Category Archives: Phoenix

In a minor crash? Move your car out of travel lanes

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PHOENIX – If you have the misfortune to be involved in a non-injury fender bender on a freeway, do not leave your car stopped in travel lanes, while you circle the vehicle taking photos of dents and dings from dozens of angles and waiting for a forensics team to arrive and piece together the cause of the collision.

That’s not safe and they’re not coming.

If you find yourself in this situation move your vehicle to the shoulder where you can safely exchange information with the other driver, inspect your vehicle for damage and wait for law enforcement to arrive. This is called “Quick Clearance” and is a traffic incident management strategy that keeps motorists safe and traffic moving.During National Traffic Incident Management (TIM) Awareness Week (November 11-17), the Arizona Department of Transportation, Arizona Department of Public Safety and other traffic-safety stakeholders are providing the traveling public with TIM tips. In addition, motorists will see TIM-related safety messages on overhead signs and on social media this week.

“Not only do TIM techniques keep traffic moving as efficiently and smoothly as possible,” said Derek Arnson, ADOT’s Traffic Management Group manager, “they make it safer for those involved in the incident, safer for those responding to the incident and safer for the motorists traveling near the incident.”

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 remove damaged vehicles and clear space to make travel safer for other motorists – but all are practicing TIM techniques.

“TIM strategies are used by first responders on a daily basis to keep motorists safe on Arizona’s roadways, while reducing traffic congestion that often causes secondary collisions,” said Lt. Col. Wayde Webb of the Arizona Department of Public Safety’s Highway Patrol Division.

While responders employ a variety of TIM strategies that keep motorists safe and traffic moving efficiently, the public plays a role, too. First, motorists can practice “Quick Clearance,” 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. In addition to moving vehicles from the roadway to increase safety, 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.

Giving responders space to work can be a life-saving action, said Angela Barnett, Executive Director of the Arizona Professional Towing and Recovery Association. On average, one tow truck operator is struck and killed every six days in the United States, according to national crash statistics.

“Give us room to do our jobs,” Barnett said. “When you see an incident or flashing lights ahead, please pay attention and slow down. It’s real life out there and we all want to go home at the end of the day.”

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.

Plenty of hunt permit-tags remain for 2019 spring turkey, javelina

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PHOENIX — Arizona hunters who were unsuccessful in the recent 2019 spring hunt draw still have an opportunity to receive a hunt permit-tag for turkey or javelina.

As of November 1, there were 8,137 leftover hunt permit-tags for the following hunts:

186 general turkey
36 youth-only turkey
2,781 general javelina
2,631 archery-only javelina
2,253 handgun, archery or muzzleloader (HAM) javelina
250 youth-only javelina

The Arizona Game and Fish Department has posted a list of leftover hunt permit-tags on its website at www.azgfd.com/Hunting/Draw/. The department will begin accepting applications for leftover hunt permit-tags Monday, November 19 – by mail only – at 5000 W. Carefree Highway, Phoenix, AZ 85086, Attn.: Draw/First Come. Allow 10 to 15 business days to receive a hunt permit-tag by mail.

Leftover hunt permit-tags will be available for purchase on a “first come, first served” basis beginning Monday, November 26, at all department offices.

For more information, including license and hunt permit-tag requirements, legal methods of take, and bag limits, view the “2019 Spring Turkey, Javelina, Bison and Bear Hunt Draw Information” booklet online, or call (602) 942-3000.

AZGFD to stock rainbow trout into Lees Ferry

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PHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) plans to stock rainbow trout this week into the lower 3 mile walk-in section of Lees Ferry, Arizona’s premier blue-ribbon trout fishery below Glen Canyon Dam.

This will be the first trout stocking at Lees Ferry since 1998.

“Lees Ferry has long been considered a world-class trout fishery,” AZGFD Commissioner Kurt Davis said. “As a managing agency for this invaluable resource, we’re thrilled to begin providing anglers with even more opportunity to make memories at this breathtaking destination.”

After AZGFD creel survey results had been showing a dramatic decrease in angler catch rates, rainbow trout fishing during the past couple years seems to have recovered somewhat in the upper portion of the river with reports of large rainbow trout being captured.

Regardless of the improvement, trout fishing in the walk-in area has not recovered as quickly as AZGFD had hoped. This stocking is intended to boost sport-fishing opportunities for rainbow trout at this walk-in portion.

AZGFD plans to stock more trout as necessary, beginning again in April, to further address low catch rates and angler satisfaction.

“Lees Ferry is regarded as one of the top tailwater rainbow trout fisheries in the nation,” AZGFD Aquatic Wildlife Branch Chief Chris Cantrell said. “Even more impressive is that the fishing at this massive, clear-running river has an enormous impact on the economy near Marble Canyon.”

On the heels of last week’s high flow event, fishing could be excellent because these flows make aquatic invertebrates (fish food) available to trout. Normal flows should offer great wading and fishing this fall.

See more information on fishing in Arizona.

State Employees Charitable Campaign raises money for charities

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PHOENIX — The State Employees Charitable Campaign (SECC) annually provides Arizona state employees with an opportunity to voluntarily contribute monetary donations that support more than 400 nonprofit agencies.

Now there’s an opportunity for the public to participate as well.

The campaign recently announced that proceeds from the raffle of a 2018 Polaris Ranger Crew XP 1000 EPS will equally benefit Wildlife for Tomorrow and the Arizona Elk Society, both independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit charities that work closely with the Arizona Game and Fish Department. Together, the organizations provide additional support for habitat projects, water for wildlife, education and mentored activities where traditional resources aren’t adequate.

In addition, Special Olympics Arizona, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, has been named one of the three designated charities to benefit from the proceeds to help assist more than 22,000 Arizona athletes who participate in the program.

RideNow Powersports has generously donated a custom camouflage 2018 Polaris Ranger Crew XP 1000 EPS ($16,999 MSRP) to be raffled as the grand prize. The Arizona Elk Society is hosting the fundraiser on behalf of the three charities and has donated six additional prizes to increase the number of winners.

The raffle ends at 11:59 p.m. (Arizona time) Dec. 1, with a live drawing scheduled for Dec. 8 at RideNow Powersports in Phoenix at 17202 N. Cave Creek Road. For more information, and to participate, visit https://aesraffles.org/.

Record number of bald eagles take first flight in 2018

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PHOENIX — Arizona’s bald eagle population continues to soar as the number of breeding areas expanded statewide and a record 87 young hatched during the 2018 breeding season, according the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s annual survey.

The number of hatchlings rose from the previous high of 82 in 2017, as did the number of young that actually fledged, rising to 70 birds that made the important milestone of their first flight. In Arizona, at least 102 eggs were laid, which topped the 97 laid in 2017, and a record 87 breeding areas were identified, including three new areas.

“Arizona’s bald eagle population continues to be strong,” said Kenneth Jacobson, AZGFD bald eagle management coordinator. “The fact that we continue to see an increase in breeding areas and hatchlings speaks to the resiliency of these magnificent animals. Our ongoing efforts to help conserve and protect Arizona’s bald eagles appear to be working.”

Arizona’s bald eagle populations have flourished since 1978, when 11 pairs were counted within the state and the species was listed as endangered. Today there are an estimated 69 adult breeding pairs.

Bald eagles nationwide were removed as a protected species under the federal Endangered Species Act in 2007, but protections under the act were reinstated in 2008 in Arizona and remained until 2011. The department’s conservation efforts contributed to the species recovery. Nationally, the birds remain protected by the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act.

The impressive growth of the population is attributed to the continued efforts of the Southwestern Bald Eagle Management Committee – a coalition of AZGFD and 25 other government agencies, private organizations and Native American tribes – and its years of cooperative conservation efforts, including extensive monitoring by the nationally-awarded Bald Eagle Nestwatch Program.The breeding season for bald eagles in Arizona runs from December through June, although eagle pairs at higher elevations nest later than those in the rest of the state.

Continued support from the committee, State Wildlife Grants, the Heritage Fund (Arizona Lottery ticket sales) and funding through the Pittman-Robertson Act, will help ensure that Arizona’s bald eagles continue to thrive.

For more information on bald eagles in Arizona, visit www.azgfd.gov or www.swbemc.org.

MVD gets award for improved customer service and innovation

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Getting Arizona out of line and safely on the road is getting widespread attention.

The Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division has received the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA) “Improvement through Efficiencies Service Award” for the MVD online insurance update and reinstatement functions introduced last year. Those transactions previously required a visit to an MVD or Authorized Third Party office.

“In Arizona, the Motor Vehicle Division has been leading the way in making sure government serves its customers more efficiently and effectively,” said Governor Doug Ducey. “The dedicated employees of MVD have embraced the principles of the Arizona Management System to eliminate waste and maximize productivity. The results are stunning. Customers are spending half the time in MVD offices waiting than they did just a few years ago. That success belongs to the employees of MVD, and Arizonans are seeing the benefit.”

MVD Director Eric Jorgensen said, “It’s an honor to be recognized for our successes, but the real winners here are the MVD customers who continue to have more options for doing business more conveniently online. We have a terrific team of MVD employees who have embraced the culture of everyday improvement through the Arizona Management System and I’m proud that they’re getting this recognition.”

The Insurance Update is free and allows customers to electronically provide information regarding their insurance coverage directly to MVD. Insurance companies are given seven days by law to update policy information when changes such as cancellations or renewals occur. On those occasions when there may be a lag in that reporting time from an insurance provider, this online option will help customers with valid insurance to immediately update their MVD record and avoid a suspension.

The update tool is easy to use and asks for information that is found directly on an insurance card.

In addition to the Insurance Update, the Reinstatement Function allows customers to reinstate vehicle insurance that had been previously canceled or lapsed. The function determines eligibility for reinstatement, makes real-time updates to the MVD customer database upon completion, allows the customer to pay the $50 fee for each vehicle reinstatement, and provides a receipt confirmation that indicates the registration has been reinstated.

AAMVA was founded in 1933 and supports motor vehicle and law enforcement agencies in North America through programs and services focusing on safe drivers and vehicles, identity security, motor carrier services and technology solutions.

For more information: www.azdot.gov/mvd and www.aamva.org

Water being shut off today in Oak Creek Canyon below Sterling Springs Fish Hatchery

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PHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Department will temporarily shut down the water system servicing some of the upper Oak Creek users today for repairs to the Sterling Spring Fish Hatchery delivery system.

The water system shutdown will impact the Pine Flats Subdivision, Manresa Resort, Pine Flat Campground and the public water faucet along state Route 89A.

The water service is expected to be operational Wednesday evening. The repairs are to prepare for an anticipated renovation at Sterling Springs Fish Hatchery this winter.

For questions regarding this project call, David Fox, Sterling Springs Fish Hatchery manager, at (928) 282-3643.

High flow event at Lees Ferry November 5-10

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PHOENIX — An experimental release of 38,100 cfs from Glen Canyon Dam will take place November 5-10 at the world-renowned Lees Ferry trout fishery just downstream in picturesque Marble Canyon.

The flows are short term, yet significant enough to preclude any fishing from occurring during the peak high releases. The fishing is usually excellent the week following these high flows because these flows make aquatic invertebrates (fish food) available to trout. Normal flows before and after the high flows should offer great wading and fishing this fall.

The Department of Interior will begin the release from Glen Canyon Dam Nov. 5. The flows will reach full capacity (approximately 38,100 cfs) by 2 p.m. on November 5. Releases will be maintained at peak releases about 2.5 days (60 hours) before ramping down. Normal operations of 6,500-9,000 cfs will return on Nov. 8.

The goal for the Department of the Interior is to move sand stored in the river channel and redeposit it to rebuild eroded sandbars and beaches downstream of the Paria River in Grand Canyon National Park.

See more information from the National Parks Service.

View the AZGFD presentation on public awareness/education funding source

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PHOENIX — Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) constituents are reminded that a presentation on recently submitted ideas for establishing and maintaining a discretionary, dedicated funding source for public awareness and education has been posted on the AZGFD Customer Portal at https://www.azgfd.com/agency/dedicated-funding-source/. The Arizona Game and Fish Commission directed the department to analyze ideas submitted by the public: the addition of a big game bonus point option, and the potential to expand revenue sources from non-traditional customers.

The posting of the presentation kicked off a second 30-day comment period that ends November 18. Please submit comments (specific only to the proposals covered in the presentation) via email to (ideas@azgfd.gov).

AZGFD is also seeking feedback to specific questions at Answer Questions HERE regarding a big game bonus point option. This feedback will provide the department with a preliminary glimpse of public opinion on the topic. Additional analyses and public vetting will be needed to fully assess the potential for this option.

The presentation and online questions also are posted at https://www.azgfd.com/agency/dedicated-funding-source/.

AZGFD will present feedback on the potential options for the funding source to the Game and Fish Commission at its public meeting December 7 in Phoenix.

Expect lane closures on State Route 89A near Sedona November 6-8

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The Arizona Department of Transportation advises drivers to plan for lane closures on north- and south-bound State Route 89A near Sedona between mileposts 389 and 374 while crews maintain roadside vegetation.

The work is scheduled to occur from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, November 6, through Thursday, November 8.

SR 89A will be narrowed to one lane during daytime operations.
Flaggers and a pilot car will direct motorists through the work zone.

Please proceed through the work zone with caution, slow down and watch for maintenance personnel and equipment.