Monthly Archives: December 2015

Aftermath Solutions, Inc. to Provide 5000 Arizona First Responders with Free Safety Training per Agreement with ADEQ

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PHOENIX — Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) officials announced today that Illinois-based Aftermath Solutions, Inc., a biohazardous medical waste remediation provider, will complete a $150,000 Supplemental Environmental Project (SEP) to provide free, mandatory Occupational Safety and Health Administration blood-borne pathogen training to Arizona first responders over the next three years.

“Providing a statewide training benefit for 5000 first responders directly supports ADEQ’s efforts to protect human health and the environment,” said Laura Malone, ADEQ Waste Programs Division Director. “The terms of this agreement are a strong example of how at ADEQ, we always look for and support creative ways to turn enforcement measures into actions that further our communities’ safety and security,” she added.

Aftermath now is operating in compliance with Arizona’s biohazardous medical waste requirements and has resolved noted deficiencies in keeping with ADEQ’s mission to protect and enhance public health and the environment in Arizona.

In addition to the statewide first responder training benefit the Aftermath SEP provides, the company will pay a $5,000 penalty for its now resolved biohazardous medical waste violations in Phoenix, Arizona.

The consent judgment is subject to court approval.

ADOT-ASU partnership will provide real-time weather information

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PHOENIX — With weather updates important to traffic flow and the safety of motorists, an innovative partnership between the Arizona Department of Transportation and Arizona State University will provide real-time forecasts to those managing our highways.

Beginning in January, a meteorology graduate student from ASU’s School of Geographical Sciences & Urban Planning will work as an intern in ADOT’s Traffic Operations Center, helping crews respond rapidly to winter storms and other weather challenges to clear highways and potentially prevent closures.

“This is an exciting step forward for public safety,” said Brent Cain, assistant director for ADOT’s Transportation Systems Management & Operations division. “This will allow us to have better information about weather conditions so we can more quickly determine how to deploy our crews and communicate with the public. All of that will make Arizona roads safer.”

Randy Cerveny, ASU President’s Professor in the School of Geographic Sciences and Urban Planning, said the setup also will allow top students to experience how meteorology can provide service to people in many areas.

“Most people only think of meteorologists on television, but by far most meteorologists work in settings like this one,” Cerveny said. “This is a real-world, real-time application of meteorology in a way that can help people all across Arizona.”

Paul Panhans, a first-year meteorology student and U.S. Air Force veteran, will begin working with ADOT in January. He said his experience interning with the National Weather Service will allow him to work closely with that agency.

“I will liaise with the National Weather Service and add in my own work to provide ADOT with the best possible weather forecasting,” Panhans said. “I expect to be able to help with such things as visibility, wind and freezing precipitation.”

ADEQ Seeks Applicants for $1.7 Million in Water Quality Improvement Grant Funds to Protect and Enhance Arizona’s Waters

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PHOENIX — ADEQ is requesting and accepting applications to fund projects that implement on-the-ground water quality improvements that reduce nonpoint source pollution caused by runoff in areas where ADEQ has established water protection plans. ADEQ’s focus is to fund projects in previously identified priority areas with the goal of maximizing environmental benefits. Focus areas include Granite Creek near Prescott, Oak Creek near Sedona, San Francisco River near Clifton, and San Pedro River near St. David.

ADEQ encourages all eligible individuals, non-profits, municipalities, and others to apply to take actions to restore, protect and improve waters in these priority areas. To learn more, ADEQ invites interested parties to join its informational webinar on Jan. 5, during which Water Quality Improvement Grant Program (WQIG) eligibility requirements, guidelines and priority areas will be reviewed. Please contact Jake Breedlove at (602) 771-4243 or sb12@azdeq.gov to register.

“Our experience has shown that applying proven management techniques through a community-based approach is highly effective in protecting Arizona’s precious waters as well as making progress toward restoring areas of concern to healthy conditions for future generations,” said ADEQ Water Quality Division Director Trevor Baggiore.

WQIG Deadlines and Awards

Mandatory pre-proposals are due 3 p.m., Fri., Jan. 15, 2016
Final applications are due 3 p.m. Fri., Feb. 12, 2016
ADEQ expects to announce the grant awards in May 2016

WQIG Resources
Water Quality Improvement Grants (WQIG) Request for Grant Applications (PDF)
Water Quality Improvement Grant Cycle Grant Manual (PDF)

Other required forms: http://www.azdeq.gov/environ/water/watershed/improvement.html

South Mountain Freeway to be constructed as public-private partnership

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PHOENIX — The Arizona Department of Transportation has selected a preferred developer for the Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway, which remains on track for construction to begin in summer 2016 as the largest-ever highway project in the state.

This is the first highway public-private partnership in Arizona. While the South Mountain Freeway will not be a toll road, the public-private partnership will allow ADOT to construct the project at an accelerated pace and at a lower cost.

After an unsolicited public-private partnership proposal was submitted in 2013, ADOT sought proposals from qualified teams vying to develop the 22-mile-long freeway, which is the last piece of the Loop 202 system and a critical direct link between the West Valley and East Valley. From the five initial proposals submitted, three finalists were selected after a qualifications assessment to advance in the selection process.

Following an extensive review that included representatives from ADOT, Federal Highway Administration, Maricopa Association of Governments and city of Phoenix, Connect 202 Partners was chosen as the “best value” developer. Key members of the development team include Fluor Enterprises Inc., Granite Construction Co. and Ames Construction Inc., with Parsons Brinckerhoff Inc. as the lead designer.

All three teams participating as finalists in the process were encouraged to use innovation and develop alternative concepts to save time and money, while adhering to all environmental commitments. The goal is to create an innovative public-private partnership that will have a private developer design and construct the freeway, as well as maintain the new highway for 30 years.

This public-private partnership will reduce costs to taxpayers while accelerating construction. Typically, a project of this magnitude would be split into several smaller projects, but the South Mountain Freeway will be completed as a single project by one contracting team.

“While ADOT has successfully built and managed hundreds of miles of freeways in the Phoenix metropolitan area, following a public-private partnership path for the first time was an appropriate tool for the South Mountain Freeway,” ADOT Director John Halikowski said. “ADOT will be able to complete this much-needed project sooner as a result, while increasing the likelihood of saving taxpayer dollars.”

ADOT is expected to finalize the contract with Connect 202 Partners by mid-February. Construction is expected to take up to four years to complete.

“The South Mountain Freeway is a critical piece of the MAG freeway program,” said Scottsdale Mayor W.J. “Jim” Lane, chair of the Maricopa Association of Governments Regional Council. “The freeway has been included in the voter-approved Regional Transportation Plan since 1985 and will provide improved mobility for residents in the MAG region. The design, construction and maintenance of the freeway by a private developer is a unique and innovative approach to delivering this important project.”

The South Mountain Freeway will be constructed with four lanes in each direction – three general-use lanes and one HOV lane – and include modern features including rubberized asphalt and aesthetics designed in partnership with the community.

ADEQ Awards $412,000 Water Quality Improvement Grant to Arizona Game and Fish Department

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ADEQ logo resizedPHOENIX — Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) officials announced today a $412,000 Water Quality Improvement Grant to the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) to improve water quality in the San Pedro River, Little Colorado River and Oak Creek. AZGFD will provide more than $274,000 in matching funds.

ADEQ’s first formal agreement committing funds from both partnering agencies to specific projects in shared priority areas will also further the goals of multiple state and federal initiatives. Eligible projects will protect and restore water quality, grass and rangeland health and wildlife habitats in priority areas identified by ADEQ and AZGFD in the state Nonpoint Source Management Plan and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Regional Conservation Partnership Program and National Water Quality Initiative.

“We think this will be a great framework for broadening our audience and customer base, and also for potentially implementing projects at low or no cost to landowners beyond maintenance requirements,” said ADEQ Water Quality Division Director Trevor Baggiore.

Leveraging resources across state and federal partners will result in the reduction of impairment-causing pollutants, improvement of grassland habitat for wildlife, improved grazing practices.

Baggiore added, “Teaming up with AZGFD’s Landowner Relations Program, which has a longstanding, strong local presence and ties to rural water management areas, will strengthen ADEQ’s ability to partner with rural landowners in identifying priority on-the-ground projects.”

“Many of ADEQ’ water quality improvement goals dovetail nicely with grassland, rangeland and habitat improvement goals we share with ranchers and other partnering agencies,” said Wade Zarlingo, AZGFD Landowner Relations Program Coordinator.

ADEQ will evaluate the effectiveness of these projects for improving water quality. Matching funds for projects will be provided by a combination of AZGFD state funding, landowner contributions, in-kind services, and Arizona Department of Agriculture Livestock Crop Conservation Grant Program.

State Route 261 and State Route 273 in White Mountains closing Dec. 28

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State Route 261 and State Route 273, to the Big Lake recreational area in the White Mountains region, will close for the winter beginning on Monday, Dec. 28, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

The highway is closed annually for the winter months due to the significant amount of snowfall the region typically receives.

SR 261 and 273 will be reopened in the spring, along with other local highways that are closed annually during the winter.

Light snow fall for waking Williams

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SantaFe15-12-25-1WILLIAMS — Williams woke up to a light coat of snow which did not prevent the fire department from making the rounds with Santa. The sun burnt off much of the snow before noon and the day remained mostly sunny.
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At Benham trail, youth took advantage of the day off to make some sled runs. On Dogtown road there is still a good pack of snow, but it melts and freezes overnight leaving interesting patches.
Dogtown15-12-24-02Santa Fe is a rare mix of water and a thin coat of ice which captured the morning snow. Some even took time to create some artwork in the snow.SantaFe15-12-25-2All-in-all it was a beautiful day in Williams. That may change overnight, however, as there is a 40% chance of snow today with 20% in the morning and into Saturday night. High winds are predicted with wind chill values of -14-degrees.

Sun is predicted Sunday with snow returning Monday through Tuesday. Currently the weather is predicted to return to sunny Wednesday and beyond.

Love’s can’t get any lower

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800-20151223-loveWILLIAMS — Just when you thought they couldn’t get any lower, Love’s does. They dropped gas prices to $1.99 (and 9 tenths) at 9 a.m. this morning.

Actually I guess they could go lower if they want to. I won’t stop them.

This is welcome news for the Christmas season for visitors to the Grand Canyon, Bearizona, Polar Express and the city dwellers. As of now they appear to be the best price in town.

That’s one great Christmas present, Love’s.

Chance for a White Christmas for Williams

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800weather-rain-01WILLIAMS — The weather this morning was a strange mix of mist, fog and sun. Much of the snow has melted off, but the water is mixing with remaining snow causing slippery conditions. High winds are causing the temperature to remain cooler, but was not cold.

A rainbow even appeared over Williams to the north.
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On South Road, residents experienced a little more rain than in town. Ice formed on the pines along South Road creating a picturesque winter wonderland photo op.
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The weather prediction for this afternoon is 80% chance of snow turning to 60% chance of rain tonight. Wednesday the chance of snow is 40%with a 30% chance overnight. Thursday morning there is a 30% chance of snow through out the day with a 60% overnight.

If you are dreaming of a white Christmas, just like the ones you used to know, there is a 60% chance fo that on Christmas day Friday. Friday night and Saturday there is a slight chance of snow clearing Sunday through Monday.

New snow accumulation possible over the period is about 3-inches by Thursday with another half-inch on Christmas day.
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Detectives, technology helping ADOT protect customers’ information

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PHOENIX — When the Phoenix Police Department suspected that a man in custody for drug and weapons violations had assumed someone else’s identity, it sought assistance from the Arizona Department of Transportation’s Office of the Inspector General.

ADOT detectives determined that man’s correct identity, confirmed he’d stolen the identities of two others and found that he was a sex offender who failed to register as required by state law for the past two years. He now faces additional charges of forgery and identity theft as well as having weapons charges upgraded to prohibited-possessor status.

Another recent case involving the Office of the Inspector General started when an application for credentials from ADOT’s Motor Vehicle Division raised suspicions. Detectives determined the applicant had fraudulently applied through the use of a stolen identity and also was being investigated by the U.S. State Department for fraudulently obtaining a U.S. passport.

The key in both cases: ADOT investigators, supported by technology such as facial-recognition software, detected identity theft as part of their mission of protected Arizonans’ privacy and information.

“The outstanding investigative skills of the Office of the Inspector General are recognized nationally and internationally,” ADOT Director John Halikowski said. “The implementation of various technologies like facial recognition and the investigative processes that uncover fraud have furthered the capability of the agency to protect the privacy and personal information of Arizona credential holders.”

These efforts complement those of ADOT Motor Vehicle Division customer service representatives, who are trained to detect forgery and fraud and perform the first checks for discrepancies in application packets. The recent adoption of facial-recognition technology enhances the screening process by allowing checks against customer records in the state’s driver license database, preventing fraudulent attempts to obtain a driver license or identification card.

As Arizona’s main agency issuing a driver license or identification cards, ADOT often is called on to aid local, state and federal law enforcement agencies dealing with cases that may involve forged identification documents and identity theft.

“Detectives with the Office of the Inspector General are highly skilled in conducting cases relating to identification documents, and we’re proud that those skills help agencies beyond ADOT protect Arizonans’ information,” Halikowski said.

ADOT’s Office of the Inspector General conducts investigations into fraudulent activities involving driver license/identification card applications, vehicles sales by licensed/unlicensed dealers, vehicle title/registration and providing investigative support to state, local and federal law enforcement agencies.