Category Archives: State Government

Look out for wildlife when traveling in Arizona’s high country

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PHOENIX – It’s a traffic call heard too often this time of year inside the control room at the Arizona Department of Transportation’s Traffic Operations Center: “Car versus deer.”

From sunset to sunup, it’s not uncommon for a dozen vehicle strikes with deer, as well as antelope, elk, bear and other animals, to occur during a single evening as wildlife cross rural roadways. In fact, since 2012, more collisions with animals – wildlife, livestock and family pets – happen in June than nearly every other month – October sees the most. Annually, more than 80 percent of animal-related crashes are with wildlife and 86 percent of crashes involving animals occur in rural areas.According to the Arizona Game and Fish Department, the higher-than-average number of wildlife-related crashes in June is likely related to the beginning of monsoon season, which translates into a “green up” of plants and provides more available water, allowing wildlife to travel greater distances and forage. It also coincides with more motorists traveling to Arizona’s high country, meaning more vehicles on roadways.

In some of the most heavily-traveled migratory corridors, ADOT has implemented creative solutions that promote safe travel, while protecting wildlife and connecting ecosystems. These projects include wildlife underpasses and elk crossings along State Route 260 east of Payson, desert bighorn sheep overpasses near Hoover Dam on US 93 and two wildlife crossing structures on State Route 77 near Tucson.

Partnering with AZGFD, these efforts have increased vehicle-travel safety, while preserving and protecting wildlife. For example, a fencing project linking three existing crossing structures on SR 260 reduced elk-vehicle collisions by 98 percent over a six-year span.

When traveling in rural areas, drivers are encouraged to pay heed to signs indicating areas where wildlife is prone to cross roadways. Obeying the speed limit and paying attention to the shoulders of roadways will also reduce the chance of crashing into an animal. AZGFD advises:

  • Deer are most active in early mornings and evenings.
  • If you see one animal there are probably more, so slow down.
  • Typically, you should not swerve to avoid hitting the animal. Stay in your lane and firmly brake.
  • However, if it is a very large animal and there is no oncoming traffic and the shoulder is safe on either side of the road, it may be safer to swerve rather than risk the impact from a large animal, like a cow, horse or adult bull elk.

Following crashes with wildlife (81.7 percent), livestock is the next most common at 13.6 percent. Family pets in urban areas make up 1.9 percent of crashes involving animals.

ADOT works with Historic Route 66 community as bridge project nears

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PHOENIX – Connection with Interstate 40 is the lifeblood of a Historic Route 66 town like Seligman, where many tourists drop in for a taste of those neon-lit days gone by.

That’s why the Arizona Department of Transportation is partnering with Seligman to let travelers know the town will be accessible while ADOT improves bridges leading from I-40 to the west side of the community, which is about 60 miles west of Flagstaff.

While the second I-40 exit (Exit 123) and route to Seligman’s east side will remain open, a $4.3 million project starting Monday, June 11 will replace decks on three bridges between I-40 exit 121 and the west side of Seligman. These bridges are between 40 and 50 years old, and the current decks need heavy maintenance. After the 10-month project, new bridge decks will provide a smoother ride into Seligman for decades.

“ADOT understands there is never a convenient time to do construction work, but we partner with local businesses and communities to do what we can to support them through a project,” said Alvin Stump, district engineer for ADOT’s Northwest District.

ADOT representatives have met with Seligman business owners to listen to concerns and suggestions and to coordinate on ways to let travelers know Seligman will remain accessible from I-40.

The result: Signs on I-40 will direct travelers to exit 123, connecting to the east side of Seligman. ADOT also has produced a brochure and video explaining the project and noting that visitors will be able to reach Seligman from I-40 throughout the project.

“You just have to go two more miles to the next exit,” said Bob LaJeunesse, ADOT resident engineer for the project. “Also, Historic Route 66 will be open east and west, and you can still get to your favorite restaurants and tourist attractions.”

For more information on this project, visit azdot.gov/projects and click on the Northwest District.

Only days remain to apply online for 2018 fall hunts

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PHOENIX – The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) reminds hunters that only a few days remain to apply online for 2018 hunt permit-tags issued through the draw process for deer, fall turkey, fall javelina, bighorn sheep, fall bison and pheasant.

All online applications must be received no later than 11:59 p.m. (Arizona time) Tuesday, June 12.

To apply online, visit https://draw.azgfd.gov/ and scroll down to “Apply for a Draw.” As a reminder, applicants must possess a valid Arizona hunting license to apply online for a hunt permit-tag. That license must be valid on the last day of the online application period (June 12). Licenses are available online, at department offices and license dealers statewide.

Customer service representatives will be available at all statewide offices until 5 p.m. for those who need assistance filling out an online application. Online application assistance only will be offered until 6 p.m. Tuesday by calling (623) 236-7424.

Meanwhile, the department encourages all online applicants to sign up for a free AZGFD portal account. A portal account allows customers to create a secure account where they can view and manage their contact information, as well as their licenses, draw results history and bonus points in their personal “My AZGFD Dashboard” section. That’s also where draw results will be posted once the process is completed.

Another benefit to having a portal account is being able to purchase PointGuard when applying online for a hunt permit-tag. PointGuard ensures that if a successful online applicant is unable to participate in a hunt for any reason, the accumulated bonus points that were expended to draw that hunt permit-tag will be reinstated. PointGuard is $5 per species, per applicant, purchased at the time of completing the online application, or prior to the online application period deadline.

For questions about creating a portal account, call the department at (602) 942-3000 and press “7.”

Space still available for bighorn sheep photography outing on Canyon Lake

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AZGF Photo

PHOENIX — Do you enjoy wildlife photography? Then make plans to attend the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s photography outing on Sunday, June 24, 7-11 a.m., at Canyon Lake, about 15 miles northeast of Apache Junction.

Led by the department’s award-winning photographer, George Andrejko, and expert photographer and biologist Randy Babb, two pontoon boats will take 15 photographers out for a morning of photographing bighorn sheep and other wildlife on one of our most scenic waterways, Canyon Lake. George will provide tips, instruction, and advice for novice and experienced photographers on how to photograph these iconic desert animals. The boats will be lightly loaded to maximize comfort and mobility for photographers.

Canyon Lake offers some of the best opportunities to view and photograph bighorn sheep, and the rugged terrain surrounding the lake supports some of the largest examples of this species found anywhere in North America.

WHEN: June 24, 7-11 a.m.
WHERE: Acacia Boat Launch area, Canyon Lake
PRICE: $125 per person
TO REGISTER: https://www.register-ed.com/events/view/124936

Specific questions can be sent to either the event coordinator, Jeff Meyers, jmeyers@azgfd.gov, or the Watchable Wildlife Program Manager, Randy Babb, rbabb@azgfd.gov.

Setting out water and food attracts more than you think

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WILLIAMS – In the area around Williams people have water out for animals. Some put out water for their stock and pets and some for wildlife. This week, one local resident got a surprise.

The resident set water out for deer and elk. Wednesday of last week he came to his home about three miles south on Perkinsville road to discover drag marks across his driveway. A deer carcass was dragged into and laying in the grass alongside the driveway.He set up his trail camera. He caught this image of what killed the deer in the first place.

MOULTRIE DIGITAL GAME CAMERA


The deer was apparently attracted to the water and the lion attacked from behind a large pine. When the resident came home, he apparently scared the lion away. The lion returned to finish his meal in the night. Fortunately this lion still retained a healthy fear of humans.

AZGF warns against setting food and water out for animals. Some people have enough acreage to put out water for wildlife a fairly safe distance from their home. Some with livestock have to leave water out for their animals. With the recent drought conditions, however, that also attracts predators.

If you do or must leave water out, take care when you step outside to take in the cool night air. Scan the area carefully. Remember that your cats and small dogs make meals for these predators. Feed your animals inside and do not leave food out for them in town.

Monsoon Mess: Litter can hinder freeway drainage systems

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PHOENIX – As it prepares for monsoon storms, the Arizona Department of Transportation is asking motorists and their passengers not to toss litter along highways. Why? Because the trash can block drainage grates or wind up in the nearly 60 pump stations that ADOT operates along Phoenix-area freeways.

Pump stations are designed to remove large volumes of water from freeways during storms, with individual pumps able to lift more than 12,000 gallons per minute. They are part of a vast and largely unseen drainage system that can keep freeways open during storms that overwhelm local streets nearby.

Pump stations typically have three to five pumps, driven by powerful engines, to lift storm water from inside the facilities and send it into nearby drainage channels or retention basins.

Motorists can help keep ADOT’s drainage systems operating at full capacity by helping to reduce litter and other debris that can obstruct drainage grates and catch basins that collect runoff, leading to standing water along a freeway.

Another way you can help: Report those you see littering on highways to the ADOT Litter Hotline. All that’s required is providing the vehicle’s license plate number and incident details by calling 1.877.3LITTER or visiting kazb.org. The owner will get a letter noting that someone was reported tossing trash from the vehicle, along with a free litter bag.

ADOT works to clear litter and other debris from pump stations and freeway drainage systems all year long. Piles of litter often have to be collected by hand and hauled out of pump station storage wells. Crews or contractors also use specialized vehicles to vacuum drainage pipes that lead to pump stations.

ADOT technicians also work year round to maintain pump stations and their engines, since storms and runoff are not limited to the summer months.

As monsoon season approaches, ADOT keeps an eye on weather forecasts to prepare for challenges associated with runoff. Localized storms that drop more than 2 inches of rain in an hour can tax any drainage system.

When litter and trash are clogging the system, and water starts to build in travel lanes, ADOT maintenance crews are called away from other duties to deal with blockages. That’s another reason to think before you toss that cup or can out a car window.

ADEQ welcomes the first business to join the Air Quality Flag Program

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PHOENIX — Coreslab Structures (Ariz), Inc. is the first business to join the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality’s (ADEQ) Air Quality Flag Program. Brightly colored flags raise awareness of air quality conditions within the community. By staying informed, workers and nearby residents can make choices to protect themselves from the impacts of air pollution.

“Our facility is outdoors, and I needed to put in place a program that not only communicates the current conditions, but also puts in motion actions to be taken that will help ensure the safety and health of every employee working in that environment,” said Brandon Dickerson, Safety Coordinator for Coreslab Structures, which also flies a flag to indicate the daily heat index. “It seemed only fitting that in conjunction with the heat index flag, we also communicate the quality of the air we are working in to better protect our employees and the nearby public.”

Each day, a flag will be raised matching the colors of the Air Quality Index (AQI). ADEQ issues a daily AQI forecast for the Phoenix area, which indicates if the air will be polluted with ozone, PM-10 (dust) or PM-2.5 (smoke). By comparing the colored flags to the AQI, workers will know what actions to take to protect their health. Green signals good air quality, yellow is moderate, orange means unhealthy for sensitive groups (like children and people with asthma) and red signals unhealthy air for everyone and outdoor exertion should be limited.

The flag will be flown at Coreslab Structures, located in Phoenix near 43rd and Broadway. The flags will be visible to workers, plus people traveling in that area while going about their daily activities.

Stay informed about air quality with ADEQ:

Phoenix Area Air Quality Index Forecast
Arizona Air Forecasting
Daily Air Quality Index Forecast for Phoenix area through e-mail or text messages
Air Quality Flag Program

Interstate 40 ramp closures in place between Parks and Williams in northern Arizona

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Drivers in northern Arizona are advised to plan for travel delays on Interstate 40 because of traffic realignment and ramp closures at Parks, Garland Prairie and Pittman Valley roads. Crews are repairing 17 miles of pavement on I-40 between Parks and Williams. The project also includes making bridge deck repairs at Garland Prairie and Pittman Valley roads.

Beginning Monday, June 4, I-40 will be reduced to one lane in each direction between mileposts 178 and 179, near the Parks exit, while crews begin to reconstruct the travel lanes. The Parks exit will remain open throughout this work.

Through July, the westbound I-40 on- and off-ramps at Garland Prairie and Pittman Valley roads will be closed and traffic is being detoured to the Parks and Williams exits. In mid-July, the westbound on- and off-ramps at Garland Prairie and Pittman Valley roads will reopen and the westbound on- and off-ramp and eastbound on-ramp at the Parks exit will be close with traffic detoured to Pittman Valley Road through early August. Drivers must follow signed detour routes.

Crews are completing work on westbound I-40 between Garland Prairie and Pittman Valley roads first, then moving to eastbound I-40 in the same area in early summer.  Construction will pause for the winter season and is scheduled to resume in spring 2019 for additional paving, bridge and intersection work. The project is scheduled for completion in late 2019.

What to expect

  • Crews are scheduled to work Mondays through Fridays from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Lane closures and restrictions will be required
  • Ramp closures at Parks, Garland Prairie Road and Pittman Valley Road will be required
  • Drivers are advised to plan for slow traffic, follow the reduced speed limits and allow extra travel time
  • One lane will remain open in each direction throughout construction

Dangerous bear activity on rise in Arizona

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Arizona Game and Fish Department file photo of a bear eating from a bird feeder.

PHOENIX — Arizona Game and Fish continually warn against feeding wild animals and Arizona residents continually ignore the warning. Human feeding led to a woman being attacked by Javelina in Sedona. Most recently, a bear had to be euthanized in Payson. Not all of the problem stems from people illegally feeding animals, but much of it does. Recent drought conditions only exacerbate the problem as bears seek food in trash receptacles.

Arizona Game and Fish Department wildlife managers have seen an increase of roaming bear activity statewide in their quest for easy sources of food and water. Officers found this cache of food and water when seeking a habituated bear near Pinetop on Sunday.-AZGF Photo

“This season’s extremely dry conditions are making it difficult for bears to find natural food and water sources, increasing the chances of bears coming into neighborhoods,” Wildlife Manager Jarrod McFarlin said. “Bears can become habituated to human-related food sources and quickly lose their fear of humans. People living in bear country should do their part to keep wildlife safe by removing attractants such as bird seed, pet food, hummingbird feeders, and trash from their yards, and by keeping all trash inside a secured area until collection day.”

Visitors and campers to the forests should know that feeding wild animals is dangerous no matter how tame they may seem. A deer or elk can be spooked easily and cause serious injury or death. Bears are not cuddly little teddy bears. Even the Kaibab squirrel can bite and leave a serious injury. Campers should not attempt to feed any animals. It is not only unwise but illegal.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department reminds everyone—once again—to be Bear Aware, following separate incidents where habituated bears became a public safety threat and needed to be humanely euthanized under department policy.

“When a bear becomes habituated to people for food and water, it can become a real threat to public safety,” AZGFD Wildlife Manager Shawn Wagner said. “People feeding wildlife think they’re helping wildlife, but they’re putting everyone’s safety at risk — whether it’s a neighbor out walking their pet or a family out for a jog. When a bear doesn’t get the meal it’s become accustomed to, it can attack whoever is around.”

Under department’s human-wildlife conflict policy, wildlife officers consider the bear’s behavior, age, sex and whether it’s a threat to human safety when determining when to relocate or lethally remove a bear.

The department spends considerable time and resources each year to remove or relocate habituated bears to minimize the risk to people. However, relocating a bear doesn’t always solve the problem. Approximately half of all bears relocated will return to where they were captured, no matter how great the distance.

On Monday May 28, AZGFD wildlife managers removed a sub-adult male bear from the north Phoenix neighborhood of Anthem that had previously been relocated from Prescott. On Sunday May 27, officers in the White Mountains were forced to remove a habituated female bear feeding on large piles of food and water left by a local resident.

The same female bear had been captured in Pinetop in June, 2017 and was relocated to a pre-approved release site near the Mogollon Rim, approximately 55 miles away. In May, it returned to Pinetop with two cubs. A day after euthanizing the bear, neighbors told AZGFD about the bear’s two cubs, which were safely located, evaluated by a local veterinarian and transferred to Bearizona in Williams.

“We have a no-breeding program for bears at Bearizona, so we can help save bears and offer them a new home,” said Bearizona Owner Sean Casey. “Although the circumstances behind this rescue are unfortunate, we are ultimately grateful to be able to provide a safe and loving home for these two little cubs.”

“Habituation of wild animals is happening more now than ever. This is exactly why people shouldn’t feed wild animals,” said Wildlife Advocate Jack Hanna.

The young cubs will be quarantined and closely monitored by veterinarians and animal staff for 30 days before inheriting their own exhibit in the walk-through section of the park, Fort Bearizona. The public will be able to see the cubs in their new home beginning Friday, June 29.

While this had a somewhat happy ending, on May 31 a bear that was aggressively attempting to enter the home of Payson resident Joseph Stapp had to be euthanized. Stapp was asleep Tuesday evening, May 29, when he heard a loud crash on the porch of the home he is building. He went to the door to see what was going on and got an unpleasant surprise.

“I looked out the front door, and the bear and I were face to face,” said Stapp. “He was pushing on the door, and I was pushing back. I was not scared, but I couldn’t shoo him.”

Photo at left: The bear knocked a desk on its side on the porch and pulled out the drawers. Photo at right: Photo quality is poor due to the glare, but the bear is on the back porch tipping a washing machine. -AZGF Photo

It was the third day in a row the bear had visited, causing property damage on the front and back porches. A neighbor was able to scare it off temporarily on Tuesday night by throwing rocks, but the bear returned later that night and again on Wednesday. The homeowner reported to AZGFD that the bear had gotten into a garbage can containing dog food several times earlier in the week, so he secured the can inside his home.

When the bear returned, it attempted to enter his home, and Stapp called 911. Wildlife officers from AZGFD live-trapped the adult male bear at the residence, evaluated it, and according to policy euthanized it because of the bear’s aggressive behavior and lack of fear toward humans.

Do your part to keep bears from posing a threat and needing to be removed. AZGF suggests the following:

  • Keep all trash inside a secured area until collection day. If that’s not possible, keep food waste in a bag in the freezer and place those in the trash as close to collection time as possible.
  • If you’ll be out of town or are a weekend visitor, ask a neighbor to place your trash out on collection day.
  • Take bird feeders down at night.
  • Keep pet food inside or remove all uneaten food.

For a brochure on living with bears and other wildlife, visit any AZGFD office or visit www.azgfd.com/Wildlife/LivingWith.

Arizona Game and Fish offers grant money to improve public boating facilities

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PHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Department anticipates offering up to $500,000 in federal grant money to enhance and improve public boating facilities at Arizona lakes and waterways over the next two years.

“If you enjoy boating on Arizona waters, this money is specifically for improving that kind of recreation,” said Ron Christofferson, the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s boating facilities program manager. “The department makes grant funds available to applicants who wish to complete boating facility projects that otherwise might not receive funding. This is the opportunity to apply for these grants.”

The funds are anticipated to be available during the next two state fiscal years both through the Clean Vessel Act and the Boating Infrastructure Grant. These federal programs focus on pumpout facilities for onboard restrooms, as well as public boating facilities specifically intended to accommodate watercraft over 26 feet in length. Funding for the grants is provided by federal taxes on the sale of equipment related to fishing and boating, and on motorboat fuel.

Many such projects have been completed in Arizona over the past decade, including new courtesy docks, pumpout stations, pumpout boats and marine fueling stations. Such improvements have previously been funded at Canyon and Bartlett lakes, as well as Lake Pleasant, Lake Havasu and Lake Powell.

“This is an outstanding example of a program where the people who pay fees and taxes directly benefit from the grant funding,” Christofferson said. “In this case, anglers and boaters pay federal taxes on fishing tackle, equipment and motorboat fuel. Then this money is allocated annually back to each state to support projects anglers and boaters can enjoy.”

Agencies, marinas and individuals eligible for the grant money are those with legal ownership or control of public boating facilities on any Arizona public waterway where boats are allowed to operate gas motors without horsepower restrictions.

Grant funds are awarded through a competitive application process, and applications are reviewed and judged on the basis of priorities, project feasibility and overall merit as they relate to the current needs of the boating public. No state funding is currently available through these programs.

Grant applications must be received at the department’s Phoenix headquarters no later than 5:00 p.m. on Monday, July 2, 2018.

For more information on how to apply for the grants, visit the department’s boating facilities webpage at www.azgfd.gov/boatingfacilities.