Monthly Archives: May 2018

AZGFD inviting volunteers to construct Roosevelt Lake fish habitat

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Anglers: The Arizona Game and Fish Department will be constructing fish habitat at Roosevelt Lake on Friday, May 11, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., and Saturday, May 12, 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Volunteers are welcome to come help build these structures.

Meet up at the Windy Hill amphitheater parking lot, where Georgia cubes (pictured) will be built. Please bring cordless drills and sawzalls. It will be hot, so come prepared.

If you have any questions, email Bryant Dickens at bdickens@azgfd.gov. We look forward to seeing you there.

See the location of the amphitheater.

What to do if you’re in a boating accident

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PHOENIX – While no one anticipates that their day on the water will be cut short by an accident, all boaters should prepare for the unexpected and know what to do in the event of an incident.

If you are in a collision or accident while on one of the state’s waterways, Arizona law requires you to:

  • stop and render aid at the scene of the accident;
  • help those that have been injured and provide any assistance necessary unless doing so would endanger additional passengers or boats; and
  • exchange names, addresses, contact information and the boats’ identifying numbers with anyone injured in the accident and/or the owner of any property that was damaged.

If it’s an emergency, call 911 if cellphone service is available. When preparing for an outing, boaters should take note of which law enforcement agency has jurisdiction on the waterway in order to call for assistance if needed. In addition, the National Safe Boating Council recommends that boaters carry at least two communication devices that will work when wet. For example, an emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) and personal locator beacon (PLB) both transmit a coded message to the nearest rescue coordination center.
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Phoenix Man Falls to Death at Horseshoe Bend Overlook

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PAGE – On May 6, 2018 at approximately 3:30 pm, the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office out of the Page substation responded to Horseshoe Bend after being notified by the National Park Service that a subject was witnessed by his brother falling off the edge at Horseshoe Bend.

Coconino County Sheriff Deputies responded to Horseshoe Bend after receiving a report that a subject had fallen approximately 800 feet into Glen Canyon. Deputies along with Rangers from the National Park Service confirmed that the subject had fallen and conducted an investigation.

Department of Public Safety Helicopter made its way to the body from the top of the rim by helicopter, while National Parks Service Rangers and Sheriff’s Deputies made access from the river side to recover the body. The deceased was short hauled to the top of the rim,

The deceased is Zachary Wallace, a 33-year-old from Phoenix, AZ. He was transported to Coconino County Medical Examiner’s Office in Flagstaff, AZ. No foul play is suspected at this time.

Carol Glassburn Clean & Beautiful day successful

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Clean and Beautiful photo – Kerry-Lynn Moede

WILLIAMS – Williams loaded 16-1/2 tons of electronic waste and garbage at the Williams Waste Transfer Station after a morning of cleaning up the city. The event was the Carol Glassburn Clean & Beautiful day named after one of Williams’ prominent citizens who started the event years ago.

Kelly-Lynn Moede took the helm of the event this year. She and her volunteers did a good job of setting up the event. The American Legion Cordova Post #13 ran the barbecue pit, again, distributing cheeseburgers and hot dogs for the volunteers after the clean up. APS provided trash bags for the volunteers to use.

NAG Editor working with Yvette Villeneuve extract a Safeway basket that lay in Cataract Creek for years.

This year they added a You Found What? game for an extra prize along with the regular eggs with cash prizes.

Clean and Beautiful photo – Kerry-Lynn Moede

Clean and Beautiful photo – Kerry-Lynn Moede

Of course it was the individual and service group volunteers that loaded the sixteen-tons of garbage in the bins to be sent to the transfer station.

Partners host community forum on private wells in northern Arizona

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FLAGSTAFF – The Coconino Plateau Watershed Partnership (CPWP), the United States Geological Survey (USGS), Coconino County and County Supervisor Art Babbott are hosting a community forum, “Private Wells: Water Regulations, Perched Aquifers and Septic Impacts,” on May 16. The meeting will inform private well owners across Coconino County on how to better understand the relationship between private wells and septic systems in the region and how to protect their wells from contamination.

There will be presenters from the State of Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, the Department of Water Resources, Northern Arizona University, USGS and others to discuss the responsibilities of the State and County regarding people’s water supplies.

Specific questions may be submitted ahead of time using the “Contact Us” link on the Coconino Plateau Watershed Advisory Committee website www.cpwac.org. The link is located on the lower right of the Home Page. Questions should be submitted prior to Thursday, May 10 so they can be distributed to the presenters.

Attendees will also receive a copy of the Arizona Well Owner’s Guide.

WHO: Free and open to members of the public
WHAT: Community Forum on Private Wells in Northern Arizona: Regulations, Perched Aquifers and Septic Impacts
WHEN: 6 – 8:30 p.m. May 16.
WHERE: United States Geological Survey Bldg. #3
2255 N. Gemini Dr., Flagstaff, Ariz., 86001

American Red Cross provides recovery assistance to those affected by the Tinder Fire

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FLAGSTAFF – The Northern Arizona Chapter of the American Red Cross will be joining a number of state, county and local agencies and organizations at an Individual Assistance Service Center (IASC) and is urging those affected by the Tinder Fire to contact the Red Cross at 800-842-7349 or visit the IASC to open a case.

The Individual Assistance Center will be located at 5023 Enchanted Gardens Lane in Happy Jack and will be open from 10:00am to 5:00pm.

Caseworkers trained in disaster recovery will be available at the IASC to provide assistance to those in need. Community as well as government partners will be represented at the IASC providing Spiritual Care, Disaster Mental Health, clean-up and recovery services.

Emergency supplies including clean-up kits (general household clean-up supplies), Comfort kits (basic personal hygiene supplies), and snacks will be distributed to clients at the IASC and through mobile distribution once those evacuated are able to safely return home.

The Red Cross Shelter located at the Twin Arrows Casino Resort (22181 Resort Blvd.,Flagstaff, AZ 86004) is accepting anyone that has been evacuated from the fire area and needs a place to stay. The Red Cross and participating partners, The Salvation Army and the Coconino Humane Association will continue to staff the shelter and provide assistance as long as there is a need in the community.

ADOT plan for impacts on Interstate 40 and Beulah Boulevard

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FLAGSTAFF – Flagstaff drivers should prepare for traffic impacts including lane restrictions and ramp closures while crews begin bridge work at Interstate 40 and Beulah Boulevard. Crews are scheduled to remove the westbound I-40 bridge deck and install false work under eastbound Interstate 40 bridge deck over Beulah Boulevard. This work is necessary for the first phase of project construction.

One-direction overnight closures of Beulah Boulevard are scheduled for the following times:

  • Southbound Beulah Boulevard will be closed from 8:30 p.m. Sunday, May 13, to 5 a.m. Monday, May 14; from 10:30 p.m. Monday, May 14, to 5 a.m. Tuesday, May 15; and from 10:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 15, to 5 a.m. Wednesday, May 16. The southbound Beulah Boulevard detour route takes drivers north to Forest Meadows Street, east to I-17 and south onto southbound I-17 to the J.W. Powell/I-17 Interchange, then north on Beulah Boulevard.
  • Northbound Beulah Boulevard will be closed from 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 16, to 5 a.m. Thursday, May 17; from 10:30 p.m. Thursday, May 17, to 5 a.m. Friday, May 18; and from 10:30 p.m. Friday, May 18, to 7 a.m. Saturday, May 19. The northbound Beulah Boulevard detour route takes drivers southbound to the J.W. Powell/ I-17 Interchange and then north on I-17 to Forest Meadows Street, then west to Beulah Boulevard.

The northbound I-17 to westbound I-40 ramp remains closed for the duration of the project. Traffic that would normally use this ramp is being detoured onto I-40 eastbound, then exiting at Butler Avenue and heading west on I-40.

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

For more information, visit the project website. For questions or comments, call Mackenzie Kirby, ADOT Community Relations project manager at 928.525.6494 or email mkirby@azdot.gov.

Kaibab National Forest to offer commercial fuelwood permits for Williams Ranger District

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WILLIAMS – The Kaibab National Forest will offer commercial fuelwood cutting permits for the 2018 season beginning June 11 for the Williams Ranger District. The 2018 commercial fuelwood cutting season will run from June 11 to December 31.

It is considered a commercial use when a permittee intends to sell a product removed from the Kaibab National Forest. All commercial uses of forest products require a paid permit.

There will be a limited number of commercial units available on the Williams Ranger District for the 2018 season. Assignment of these units to individual permittees will be determined through a lottery system.

Entry forms for the lottery will be mailed to prospective commercial fuelwood cutters who have expressed prior interest in the opportunity by contacting Jason Brugh, forester on the Williams Ranger District. To sign up to receive these entry forms, contact Brugh at:

Jason Brugh, email jasonabrugh@fs.fed.us, phone (928) 635-5641

Prospective commercial fuelwood cutters may also visit the Williams Ranger District office at 742 S. Clover Road in Williams.

Once received by interested commercial cutters, the lottery forms must be filled out in their entirety and submitted to Brugh or the Williams Ranger District office no later than June 1. Submissions after this date will not be considered. Notifications of the recipients of the commercial units will occur on June 8. Both those successful in being drawn for a unit and those not will receive notification that day.

Commercial fuelwood cutting permits are sold in 10-cord increments at $5 per cord, for a minimum $50 transaction. Once the commercial lottery winners have been notified of being successfully drawn for a unit, they may purchase their permits at the Williams Ranger District office Mondays through Fridays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., excluding federal holidays. Associated unit maps and additional information will be provided then.

For additional information on Williams Ranger District commercial fuelwood permits, please contact Brugh using the contact information provided.

Public encouraged to participate in May 10 open house for Milton Road Corridor Master Plan

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FLAGSTAFF – The Arizona Department of Transportation will host a public open house for the Milton Road Corridor Master Plan from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 10, 2018 at the Flagstaff High School Commons, 400 W. Elm Ave, in Flagstaff.

Everyone is encouraged to attend, ask questions and provide input. Visit the project website for more information.

Game and Fish Commission to meet May 4 in Kingman

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The next meeting of the Arizona Game and Fish Commission will be Friday, May 4 at the Mohave County Board of Supervisors Auditorium, 700 W. Beale Street, Kingman.
The public can attend in person, view the meeting on a webcast at https://livestream.com/azgameandfish, or watch the meeting on streaming video from any regional office statewide. Those who wish to speak to the commission may submit “speaker cards” (blue cards) in person at the meeting or from any Game and Fish office (Friday only).
The ability to speak to the commission is not available for those viewing the webcast. See the full agenda.
The meeting begins at 8 a.m. Among the items are:
  • Approval of several consent agenda items.
  • Consideration to implement intergovernmental agreement for the Community Fishing Program.
  • Approval of new commission policy regarding commission compensation and expense reimbursement.
  • Approval of a Salt River Project License Agreement for mitigation ponds.
  • An update on state and federal legislation.
  • Updates on commission priorities and the department’s deployment of the Arizona Management System.
  • A briefing on Gila topminnow recovery efforts.
  • An update on Federal lands planning.
  • 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.).
  • A request for approval of four applications for FY 2019 Shooting Range Development Grants.
  • An update on the Research Branch’s projects and activities.
  • Request to approve a License Agreement with Arizona State Parks and the city of Safford authorizing a sewer main to cross the Roper Lake property to provide sewer service for Roper Lake State Park.
  • Update on potential rotenone treatment in the Virgin River Gorge in 2018 if drought conditions persist.
  • A request for approval of final rulemaking amending Article 3 rules addressing taking and handling of wildlife.
  • An update on the Information, Education and Recreation Division’s Volunteer Programs highlighting the Pittman-Roberston Act’s match success and the power of the volunteer workforce.
  • Consideration to approve an intergovernmental agreement with the Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Department for collaborative management of wildlife, habitat and outdoor recreation within the Maricopa County Parks system.
  • Consideration to approve an Agreement to the Externship Agreement with Midwestern University, extending the term of the agreement for 5 years.
  • A presentation on the Fiscal Year 2020 proposed budget and a proposed modification to the Fiscal Year 2019 budget.
On Saturday, May, 5, the Commission will hold a public workshop beginning at 8 a.m. No legal action will be taken. The agenda includes a discussion of: Department marketing strategy and branding; funding for habitat projects and public conservation education; and protecting state authority to manage wildlife.
To view a copy of the full meeting agenda, visit www.azgfd.gov/commission and click on the “commission agenda” link. 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.