Tag Archives: Phoenix

2018-19 elk, pronghorn proposed hunt recommendations online

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PHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Department’s proposed recommendations for 2018 and 2019 elk, pronghorn, and population management hunts are available for review online at www.azgfd.gov/huntguidelines.

The hunt structures and recommendations were formulated based on a five-year hunt guideline package that was approved in September.

The department recently hosted several “meet the game biologist” events at local businesses and sporting goods stores to discuss and answer questions about game species management and hunt recommendations. For those who might have missed these events, questions or comments about a particular game management unit or hunt can be e-mailed to: azhuntguidelines@azgfd.gov. The public also can call a game management biologist at any of the department’s statewide regional offices. No formal presentations are planned.

The proposed hunt recommendations will be presented for consideration at the next Arizona Game and Fish Commission meeting December 2 at department headquarters in Phoenix. The agenda will be posted at www.azgfd.gov/commission.

For more information about the hunt recommendations and hunt guidelines processes, visit www.azgfd.gov/huntguidelines.

Board recommends 2 candidates to governor for Arizona Game and Fish Commission appointment

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PHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Commission Appointment Recommendation Board has forwarded the names of two candidates to Governor Doug Ducey for his consideration in making his 2018 appointment to the Arizona Game and Fish Commission.

Leland “Bill” Brake of Elgin and James E. Goughnour of Payson were selected from four candidates who were interviewed by the board at its public meeting on Nov. 15 at the Arizona Game and Fish Department headquarters in Phoenix. The four who were interviewed were chosen from an initial slate of nine applicants previously considered by the Appointment Recommendation Board at its November 7 public meeting.

Per Arizona State Statute 17-202, the Arizona Game and Fish Commission Appointment Recommendation Board shall assist the governor by interviewing, evaluating and recommending candidates for appointment to the Arizona Game and Fish Commission. The board shall recommend at least two, but no more than five, candidates to the governor. The governor must select and appoint a commissioner from the list submitted by the board.

Members of the Commission Appointment Recommendation Board are William “Jim” Lane (chair), Susan E. Chilton, Charles I. Kelly, Phillip D. Townsend, and Richard B. Williams.

For additional information about the Commission Appointment Recommendation Board, contact the Governor’s Office of Boards and Commissions at 602-542-2449, toll free at 1-800-253-0883 or on the Web at www.azgovernor.gov.

Red Cross Offers Top 10 Driving and Other Travel Tips for the Holidays

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PHOENIX — Millions of people are expected to travel over the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, and the American Red Cross is offering tips travelers can follow as they visit loved ones over the long weekend.

“More vehicles are expected on the highways, making travel risks greater,” said Colin Williams, Regional Communications Officer, American Red Cross “Bad weather and distracted drivers also add to the danger, so plan ahead and expect delays.”

DRIVING SAFETY

  1. Make sure your car is in good condition for a road trip.
  2. Pack an emergency preparedness kit and supplies in the trunk.
  3. Share travel plans with a family member or friend.
  4. Check the weather along your route and plan for travel around any storms that may be coming.
  5. Be well rested and alert.
  6. Buckle up, slow down, and don’t drive while impaired.
  7. Follow the rules of the road and use caution in work zones.
  8. Give your full attention to the road. Avoid distractions such as cell phones.
  9. Make frequent stops. During long trips, rotate drivers. If you’re too tired to drive, stop and get some rest.
  10. If you have car trouble, pull of the road as far as possible.

OTHER SAFETY TIPS

Winter weather:

  1. Keep the car’s gas tank full for emergency use and to keep the fuel line from freezing.
  2. Pull over and stay with your vehicle. Do not try to walk to safety.
  3. Tie a brightly colored cloth (preferably red) to the antenna for rescuers to see.
  4. Start the car and use the heater for about 10 minutes every hour. Keep the exhaust pipe clear so fumes won’t back up in the car.
  5. Leave the overhead light on when the engine is running to help rescuers see the vehicle.
  6. Keep one window slightly open – away from the blowing wind – to let in air.

Public transportation and preventing the spread of the flu virus:

  1. Everything you touch is likely touched by someone else – luggage, seats, etc. – which is how germs are spread.
  2. Handle your own belongings. Wash your hands often with soap and water.
  3. Carry hand sanitizer and anti-bacterial wipes with you. You can use them to wash your hands or wipe down surfaces such as armrests.
  4. Bring your own pillows and blankets – they can act as a shield against the seat itself.
  5. Avoid touching your face or eyes. If you have to cough or sneeze, do so into a tissue or your sleeve.

DOWNLOAD RED CROSS APPS

People can download the Red Cross Emergency App for instant access to weather alerts for their area and where loved ones live. Expert medical guidance and a hospital locator are included in the First Aid App in case travelers encounter any mishaps. Both apps are available to download for free in app stores or at redcross.org/apps.

ADOT publishes Tentative Long-Range Transportation Plan

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After two years of research and analysis, the public now has the opportunity to comment on the Arizona Department of Transportation’s draft long-range plan, outlining strategies for meeting the state’s highway and bridge needs over the next 25 years.

ADOT’s Tentative Long-Range Transportation Plan, which is required to be updated every five years, is available for comment through Dec. 21 and can be reviewed at azdot.gov/WhatMovesYouArizona. The CiviComment online tool, which is also available on the project website, allows users to comment on the full report or comment on individual pages pulled from the document. The direct link to CiviComment is provided here: whatmovesyouarizona.civicomment.org.

ADOT has spent the past two years drafting this update to the Long-Range Transportation Plan, which looks through 2040. The project team conducted stakeholder outreach, gathered extensive public comment across the state and worked through months of technical analysis.

During the 25-year period of this draft plan, about $923 million in annual highway capital funding will be available from state and federal sources. On average, the Phoenix and Tucson regions are expected to receive $512 million annually. Of that, $223 million comes from voter-approved regional programs in those two metropolitan areas dedicated largely to highway expansion. ADOT’s Recommended Investment Choice calls for all of the remaining annual average of $411 million to go toward preserving and modernizing highways in Greater Arizona.

The recommendation outlined in the Tentative Long-Range Transportation Plan is in line with public and stakeholder outreach, in which most participants listed preservation, safety and modernization projects as their highest priorities for Greater Arizona.

The State Transportation Board approved the Tentative 2040 Long-Range Transportation Plan on Oct. 20, allowing it to move forward for public review and comment. The Long-Range Transportation Plan is expected to be finalized in early 2018.

Comments can also be sent to:

  1. ADOT Project Information Line: 1.855.712.8530
  2. Mail:
    Long-Range Transportation Plan
    c/o ADOT Communications
    1655 W. Jackson St., Mail Drop 126F
    Phoenix, AZ 85007

State Route 473 to Hawley Lake closing for the winter

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PHOENIX ‒ State Route 473 leading to Hawley Lake in the White Mountains will close for the winter on Thursday, November 16, at its junction with State Route 260, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

The 10-mile-long highway east of Pinetop-Lakeside will remain closed until at least April 15.

Other high-country state highways that will close over the next six weeks include SR 67 leading to the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. That route, traveling 43 miles south from US 89A, will close Friday, December 1, unless a major snowstorm occurs before then.

With park facilities closed for the winter, ADOT doesn’t plow SR 67, which will be blocked about a half mile south of US 89A at Jacob Lake. It’s scheduled to reopen in mid-May along with North Rim lodges, campgrounds and other amenities.

State Route 64 remains open all year to the Grand Canyon’s South Rim.

Other winter closures include State Route 273 past Sunrise Park and State Route 261 west of Eagar, which are scheduled for Thursday, December 28, unless a severe storm happens sooner.

In southeastern Arizona, the upper, unpaved portion of SR 366 that leads to Mount Graham near Safford has already closed for winter. Motorized vehicles aren’t allowed on SR 366 past a locked gate a half mile past the Coronado National Forest’s Shannon Campground, but hikers, mountain bikers and cross-country skiers can still use the area.

State routes 366, 273 and 262 will reopen in the spring.

Tips on winter driving are available at azdot.gov/KnowSnow.

Arizona recognizes Traffic Incident Management Awareness Week

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PHOENIX – From minor incidents on high-volume freeways to serious collisions on lightly-traveled rural roads and everything in between, Traffic Incident Management keeps the traveling public moving and safe after incidents occur.

This week, the Arizona Department of Transportation and Arizona Department of Public Safety join other states and municipalities across the country in recognizing Traffic Incident Management Awareness Week.

Nearly 350 vehicle crashes occur every day in Arizona and most will be visited by emergency responders, which can include law enforcement, fire departments, medical services, transportation crews and tow trucks. Different responders have different duties on scene – some tend to victims and others gather information about the incident, while others removed damaged vehicles and clear space to make travel safer for other motorists – but all are practicing Traffic Incident Management (TIM).

“Safety is our top priority and when there’s an incident we’re looking out for three groups of people,” said Derek Arnson, ADOT’s Traffic Management Group manager. “The people involved in the crash, the emergency responders and the traveling public. TIM practices and strategies help us keep those people safe and traffic moving.”

The traveling public can contribute to that safety – for themselves and others – in two simple ways: “Quick Clearance” and “Move Over.”

“Quick Clearance” is a state law that requires a driver involved in a minor crash without injuries to remove their vehicle from the roadway if it is operable and can be moved safely. No one wants to be in this situation, but with a vehicle crash occurring about every four minutes in Arizona, everyone should know how best to stay safe following a minor, non-injury collision.

“First responders throughout Arizona use TIM strategies to improve citizen and responder safety, reduce secondary collisions and reduce traffic congestion,” said Major Deston Coleman of the Arizona Department of Public Safety’s Highway Patrol Division. “Traffic Incident Management includes training, equipment, technologies and best practices that improve efficiency and effectiveness during large- and small-scale incidents that affect Arizona roadways. The teamwork of law enforcement, fire, EMS, towing, transportation and public safety agencies shows Arizona’s leadership and commitment to safety while improving quality of life. Citizens can carry out their daily activities, goods and freight supporting Arizona’s economy get to their destinations, and people go home safely. It’s a win for everyone.”

Arizona’s “Move Over” law requires motorists to move over one lane – or slow down if it’s not safe to change lanes – when approaching any vehicle with flashing lights pulled to the side of a road or highway.

Remember, if you are involved in a crash, the first action to take is to make sure you and occupants in your vehicle are OK. Then, if your vehicle is operable, move to the emergency shoulder, median or exit the highway and call 911. Stay out of travel lanes, be alert and watch approaching traffic. Never leave the scene of a crash.

Commission Appointment Recommendation Board to interview four candidates

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PHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Commission Appointment Recommendation Board will interview four candidates for the governor’s appointment to fill a 2018 vacancy on the Arizona Game and Fish Commission.

The meeting on Wednesday, November 15, begins at 9 a.m. at the Arizona Game and Fish Department headquarters, 5000 W. Carefree Highway in Phoenix. An agenda will be posted in advance at www.azgfd.gov/board.

The following candidates will be interviewed: Leland Brake; Kelly Clark; Bobby Cooper; James Goughnour. They were chosen from a list of 9 applicants considered by the board at its November 7 public meeting. After the interviews, the board will select between two and four candidates to forward to the governor for consideration.

Per Arizona Revised Statute 17-202, the Arizona Game and Fish Commission Appointment Recommendation Board shall assist the governor by interviewing, evaluating and recommending candidates for appointment to the Arizona Game and Fish Commission. The board shall recommend at least two, but no more than five, candidates to the governor.

The governor must select and appoint a commissioner from the list submitted by the board. For additional information about the Commission Appointment Recommendation Board, contact the Governor’s Office of Boards and Commissions at (602) 542-2449 or toll free at 1-800-253-0883 or on the web at www.azgovernor.gov.

For more information on the Arizona Game and Fish Commission, visit www.azgfd.gov/commission.

2018 spring draw results available for AZGFD portal account holders

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PHOENIX – Hunters who have an AZGFD portal account now can view their draw results for the 2018 spring turkey, javelina, bison and bear seasons. Simply log into your account, and you will be taken to your personal ‘My AZ Outdoors” page.

A portal account provides VIP access to draw results up to a week before results are released to the general public. It’s quick, easy and free to create a portal account. Visit https://www.azgfd.com/Account/Register and just fill in the required fields.

A portal account offers hunters a secure way to manage and view their contact information, as well as license details, draw results and bonus points, in their personal “My AZ Outdoors” section. It’s also mobile-friendly, which means customers can view their information on their smartphone.

Meanwhile, the department will post an announcement on its website when results officially are released. All permit-tags are anticipated to be mailed by December 13; all refund warrants by December 1.

For more information, call the department at (602) 942-3000.

Tonto National Forest to hold public meetings on preliminary proposed management plan

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The Tonto National Forest has announced that the Tonto Preliminary Proposed Plan, the first step toward revising the current Tonto National Forest land and resource management plan, will be released for public comment on Monday, November 6, 2017. Forest officials are hosting eight public meetings in November to share information with the public about the preliminary plan, the next steps in the plan revision process, and how to get involved to help shape the future management of the Tonto National Forest.

Meeting dates, times and locations are:

  1. Tuesday, November 7, from 5 – 7 p.m. (Mesa)
    Franklin at Brimhall Elementary/Franklin Junior High, 4949 East Southern Ave, Mesa
  2. Wednesday, November 8, from 5 – 7 p.m. (Cave Creek)
    Desert Foothills Library, 38443 North Schoolhouse Road, Cave Creek
  3. Monday, November 13, from 5 – 7 p.m. (Roosevelt)
    Tonto Basin Ranger District Office – Roosevelt Lake Visitor Center, 28097 AZ-188, Roosevelt
  4. Tuesday, November 14, from 5 – 7 p.m. (Payson)
    Payson High School, 301 South McLane, Payson
  5. Wednesday, November 15, from 2 – 4 p.m. (Young)
    Pleasant Valley Community Center, Highway 288, Young
  6. Thursday, November 16, from 5 – 7pm (Globe/Miami)
    Bullion Plaza Cultural Center, 150 North Plaza Circle, Miami
  7. Monday, November 20, from 5 – 7pm (Superior)
    Superior Junior/Senior High School, 100 W Mary Dr., Superior
  8. Tuesday, November 21, from 5 – 7pm (Phoenix)
    24th Street Conference Center, 1841 N 24th St #10, Phoenix

The Tonto National Forest is developing a revised land and resource management plan for the Tonto National Forest, utilizing the 2012 planning rule. The current plan, approved in 1985, is outdated and does not address current issues relevant to the Tonto National Forest including recreation, healthy watersheds, open spaces, ecosystem restoration and wildlife.

More information about the meetings will be available on the plan revision website www.tontoplan.org. Those with additional questions are encouraged to contact the Tonto National Forest via email at: tontoplan@fs.fed.us.

Arizona Highways takes home 10 top prizes in prestigious awards

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PHOENIX ‒ Arizona Highways has won 10 top prizes, including Magazine Writer of the Year and Photographer of the Year, from the International Regional Magazine Association.

At the association’s recent meeting in Banff, Canada, the Arizona Department of Transportation-produced magazine took home 22 awards in all, the most in the competition, and was a finalist for Magazine of the Year for work published in 2016.

“State highways are key commerce corridors not only because of commercial travel but because so many are drawn to the beauty of Arizona’s open spaces,” ADOT Director John Halikowski said. “Arizona Highways has been an ambassador to people around the world for almost 100 years, and it continues to excel.”

Frequent Arizona Highways contributor Matt Jaffe won Magazine Writer of the Year for pieces about the history of thick-billed parrots in Arizona, the David and Gladys Wright House in Phoenix, trading posts still operating on tribal lands and historic fire lookouts.

Adam Schallau, who specializes in photos of the Grand Canyon, won Photographer of the Year for several of his appearances in Arizona Highways.

Other 2014 gold winners in writing were:

Public Issues: Terry Greene Sterling, “Cutting It Down to Size”
Historic Feature: Matt Jaffe, “Quite Wright”
Essay: Craig Childs, “The Sound of Fallen Trees”
General Feature: Annette McGivney, “Across the Great Divide”
Department: Staff and contributors, “The Journal”
Photo Series: Multiple photographers, “This Land is Your Land”
Portrait Photo: David Zickl, “Out of the Ordinary”
Portrait Series: David Zickl, “Getting Your Face Wet”

The International Regional Magazine Association was founded in 1960 to support and promote regional magazines in the United States and elsewhere.

Founded in 1925, Arizona Highways is dedicated to promoting travel to and through the state of Arizona. In addition to the world-renowned magazine known for spectacular landscape photography, Arizona Highways publishes travel guide books, calendars and other products to promote travel in Arizona. The magazine has subscribers in all 50 states and more than 110 countries.

Learn more at ArizonaHighways.com.