Category Archives: State Government

No access to eastbound Interstate 40 from A-1 Mountain early Friday

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BELLEMONT – Northern Arizona drivers who access eastbound I-40 at A-1 Mountain (milepost 191) will need an alternate route during early hours on Friday because of resurfacing. The Arizona Department of Transportation advises drivers to allow extra travel time as the nearest interchange–at Bellemont—is five miles to the west.

The A-1 Mountain on-and off-ramps to eastbound I-40 will be closed from 4:30 a.m. to noon on Friday, Oct. 20. Drivers will use westbound I-40 to Bellemont (milepost 185) and turn around at the Bellemont traffic interchange to access eastbound I-40.

No access to eastbound Interstate 40 from A-1 Mountain this week and early next

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Northern Arizona drivers who access eastbound I-40 at A-1 Mountain (milepost 190) will use an alternate route this week and early next week because of guardrail replacement work. The Arizona Department of Transportation advises drivers to allow extra travel time as the nearest interchange — at Bellemont — is five miles to the west.

The A-1 Mountain on-ramp to eastbound I-40 is closed to 6 p.m. today and again from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 16. Drivers will use westbound I-40 to Bellemont (milepost 185) and turn around at the Bellemont traffic interchange to access eastbound I-40.

Crews are scheduled to replace the guardrail at the A-1 Mountain interchange in conjunction with the ongoing project to rehabilitate 12 miles of pavement along I-40 between mileposts 179 and 191, approximately four miles west of Flagstaff. Learn more at azdot.gov/I40Paving.

US EPA Proposes to Authorize Arizona’s Hazardous Waste Management Program Revisions

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Between May 26, 1998, and July 28, 2006, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) revised certain rules under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). To maintain equivalency of state and federal programs after these changes, Arizona has applied to EPA for authorization of changes to its hazardous waste program under the RCRA.

EPA has reviewed Arizona’s application with regards to federal requirements and is proposing to authorize the state’s changes. EPA’s proposed determination is subject to public review and comment.
View the Proposed Rule Document >
View Arizona’s Authorization Application >

You may also view Arizona’s application by contacting the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality Records Center at 602-771-4380, Monday through Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Comment Period
Ends Nov. 6, 2017
Comment Now >

EPA will prepare a document summarizing how public comments were considered in the final EPA decision. The summary of comments and responses will be available at EPA’s website when completed. This notice is given in accordance with 40 C.F.R. § 271.21(b)(4).

As boating season winds down, prepare your safety gear for 2018

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PHOENIX – Fall marks the end of boating season for many in Northern Arizona and as owners prepare to stow their watercraft until the spring, it’s an ideal time to inspect life jackets, safety gear and mechanical equipment. Getting repairs done in the offseason and taking stock of safety equipment will help ensure a successful start to the 2018 boating season — and it’ll give you a few more quality hours with the boat before storing it.

“Take advantage of the end of the boating season to look for anything that may need repairing and to take inventory of life jackets and other safety gear,” said Josh Hoffman, boating safety education coordinator for the Arizona Game and Fish Department. “By doing this now, you will have a head start in the spring and can make sure all the mechanical equipment is working properly and that all safety gear is stored correctly.”

The following steps will help ensure the boat or watercraft is stored properly for next year and you’re ready to safely hit the water in 2018:

1. Inspect life jackets for any rips, tears, mold, mildew and worn areas. Also check to see whether the label is still readable before storing life jackets in a dry location. Arizona’s climate is tough on life jackets, and on average they need to be replaced every five years. If you own an inflatable-type life jacket visually check to ensure there are no rips, tears, excessive abrasion or holes, all seams are securely sewn, and the cover, straps and hardware are still strong. It would also be a good idea to test the inflatable for leakage. Orally inflate your life jacket until firm and then let it sit inflated for 16 hours. A life jacket with a leak in it will not hold its firmness and should be replaced.

2. Check the fire extinguisher to ensure it’s sufficiently charged. If not, make a note to recharge or replace it before the next boating season or your next outing.

3. As every watercraft owner should do every time he or she leaves the lake, pull the vessel’s drain plug, and dry and clean the hull. Doing so helps prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species like quagga mussels.

4. Make sure propellers are free of dings, pitting, cracks and distortion, and that they are secured properly. Inspect the hull for blisters, distortions and cracks.

5. Check the fuel system for any leaks or damages, giving special attention to fuel lines and connections. Damaged fuel hoses could either be cracked, brittle or soft. Also ensure the engine exhaust and ventilation systems are functioning properly. As with fuel lines, inspect all belts, cables and hoses that may have been damaged during the season. Ensure belts are fitted tightly and that there are no cracks on the outer jacket of the throttle, shift and steering control cables.

6. Brush up on your boating knowledge by taking one of the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s free safety courses. The classes are offered in Phoenix and Lake Havasu City every month to provide boaters with the information and tips needed to stay safe while on the water. Get more information and sign up for a course online.

For more information about storing your boat or watercraft during the offseason, BoatUS has numerous articles covering topics like tips for storage on the water as well as a PDF checklist detailing the steps to winterize a boat.

Paving on Interstate 40 ramps at Bellemont next week

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BELLEMONT – The Arizona Department of Transportation is scheduled to pave at the Bellemont traffic interchange (Exit 185) next week as part of the improvement project on Interstate 40 from Parks to Riordan. The ramps will be closed during paving, however, access across the bridge will be accommodated at all times.

ADOT advises drivers to plan for extra travel time while work occurs and watch for the following ramp closures:

· WESTBOUND on- and off-ramps: Wednesday, Oct. 11, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
· EASTBOUND off-ramp: Thursday, Oct. 12, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
· EASTBOUND on-ramp: Friday, Oct. 13, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Motorists can use the interchanges at Parks (milepost 178) and A-1 Mountain (milepost 190) during the scheduled closures. Signs will be in place to assist with detour routes in the area.

Drivers should use caution and watch for construction personnel and equipment. For more information on the project, please visit the website at: azdot.gov/I40Paving.

AZGFD makes change to Wild Trout Challenge

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PHOENIX – The Arizona Game and Fish Department is temporarily suspending the requirement for anglers to catch a Gila trout in order to complete the Wild Trout Challenge.

With the closure of Frye Creek, there is no longer a wild population of Gila trout open to fishing.

The Arizona Trout Challenge, which requires anglers to catch six of the eight total species in Arizona, remains unchanged since the closure to Frye Creek will not affect anglers trying to catch stocked Gila trout in Frye Mesa Reservoir.

In June, the 48,000-acre Frye Fire severely impacted the habitat in Frye Creek and nearby Ash Creek, and both populations of Gila trout, listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, were effected by post-fire flood events that moved large amounts of ash, sediment and debris through the creeks.

Survey crews did not find any Gila trout in the creek, said Tracy Stephens, AZGFD’s Native Trout Biologist.

See more information about AZGFD’s trout challenges.

Interstate 40 eastbound ramp closure in Williams begins Tomorrow

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The Arizona Department of Transportation has scheduled daytime weekday closures of the I-40 eastbound off-ramp at Exit 161 in Williams beginning Tuesday, October 3. The required closures will increase productivity for the I-40 Devil Dog to Williams paving underway. The ramp restriction will be in effect weekdays from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. until Friday, October 13.

Detour signage will be in the area, and drivers can find alternative access via the off-ramp at Exit 163, located two miles east of the required closure. Please use caution and watch for construction personnel and equipment in the construction zone.

Schedules are subject to change based on weather and other unforeseen factors. For more information, please call Coralie Cole, ADOT community relations project manager, at 602.501.4899 or ccole@azdot.gov. For real-time highway conditions statewide, visit the ADOT Traveler Information site at www.az511.gov, follow ADOT on Twitter (@ArizonaDOT) or call 511, except while driving.

Military, first responders to receive discount at Ben Avery Clay Target Center

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PHOENIX — As a salute to those who keep everyone safe, the Ben Avery Clay Target Center has announced that the first Thursday of every month will be “Military and First Responders Appreciation Day.”

Beginning Oct. 5, all military members (active, reserve and retired) and first responders (all law enforcement, EMTs) will receive a discounted rate when purchasing a round(s) of trap, skeet or sporting clays, or an archery day-use pass.

Pricing:

Trap: 25 targets “wobble” ($6), 25 targets “international” ($6), 25 targets “bunker” ($6.50).
Skeet: 25 targets ($5.50).
Sporting clays: 25 targets ($9), 50 targets ($18), 100 targets ($27).
Gold card: $100 refill ($95).
Archery: day-use pass ($6), 10-day pass ($65).

Proof of service is required.

The Ben Avery Clay Target Center is a professionally managed public shotgun-shooting facility, located at 5060 W. Skeet St. (about 1.5 miles west of Interstate 17 on West Carefree Highway) in north Phoenix. Hours: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday through Tuesday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday.

For more information, call (623) 434-8119, or visit https://www.azgfd.com/Shooting/BACTC/.

ADOT’s blue logo signs benefit businesses and highways

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PHOENIX ‒ Thanks to some creative thinking several years ago at the Arizona Department of Transportation, those blue logo signs along state highways are doing much more than helping you find a restaurant, gas station or hotel. They’re helping fund highway improvements while offering businesses a cost-effective way to promote themselves.

While many states use contractors to manage logo signs, Arizona is among those with their own programs. Operated since 2012 through Arizona Highways magazine, which is part of ADOT, Grand Canyon State Logo Signs has to date netted about $5 million for the State Highway Fund.

“We have approached this as a business without losing the community service aspect that is part of serving in a public agency,” said Bob Allen, chief financial officer of the Grand Canyon State Logo Signs program.

This fiscal year, the State Highway Fund may receive as much as $2.5 million from logo signs.

Advertising rates, based on average daily traffic counts, are posted to GrandCanyonStateLogoSigns.com. In areas where demand exceeds the six available spaces on a sign, businesses are invited to bid for placements. After the bidding, bid amounts are posted to let future bidders know what to expect.

The program has been a hit. For example, just three companies bid for space on one Phoenix area sign in 2013. In 2016, 11 companies made bids. In 2017, there were 22. The total amount bid for the sign grew from $12,400 to $92,770 in just four years.

“Dollar for dollar, the blue freeway sign program is one of the most-affordable programs there is in the market,” said Jason Kveton, who operates Culver’s franchises in the Phoenix area. “I don’t think there will ever be a year we do not try to stay on the sign.”

And once businesses sign up, they stay. The program’s retention rate is 95 percent.

Bob Borenstein of Chompie’s Deli and Bakery said he likes having his company’s name on the signs and also likes that proceeds go to the State Highway Fund.

“It’s great to know that the money we’re spending is actually going to the construction of new roads or upkeep of these roads,” Borenstein said.

AZGFD closes Frye Creek to fishing

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PHOENIX – Fishing trips to scenic Frye Creek, a Gila trout recovery stream located on Mt. Graham in southeast Arizona that offers rare opportunities to hook Gila trout—one of two trout native to Arizona—will have to be put on hold.

AZGF Photo

The Arizona Game and Fish Department has temporarily closed Frye Creek to fishing in order to evaluate and restore a population of Gila trout following widespread habitat damage on Mt. Graham due to this past summer’s Frye Fire and ensuing flooding.

The Department hopes to reopen the stream to fishing once habitat is suitable for stocking of Gila trout and a population is established that can sustain angling pressure.

Good news for anglers: the closure does not include Frye Mesa Reservoir, where Gila trout are stocked for recreational opportunities. However, the area is still under a closure order issued by the Coronado National Forest.

In June, the 48,000-acre Frye Fire severely impacted the habitat in Frye Creek and nearby Ash Creek, and both populations of Gila trout, listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, were effected by post-fire flood events that moved large amounts of ash, sediment and debris through the creeks.

Fortunately, just prior to the flooding, AZGFD salvaged 190 Gila trout from Frye and Ash creeks and they were transported in good health to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife’s Mora National Fish Hatchery in New Mexico.

Recently, AZGFD surveyed the creeks and did not find any fish. AZGFD will continue to monitor both streams annually to document habitat changes and recovery.

Also, see the Mt. Graham closure update from the Coronado National Forest.