Category Archives: News

Kaibab National Forest continues forest restoration project north of Parks

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WILLIAMS – With the return of spring weather, log trucks will again be able to access and remove trees, chips and other material from the 1,039-acre Community Tank Timber Sale area north of the Parks community where forest restoration work has been occurring since last fall.

The Community Tank project is located about 11 miles north of Parks just south of Forest Road 171 and west of Kendrick Mountain Wilderness near Pumpkin Center on the Williams Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest. Harvesting operations began last September, with about 800 acres having been treated to date. The forest restoration work is expected to continue through July, barring weather or other delays.

Residents of Parks and visitors recreating in the area can expect to see an increasing number of log trucks traveling along the haul route to and from the project beginning this month. Approximately 14 trucks per day may be visiting the site in order to remove downed trees and other restoration byproducts.

The major haul route is from Forest Road 151 and FR 194 to FR 141, which travels through the Parks community, and then on to Interstate 40. It is possible that there could be a significant number of trucks hauling timber through this area until project completion.

By May, foresters with the Kaibab National Forest anticipate an increase in tree felling operations at the site in order to complete the remaining acres of restoration work within the 1,039-acre project area. As this thinning work is implemented, residents and visitors can expect to see heavy, mechanized equipment and workers on site and a continued presence of log trucks along the haul route.

Members of the public are urged to use extreme caution near timber removal and hauling operations. Besides the presence of heavy equipment and log trucks, there will also be trees being felled and stacked into log decks, which can be unstable. Visitors to the area should not camp near nor climb on them, as they often shift and have the possibility of collapse. Motorists should be aware of the likelihood of encountering a log truck along haul routes and are encouraged to drive with safety in mind at all times.

The objectives of the Community Tank Timber Sale are to reduce fuel loading and the potential for future high-intensity wildfires and to improve forest health and watershed conditions. Another important component of the effort is to work toward restoration of historic grasslands and meadows, which support a variety of wildlife species including pronghorn antelope. As a result of historical livestock grazing, fire suppression, changes in wildlife populations, climate change, and other factors, grasslands and meadows have experienced substantial encroachment and infilling by woody species over the last century.“Much of this area was open meadow historically. The restoration work we are doing at Community Tank is improving habitat quality and connectivity,” said Tom Dauenhauer, timber sale administrator, Kaibab National Forest. “We are already seeing much more frequent visitation to and use of the area by pronghorn since we started this project. That is a great benefit to be added to all of the other community protection and forest health benefits of this work.”

The tree harvesting efforts occurring on the Williams Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest are part of the overarching restoration work associated with the Four Forest Restoration Initiative. The goal of the Four Forest Restoration Initiative is to accelerate the pace and scale of restoration within 2.4 million acres of ponderosa pine forest in northern Arizona to increase resilience and proper functioning. Restoring this fire-adapted ecosystem is accomplished with a suite of restoration activities, from watershed maintenance and habitat improvements to prescribed burning and thinning.

For additional information on the Four Forest Restoration Initiative, visit www.fs.usda.gov/4fri. Members of the public can find additional information on the Kaibab National Forest through the following sources:

Twitter: www.twitter.com/KaibabNF (Text ‘follow kaibabnf’ to 40404 to receive text messages.)
Kaibab website: www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab
Kaibab Facebook: www.facebook.com/KaibabNF

Moonset Pit Renovations Begin But Will Remain Closed For Public Safety

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WILLIAMS – Officials on the Kaibab National Forest, are alerting local residents in and around the communities of Parks and Sherwood Forest Estates, that Moonset Pit will undergo an expansion project set to begin this month.

The purpose of the project is to open up the space within the pit which will allow for separation between the cinder operations and the woody debris piles ultimately providing for a much safer environment for all users. It will also provide for a larger capacity which in turn will accommodate more users for this popular site in the future.

The work will involve a Forest Service contractor who will clear timber from an additional 5 acres adjacent to the existing area. Once the timber has been safely removed, Coconino County Public Works will continue with the surface expansion creating a larger, safer area between the personal use cinder materials and the debris pit used for public disposal of natural woody materials.

Unfortunately, due to the hazardous nature of the site undergoing construction, the entire pit will remain closed for public use for the remainder of the year to ensure public safety. Kaibab National Forest and Coconino County officials hope to complete the entire project by spring of 2019 and expect the Moonset Pit to be fully operational and open for both uses by the summer of 2019.

In the interim, alternative locations have been designated to provide residents options to access personal use cinders and provide a location for dumping of herbaceous materials from cleanup of private properties.

The W-Triangle Cinder Pit just north of Spring Valley will be available to residents for personal use cinder collection. Personal mineral material permits are available at the William Ranger District office at 742 S Clover road during regular business hours Monday through Friday.

The alternative green waste disposal site will be at the old dump site off Buggy Wheel road on forest road 900 north of Pittman Valley off forest road 74. Scheduled days and hours of operation at this temporary location will be made available by early next week. Access will only be permitted during open hours of operation.

Residents are encouraged to take advantage of these services in order to make their private property more defensible against the threat of wildland fire. No garbage, household trash, building materials, lumber or other items will be allowed. Materials should not be bagged.The success of this community provision is largely attributed to the volunteers of the Parks Area Connection and Sherwood Forest Fire District who staff these pits during open hours of operation. This annual service is also supported by the Kaibab National Forest and the Rural Communities Fuels Management Partnership.

For more information on the about the Moonset Pit expansion project contact Deirdre McLaughlin at damclaughlin@fs.fed.us 928-635-5662
For additional information on creating defensible space, visit www.firewise.org or fireadapted.org/

Public comment period on rules for taking, handling of wildlife ends April 15

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PHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) is seeking public comment through April 15 regarding proposed rule changes within Article 3, “Taking and Handling of Wildlife.”

AZGFD recently hosted a public forum about proposed changes by the Arizona Game and Fish Commission pertaining to trail cameras, pneumatic weapons, drones and “smart” firearms, among others. The proposed rulemaking can be viewed on the department’s website at https://www.azgfd.com/agency/rulemaking/. The rulemaking forum can be viewed below.

All public comments about the proposed rulemaking can be made by the following methods:

E-mail: rulemaking@azgfd.gov, or jcook@azgfd.gov.
U.S. Mail: Arizona Game and Fish Department, Attn.: Jay Cook, Regional Supervisor FOR6, 7200 E. University Drive, Mesa, AZ 85207.
Telephone: Jay Cook, Regional Supervisor FOR6, (480) 324-3540.

The final rule will be presented to the five-member commission at its May 4 meeting at the Mohave County Board of Supervisors Auditorium, 700 W. Beale St., Kingman.

To track the progress of this rule, view the regulatory agenda and all previous Five-year Review Reports, and to learn about any other agency rulemaking matters, visit https://www.azgfd.com/agency/rulemaking/.

Reminder: Nominations sought for Arizona Outdoor Hall of Fame

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PHOENIX — The Wildlife for Tomorrow Foundation is soliciting nominations for this year’s inductees into the Arizona Outdoor Hall of Fame.

The Outdoor Hall of Fame annually recognizes individuals and organizations that have made significant and lasting contributions toward Arizona’s wildlife, the welfare of its natural resources, and the state’s outdoor heritage.

Nominations will be accepted from March 1 – April 30. To submit a nomination, head to the Arizona Outdoor Hall of Fame page, download and complete the form, and return it along with all supplemental materials to:

Wildlife for Tomorrow Foundation
c/o Arizona Game and Fish Department
Attn: Kent Komadina
5000 W. Carefree Highway Phoenix AZ 85086

Nominations also may be submitted by e-mail to Kent Komadina at Kkomadina@azgfd.gov. For more information, call 623-236-7288.

This year’s inductees will be honored in August at the annual Outdoor Hall of Fame Banquet.

Past Outdoor Hall of Fame inductees have been individuals with backgrounds in wildlife volunteerism, corporate leadership, politics, wildlife and the media, including Ben Avery, Barry Goldwater, Morris K. Udall, John McCain, Bill Quimby and Tom Woods, as well as groups and organizations such as Adobe Mountain Wildlife Center Volunteers, Arizona Antelope Foundation, Rio Salado Sportsman’s Club, Arizona Deer Association, National Wild Turkey Federation, Safari Club International, Audubon Arizona, Arizona Public Service and Salt River Project.

Wildlife for Tomorrow was created in 1990 to enhance the management, protection and enjoyment of Arizona’s fish and wildlife resources. The foundation is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that works closely with the Arizona Game and Fish Department to provide additional support for projects and education activities where traditional resources are not adequate. For more information, visit www.wildlifefortomorrow.org.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposes reclassification of humpback chub from endangered to threatened

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Photo courtesy of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

PHOENIX — Through collaborative conservation efforts, the once-dwindling endangered humpback chub has been given a fighting chance against the currents of extinction, building a wild population large enough to soon be reclassified as a threatened species by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The success was due to the efforts and commitment of multiple agencies, including the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD); Colorado Fish, Wildlife and Parks; Utah Division of Wildlife Resources; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS); National Park Service; U.S. Bureau of Reclamation; U.S. Geological Service and others. As a result, the FWS recently conducted a species status assessment with assistance of AZGFD staff and determined the fish is no longer in danger of becoming extinct.

Within the next year, the FWS will propose the chub, which is found in the Colorado River below the Glen Canyon Dam in Page, be reclassified from endangered to threatened.

“The recommendation is based on sound science and data, and is the result of great conservation efforts implemented throughout the Colorado River,” said Chris Cantrell, AZGFD Aquatic Wildlife Branch Chief, who in 2009 led the first translocation of humpback chub into Shinumo Creek, a tributary of the Colorado River.

“This is a special time for the Arizona Game and Fish Department and partner agencies whose hard work has brought a species back from the brink. While it’s great to have seen significant progress, we realize the chub will continue to need the commitment and expertise of the Department and its partner agencies to conserve and protect this species for generations to come,” Cantrell added.

There are currently five populations of humpback chub, with the lower basin population occurring in the Colorado River and its tributaries below Glen Canyon Dam. The lower basin population is the most robust, estimated at 12,000 adults.

The humpback chub, which was first described as a unique species from collections in the Grand Canyon in the 1940’s, was not discovered in the upper Colorado River basin until the 1970’s. It was placed on the original list of endangered species in 1967.

The chub prefer canyon-bound reaches of river where they complete their life cycle in swift, turbulent currents. The species gets its name from the fleshy hump behind its head. That adaptation coupled with large, curved fins allows the species to maintain position in the turbulent flows.

Road resurfacing to begin on Forest Road 140 on Williams Ranger District

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WILLIAMS – A contractor working for the Kaibab National Forest will begin a road maintenance project this week on Forest Road 140 on the Williams Ranger District in order to ensure the popular route continues to meet Forest Service road standards.

This work will include roadway reconditioning and resurfacing on an approximately 5-mile stretch of FR 140, which accesses Dogtown Lake and other recreation opportunities on the Williams Ranger District. The section of FR 140 to receive this maintenance work begins at the intersection FR 140H and continues until the intersection with FR 140K.

Forest Service road engineers anticipate that the resurfacing project will be complete by the end of May. While FR 140 will not be closed during the project, motorists can expect delays and should exercise caution while traveling through the area due to varying road conditions and the presence of heavy equipment. Travelers on the road can expect delays of up to 30 minutes and are urged to drive slowly through the entire construction zone.

FR 140 is used frequently by Kaibab National Forest visitors to access fishing, camping, hunting and other recreational opportunities. Forest visitors seeking a spot for dispersed camping are encouraged to consider other routes on the Williams Ranger District during the duration of the road maintenance work given the likelihood of dust and noise near the project area.

Besides work on FR 140 itself, haul trucks will also be traveling in the area from nearby Ruin Pit. Likely haul routes include portions of forest roads 110, 109, 141, 12 and 140. Motorists should always use caution when driving near heavy trucks and equipment.

This road resurfacing project is part of the larger forest restoration effort occurring on Kaibab National Forest. FR 140 will provide improved access for log trucks and other heavy equipment supporting future timber sales and other thinning projects. The road work also improves safety conditions and enhances visitor experience when traveling to popular recreation areas on the forest.

Forest Service engineers regularly evaluate and monitor road conditions across the forest to determine priorities for work. FR 140 has been in need of reconditioning and resurfacing for some time, and forest managers expect visitors to have an improved experience once the current project is complete.

To contact the Williams Ranger District office, call (928) 635-5600. Additional Kaibab National Forest is available through the following sources:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/KaibabNF/
Twitter: www.twitter.com/kaibabnf (Text ‘follow kaibabnf’ to 40404 to receive text messages.)
Kaibab website “News & Events”: www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab

Carin Lamprakes and Kim McGowan found

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FLAGSTAFF – The Attempt to Locate for the two women who were reported as missing persons by their families Carin Lamprakes and Kim McGowan has been cancelled. An Arizona Department of Public Safety Trooper came in contact with the two women in the greater Phoenix area. Nothing was found to be suspicious or to lead officers to believe they were endangered. The families of the women have been notified. The women have asked that their privacy be respected. Thank you to the public for your assistance in attempting to locate these women so that their welfare could be confirmed. They are no longer listed as missing persons.

Coconino County S.O. Locates Missing 9 year old

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FLAGSTAFF — On March 25th at 1:15 p.m. Coconino County Sheriff’s Office received a call for a missing 9-year-old girl. Deputies along with Search and Rescue responded to Elk Meadows area South East of Flagstaff and conducted Search efforts. The Missing 9-year-old was located at approximately 7:00 p.m., cold but apparently in good condition

Coconino County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue along with Sheriff’s deputies and Family members conducted search efforts for Cheyenne Reynolds a 9-year-old girl who was up from the Phoenix area with family at their Cabin in the Elk Meadows Area. Cheyenne was last seen by her friends at approximately 12:00 p.m. Cheyenne had gotten separated from her friends after heading back to the cabin from a hike.

Search efforts included Coconino County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Scent and Tracking dogs, Ground Trackers, CCSO ATV’s, Department of Public Safety Helicopter, CCSO Patrol units, Family members on ATV’s and foot.

At Approximately 7:00 p.m. Cheyenne was located by a Family Member on a ATV miles from the cabin. Cheyenne was cold from falling in some water and is being evaluated for any other injuries.

The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Public and other Agencies for their calls to assist in this urgent matter.

Photo of missing persons released by Sheriff’s Office

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The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office released a photo of Carin Lamprakes reported missing by her sister on March 22nd. It is believed that Lamprakes was camping in the Flagstaff area with a friend by the name of Kim Louise McGowan, also pictured. Her sister has not heard from her in three-weeks.

The Sheriff’s office is looking for a white 2007 Chrysler Pacifica 4 door SUV with Arizona plate CEF6957 in the Flagstaff area.

Please contact the Coconino County Sheriff’s at (928) 774-4523 should you have any information on her whereabouts. You may also call Silent Witness at (928) 774-6111 or visit their website.

Coconino County S.O. is attempting to locate a missing endangered 51 year old female

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FLAGSTAFF — On March 22nd, the Coconino County Sheriffs Office recieved a missing persons report on Carin Lamprakes, who reportedly was camping around the flagstaff area.

Lamprakes was reported missing by her sister on March 22nd, 2018. It is believed she is camping in her vehicle a 2007 Chrysler Pacifica 4 door SUV, white in color , with AZ plate CEF6957 some where in or around the Flagstaff area. Her sister has not heard from her for over 3 weeks.

Lamprakes is camping with another individual by the name of Kim Louise McGowan. They have 2 small dogs with them . Lamprakes has ongoing medical issues which raises health issue concerns . It is possible Lamprakes may be camping in a Campgournd or in a wooded area around Flagstaff.

We are asking for the publics help in locating Lamprakes . Please contact the Coconino County Sheriff’s at (928) 774-4523 should you have any information on her whereabouts. Pictures will be made available as soon as they are obtained .