, traffic on Lake Mary Road was detoured along the West Side Mormon Lake Road which loops Mormon Lake and goes through Mormon Lake Village.

When this section of Lake Mary Road is reopened, motorists are asked to travel with caution as some icy areas may persist. The County thanks the traveling public for their patience during this closure.