Tag Archives: News

Coconino NF in process of lifting many seasonal road closures, opening campgrounds and recreation sites

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FLAGSTAFF — Coconino National Forest personnel are in the process of opening numerous forest roads as warmer weather hardens surfaces and roads become suitable for motorized travel.

Even though many forest roads across each district will be open by this weekend, there are still some that will remain closed due to wet and muddy conditions.

On the Flagstaff Ranger District, Ashurst Lake Road (Forest Road [FR] 82E), Marshall Lake Road (FR 128), and Kinnickinick Lake Road (FR 125) are all now open. All campgrounds on the district except Dairy and Double Springs and Lockett Meadow open today. As campgrounds reopen, many fees are changing to coincide with a new contract concessionaire operator, ExplorUS. Concessionaire-managed Coconino National Forest day-use sites are now $12 per vehicle and campground fees range from $24 to $30 per night. Group campground fees range from $95 to $175 per night. Fees have been updated accordingly on recreation.gov.

Lake Mary Narrows Boat Launch and Picnic Area and the Upper Lake Mary Boat Launch and Picnic Area will be free until Friday of Memorial Day Weekend (May 26). The Forest will begin collecting $10 fees per day after that date. Local and Interagency Passes, like the America the Beautiful and Red Rock Annual Passes, will also be honored at these sites.

The Mogollon Rim Ranger District opens forest roads north and west of State Route (SR) 87 and along the east side of the Lake Mary Road corridor today. All forest roads south and east of SR 87, and down to the Rim Road (FR 300) will remain closed until they dry out enough for safe travel. Elks Group Campground opens today, with additional campgrounds planned to open the first week of May.

Motorists should be prepared to encounter wet spots, areas of snowbanks and snow drifts on newly opened roads. Use caution before pulling off main roads to camp and refrain from creating deep ruts in areas of the road that are still wet.

Atypical moisture and strong winds have resulted in a significant number of downed trees as well as inaccessible roads throughout the Flagstaff and Mogollon Rim ranger districts.

Personnel will continue to monitor closed roads and will open them as soon as conditions are safe for travel.

Many lower elevation roads, such as those on the Red Rock Ranger District, are primarily open. This excludes roads impacted by recent significant flooding events as well as Fossil Creek Road (FR 708), which is being resurfaced.

Forest visitors are reminded to visit the Coconino National Forest’s Forest Roads Status web page for more information on which main roads throughout the forest are open and closed prior to planning any forest excursion.

The public should remember to only stay on open and authorized roads that are shown on the Motorized Vehicle Use Map (MVUM), which is free at any Ranger Station or can be downloaded on the Coconino National Forest website.

Governor Hobbs joins ADOT in announcing $50.5 million investment in road repairs

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PHOENIX — As warming weather allows the Arizona Department of Transportation to begin more permanent repairs to highways after a rough winter, the agency is reallocating $50.5 million to replace deteriorating pavement surfaces within 23 locations, most of them in northern Arizona.

The State Transportation Board on Friday approved ADOT’s plan to address severe roadway deterioration on segments of I-40, I-17, I-10, US 60, SR 260 and SR 77. Funding for the pavement repair work comes from savings on other projects. ADOT plans to recommend $40 million for similar projects in the agency’s 2024-2029 Five-Year Construction Program.

“I’m proud to announce an over $50 million investment in fixing our roads,” said Governor Katie Hobbs. “For too long, Arizona has failed to invest the money we need to protect our highways and ensure a brighter future for all Arizonans. Snow and rain this winter exposed the lack of upkeep and I’m grateful to the State Transportation Board for identifying these projects and approving these critical investments.”

The projects, which ADOT plans to begin as soon as possible, are in areas where pavement was already stressed in recent years due to age and use. The snow and rain during the record-setting winter created ideal conditions for potholes and other road surface damage in these highway stretches.

“ADOT’s goal is to deliver the safest and most reliable highway system possible with the funding we have to make improvements around the state,” ADOT State Engineer Greg Byres said. “We know these projects to improve pavement conditions are much-needed, and we will move forward as quickly as possible.”

Depending on the project, work is expected to begin from mid-May into June. The following projects will consist of removing and replacing damaged surface pavement in locations within these highway stretches:

I-40

both directions between Needle Mountain Road and SR 95 (MP 2-9)
eastbound between US 93 and Silver Springs Road (MP 72-79)
eastbound between Willow Ranch and Fort Rock roads (MP 88-92)
westbound between Cross Mountain and Willow Ranch roads (MP 95-89)
eastbound between Fort Rock Road and Seligman (MP 92-123)
both directions between Seligman and Ash Fork (MP 123-146)
both directions between the Riordan Bridge and I-17 (MP 190-195)
both directions between Walnut Canyon and Townsend-Winona roads (MP 204-211)
both directions between SR 99 and Tucker Flat Wash (MP 242-249)
both directions between Pinta and McCarrell roads (MP 319.1-330.55)

I-17

both directions between Sunset Point and SR 69 (MP 251-263)
both directions between SR 69 and SR 169 (MP 266-278)
northbound between SR 169 and 1 mile north of SR 179 (MP 280-300)
southbound between Middle Verde Road and SR 169 (MP 290-280)
both directions between SR 179 and the Scenic Overlook (MP 300-310)

I-10

both directions between US 191 and New Mexico line (MP 350-391)

SR 260

both directions between Rim Road and Heber (MP 282-302)
both directions between Knottingham Lane and fire station (MP 347.1-349.3)
both directions between Penrod Lane and Buck Springs Road (MP 354.1-354.4)

US 60

both directions between Wickenburg and SR 74 (MP 110-120)
both directions between Seneca and Salt River Bridge (MP 288-293)
both directions between Vernon and Cerro Montoso (MP 363.5-367.2)

SR 77

both directions between Dripping Springs and El Capitan (MP 154-163)

Click to view a map of the priority pavement locations and to print a list of the pavement repair locations.

These projects are in addition to pavement repairs that continue in many areas. To address the recent issues, ADOT crews first applied temporary patches and now, with warmer weather, are beginning the more permanent repairs. These repairs often involve patching material or milled and recycled pavement and a heavy-compaction roller to fill in potholes or areas of pavement.

ADOT reminds motorists to slow down in work zones and give workers plenty of space.

The repairs planned for I-17 complement a $35 million paving project that’s resuming this week after winter hiatus. Alongside shorter-term pavement repairs, this project will help address rough conditions on 29 miles of southbound Interstate 17 near Flagstaff.

Plan for intermittent daytime lane restrictions on State Route 179 in Sedona May 1-10

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SEDONA — The Arizona Department of Transportation advises Sedona area drivers to plan for intermittent lane restrictions on State Route 179 beginning May 1.

Drivers should allow for extra travel time while the following daytime restrictions are in place from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday, from May 1 through May 10.:

  • SR 179 will be intermittently narrowed to one lane only with alternating north- and southbound travel from Chapel Road to SR 89A (mileposts 310 – 313).
  • Flaggers and a pilot car will guide traffic through the work zone.
  • The speed limit will be reduced in the work zone.
  • Drivers should be prepared to come to a complete stop in the work zone.
  • The restrictions will be lifted after maintenance crews finish each day.

The restriction is needed so crews can safely complete temporary pavement repairs along this stretch of SR 179

Arizona Secretary of State Visits with County Board of Supervisors and Election Officials

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FLAGSTAFF — Arizona Secretary of State, Adrian Fontes, visited Flagstaff on Wednesday, April 26, 2023 to meet with members of the Coconino County Board of Supervisors (Board), County Recorder Patty Hansen, and County Elections staff. Secretary Fontes has visited or plans to visit all 15 Arizona counties to hear directly from local officials about their present and future needs to prepare for the 2024 election cycle and beyond.

 

Among the topics covered during the Secretary’s discussion with the Board members and staff were election staff safety, election integrity, and expanding voter access especially to rural and minority communities in Coconino County.

 

“Elections are bottom-up here in Arizona, counties run our elections,” Secretary Fontes said during his visit. “My office has built a team that reflects that ethos.”

 

Key to Secretary Fontes’ efforts to assist counties is his ongoing effort to revise and refocus the Elections Procedure Manual, a document released by the Secretary of State’s office in odd calendar years that helps ensure election practices are consistent and efficient.

 

To better help counties, Secretary Fontes is requesting funds from the State Legislature for six full-time Secretary of State staff positions to work hand-in-hand with County Recorder and Elections offices that have seen unprecedented turnover. The Secretary also endorsed a bill sponsored by State Senator T.J. Shope (R-LD16) that would expand confidentiality protections for elections staff and volunteers statewide.

 

Other integral parts of Secretary Fontes’ election preparation plans include the creation of a Chief Information Security Officer position to provide counties with the technical assistance and training they need to address physical and cybersecurity threats, and Election Certification Training which will be held in several locations throughout the state in the summer and fall months.

 

“Like many in the state, Coconino County is working preemptively to combat misinformation about the safety and security of our election process and elections in general,” added Patrice Horstman, Chair of the Board and Supervisor for District 1. “Neither Coconino County, nor our Sheriff’s department will tolerate intimidation and threats to voters or our election workers. The Board of Supervisors and Elections Department have worked to increase voter confidence and to actively increase voter access.”

 

For more information about the Coconino County Recorder, please visit: http://coconino.az.gov/Recorder and for information about the Coconino County Elections Department please visit http://www.coconino.az.gov/elections

ADEQ Announces New Arizona Orphaned Well Program

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PHOENIX – The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) today announced the newly launched Orphaned Well Program. ADEQ is working in partnership with the Arizona Oil & Gas Conservation Commission (AZOGCC), landowners and community members to properly plug orphaned oil and gas wells on State and private land in Arizona and mitigate potential safety, public health and environmental risks.

Conducted on behalf of AZOGCC in 2022, ADEQ’s initial records research for potential orphaned wells in Arizona shows an estimate of 246 possible wells. Many of the wells identified were drilled in the early 1900s, before Arizona established oil and gas regulations. Therefore, there could be additional potential orphaned wells and we are encouraging community members to be on the lookout and report them to us to investigate.

“We appreciate the opportunity to lend our expertise to support this important Orphaned Well Program that serves Arizonans and our environment,” said ADEQ Air Quality Director, Daniel Czecholinski. “We are eager to work with community members to locate, verify and address any potential orphaned wells. Working together on this initiative, we will create a safer and healthier Arizona for everyone.”

ADEQ has created an interactive reporting tool that makes it easy for people to report a potential orphaned well. Community members can use the tool to report potential orphaned wells from their smartphone or computer using this link: bit.ly/ReportOrphanWells, or simply call 602-771-4501 or email azorphanedwells@azdeq.gov to help this critical effort.

The Orphaned Well Program covers confirmed orphaned wells that are located on State or private lands. Orphaned wells located on federal or Tribal lands are not included in the program. In addition to ADEQ’s initial list of 246 orphan wells, ADEQ will conduct file reviews for wells reported by community members to gather well ownership, location, geology and other information to help locate wells and determine if they are eligible for the program.

With cooperation from private landowners, ADEQ will work closely with property owners and any nearby community members to coordinate field activities. This cooperation is critical to the success of the program. Field activities can include verifying well location and status, and then, if needed, environmental sampling, well plugging, and cleanup or restoration of the landscape surrounding the plugged well to return the area to its original state. As part of the well plugging work, ADEQ will conduct methane monitoring before and after plugging to confirm its effectiveness.

“Properly addressing orphaned wells in our State is part of our continuing commitment to protecting Arizona’s natural resources,” said Arizona Oil and Gas Conservation Commission Chairman Frank Thorwald. “Thanks to our partnership with the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, we are now able to take these crucial steps and implement this program for Arizonans.”

Background

Orphaned wells are oil and gas wells that are not plugged, not producing, and have no owner or responsible party. In Arizona, the majority of these wells were drilled for oil, natural gas, potash (a mineral used in fertilizer) and helium. When not properly plugged, the wells can pose a risk to public health and the environment, including air and water pollution.

Arizona’s Orphaned Well Program is funded by a $25 million competitive grant awarded to ADEQ by the U.S. Department of Interior as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

Orphaned Well Program | Learn more > 

Daily bag, possession limits reduced for cottontail rabbits, initiated for jackrabbits

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PHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) advises small game hunters that reductions in the daily bag and possession limits for cottontail rabbits, as well as the initiation of daily bag and possession limits for jackrabbits, become effective July 1, 2023.

In response to the impacts and lingering effects of the Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus Type 2 (RHDV-2), with localized incidents still occurring throughout the state, the Arizona Game and Fish Commission recently voted to lower the bag limit for cottontails from 10 to five per day, and the possession limit from 30 to 15 (of which no more than five may be taken in any one day).

The decision extends to the much larger, lankier jackrabbits — both black-tailed and antelope — of which there are no bag or possession limits. While not designated as game animals, hunters only will be allowed to harvest two jackrabbits per day, with a possession limit of six (of which no more than two may be taken in any one day), beginning July 1.

RHDV-2 is highly contagious among lagomorphs (cottontails and jackrabbits) and is spread by physical contact with bodily fluids, fecal material, and even remains. While the meat is safe for human consumption, AZGFD encourages hunters to remove carcasses from the field and bury the remains deep enough to discourage coyotes and other scavengers from digging them up.

“Since lagomorphs are a primary prey base for almost all carnivores and raptors, we want to allow them a chance to bounce back in those areas where they were most severely affected,” said Dr. Larisa Harding, the department’s small game program manager. “If hunters harvest a lagomorph, burying the remains helps to limit the spread of RHDV-2 on the landscape.”

Within Arizona, RHDV-2 has been identified in Cochise, Graham, Greenlee, Pima, Apache, Navajo, and Coconino counties. AZGFD continues to investigate mortalities in new areas and asks that reports be made to the Wildlife Health Program (ajusticeallen@azgfd.gov) and Radio Room (623-236-7201). For more information, visit www.azgfd.com/wildlife-conservation/wildlife-diseases/.

Arizona hunters can harvest cottontails and jackrabbits year-round. A valid Arizona hunting or combination hunt and fish license is required for all hunters 10 and older. Those hunters under 10 must either have a valid hunting or combination hunt and fish license, or be accompanied by an adult who possesses a valid hunting or combination hunt and fish license. Licenses can be purchased online or at license dealers statewide. A youth combination hunt and fish license (ages 10 to 17) is $5.

Spring prescribed fire operations to begin May 1 near Tusayan and Williams

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WILLIAMS — Fire managers on the Williams and Tusayan Ranger Districts of the Kaibab National Forest are planning to conduct prescribed fires throughout the spring as conditions allow, starting next week with the Reed Project located just east of Tusayan, Arizona.

Crews plan to begin ignitions Monday, May 1, burning up to 1,370 acres over the course of multiple days. Smoke may be visible from State Route 64, Tusayan, and the Grand Canyon and daytime winds should carry smoke northeast. Residual smoke will settle into drainages and low-lying areas around Tusayan overnight. The portion of the Arizona Trail that is nearby will remain open.

Other projects planned for this spring:

  • Marteen Project (4,200 acres): Located five miles northwest of Spring Valley, east of Red Hill. Smoke possible in the areas of Spring Valley Cabin and Forest Road 141.
  • Russell Project (509 acres) and Blue Stem Project (3,885 acres): Located on the eastern side of the Tusayan Ranger District, 15-20 miles northeast of State Route 64 and Red Butte near Russell Tank; Minimal smoke impacts are expected.

Exact ignition dates are unknown as burning is dependent upon daily agency administrator approval and conditions within the ranges outlined in each prescribed fire plan. However, we are committed to providing the public with ongoing updates and as much advance notice as possible. Sign up to receive Kaibab NF news releases in your email.

Our land management strategy is centered on long-term forest health, including reducing forest fuels and using prescribed fire on the landscape. Prescribed fires help reduce hazardous fuels that have accumulated due to drought, climate change, insects and disease, and decades of fire suppression. Fire also recycles nutrients back to the soil, promotes the growth of trees, wildflowers, and other plants, and improves habitat for threatened and endangered species. These efforts align with the Forest Service’s 10-year Wildfire Crisis Strategy which aims to increase prescribed fire and other treatments to improve forest resiliency for generations to come.

We recognize that smoke can impact residents, visitors, and our fire personnel. We will continue to coordinate closely with our partners and communities to minimize smoke impacts as much as possible. All prescribed fires on the Kaibab National Forest are subject to Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. The department’s Air Quality Division: Smoke Management webpage provides details about its air quality program.

Information can be found on the Kaibab NF website, Twitter, Facebook, Flickr, or by calling the local ranger stations.

Coconino NF releases updated Motor Vehicle Use Map for forest travel

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FLAGSTAFF — The Coconino National Forest has released an updated Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) used to view forest roads, trails and areas open to motor vehicle use.

The 2023 version of the MVUM includes new information regarding Flagstaff- area camping and campfire restrictions. It also includes updates to several roads and trails in both the Flagstaff and Red Rock ranger districts for improved on-the-ground accuracy.

The MVUM is free to the public and is reissued each year. Hard copies can be obtained by visiting any Coconino National Forest office.

Digital versions of the map — an Avenza Maps version compatible with smartphones and tablets as well as a version dedicated to Garmin GPS devices — and compatible instructions are also available on the Coconino National Forest website.

The digital MVUM is an electronic color map that includes all designated motorized routes and hiking trails. It also features shaded relief topography and game management units. The Avenza map works with cellphone GPS, which enables users to see where they are on the map in real-time. Once downloaded, the digital map will work without cellphone coverage.

Forest visitors can also propose changes to motor vehicle access or submit comments regarding the map by emailing comments-southwestern-coconino@usda.gov.

Arizona Game and Fish Commission to meet April 14 in Phoenix

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The next public meeting of the Arizona Game and Fish Commission will be Friday, April 14, at the Arizona Game and Fish Department (headquarters), 5000 W. Carefree Highway, in Phoenix.

The meeting begins at 8 a.m.

A complete agenda and more information on viewing the meeting, or speaking to the commission, can be found at www.azgfd.com/commagenda.

Coconino County Officials Endorse New Presidential Designation of Grand Canyon National Monument

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FLAGSTAFF —— On April 11, 2023, Coconino County Chair Patrice Horstman and District 5 Supervisor Lena Fowler, joined eleven tribal leaders of the Grand Canyon Tribal Coalition, alongside Congressman Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) and Senator Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.), to launch an effort to call on President Joe Biden to use his authorities under the Antiquities Act of 1906 to designate the Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni Grand Canyon National Monument. The proposal builds on Coconino County’s long established and ongoing commitment to permanently protect the region from mining and uranium development.

The Monument designation would protect 1,102,501 acres adjacent to the Grand Canyon by making the current 20-year moratorium on mining permanent across the vast landscape of the Grand Canyon region. This moratorium would protect the water and land, while allowing the area to continue to be used for existing activities like ranching, logging, hunting, and outdoor recreation, so that generations of residents and visitors can continue to enjoy the tremendous natural resources and beauty of the region for decades to come. The monument designation would also honor the deep cultural and spiritual ties of the many tribal nations that inhabit the region.

“Protecting the pristine Grand Canyon landscape has been a longstanding position of the Coconino County Board of Supervisors since adopting resolution 2008-09 to oppose uranium mining near the Grand Canyon within Coconino County,” said Fowler. “This designation won’t have an effect on recreation, hunting, or visitation, but it will safeguard our natural resources, our clean drinking water, our wildlife habitats, and our region’s very fragile natural watersheds.”

The Coconino County Board of Supervisors have long recognized the critical importance of protecting the land and water from the risks of contamination created by uranium mining, which has already left a toxic legacy on portions of tribal lands in the area, and they have worked persistently to engage our federal representatives in putting permanent protections in place. The county applauds the efforts of Congressman Grijalva and Senator Sinema to preserve this special region.

The Antiquities Act of 1906 was the first U.S. law to provide general legal protection of cultural and natural resources of historic or scientific interest on Federal lands and set an important precedent by asserting a broad public interest in the preservation of these resources. Some of the country’s original National Parks, including Grand Canyon, were originally designated as National Monuments by President Theodore Roosevelt under the Act.

“Protecting the greater Grand Canyon area and keeping it forever free of mining would recognize the historic, cultural, and religious importance of this special place and protect the beauty and water sources for many tribal members and the western communities that rely on Colorado River water,” added Patrice Horstman, Chair of the Board and Supervisor for District 1. “It would allow Arizona, the United States, and the whole world the ability to keep our Grand Canyon even grander for now and for all future generations.”

The Grand Canyon Tribal Coalition consists of leadership representatives of the Havasupai Tribe, Hopi Tribe, Hualapai Tribe, Kaibab Paiute Tribe, Las Vegas Band of Paiute Tribe, Moapa Band of Paiutes, Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah, Navajo Nation, San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe, Yavapai-Apache Nation, Pueblo of Zuni, and the Colorado River Indian Tribes.