Category Archives: Phoenix

Safest decision when snow is forecast? Put off driving

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PHOENIX – Because of the rapidly changing nature of winter storms, the Interstate 40 grade west of Williams got so much snow in brief period overnight Tuesday that the freeway temporarily closed.

This illustrates one of the central messages of the Arizona Department of Transportation’s Know Snow campaign: If you can put off driving when snow is expected to be falling, do so. The amount of snowfall can exceed initial forecasts and be especially heavy in areas that make driving an even greater challenge in winter weather, as is the case with Ash Fork Hill on I-40 between State Route 89 and Williams.

In addition to the obvious safety risks, slide-offs and crashes on highways slick with snow and ice can tax first responders, exacerbate traffic backups and make it more difficult and time-consuming for ADOT snowplow drivers to clear roadways. For the snow that began Tuesday night, slide-offs and crashes also occurred on Interstate 17, which remained open but slowed to a crawl in areas.

When driving on a slick roadway, the keys to safety include slowing down, leaving plenty of room between your vehicle and the one ahead, and avoiding sudden braking that can result in a skid.

Those looking to head north this weekend to play in snow should park in designated areas and keep in mind that highway shoulders for emergencies only. Parking on a highway shoulder can endanger you, your passengers and other drivers. In addition, first responders may need to use the shoulder.

ADOT has installed 24 signs at higher elevations of US 180 northwest of Flagstaff to remind drivers that shoulders are for emergencies.

Those traveling to popular snow-play areas should leave prepared to spend significant time in winter weather, as traffic at day’s end is often heavy on highways including US 180 toward Flagstaff. Locations of designated snow-play areas around Flagstaff are available at flagstaffarizona.org (click the Winter Recreation link) or by calling 1-844-256-SNOW.

ADOT’s winter-driving tips available at azdot.gov/KnowSnow include dressing for frigid temperatures, having a fully charged cellphone, keeping your tank at least three-quarters full and packing an emergency kit that includes blankets, extra clothes, snacks and water, sand or cat litter for traction, and a small shovel.

Real-time highway conditions are available on ADOT’s Arizona Traveler Information site at az511.gov, by calling 511 and through ADOT’s Twitter feed, @ArizonaDOT. When a freeway closure or other major traffic event occurs, our free app available at ADOTAlerts.com will send critical information directly to app users in affected areas – where possible, in advance of alternate routes.

Better than ever: MVD door-to-door time at historic best 30 minute goal surpassed two months in a row

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PHOENIX – The amount of time it takes for customers to do business at Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division offices continues to go down and has reached historic levels of improvement.

MVD has established a goal of getting customers in and out of offices in an average of 30 minutes or less; and for the months of November and December that goal was easily surpassed.

For both months, door-to-door customer time averaged slightly over 22 minutes in urban offices and approximately 18 minutes in rural locations. In the same period just one year ago, average times were just over 30 minutes in both rural and urban regions. Two years ago, that number was 52 minutes.

“This is a testament to the hard work and commitment of all MVD employees,” said MVD Director Eric Jorgensen. “As part of Gov. Doug Ducey’s Arizona Management System, MVD empowers employees to find ways to do things to better serve our customers. That means more efficient service methods in offices, opening urban locations earlier and offering more options to do business online. Every day we’re exploring new ways to get better, and exciting new innovations are on the way to fulfill the MVD vision to get Arizona out of line and safely on the road.”

A total of just over 207,000 customers were served at physical locations in November with a slightly lower number in December, not counting those who took advantage of MVD office kiosks.

Meet the Arizona Game and Fish Commission on Saturday, January 13

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PHOENIX — The public is encouraged to meet the members of the Arizona Game and Fish Commission in an informal setting and hear about the commission’s upcoming priorities at the “Meet the Commission” event this Saturday, Jan. 13, beginning at 3:30 p.m. at the Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort, Courtroom MN, 11111 N. 7th St., Phoenix.

The meeting will begin with the chairman’s welcome and commissioner introductions, followed by a discussion of commission priorities. The public is welcome to ask questions or provide comments. No official action will be taken by the commission.

Share your thoughts on ADOT’s State Aviation System Plan update

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PHOENIX – Members of the public are welcome to provide input on an update to the Arizona Department of Transportation’s State Aviation System Plan.

The update, which evaluates the current and future performance of Arizona’s 67 publicly owned, public-use airports, will help guide ADOT’s long-term planning so the state’s aviation system can safely meet the evolving needs of residents, visitors and businesses.

State aviation system plans are typically updated every seven to 10 years. Arizona’s was last updated in 2008.

Three public meetings are scheduled this month in Mesa, Tucson and Flagstaff. Each meeting will be an open house with a formal presentation at 2 p.m. The same information will be shared at each:

Mesa
1 to 3 p.m. Tuesday, January 23
Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport, 5835 S. Sossaman Road |Airport Administration Building, Airport Board Room

Tucson
1 to 3 p.m. Wednesday, January 24
Tucson International Airport, 7250 S. Tucson Blvd. | Airport Terminal Board Room, Second Floor

Flagstaff
1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Thursday, January 25
Northern Arizona Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology (NACET), 2201 N. Gemini Road | Accelerator, Alternate EOC Building, Room 100

Additional information is available at azdot.gov/SASPUpdate, which lists contacts for those unable to attend the meetings but wishing to comment by email or phone.

Two mule deer does poached near Nelson Reservoir

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PHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Department is investigating the poaching of two mule deer does.

On Saturday morning, December 23, 2017, the does were illegally killed on Forest Road 8058, west of Highway 191 and south of Nelson Reservoir. One doe was taken from the field and the other was mostly left to waste.

Investigators are seeking information about a maroon or red truck with a silver or gray stripe along the lower frame of the truck, which is believed to be associated with this crime.

“We need assistance from the public to find the individuals responsible,” said AZGFD law specialist Nancy Huser. “This is the action of a criminal, who stole wildlife assets and resources from the people of Arizona and must be brought to justice.”

There was a lawful, open cow elk hunt going on at the time of the poaching. Investigators hope hunters and recreationists who were in the area may have valuable information about the crime.

Anyone with information about this case can call the department’s Operation Game Thief hotline at (800) 352-0700 or visit www.azgfd.gov/ogt and refer to case #17-004986.

Callers may be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000 in this case. An additional $500 reward is being offered by the Mule Deer Foundation upon arrest and conviction of the poachers. All caller identities will remain confidential upon request.

Online applications for 2018 pronghorn, elk hunts now being accepted

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PHOENIX – The Arizona Game and Fish Department now is accepting online applications for 2018 hunt permit-tags issued through the draw process for pronghorn antelope and elk.

To apply online, visit https://draw.azgfd.gov and scroll down to “Apply for a Draw.” For an overview of the online application service, including license requirements, applying for bonus points and payment information, see Page 10 of the “2018 Pronghorn Antelope and Elk Hunt Draw Information” booklet. Printed booklets also are available at all Game and Fish offices and license dealers statewide.

Applicants should note separate deadlines for paper and online applications:

Online applications must be received no later than 11:59 p.m. (Arizona time) Tuesday, February 13, 2018.
In an effort to provide better customer service by announcing draw results sooner, all paper applications must be received no later than 11:59 p.m. (Arizona time) Tuesday, January 30, 2018. Postmarks do not count.

Paper applications can be mailed to: Arizona Game and Fish Department, Attn.: Drawing Section, P.O. Box 74020, Phoenix, AZ 85087-1052, or dropped off at any regional office statewide.

The department encourages all applicants to sign up for a free AZGFD portal account and apply online. The portal allows customers to create a secure account where they can manage and view their draw applications, license history, bonus points, gain access to their “I Support Wildlife” membership and more in the “My AZGFD Dashboard” section. A portal account also provides convenient access to the online license purchase and draw application systems. Draw results will be posted to portal accounts.

It’s easy to create an account. Just click on “My Account” in the upper right-hand corner of the www.azgfd.gov home page and then select the “Register” option, filling in the requested information. A portal account is mobile-friendly, so customers can view their information on their smartphones.

AZGFD is dedicated to assisting applicants with the online process. All department offices are equipped with customer computers that can be accessed from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Customer service representatives can be reached by calling (602) 942-3000. As a reminder, customer service representatives will be available to provide assistance only until 8 p.m. February 13. (deadline day).

A valid hunting license (or combination hunting and fishing license) is required to hunt wildlife in Arizona. No one under 14 may hunt big game without having completed a Hunter Education course. While it is not necessary for anyone 10 to 13 to complete a Hunter Education course before applying for a hunt permit-tag, these courses fill quickly. Consider registering now by visiting www.azgfd.gov/huntered or calling 623-236-7239.

Air Quality Division Stakeholder Meeting

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ADEQ invites you to attend a stakeholder meeting for the development of state rules for Arizona’s voluntary emissions bank. ADEQ seeks your input and ideas in amending the Arizona Administrative Code, Title 18, Chapter 2, Article 12 (PDF).

Earlier this year, the legislature amended the existing emissions bank statute (A.R.S. Section 49-410 or HB2152) to allow for new types of emissions reductions credits to be deposited in the bank. The amendments directed ADEQ to adopt rules implementing these changes. The rules will help promote Arizona as a more attractive option for companies seeking to locate or expand industrial operations while still maintaining healthy air quality.

This stakeholder meeting will be hosted in Yuma, which is currently not meeting national particulate matter air quality standards and the new ozone standards. Establishing the emissions bank rules, with your input, will provide businesses looking to locate in Yuma an opportunity to offset their emissions.

When: Tuesday, January 16, 2018, 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Where: Yuma County Development Services
Aldrich Hall
2351 W 26th St
Yuma, AZ 85364

RSVP:
Natalie Muilenberg
nm3@azdeq.gov
602-771-1089

Why wearing a life jacket should be one of your New Year’s resolutions

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Photo courtesy of the U.S. Coast Guard

PHOENIX — The importance of wearing a life jacket while out on Arizona’s waterways was sadly reflected in the boating tragedies of 2017. A majority of the recreational boating fatalities were individuals who drowned and were not wearing a life jacket — the most important piece of safety gear one can wear whether on a boat, personal watercraft or paddlecraft.

This was the case for eight of the 12 fatalities that occurred last year. And it’s a number that’s echoed nationally: The U.S. Coast Guard reported that 83 percent of drowning victims in 2016 were not wearing a life jacket.

The Coast Guard also names alcohol as a leading contributing factor in fatal boating accidents, which was reflected in Arizona. Operating under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs was a contributing factor in five of the fatalities.

“As you make your New Year’s resolutions, add boating safety to the list,” said Tim Baumgarten, boating law administrator for the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD). “Designate a sober operator, wear a life jacket and ensure that others on your boat do so as well. Together we can prevent many boating tragedies and keep Arizona’s waterways safe for everyone.”

AZGFD aims to both keep the public safe by patrolling the state’s waterways and also educating people on best practices for boating safety and operation. Enforcement efforts including sobriety checkpoints and participation in initiatives like Operation Dry Water allow officers to make contact with watercraft users throughout the state and share the important messages about sober boating, while helping to stop unsafe behaviors.

The department’s Boating Safety Education program holds free monthly courses in Phoenix and Lake Havasu City with the goal of reaching as many Arizonans as possible. The classes include instruction on the basic skills required to safely operate a boat or personal watercraft, navigational rules, legal requirements and boating emergencies.

“Our courses are beneficial for both those new to boating and veterans of the waterways,” said Josh Hoffman, boating safety education coordinator for AZGFD. “The classes are always free, and the investment of your time will pay off the next time a question or unexpected issue comes up when you’re on the water.”

AZGFD also wants to remind the public that life jackets must be worn by children 12 and younger anytime they are onboard a boat or watercraft, and that a properly fitting life jacket must be available for all passengers. For boaters who do not have enough or the right size of life jackets for everyone going out on the water, life jacket loaner stations have been installed at lakes Apache, Bartlett, Canyon, Havasu, Mohave, Patagonia, Pleasant and Saguaro as well as Cattail Cove on the Colorado River.

Whether boaters need to borrow a life jacket or (better yet) come prepared with their own safety gear, taking the step of wearing a life jacket can help prevent a tragedy.

Agreement gives ADOT environmental review authority for certain projects

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PHOENIX – When the Arizona Department of Transportation installs a digital message board, rehabilitates a bridge, renovates a rest area or takes on similar work that makes up nearly all of its projects requiring compliance with federal environmental regulations, the speed of completion can depend in part on coordination with and review by multiple federal agencies.

Recognizing that states can comply with federal environmental requirements on their own while streamlining processes, a new agreement assigns ADOT environmental review authority and responsibility for many projects found to not have significant environmental impacts. A Memorandum of Understanding signed Wednesday by ADOT and the Federal Highway Administration applies to projects commonly referred to as Categorical Exclusions.

“Governor Ducey has challenged state agencies to eliminate red tape and work at the speed of business, and this agreement allows ADOT to accomplish both,” said Dallas Hammit, ADOT state engineer and deputy director for transportation. “We can manage projects more efficiently while continuing to meet strict environmental requirements.”

Congress recognized the benefits of such agreements with legislation creating a program known as CE Assignment to expedite environmental review. This allows a state to assume decision-making and legal responsibility for meeting requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and other federal environmental laws otherwise administered by the Federal Highway Administration for projects qualifying as Categorical Exclusions. Alaska, California, Florida, Nebraska, Ohio, Texas and Utah have taken or are pursuing similar action.

To qualify as Categorical Exclusions projects must not significantly affect air, noise or water quality, natural, cultural, recreational, historic or other resources, planned growth or land use, or travel patterns. They also must not require the relocation of significant numbers of people. Categorical Exclusions may require additional environmental analysis and coordination to confirm whether the designation is appropriate.

Other examples of projects that can qualify as Categorical Exclusions include rehabilitating highways, installing ramp meters, adding landscaping, installing utilities along and across highways, and installing fencing, pavement markings, traffic signals and railroad warnings.

ADOT is developing a second Memorandum of Understanding with the Federal Highway Administration under what’s known as the NEPA Assignment Program for highway projects that require either an Environmental Assessment or Environmental Impact Statement. That agreement is expected to be in place later this year.

Paper application due Jan. 30 for 2018 elk, pronghorn draw

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PHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Department has posted the 2018 Pronghorn Antelope and Elk Hunt Draw Information online at www.azgfd.gov/draw.

The department now is accepting paper applications for hunt permit-tags. Paper applications can be dropped off at any department office statewide or mailed to:

Arizona Game and Fish Department
Attn.: Drawing Section
P.O. Box 74020, Phoenix, AZ 85087-1052

The printed “2018 Pronghorn Antelope and Elk Hunt Draw Information” booklets are expected to be available the first week of January at department offices and license dealers (PDF) statewide.

In an effort to provide better customer service by announcing draw results sooner, all paper applications must be received no later than 11:59 p.m. (Arizona time) Tuesday, January 30, 2018. Postmarks do not count.

The online application service for the random draw is expected to be available in early to mid-January. Online applications must be received no later than 11:59 p.m. (Arizona time) Tuesday, February 13, 2018.

The department encourages all applicants to sign up for a free AZGFD portal account and apply online. The portal allows customers to create a secure account where they can manage and view their draw applications, license history, bonus points, gain access to their “I Support Wildlife” membership and more in the “My AZGFD Dashboard” section. A portal account also provides convenient access to the online license purchase and draw application systems. Draw results will be posted only to portal accounts.

It’s easy to create an account. Just click on “My Account” in the upper right-hand corner of the www.azgfd.gov home page and then select the “Register” option, filling in the requested information. A portal account is mobile-friendly, so customers can view their information on their smartphones.

AZGFD is dedicated to assisting applicants with the online process. All department offices are equipped with customer computers that can be accessed from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Customer service representatives can be reached by calling (602) 942-3000. As a reminder, customer service representatives will be available to provide assistance only until 8 p.m. February 13. (deadline day).

A valid hunting license (or combination hunting and fishing license) is required to hunt wildlife in Arizona. No one under 14 may hunt big game without having completed a Hunter Education course. While it is not necessary for anyone 10 to 13 to complete a Hunter Education course before applying for a hunt permit-tag, these courses fill quickly. Consider registering now by visiting www.azgfd.gov/huntered or calling 623-236-7239.