Category Archives: Boating

Arizona Game and Fish urges public comment on proposed boating restrictions at Havasu National Wildlife Refuge

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PHOENIX – The Arizona Game and Fish Department advises constituents to be aware of, and participate in, the public comment process regarding the draft recreational boating Compatibility Determination for the Havasu National Wildlife Refuge.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) released the Compatibility Determination on April 12 and opened a 30-day comment period that ends May 12. The Compatibility Determination contemplates the closure of some areas used by recreational boaters on the Havasu National Wildlife Refuge.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department recognizes the importance of watercraft-related recreation to the Lake Havasu community and has concerns over the short 30-day comment period.

“It astounds me that USFWS is considering this proposal, given the recent history of the Willow Beach National Fish Hatchery debacle causing a halt to trout stockings and threatening some of the 1,700 jobs and $75 million generated by anglers along the Mohave County/Clark County stretch of the river,” said Arizona Game and Fish Commission Chairman Kurt Davis. “Thanks to the immediate engagement of U.S. Senator John McCain, U.S. Representative Paul Gosar, and local elected officials, USFWS has been forced to give the public a chance to make their voices heard. Arizona Game and Fish supports a 60-day public comment period extension in order to thoroughly analyze any and all impacts to recreational boating, angling, hunting and most importantly to the local economy.

“I hope that the federal government will once again listen to the public, come to their senses, and realize what devastating economic impacts their arbitrary decisions can have.”

Others are also calling for an extended comment period.

In an April 25 letter to USFWS Director Dan Ashe, Senator John McCain requested an extension, citing concerns over the economic impact of such restrictions.

“By USFWS’s own estimates, between two and three million visitors vacation at Lake Havasu annually,” wrote McCain. “Additionally, an average holiday weekend attracts 50,000 boaters to the area. The regional economic impact of visitors to Lake Havasu City is substantial, and significantly contributes to the greater regional economy… I ask that no decision be made final until a thorough attempt is made to understand and address the concerns raised by local stakeholders.”

Similarly, in a bipartisan letter today to USFWS Director Ashe, Rep. Paul Gosar and 20 other members of the House of Representatives urged an extension of the comment period for an additional 60 days.

“Countless stakeholders and members of Congress from both parties have voiced opposition and are calling on the Service to heed their concerns,” stated Gosar in a news release. “Given the significant flaws with the CD, I’ve called on the Service to drop this proposal. At minimum, the comment period should be extended 60 days as few people understand what is actually going on, including staff within the Service.”

The USFWS has currently scheduled three meetings to provide information and to gather public input.

  • May 2, 2016 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
    Relics and Rods Hall
    Lake Havasu City Community/Aquatics Center
    100 Park Avenue
    Lake Havasu City, Arizona 86403
  • May 3, 2016 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
    Avi Resort and Casino
    10000 Aha Macav Parkway
    Laughlin, Nevada 89029
  • May 3, 2016 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
    Avi Resort and Casino
    10000 Aha Macav Parkway
    Laughlin, Nevada 89029


Unless the comment period is extended, comments to the draft recreational boating Compatibility Determination for the Havasu National Wildlife Refuge will be accepted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service through close of business on May 12, 2016. Please send written comments to:

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Havasu National Wildlife Refuge
Attn: Draft Recreational Boating CD
317 Mesquite Avenue
Needles, CA 92363

Comments may also be emailed to: Havasu_Boating_Comments@fws.gov.

Arizona Game and Fish hosts multiagency law enforcement training on Lake Pleasant

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_GF12795_-_reducedPHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Department and law enforcement from around the country are preparing for the upcoming boating season by participating in a two-week joint training to increase public safety on the nation’s waterways.

The training concludes Thursday evening at Lake Pleasant and is designed to prepare every law enforcement agency that patrols the state’s rivers and lakes. The course involved 25 officers from eight Arizona state and county agencies, including AZGFD, Maricopa, Coconino, La Paz and Yuma counties, Colorado River Indian Tribes, Bullhead City and Lake Havasu City police. Officers from North Dakota also participated in the training.

“These types of exercises are invaluable,” said AZGFD Watercraft Coordinator David Rigo, who is spearheading the multiagency event. “Anytime we can bring together so many partner agencies it places a national spotlight on Arizona and helps to protect the public, our country’s law enforcement and saves lives.”

The training is conducted with upwards of 66 law enforcement and civilians that serve as “violator/suspects” for officers to practice routine watercraft stops, searches, investigations and arrests. Scenarios can be anything from a wake zone violation, operating under the influence, assaults or fishing without a license.

“Just as on land, our officers handle any number of emergencies and criminal investigations, and our officers have to be prepared to handle each one of those types of incidents. It takes specific skills and training to ensure the safety of our officers and the boating public,” Rigo said.

The training is just one way the Arizona Game and Fish Department works to enhance public safety on the water. The department offers free boating safety courses in Phoenix, Lake Havasu City and Tucson.

In addition, the department is expanding its Life Jacket Loaner Station program to include more lakes throughout the state. Currently stations where the public can borrow a life jacket have been placed at Lake Pleasant, Lake Havasu, Lake Mohave and others are planned this spring and summer.

As a reminder, all boats in Arizona must have a life jacket aboard for every passenger and those 12 years old and younger must wear a life jacket at all times, under state law.

For more information on boating in Arizona or to sign up for a safety course, visit www.azgfd.gov/boating.

Boaters, watercraft users urged to ‘Spring Aboard’ with boating safety course

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PHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Department, in partnership with the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA), is encouraging the state’s boating and watercraft users to Spring Aboard and prepare for the boating season by enrolling in a safety education course.

Spring Aboard is a national campaign from April 17 to 23 that encourages boaters to protect themselves and their passengers by taking a safety course before stepping onto a boat or other watercraft.

“Boating is a great family friendly activity, but only if it’s done safely and responsibly,” said Josh Hoffman, AZGFD Boating Safety Education coordinator. “In 2014, 77 percent of boating deaths occurred on boats where the operator had never taken a safety course. That statistic from the U.S. Coast Guard is telling and illustrates the need for every boat or watercraft operator to successfully complete a safety course.”

Developed by NASBLA, and produced under a grant administered by the U.S. Coast Guard, the annual Spring Aboard campaign is open to participation by all states, territories, boating education organizations, instructors and course providers.

“We know from many years of experience that an educated boater is safer and boating is a lot more fun if you aren’t confused or worried the whole trip,” said NASBLA President Col. Darren Rider. “Boating isn’t like driving a car and many boaters – both new and experienced – are uncertain about how to boat safely. The Spring Aboard campaign is our big, unified effort to get all boaters educated now, prior to or during spring break.”

Most states require proof of completion of a boating education course for operators of some powered vessels. During the Spring Aboard campaign, many course providers will offer incentives or course discounts for students who enroll in or complete a course.

“With today’s wide variety of courses available, there’s a course for everyone’s schedule,” Col. Rider said. “Boaters have many ways to get educated, from classroom courses offered by the Coast Guard Auxiliary and United States Power Squadrons to online offerings available anytime day or night. There’s no reason to head out on the water without knowing what you’re doing.”

AZGFD offers free courses in Phoenix, Lake Havasu City and Tucson every month to provide water users the information and tips needed to stay safe while on the water. Each year many deaths and injuries on Arizona’s waterways are the result of people who don’t know how to operate a watercraft properly or how to act to avoid placing themselves in danger.

For more information on boating safety or to register for a hands-on or online safety course, visit www.azgfd.gov/boating and click “Boating Safety Education.” Below is a list of hands-on boating safety courses scheduled for April:

Arizona Boater Education Course

  • 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. April 16, Apex Arms Facility, Green Building in Lake Havasu City
  • 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. April 16, Arizona Game and Fish Headquarters in Phoenix

Arizona Paddlesports Education Course

  • 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. April 23 and May 21, AZGFD Region 5 offices in Tucson
  • 8 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. May 14, Biscuit Tank at Ben Avery Shooting Facility in Phoenix

U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary

  • 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. April 16, Bass Pro Shop in Mesa. Course costs $30.

Department’s courses include instruction on the basic skills needed to safely operate a boat or personal watercraft, trailering your vessel, navigational rules, buoys, anchoring, legal requirements, boating emergencies, watersports and paddling. In addition, most insurance companies offer a discount on boat or watercraft insurance rates for completing a course.

The department also reminds watercraft users that all boats, including paddleboards, must have a wearable life jacket for every passenger onboard and those 12 years old and younger must wear a life jacket at all times, under state law. Users should also check to make sure a life jacket fits properly by ensuring there is no excess room above the openings of the jacket and that it does not ride up over the chin or face.

For more information on boating in Arizona or to sign up for a safety course, visit www.azgfd.gov/boating. To learn more about Spring Aboard, visit www.nasbla.org/spring.