Category Archives: News

State Route 347/Union Pacific Railroad Final Environmental Assessment approved

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PHOENIX — The Arizona Department of Transportation, in partnership with the city of Maricopa, the Union Pacific Railroad and the Federal Highway Administration, has received federal approval for the proposed bridge project on State Route 347 over the railroad crossing, clearing the way for the project to move forward when funding is available.

On March 18, the Federal Highway Administration issued a Finding of No Significant Impact after reviewing the Final Environmental Assessment, the definitive decision-making document federally required for the project.

This grants the final approval necessary for ADOT to begin the process of acquiring right of way, completing the design and beginning construction when funding is available.

The environmental review process, which includes preparing the draft and final environmental assessments, was conducted in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act.

The estimated $55 million project is intended to alleviate traffic backups at the Union Pacific Railroad crossing in Pinal County by replacing the existing at-grade intersection with an overpass on SR 347, which is the only direct route between the city of Maricopa and metro Phoenix, so vehicle and train traffic do not impede one another.

More than 40 trains run daily through the middle of Maricopa, which has been one of the fastest-growing communities in the nation. Future plans call for more than 100 trains to pass through Maricopa daily.

In June 2014, the project was added to ADOT’s Five-Year Transportation Facilities Construction Program, including $18.8 million for design and right-of-way acquisition and $36.2 million for construction in fiscal year 2020:

  • FY 2015:$5.5 million allocated for design and $500,000 allocated for right of way
  • FY 2016: $5.5 million allocated for right of way
  • FY 2017: $7.3 million allocated for right of way
  • FY 2020: $36.2 million for construction

For more information on the SR 347 project, including a computer-generated video of the proposed grade separation, please visit the project webpage: azdot.gov/sr347.

Tollsen: PROPOSED ARIZONA POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM (AZPDES) RENEWAL PERMIT

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Tollsen: PROPOSED ARIZONA POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM (AZPDES) RENEWAL PERMIT

ADEQ logo resizedPursuant to the Clean Water Act and in accordance with Arizona Administrative Code (A.A.C.) R18-9-A907, the Director of the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) proposes to issue an Arizona Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (AZPDES) Permit to discharge pollutants to Waters of the United States to the following applicant, subject to certain effluent limitations and special conditions:

Public Notice No.15-50                    Published on March 26, 2015
Published on Northern Arizona Gazette

AZPDES Permit No. AZ0020338
City of Tolleson Wastewater Treatment Plant
City of Tolleson
9555 W. Van Buren Street
Tolleson, AZ 85353

The City of Tolleson applied for a renewal AZPDES permit for the proposed discharge of up to 17.5 million gallons per day (mgd) of treated domestic wastewater from the City of Tolleson Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) to the Salt River in the Middle Gila River Basin in Township 1 N, Range 1 E, Section 33, in Maricopa County, Arizona. The City of Tolleson WWTP is a publicly owned treatment works that receives domestic wastewater from residential, commercial, and industrial sources in the city of Tolleson and Sun City. Sludge is stabilized in an anaerobic digester and then thickened and dewatered for further treatment on-site. The biosolids are either land applied or disposed of in an approved landfill according to state rules and regulations.

The permit and fact sheet may be viewed online at http://www.azdeq.gov/cgi-bin/vertical.pl by typing the permit number in the box left of “Search Event”. The public notice and related documentation also are available for public review, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at the ADEQ Records Center, 1110 W. Washington St., Phoenix, Arizona, 85007. In Phoenix, please call (602) 771-4380 or e-mail recordscenter@azdeq.gov 24 hours in advance to schedule an appointment to review the file.

Persons may submit comments or request a public hearing on the proposed action in writing, to Chiou Chen, Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, Water Quality Division, 1110 W. Washington St., 5415B-3, Phoenix, Arizona 85007. All written comments received by ADEQ by the close of business on the date 30 days after publication of this notice will be considered in the final permit decision. A public hearing request must be in writing and must include the reasons for such request. If there is a significant degree of public interest, the Director will hold a hearing in accordance with A.A.C. R18-9-908(B).

 

PROPOSED ARIZONA POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM (AZPDES) RENEWAL PERMIT

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ADEQ logo resizedPursuant to the Clean Water Act and in accordance with Arizona Administrative Code (A.A.C.) R18-9-A907, the Director of the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) proposes to issue an Arizona Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (AZPDES) Permit to discharge pollutants to Waters of the United States to the following applicant, subject to certain effluent limitations and special conditions:

Public Notice No. 15-47                               Published on March 26, 2015
Published in the Buckeye Valley News

AZPDES Permit No. AZ0025836
Arizona Public Service
Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station
P.O. Box 52034, M/S 7626
Phoenix, Arizona 85027

Arizona Public Service (APS) has applied for a renewal AZPDES permit for the proposed discharge of up to 19.5 million gallons per day (mgd) of treated domestic effluent from the APS Water Reclamation Supply System (WRSS) Pipeline to the Buckeye Canal, tributary to the Hassayampa River in the Middle Gila River Basin. The pipeline has a total of 21 outfalls located between Township 1N, Range 2W, Section 25 and Township 1S, Range 3W, Section 5 in Maricopa County, Arizona. Discharge typically occurs once every three years when the pipeline needs to be drained for maintenance and inspection activities. Effluent in the pipeline is supplied by wastewater treatment plants operated by the cities of Phoenix, Tolleson, and Goodyear. All plants contributing effluent to the pipeline have AZPDES permits and treat to secondary standards. The permittee operates the pipeline to provide the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station with cooling water.

The permit and fact sheet may be viewed online at http://www.azdeq.gov/cgi-bin/vertical.pl by typing the permit number in the box left of “Search Event”. The public notice and related documentation also are available for public review, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at the ADEQ Records Center, 1110 W. Washington St., Phoenix, Arizona, 85007. In Phoenix, please call (602) 771-4380 or e-mail recordscenter@azdeq.gov 24 hours in advance to schedule an appointment to review the file.

Persons may submit comments or request a public hearing on the proposed action in writing, to Ramona Chomor, Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, Water Quality Division, 1110 W. Washington St., 5415B-3, Phoenix, Arizona 85007. All written comments received by ADEQ by the close of business on the date 30 days after publication of this notice will be considered in the final permit decision. A public hearing request must be in writing and must include the reasons for such request. If there is a significant degree of public interest, the Director will hold a hearing in accordance with A.A.C. R18-9-A908(B).

Good Friday procession on Route 66 to precede Easter weekend events

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good-friday-1WILLIAMS — A Good Friday procession is planned for Williams on Friday, April 3 starting at 6:30 p.m. The procession will start at the Mustang Gas station on the east end of town on Route 66. They will travel west along Railroad Avenue to the Family Harvest Church. People wishing to participate can call (928)635-2430 for more details. This is the first time this event has been held.

File Photo

File Photo

Following Saturday is the annual Community Easter Eggstravaganza. The event held at the Recreation Center will run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event features Easter egg hunts for the kids, prizes and other family fun. There is some news about a special guest, but we have not been told who. We could hazard a guest. Call the Recreation Center at (928) 635-1496 for more information.

After your attendance at Easter service on Sunday, you can witness the Friends of the Williams Aquatic Center 5th Annual Ducky Egg Race. The proceeds fund the activities of the Friends through the months when the Aquatic Center is open. Eggs are $5 each or 6 for $20. The location of the race is TBD the day of the race. Tickets can be purchased prior to the race in front of Safeway on March 27, March 28, and April 3. They can also be purchased at the Community Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 4. Monies raised will be used for pool publicity in Williams and the surrounding areas.

Arizona Citizens Defense League expands raffle opportunities

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2015ARPistol1bARIZONA —– The Arizona Citizens Defense League, responsible for many positive gun laws enacted in Arizona, initially held a raffle for two custom-made AR-15 pistols. Online demand for the tickets was so huge that half of the tickets were sold in two days. They reported in an e-mail that they had to pull tickets that were reserved for an upcoming gun show to meet the demand.

AzCDL has ordered two more of the custom-built AR-15 pistols built by Forward Operating Base in Phoenix, Arizona. The AzCDL logo is laser etched on the lower of each pistol. The pistols are chambered for the 5.56 NATO round and include the following features:

  • SigTac stabilizing arm brace (SB 15)
  • Quentin Defense Billet ambidextrous lower receiver, slick side upper receiver and 3 pound trigger
  • Ambidextrous safety selector
  • QD rear takedown pin with swivel
  • Ambidextrous sling attachment end plate
  • GunTec rubber pistol grip and back up iron sights
  • 7” Veriforce match grade billet stainless steel barrel with cone flash can muzzle device
  • 10” Key-Mod free float rail
  • 550 cord 2 point to 1 point convertible sling
  • Magpul 30 round window magazine

What this means is that the AzCDL is now holding two concurrent raffles for four of the AR-15 pistols. Each ticket is only $10 and represents two chances of winning one of the AR-15 handguns. Only 900 tickets will be sold for each raffle.

Winners must comply with all federal, state, and local laws, and must pick up the firearms from a federally licensed (FFL) firearms dealer. If a winner does not qualify for the possession of these firearms, their ticket is invalid and a new winner will be drawn.

Contact AzCDL for more information.

You can order tickets, books, memberships and other items from the AzCDL online store.

Kaibab National Forest treats almost 3,000 acres with Heritage Grant

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image006WILLIAMS — The Kaibab National Forest recently completed treatment of almost 3,000 acres of grassland on the Williams Ranger District using a $50,000 Heritage Grant awarded by the Arizona Game and Fish Department.

Specifically, the Kaibab National Forest used an agra-axe, which is a tree shearing machine, to remove encroaching junipers and other conifers from 2,901 acres of a historic grassland in the far northern corner of the Williams district near White Hill. The purpose of the work was to restore habitat for ferruginous hawks, burrowing owls, golden eagles, Gunnison’s prairie dogs and pronghorn antelope.

“This funding was obtained specifically to address non-game species that rely on grassland habitat in northern Arizona,” said Justin Schofer, wildlife biologist. “Interest in and funding for grassland restoration for game species has been a longtime, worthwhile and ongoing effort. Through the Heritage Grant program, the Arizona Game and Fish Department has shown its commitment to restoration for non-game species such as hawks, prairie dogs and other wildlife that also rely on grassland habitat.”

The agra-axe project involved cutting about 100 to 300 trees per acre in the grassland. Many large trees were retained to provide important foraging perches and suitable nesting habitat for ferruginous hawks and other raptors. Cut trees were often crushed, which improves the line of sight for Gunnison’s prairie dogs and other wildlife species. Also, pinyon and juniper trees on rocky hills and outcrops were left, as they historically served as nesting and roosting habitat.

Functioning grasslands are declining across the Southwest due to a variety of factors, which is resulting in loss of wildlife habitat and other negative impacts to ecosystem health. By removing encroaching trees and conducting prescribed burns on a broad scale, forest managers hope to reduce tree densities, reestablish natural fire regimes, and promote grassland-associated wildlife species.

The completed 2,901-acre project complements other work accomplished on the district in recent years as well as future projects being planned to restore historic grasslands. Due to their important ecological role, the Kaibab National Forest has identified restoring grasslands by reducing tree encroachment and restoring fire as a priority in its recently revised Land and Resources Management Plan. Plan objectives include reducing tree density to less than 10 percent on 5,000 to 10,000 acres of historic grasslands annually.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department Heritage Fund Grant Program provides funding for wildlife conservation programs in Arizona. It was established in 1992 as a way to promote outreach in order to enhance important partnerships and generate fresh approaches in support of the department’s mission. Since inception, the department has awarded more than $13 million in support of more than 670 projects throughout the state.

Free Electronics Waste Recycling Event Saturday, April 4 at Casa Grande Parks & Rec Parking Lot

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PHOENIX — Arizona Department of Environmental Quality officials announced today that a free regional electronics waste recycling event will be held Saturday, April 4 from 7:30 a.m. until noon in the parking lot of the Casa Grande Parks and Recreation Building, 404 E. Florence Blvd.

The City of Casa Grande and its partners – ADEQ, Supply 29 and Westech Recyclers of Phoenix — anticipate collecting tons of unwanted flat-screen monitors, computer equipment, chargers, cell phones, VCRs, CD and DVD players, printers, small appliances, fax machines, stereos, cables and cords during the event.

Residents from the nearby communities of Arizona City, Eloy, Coolidge and Florence are also invited to bring their recyclable electronics materials to the event for recycling.

“We’re pleased to host this event every year as part of our efforts to promote the recycling of electronic waste. We encourage residents to come out and dispose of their e-waste responsibly,” said Casa Grande Public Works Director Kevin Louis.

ADEQ Director Henry Darwin said, “This is a great opportunity for people to dispose of all the unwanted electronics they have collected over the years while at the same time ensuring that this potentially toxic stream of waste is disposed of responsibly and does not take up valuable landfill space.”

If requested, companies and individuals donating e-waste will receive a certificate of disposal for their records from Westech Recyclers. Westech Recyclers recycles all material in accordance with state and federal regulations

Marvelous Marv on the road to the Canyon

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The Marvelous Van

The Marvelous Van

WILLIAMS — It’s spring time and visitors are taking advantage of the private, guided tour of the Grand Canyon given by Marvelous Marv’s Private Grand Canyon Tour.

Marvelous Marv has been conducting tours to the Grand Canyon for well over thirty-years. He adjust the tour length to the time you have and picks you up where ever you are staying in Williams. He even gives you a disk of pictures he has taken over the years.

Marv’s Marvelous Van is equipped with a DVD system which plays educational videos on the trip to and return from the Canyon. When you arrive, he explains features and history of the Canyon. You then have time to wander, take photos or just enjoy the splendor of the Grand Canyon.

NPS Photo.

Marv does not just give tours in the spring and summer. His tours are available all year, weather permitting. He often laments that people do not take advantage of the beauty of the Grand Canyon during the “off-season.” The changing climate of the Canyon during the fall and winter provide some spectacular views such as the recent inversion layer witnessed.

If you do not get a reservation to his tours, there is always the Grand Canyon Railway and Jeep tours. You can sign up for the Pink Jeep Tours in downtown Williams.

One way or another, if you visit Williams we can get you to the Grand Canyon.

Saving America’s Pollinators Act to ban neonicotinoids

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Beautiful flowers attract bees, butterflies and other insects.

Is CCD the result of neonicotinoids?

WASHINGTON — Representative John Conyers Jr. [D-MI-13] introduced a bill which should have Monsanto lobbyists working overtime. H.R. 1284, titled Saving America’s Pollinators Act, would ban neonicotinoids—A strain of pesticides said to be the cause of colony collapse disorder (CCD).

CCD is the decline of honeybee colonies which may be the result of neonicotinoids. It is tempting to use the famed Einstein quote about bees, but it is uncertain that he ever related bees to the decline and fall of man.

The “Findings” of the Congress in the bill says that

Scientists have linked the use of a certain class of systemic insecticides, known as neonicotinoids, to the rapid decline of pollinators and to the deterioration of pollinator health.

A 2014 Forbes article apparently disagrees that there is a problem in a September 9, 2014 article. It contends that even if all of the honeybees were killed off, there are other pollinating insects—including other bees. In addition, some plants, such as corn, are pollinated by the air.

The text of the bill, however, claims:

Native pollinators, such as bumble bees, have also suffered alarming population declines. There are currently more than 40 pollinator species federally-listed as threatened or endangered, and most recently, the iconic monarch butterfly has declined by 90 percent.

Europe banned the pesticide in 2013 drawing the ire of a Forbes opinion piece. reported in an article that:

Neonicotinoids are extremely effective. Applied to the soil, sprayed on the crop or used as a seed treatment, they are taken up in the plant, discouraging pests from wrecking havoc on crops.

This, of course, begs the question that if these pesticides are drawn into the plant, are consumers eating the pesticides, as well. They obviously cannot be “washed off.” That issue is beyond the scope of this article.

While Forbes contends that it is no big deal if a few honeybees give their lives to save a few acres of crops (assuming that we are not ingesting the pesticide), the bill claims:

A recent national survey sponsored by the Federal Government indicates that United States beekeepers experienced a 45.2 percent annual mortality rate with their hives during the period beginning in April 2012 and ending in March 2013. During the winter of 2013–2014, two-thirds of beekeepers experienced loss rates greater than the established acceptable winter mortality rate.

If true, beekeepers probably do not agree with Forbes.

The bill, however, would not be permanent. The bill allows:

Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency shall suspend the registration of imidacloprid, clothianidin, thiamethoxam, dinotafuran, and any other members of the nitro group of neonicotinoid insecticides to the extent such insecticide is registered, conditionally or otherwise, under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (7 U.S.C. 136 et seq.) …

until the EPA determines whether or not these insecticides are actually causing harm to pollinators in general and honeybees specific.

While other bees, and even wasps, do produce honey, none do on the scale necessary to provide a food source. Their honey is also different and not as nutritious as that of the honeybee.

It seems that farmers and beekeepers are finding themselves in the situation of ranchers and sheep herders in the days of yore.

Oregon Congressman submits bill limiting the ability of Forest Service and BLM to create travel management plans

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Representative Walden of Oregon. (House Photo)

Representative Walden of Oregon. (House Photo)

WASHINGTON — Greg Walden of Oregon (R-2 district) introduced H.R. 1555, yesterday, which purports to require the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management to obtain the consent of the local affected communities prior to implementing any travel management plans affecting access to National Forest System lands.

The Summary and Text of the bill is currently not posted so it is unclear how much limitiation will actually be included.

Congressman Walden wrote a letter earlier this month to Randy Moore and Jim Pena, U.S. Forest service Foresters for Region Five and Six, respectively. The letter was signed by all members of the Oregon delegation, five members from Washington State and one from California.

The letter complained about the manner in which the Forest Service holds their input sessions. The letter complains that the input sessions were urban focused and limited access to rural dwellers who would have difficulty traveling to the site to give their input. The letter stated:

For over 30 years, the Northwest Forest Plan has profoundly impacted the communities within our districts and any revisions to the plan will have a similar effect. Holding only three listening sessions disadvantages our constituents in these rural communities. Many of our constituents would have to travel several hours and hundreds of miles to participate. The cost and time commitments involved would likely present an unacceptable hardship for many residents who would otherwise participate in these sessions.

Forest Service notices usually include electronic and mailing addresses for input, as well.

The current title of the bill is:

To stop implementation and enforcement of the Forest Service travel management rule and require the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management to incorporate the needs, uses, and input of affected communities, and to obtain their consent, before taking any travel management action affecting access to National Forest System lands derived from the public domain or public lands, and for other purposes.