Board of Supervisors participates in meeting hosted by Department of Interior

FLAGSTAFF — The Coconino County Board of Supervisors participated in a meeting hosted by the Department of the Interior on Wednesday, April 12 in Washington, D.C. focused on the impact of the premature closure of the Navajo Generating Station (NGS).

Closure of NGS will not only impact the Navajo Nation and Coconino County but will have significant downstream impacts on Arizona’s economy. It is estimated that over 3,100 jobs will be lost when NGS is closed. In addition to these job losses, this closure will negatively affect the revenue used to support critical services to the region including law enforcement and court services, and core public health and education services.

“Closing NGS will greatly affect schools, hospitals, libraries and public services across the region. Our special districts rely on these funds to provide services to the most vulnerable populations,” said Supervisor Lena Fowler. “We are encouraged by the participation of Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke at Wednesday’s meeting and that this issue is receiving appropriate attention in Washington. Everyone at the table understands the full impact that closing NGS will have. We are committed to making sure these impacts are understood and all partners work together to find solutions.”

“We support Navajo Nation President Begay and the Salt River Project in their work to renew the lease agreement to keep the Station in operation through 2019” said Supervisor Jim Parks. “That will give us time to breath and design education and agricultural opportunities in order to re-direct employment options for the Navajo Nation, Hopi and all those who will be impacted by the closure.”

The Board of Supervisors remains committed to working with its partners to ensure an extension of the operation of NGS and subsequent decommissioning of the plant to allow for a measured transition of the area’s economy.

“Shot Heard ‘Round the World Day” salutes historic moment

PHOENIX — April 19, 1775. At 7:30 a.m., the “Shot Heard ‘Round the World” was fired on the village green in Lexington, Mass., between the colonial militia and British army, regarded historically as the start of the American Revolutionary War.
On Wednesday – 242 years to the day – recreational shooters of all skill levels are invited to gather socially at the main range of the world-class Ben Avery Shooting Facility in Phoenix to commemorate that historic moment, while enjoying a fun shooting event.
Schedule of events:
  • 6 a.m.: Gates open (parking is free).
  • 7 a.m.: Color guard raises American flag at nearby BASF Activity Center for the playing of the national anthem. Larry Voyles, director of the Arizona Game and Fish Department, will provide opening remarks, along with distinguished guests.
  • 7:15 a.m.: Participants assemble on the firing line of the small bore range and main range. Targets commemorating the event will be pre-set for the first line. Download additional commemorative targets at https://shotheardroundtheworlddaydotcom.files.wordpress.com/2016/05/bullseye-tabloid-outlined.pdf.
  • 7:30 a.m.: Firing will commence to commemorate the first shot of the American Revolutionary War. Additional participants will be cycled through in the course of normal business.​​​​​​​
Participants are encouraged to save time and register in advance on the event’s Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/events/793853997450340/). First-time shooters also are urged to watch AZGFD’s shooting safety video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bK6Zn13MBqI) before attending the event.
The event, being promoted at public shooting ranges across the nation, also will provide an opportunity to increase participation and boost the economic benefits that shooting sports provide. As recreational shooters visit BASF from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., they will be connected to recreational shooting mentor groups and shooting industry manufacturers and retailers inside the nearby indoor air gun and archery building.
For more information about “Shot Heard ‘Round the World Day,” visit www.shotheardroundtheworldday.com

AZGFD takes in captive deer fawn following traffic stop by law enforcement


PHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Department took possession of a “kidnapped” deer fawn during a recent traffic stop in Wickenburg.

AZGFD wildlife managers received a tip that a deer fawn was being kept inside a single-wide home and yard with three dogs. While being surveilled by the wildlife managers, the residents were seen placing the deer in their vehicle and leaving the home.

Department officers stopped the vehicle and one of the occupants was arrested on outstanding warrants. The fawn was confiscated and transferred to the department’s wildlife center in Phoenix, where it continues to be treated by a local veterinarian.

The fawn will be placed at a licensed zoo in Arizona once deemed healthy enough to be transported.

“Because of the irresponsible actions of one or more individuals, this deer fawn is now reliant on humans for its survival,” said Mike Demlong, AZGFD Wildlife Education program manager. “While their actions may have been well intentioned, in reality they have doomed this fawn to a life in captivity. Although some baby wildlife may appear to have been abandoned, its mother likely ‘parked’ the fawn in one location while they foraged for food and water. The best choice would have been to leave the fawn alone and to walk away.”

AZGFD reminds those who come across young or baby wildlife that most often the best decision is to leave them alone.

“Picking up or ‘rescuing’ seemingly abandoned baby wildlife is often unnecessary, and in most cases only results in an animal being left an orphan,” Demlong said. “Baby wildlife raised by humans are less likely to survive if they are released back into the wild.”

Some species of baby animals, such as elk calves or deer fawns, may be euthanized because they cannot be released back into the wild due to disease concerns and the unfortunate fact that zoos and sanctuaries have limited space to hold them.

Fortunately, AZGFD was able secure a new home for this deer fawn, but that is not usually the case.

The department’s Wildlife Center and others around the state are inundated every year with baby birds, rabbits and other wildlife that were unnecessarily taken from the wild.

The public should contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator if they encounter an animal that is clearly sick or injured with wounds or broken bones, unresponsive or lethargic, has been attacked by a cat or dog, or there is strong evidence that the mother is dead.

Young wildlife found in your yard or in the field is rarely abandoned. Typically, once the perceived predator (you, or your cat or dog) leaves the area, one or both parents will return and continue to care for the young.

Baby birds are the most common wildlife species encountered by the public and removed from the wild. Young birds that have fallen from the nest can be placed back in the nest, or as close as possible. If necessary, an artificial nest can be built and placed near the original location. Those baby birds that are partially flighted should just be left alone or in some cases moved nearby out of harm’s way.

Contrary to popular belief, human scent will not prevent the parents from returning to care for their young. Eggs of ground-nesting birds like quail should be left in place when discovered.

Those with questions about a specific situation should contact one of the wildlife rehabilitators listed on the department’s website at: www.azgfd.com/wildlife/urbanrehab/ or contact your local Game and Fish office.

Donating even $1 at tax time helps Arizona’s wildlife

PHOENIX — Tax filing deadline is around the corner and the Arizona Game and Fish Department encourages those last-minute filers to help support the state’s wildlife by “making a mark” on their state income tax form.

The Arizona Wildlife Fund is a voluntary program that allows Arizona taxpayers to make a donation specifically to help at-risk and endangered wildlife, including Sonoran pronghorn, black-footed ferrets, California condors, Apache trout and Mexican wolves, among other non-game species.

“The Arizona Game and Fish Department does not receive any general fund dollars, so any additional funding provided through the Arizona Wildlife Fund helps to support our efforts in managing and conserving some of the state’s most iconic native species,” says Josh Avey, AZGFD Terrestrial Wildlife Branch chief. “The fund supports only non-game species that are not hunted or fished, and the cumulative effect of even a dollar can have a tremendous impact on conserving one of Arizona’s greatest natural treasures – its wildlife.”

Since Arizona started the program more than 25 years ago, taxpayers have donated more than $5 million to the conservation of non-game wildlife. In previous years, donations averaged $25, but any amount helps Arizona’s wildlife.

The Arizona Wildlife Fund box can be found on line “64” of the state’s long income tax form, or line “33” of the short tax form.

Learn more about the conservation and reintroduction efforts the fund supports.

National Air Quality Flag Program Challenge Began yesterday in Phoenix

PHOENIX – Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) officials announced today the start of the National Air Quality Flag Program Spring Challenge, which runs from April 15 through May 31, 2017.

Each year, the Spring Challenge provides Arizona schools and other eligible organizations the opportunity to teach people about local air quality, how air pollution affects health and actions we can take to protect ourselves and improve the quality of the air we breathe. This is especially important when it comes to children including teens, whose risk of experiencing health issues from air pollution is greater.

Eligible Air Quality Flag Program participants in Arizona include organizations such as schools, community health centers, environmental education centers, parks and recreation centers, fire departments, and after-school/early-childcare facilities located in Maricopa, Pinal, Santa Cruz and Yuma counties.

With support from regional coordinators, ADEQ is partnering with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to register participants in the Air Quality Flag Program now. You can help keep Arizona the recognized national leader by registering today.

Registration and participation is easy:

  1. Contact ADEQ to register and request flags:
    Julie Finke, Program Coordinator, 602-771-2231, Finke.Julie@azdeq.gov 
  2. Check the daily air quality forecast and fly the corresponding color flag in a visible spot
  3. Educate and inform the school and community
  4. Follow the air quality and outdoor activity guidance: http://static.azdeq.gov/ceh/outdoor_activity_guide.pdf 

This public and children’s health program uses colored flags to notify communities about local air quality conditions and associated health guidance, which correspond with the EPA’s Air Quality Index (AQI). The flags alert people to that particular day’s air quality, so they know when to modify their outdoor activities.

Learn more about the ADEQ Air Quality Flag Program and the EPA AQI:

Sign up to receive air quality forecasts:

Text or email for Maricopa County, Santa Cruz County and Yuma County

For Pinal County:

 Download Air Quality Smartphone Apps:

 ADEQ Regional Coordinators:

Gila River Indian Community, Mariposa Community Health Center, Pinal County Air Quality Department, and Yuma County Health and Wellness Coalition