Monthly Archives: April 2018

Adopt a Highway volunteers put up big numbers in 2017

Posted on by

PHOENIX ­­­– Almost 1,500 miles of landscape cleaned along state highways. Fourteen-thousand bags of trash collected. Half a million taxpayer dollars saved.

That’s what nearly 11,000 volunteers wearing lime-yellow vests accomplished in 2017 through the Arizona Department of Transportation’s Adopt a Highway program.

With many other highway stretches available for adoption, even more can be accomplished in 2018.

“As a frontier state, Arizona has a long history of self-sacrifice and volunteerism, and these impressive numbers illustrate those values,” ADOT Director John Halikowski said. “Highways provide a first impression of Arizona for many visitors, so we all owe a debt of gratitude to those who are investing time and effort through Adopt a Highway.”

Regardless of how many people volunteer for Adopt a Highway, Halikowski said, everyone has a responsibility for keeping Arizona litter-free.

“We have to continue changing the culture until everyone instinctively knows that littering is absolutely unacceptable,” he said.

Volunteer groups can apply for two-year permits to adopt highway stretches using an application available at azdot.gov/AdoptAHighway. Highways are available in ADOT engineering and maintenance districts around Arizona, and each district has someone available to help groups make selections.

Those accepted for the program get their own instantly recognizable blue sign featuring the name of the organization or group. Groups are expected to clean their stretches of highway at least three times a year.

Volunteers must be at least 12 years old, and cleanup crews should consist of six to 10 people. Groups schedule their cleanups ahead of time with their local ADOT districts, which provides trash bags, scheduled collections and safety training.

Adopt a Highway also has a sponsorship program through which businesses use ADOT-approved providers to clean up along busier highway stretches that tend to attract more litter. Participants in the sponsorship program can have their names and approved logos on blue Adopt a Highway signs.

Mary Currie, who oversees Adopt a Highway volunteer programs, said volunteers include those drawn to service, including retirees, civic organizations and faith groups, as well as families who adopt in memory of a loved one who has passed away. Volunteers tend to have two characteristics: a lot of drive and a love of the outdoors.

“It’s not easy working under the Arizona sun,” Currie said. “But it’s a great way to get exercise and have fun with friends, family or colleagues while providing an invaluable service to Arizona.”

More information on Adopt a Highway opportunities is available at azdot.gov/AdoptAHighway.

I-40/I-17 interchange restrictions starting Monday, April 9

Posted on by

FLAGSTAFF – Work requiring closures and detours will start next week on the $10 million upgrade to the I-40/I-17 interchange that serves as the gateway to Flagstaff, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

Starting Monday, April 9, the I-17 northbound to I-40 westbound ramp will close for the duration of the project. Traffic heading north on I-17 looking to head west on I-40 should take the ramp for I-40 eastbound and then exit at the Butler Avenue traffic interchange. From there drivers can head back west on I-40.

One-direction closures on Beulah Boulevard are anticipated to occur at various times overnight between mid-April and May and again in October. Traffic should use the I-17 and the JW Powell Boulevard interchange to get around the closure both north- and southbound.

I-17 will also require one-direction closures overnight for bridge construction. Closures are anticipated to occur overnight on various dates in May. During northbound closures, traffic heading into Flagstaff will need to take the I-40 eastbound exit and then use the Butler Avenue interchange to come back and use the I-17 northbound exit to head into Flagstaff.

Traffic heading out of town during southbound closures should take I-40 westbound to the Flagstaff Ranch Road interchange and come back to use the I-40 east to I-17 south ramp.

Intermittent closures of the I-17 south to I-40 eastbound ramp will also be required. Those closures are anticipated to occur from mid- to late-June, late July and late October. Traffic looking to head east on I-40 leaving Flagstaff should take I-17 south to the JW Powell interchange and then head back north to I-40 eastbound.

This project includes replacing the I-40 bridge decks in each direction over Beulah Boulevard, immediately west of I-17, as well as the westbound bridge deck over I-17. The eastbound I-40 bridge over I-17 will get a new concrete surface.

The project will also increase the cross slope of the roadway over the renovated bridges, helping drain water off of the road surface. It also includes guardrail and paving work.

For more information, visit azdot.gov/FlagstaffTI.

Schedules are subject to change based on weather and other unforeseen factors. For more information, please call the ADOT Project Information Line at 855.712.8530 or email Projects@azdot.gov. For real-time highway conditions statewide, visit ADOT’s Traveler Information Site at www.az511.gov, follow ADOT on Twitter (@ArizonaDOT) or call 511, except when driving.

ADOT seeks to keep public informed on projects in Flagstaff

Posted on by

FLAGSTAFF – With multiple paving and improvement projects happening in the Flagstaff area this year, the Arizona Department of Transportation wants to keep the public informed on progress and traffic restrictions with open houses this spring and summer.

Throughout April, work will begin on Interstate 40 west of Flagstaff with paving and road reconstruction between Parks and Cataract Lake in Williams and reconstructing the westbound lanes west of Williams between mileposts 156 and 161. Paving and reconstruction work will also begin on Interstate 17 northbound between mileposts 312 and 340.

Also, the I-40 bridges over I-17 and Beulah Boulevard at the I-40/I-17 interchange are being revamped, requiring ramp closures and detours around the interchange.

To keep the public up-to-date on these projects, ADOT will host open houses at its facility, 1901 S. Milton Road in Flagstaff, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. April 9, May 8, June 12 and July 10.

Project teams will present information and answer questions on the construction schedule and traffic impacts.

Preceding the public open houses will be stakeholder meetings from 3 to 5 p.m. on the same dates.

For more information on these projects, visit azdot.gov/projects.

For questions or comments, please contact Mackenzie Kirby, ADOT Northcentral District Community Relations project manager at 928-525-6494 or email mkirby@azdot.gov.

Schedules are subject to change based on weather and other unforeseen factors. For more information, please call the ADOT Project Information Line at 855.712.8530 or email Projects@azdot.gov. For real-time highway conditions statewide, visit ADOT’s Traveler Information Site at www.az511.gov, follow ADOT on Twitter (@ArizonaDOT) or call 511, except when driving.

Kids and OHVs: When are they ready to safely ride?

Posted on by


Exploring Arizona from an off-highway vehicle (OHV) provides a great way to view the state’s beautiful scenery and spend quality time with family and friends. While children may be eager to climb aboard — or parents ready to share their love of the hobby with kids — OHVs aren’t toys and there are many questions to answer before allowing youngsters to take the handlebars or steering wheel.

For example, there are five different categories of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and each vehicle has a warning label that states requirements regarding the minimum age of the rider, according to the ATV Safety Institute. These safety labels clearly highlight the seriousness that everyone should employ when riding an ATV: “Operation of this ATV by children under the age of X increases the risk of severe injury or death. Adult supervision required for children under the age of 16.”

The ATV Safety Institute also provides a readiness checklist to help individuals determine if their child is ready to ride an ATV. The checklist covers information like physical development, visual perception/motor development, social/emotional development, and reasoning and decision-making ability. However, it also clarifies that “the decision is yours” and “there are no suggestions as to how many of the following abilities are necessary, nor the degree of ability that your child should have.”

When it comes to other types of OHVs, another organization wants it to be clear that ATVs and recreational off-highway vehicles (ROVs) are not one and the same even though they are used for similar types of recreation. According to the Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association, ROVs are “driven” — they have a steering wheel and foot pedals for acceleration and braking. By comparison, ATVs are “ridden,” have a handlebar for steering, a throttle controlled by a thumb lever, hand levers for brakes and a foot pedal for the rear brake.

Another major difference: ROVs are designed to be operated by individuals age 16 or older. The different size models of ATVs allow children as young as 6 to ride the vehicle, with adult supervision of course.

In addition to following the requirements set by manufacturers, education is the key to safely introducing people of any age to OHVs. The Arizona Game and Fish Department’s website links to a number of hands-on courses that are offered by different groups as well as online classes.

Once it’s been decided that it’s time to introduce a newbie to the world of OHVs, don’t forget the safety gear. All OHV operators or passengers younger than 18 are required to wear a U.S. Department of Transportation-safety rated helmet (and they’re strongly recommended for everyone). Motorcycle goggles or a full-face shield are legally required for all riders if the OHV isn’t equipped with a windshield. See the complete list of protective gear in the OHV Laws and Places to Ride brochure.

And finally, if the OHV is equipped with seatbelts, wear them. They’ll help keep the operator and any passengers inside the vehicle in the event of an accident and could help prevent a tragedy.

More than 400 student archers compete in 2018 state tournament

Posted on by

PHOENIX — A total of 437 student archers representing 30 schools from throughout Arizona, participants on the state level of the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP), recently competed in the 2018 state tournament and 3D shoot at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility in Phoenix.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department coordinates NASP on the state level and hosts a half-dozen state qualifying tournaments throughout the academic year, beginning in September and ending in March. This year’s state tournament, which took place March 3, was the largest in the 11-year history of the event.

The top three boys and girls who competed in the bullseye and 3D events in three divisions – elementary, middle and high school – received awards. In addition, the top overall boy and girl also took home a new bow, donated by NASP, and a new archery target, courtesy of FeraDyne Outdoors LLC. The top three teams in each division also were awarded.

Kelsey Gerchar, the department’s archery education coordinator, said a record 256 student archers competed in the 3D event, which included an introduction to science-based wildlife management and conservation. The foam animal targets – a wild turkey, coyote, black bear, pronghorn, white-tailed deer and bighorn sheep – represented six species found in Arizona.

“We created an animal fact sheet, with the help of our (Terrestrial Wildlife) Branch, to provide students, coaches, parents and spectators with some habitat information, as well as conservation facts,” Gerchar said.

The top 10 boys and girls from each division and both events now will take aim at next month’s NASP national tournament. For the first time, the tournament will be divided into a Western and Eastern event. Gerchar said Arizona will be represented by 124 student archers April 13-14 at the Western Nationals in Sandy, Utah, while the Eastern Nationals will take place May 10-12 in Louisville, Ky.

“In previous years, only about 50 students would be able to travel to Louisville to participate in the national tournament,” Gerchar said. “Now we are able to bring almost all of our qualified archers.”

Arizona’s NASP program is funded through an excise tax on the sale of hunting and shooting sports equipment. No state general funds are used to support the program. Game and Fish administers the program for the purpose of promoting safe, responsible aspects of the sport, as well as wildlife conservation as part of the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Act (WSFR). Visit www.azgfd.gov/archery for more information.

Kaibab National Forest continues forest restoration project north of Parks

Posted on by

WILLIAMS – With the return of spring weather, log trucks will again be able to access and remove trees, chips and other material from the 1,039-acre Community Tank Timber Sale area north of the Parks community where forest restoration work has been occurring since last fall.

The Community Tank project is located about 11 miles north of Parks just south of Forest Road 171 and west of Kendrick Mountain Wilderness near Pumpkin Center on the Williams Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest. Harvesting operations began last September, with about 800 acres having been treated to date. The forest restoration work is expected to continue through July, barring weather or other delays.

Residents of Parks and visitors recreating in the area can expect to see an increasing number of log trucks traveling along the haul route to and from the project beginning this month. Approximately 14 trucks per day may be visiting the site in order to remove downed trees and other restoration byproducts.

The major haul route is from Forest Road 151 and FR 194 to FR 141, which travels through the Parks community, and then on to Interstate 40. It is possible that there could be a significant number of trucks hauling timber through this area until project completion.

By May, foresters with the Kaibab National Forest anticipate an increase in tree felling operations at the site in order to complete the remaining acres of restoration work within the 1,039-acre project area. As this thinning work is implemented, residents and visitors can expect to see heavy, mechanized equipment and workers on site and a continued presence of log trucks along the haul route.

Members of the public are urged to use extreme caution near timber removal and hauling operations. Besides the presence of heavy equipment and log trucks, there will also be trees being felled and stacked into log decks, which can be unstable. Visitors to the area should not camp near nor climb on them, as they often shift and have the possibility of collapse. Motorists should be aware of the likelihood of encountering a log truck along haul routes and are encouraged to drive with safety in mind at all times.

The objectives of the Community Tank Timber Sale are to reduce fuel loading and the potential for future high-intensity wildfires and to improve forest health and watershed conditions. Another important component of the effort is to work toward restoration of historic grasslands and meadows, which support a variety of wildlife species including pronghorn antelope. As a result of historical livestock grazing, fire suppression, changes in wildlife populations, climate change, and other factors, grasslands and meadows have experienced substantial encroachment and infilling by woody species over the last century.“Much of this area was open meadow historically. The restoration work we are doing at Community Tank is improving habitat quality and connectivity,” said Tom Dauenhauer, timber sale administrator, Kaibab National Forest. “We are already seeing much more frequent visitation to and use of the area by pronghorn since we started this project. That is a great benefit to be added to all of the other community protection and forest health benefits of this work.”

The tree harvesting efforts occurring on the Williams Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest are part of the overarching restoration work associated with the Four Forest Restoration Initiative. The goal of the Four Forest Restoration Initiative is to accelerate the pace and scale of restoration within 2.4 million acres of ponderosa pine forest in northern Arizona to increase resilience and proper functioning. Restoring this fire-adapted ecosystem is accomplished with a suite of restoration activities, from watershed maintenance and habitat improvements to prescribed burning and thinning.

For additional information on the Four Forest Restoration Initiative, visit www.fs.usda.gov/4fri. Members of the public can find additional information on the Kaibab National Forest through the following sources:

Twitter: www.twitter.com/KaibabNF (Text ‘follow kaibabnf’ to 40404 to receive text messages.)
Kaibab website: www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab
Kaibab Facebook: www.facebook.com/KaibabNF

Moonset Pit Renovations Begin But Will Remain Closed For Public Safety

Posted on by

WILLIAMS – Officials on the Kaibab National Forest, are alerting local residents in and around the communities of Parks and Sherwood Forest Estates, that Moonset Pit will undergo an expansion project set to begin this month.

The purpose of the project is to open up the space within the pit which will allow for separation between the cinder operations and the woody debris piles ultimately providing for a much safer environment for all users. It will also provide for a larger capacity which in turn will accommodate more users for this popular site in the future.

The work will involve a Forest Service contractor who will clear timber from an additional 5 acres adjacent to the existing area. Once the timber has been safely removed, Coconino County Public Works will continue with the surface expansion creating a larger, safer area between the personal use cinder materials and the debris pit used for public disposal of natural woody materials.

Unfortunately, due to the hazardous nature of the site undergoing construction, the entire pit will remain closed for public use for the remainder of the year to ensure public safety. Kaibab National Forest and Coconino County officials hope to complete the entire project by spring of 2019 and expect the Moonset Pit to be fully operational and open for both uses by the summer of 2019.

In the interim, alternative locations have been designated to provide residents options to access personal use cinders and provide a location for dumping of herbaceous materials from cleanup of private properties.

The W-Triangle Cinder Pit just north of Spring Valley will be available to residents for personal use cinder collection. Personal mineral material permits are available at the William Ranger District office at 742 S Clover road during regular business hours Monday through Friday.

The alternative green waste disposal site will be at the old dump site off Buggy Wheel road on forest road 900 north of Pittman Valley off forest road 74. Scheduled days and hours of operation at this temporary location will be made available by early next week. Access will only be permitted during open hours of operation.

Residents are encouraged to take advantage of these services in order to make their private property more defensible against the threat of wildland fire. No garbage, household trash, building materials, lumber or other items will be allowed. Materials should not be bagged.The success of this community provision is largely attributed to the volunteers of the Parks Area Connection and Sherwood Forest Fire District who staff these pits during open hours of operation. This annual service is also supported by the Kaibab National Forest and the Rural Communities Fuels Management Partnership.

For more information on the about the Moonset Pit expansion project contact Deirdre McLaughlin at damclaughlin@fs.fed.us 928-635-5662
For additional information on creating defensible space, visit www.firewise.org or fireadapted.org/

Public comment period on rules for taking, handling of wildlife ends April 15

Posted on by

PHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) is seeking public comment through April 15 regarding proposed rule changes within Article 3, “Taking and Handling of Wildlife.”

AZGFD recently hosted a public forum about proposed changes by the Arizona Game and Fish Commission pertaining to trail cameras, pneumatic weapons, drones and “smart” firearms, among others. The proposed rulemaking can be viewed on the department’s website at https://www.azgfd.com/agency/rulemaking/. The rulemaking forum can be viewed below.

All public comments about the proposed rulemaking can be made by the following methods:

E-mail: rulemaking@azgfd.gov, or jcook@azgfd.gov.
U.S. Mail: Arizona Game and Fish Department, Attn.: Jay Cook, Regional Supervisor FOR6, 7200 E. University Drive, Mesa, AZ 85207.
Telephone: Jay Cook, Regional Supervisor FOR6, (480) 324-3540.

The final rule will be presented to the five-member commission at its May 4 meeting at the Mohave County Board of Supervisors Auditorium, 700 W. Beale St., Kingman.

To track the progress of this rule, view the regulatory agenda and all previous Five-year Review Reports, and to learn about any other agency rulemaking matters, visit https://www.azgfd.com/agency/rulemaking/.

Reminder: Nominations sought for Arizona Outdoor Hall of Fame

Posted on by

PHOENIX — The Wildlife for Tomorrow Foundation is soliciting nominations for this year’s inductees into the Arizona Outdoor Hall of Fame.

The Outdoor Hall of Fame annually recognizes individuals and organizations that have made significant and lasting contributions toward Arizona’s wildlife, the welfare of its natural resources, and the state’s outdoor heritage.

Nominations will be accepted from March 1 – April 30. To submit a nomination, head to the Arizona Outdoor Hall of Fame page, download and complete the form, and return it along with all supplemental materials to:

Wildlife for Tomorrow Foundation
c/o Arizona Game and Fish Department
Attn: Kent Komadina
5000 W. Carefree Highway Phoenix AZ 85086

Nominations also may be submitted by e-mail to Kent Komadina at Kkomadina@azgfd.gov. For more information, call 623-236-7288.

This year’s inductees will be honored in August at the annual Outdoor Hall of Fame Banquet.

Past Outdoor Hall of Fame inductees have been individuals with backgrounds in wildlife volunteerism, corporate leadership, politics, wildlife and the media, including Ben Avery, Barry Goldwater, Morris K. Udall, John McCain, Bill Quimby and Tom Woods, as well as groups and organizations such as Adobe Mountain Wildlife Center Volunteers, Arizona Antelope Foundation, Rio Salado Sportsman’s Club, Arizona Deer Association, National Wild Turkey Federation, Safari Club International, Audubon Arizona, Arizona Public Service and Salt River Project.

Wildlife for Tomorrow was created in 1990 to enhance the management, protection and enjoyment of Arizona’s fish and wildlife resources. The foundation is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that works closely with the Arizona Game and Fish Department to provide additional support for projects and education activities where traditional resources are not adequate. For more information, visit www.wildlifefortomorrow.org.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposes reclassification of humpback chub from endangered to threatened

Posted on by

Photo courtesy of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

PHOENIX — Through collaborative conservation efforts, the once-dwindling endangered humpback chub has been given a fighting chance against the currents of extinction, building a wild population large enough to soon be reclassified as a threatened species by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The success was due to the efforts and commitment of multiple agencies, including the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD); Colorado Fish, Wildlife and Parks; Utah Division of Wildlife Resources; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS); National Park Service; U.S. Bureau of Reclamation; U.S. Geological Service and others. As a result, the FWS recently conducted a species status assessment with assistance of AZGFD staff and determined the fish is no longer in danger of becoming extinct.

Within the next year, the FWS will propose the chub, which is found in the Colorado River below the Glen Canyon Dam in Page, be reclassified from endangered to threatened.

“The recommendation is based on sound science and data, and is the result of great conservation efforts implemented throughout the Colorado River,” said Chris Cantrell, AZGFD Aquatic Wildlife Branch Chief, who in 2009 led the first translocation of humpback chub into Shinumo Creek, a tributary of the Colorado River.

“This is a special time for the Arizona Game and Fish Department and partner agencies whose hard work has brought a species back from the brink. While it’s great to have seen significant progress, we realize the chub will continue to need the commitment and expertise of the Department and its partner agencies to conserve and protect this species for generations to come,” Cantrell added.

There are currently five populations of humpback chub, with the lower basin population occurring in the Colorado River and its tributaries below Glen Canyon Dam. The lower basin population is the most robust, estimated at 12,000 adults.

The humpback chub, which was first described as a unique species from collections in the Grand Canyon in the 1940’s, was not discovered in the upper Colorado River basin until the 1970’s. It was placed on the original list of endangered species in 1967.

The chub prefer canyon-bound reaches of river where they complete their life cycle in swift, turbulent currents. The species gets its name from the fleshy hump behind its head. That adaptation coupled with large, curved fins allows the species to maintain position in the turbulent flows.