Category Archives: News

County Emergency Management to host EOC Open House

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The Emergency Operation Center in Flagstaff. – Photo courtesy of Glen Davis, KG7YDJ

FLAGSTAFF — The Coconino County Emergency Management will host an Open House of the Emergency Management Center (EOC) for the public. The public will be able to tour the nerve center of disaster control for Coconino County and meet with emergency personnel from the various agencies involved.

The EOC activates when a major disaster occurs or during pending storms, such as the recent storm this month. The EOC was activated during the Tinder Fire in Blue Ridge in April of 2018. The fire received international attention. For a portion of the fire, the only communications available was between fire personnel and amateur radio operators of the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) operating at the EOC.

It is an opportunity for the public to see what the EOC does during an emergency. It is of a modular design meaning that only portions of the EOC are activated necessary for the emergency. The design is based on a Federal Emergency Management Agency model used across the country.

Coconino County invites the public to bring their families to see what the county does in an emergency. Young people can learn about various volunteer organizations in the community, such as the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and the Amateur Radio Emergency Service.

The EOC will be open to the public on March 23 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The EOC is located at 2201 N. Gemini Road in Flagstaff. Refreshments will be available.

Volunteers needed to spotlight endangered black-footed ferrets

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SELIGMAN — The Arizona Game and Fish Department is seeking volunteers to assist with spotlighting efforts to help document the population of endangered black-footed ferrets in Aubrey Valley and on the Double O Ranch near Seligman.

As part of the recovery effort, the department has scheduled two spring spotlighting projects – March 21 to 25 and April 18 to 21 (the department also conducts two spotlighting projects in the fall). The spotlighting method involves using high-powered lights to locate and identify black-footed ferrets. Their eyeshine is reflected by the spotlight and helps surveyors with identifying and locating these elusive, nocturnal carnivores.

Volunteers must have the ability to stay attentive from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. while spotlighting for black-footed ferrets and use, or learn how to use, a Global Positioning System (GPS). Volunteers can sign up by e-mailing azferret@azgfd.gov — with “spring spotlighting” in the subject line — by March 15 for this month’s project and by April 12 for the later opportunity.

Volunteers are reminded to include their full name, a contact phone number, month(s) and night(s) available to spotlight, and full names of others who also will be attending (a parent or guardian must accompany any youth under 18). Volunteers also should note any equipment they can bring, such as GPS, clipboard, headlamp, pen, binoculars, walkie-talkies, compass, cordless rechargeable spotlight, backpack or 4X4 vehicle.

A total of nine individual black-footed ferrets were captured in 2018, down from 19 in 2017. Of those nine, eight were captured in Aubrey Valley and one on the Double O Ranch. Almost 140 volunteers totaled 1,500 spotlighting hours over the course of the spring and fall projects.

Visit www.azgfd.gov/wildlife and click on “Nongame Species” for more information about the black-footed ferret recovery effort.

Visiting winter boaters: Schedule your free watercraft inspections

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PHOENIX — Visiting winter boaters: It’s time to schedule your free watercraft inspections and decontaminations before heading home. In order to avoid fines, quarantines and even impoundments when traveling across state lines, the Arizona Game and Fish Department has authorized providers to perform inspections and decontaminations for boats traveling from waters designated as having aquatic invasive species (AIS).

“Watercraft inspection and decontamination is the most effective way to prevent the spread of AIS and we are asking the boating public to do their part in calling and scheduling a no-cost inspection and decontamination,” AZGFD Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator Erin Raney said. “It is absolutely essential to have your boat inspected and if necessary, decontaminated, to prevent the spread of mussels and AIS into other waterbodies.”

Aquatic Invasive Species are non-native species that are often unintentionally introduced by human movement. They do not have predators outside of their native range, and are able to outcompete native species.

They can be animals, plants and even pathogens that cause disease in native wildlife. They can often be invisible to the naked eye, making them even more difficult to control. Once introduced, they can alter ecosystems by interrupting food chains, cause damage to boats and other recreational gear, clog up water and power infrastructure and pose safety hazards.

Appointments fill up fast, so be sure to call the Arizona Game and Fish AIS Program (623) 236-7608 with plenty of time ahead of departure.

Stop the spread of AIS and keep our waters clean and beautiful for ourselves and future generations. Regardless of where you boat, always remember to:

Clean boats, waders, anchors, equipment and gear by removing mud, plants, attached animals such as snails.
Drain all residual water from engines and motors, ballast tanks, live wells and bait wells. Pull your bilge plug and leave out during transport. Store with boat keys or in a location where you will remember before launch.
Dry all equipment that comes in contact with water, such as life jackets, ropes, buoys, tubes, etc.

Many states require that watercraft must stop for inspection, which includes both motorized and non-motorized boats. If you see signs that indicate that an inspection station is open, please stop and have your watercraft inspected by the state in which you are traveling.

Quagga mussels are extremely small and are excellent at hiding in places that are hard to inspect. So the more eyes looking over your watercraft, the better chance of preventing these hitchhikers from entering a new waterbody.

Boaters are required to comply with all AIS regulations of the respective states where they are traveling, as well as those of their final destination. Be sure to contact your local state AIS authorities for any additional questions on local regulation compliance.

OHV riders: Protect habitat, stay on trails and avoid wet, muddy areas

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PHOENIX — While it’s tempting to head out on an off-highway vehicle (OHV) following rain or a snowstorm, soggy trails quickly turn muddy, and riding on them can create long-lasting damage that negatively impacts wildlife habitat.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department advises OHV riders that come upon wet and muddy roads to resist the urge to hit the gas and instead turn around or avoid the area. Splashing or mudding straight through can tear up roads and trails, making them impassable for others and causing serious damage to meadows, streams and other areas important to wildlife and Arizona’s water supply.

Even a lighter-weight OHV with low-pressure tires can do lasting damage.
While the practice of “mudding” — purposefully driving through wet areas, whether it’s a meadow, lakeshore or water tank for wildlife or ranchers’ animals — may be touted as fun on places like social media, it can cause long-lasting damage to the habitat and forest roads.

OHV riders can be issued citations and be held liable to fix the damage caused. It can cost tens of thousands of dollars to repair an area and an untold amount of time for a habitat to recover.

According to the U.S. Forest Service, mudding has many negative impacts, including:

  • Rips up native plants — when plants are gone soil washes into nearby streams and lakes, and it creates the opportunity for noxious weeds to move in.
  • Compacts soil — tire tracks create hard soil that keeps water from moving into the ground and they make it difficult for plants to grow.
  • Harms wildlife — when vehicles tear up meadows and wetlands, it removes nesting and hiding cover, interferes with feeding, and may push animals out into areas where they may not survive.
  • Smothers fish — many species of fish and amphibians use gravel to build nests and bury their eggs. Driving through streams destroys these gravel areas.

It’s also a safety issue for riders. OHVs handle differently on wet roads than they do on dry ground, so use caution and drive at slower speeds when roads and trails are wet.

OHV riders are also reminded to wear a helmet at all times while on the trails.

If you see someone mudding, call 1-800-VANDALS. It’s helpful if you can get a license plate number and description of both the OHV and the operator as well as a location of the activity so law enforcement personnel can follow up on the information.

Frontiere at Rogers Lake available for special events

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FLAGSTAFF — Coconino County Parks & Recreation is currently accepting reservations for special events at Frontiere at Rogers Lake. The rental season is May 1 to Septeptember 30, with additional dates by request.

Located adjacent to the Rogers Lake County Natural Area, Frontiere at Rogers Lake has views of the San Francisco Peaks. The site may be reserved for overnight or day use. A reservation may include two buildings, the overall grounds, four RV sites and tent camping areas. To help protect the natural and cultural features, people are encouraged to incorporate sustainable event planning.

For more information on Frontiere at Rogers Lake, visit http://www.FrontiereAtRogersLake.com or call the Coconino County Parks & Recreation Department at 928-679-8000.

2019 pronghorn, elk hunt draw results now available

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PHOENIX – The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) has completed its random draw for 2019 pronghorn and elk hunts.

The results are now available for those who have a free AZGFD portal account, or by calling the department at (602) 942-3000, pressing “2” and following the prompts. Be prepared to provide a Social Security or Department ID number, and date of birth. This service is free of charge.

To open a portal account, visit https://accounts.azgfd.com/Account/Register and complete the required fields. A portal account allows customers to create a secure account where they can view and manage their contact information, as well as their licenses, draw results history and bonus points in their personal “My AZGFD Dashboard” section. For questions about creating a portal account, call the department at (602) 942-3000 and press “7.”
By the numbers:

26,168: The total number of hunt permit-tags issued.
186,683: The total number of those who applied for hunts or bonus points (99 percent of all applicants applied online).
144,455: The total number of applications submitted (paper and online).

All hunt permit-tags for successful applicants, along with refund warrants for those who were unsuccessful in the random draw, are expected to be mailed by April 5.

Mark your calendars: AZGFD Expo is March 30-31

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PHOENIX — The largest hands-on outdoor recreation expo in Arizona is coming soon! Dates are set for the Arizona Game and Fish Department Outdoor Expo presented by Shikar Safari Club International. Come out Saturday, March 30 and Sunday, March 31 to the world famous Ben Avery Shooting Facility in Phoenix. Admission and parking are free!

Check out our amAZing wildlife tent, which has been a huge attraction the past few years. You’ll have the opportunity to see live “ambassador animals” from the department’s Wildlife Center and learn fun facts.

As always, there will be plenty of hands-on fun for all ages like family fishing tanks, archery with a twist, and other shooting sports in a safe, supervised, controlled environment on the range. Get a feel for specialty shooting disciplines like clay target, cowboy action, practical pistol, black powder, and air gun. Check out the many firearms manufacturers, including some new brands this year.

Don’t miss the always popular cowboy mounted shooting competition. See OHV and ATV exhibits. Give kayaking a try at the “Lake Paddlemore” kayaking pond.

Hike a field course and learn cool camping tips. Learn about boating and how to stay safe on the water. Talk to experts about Arizona’s wildlife, fishing, hunting and more. Visit with more than 160 exhibitors, including outdoor recreation and conservation groups, government agencies, and commercial vendors of outdoor products and services.

The department will auction off its annual collection of wildlife assets at the Expo. Sets of antlers, hides, skulls and head mounts, as well as wildlife artwork and taxidermy – all seized during law enforcement investigations, obtained from animals killed in vehicle collisions, or acquired through donations – will be put on the auction block both days. Funds generated from the auction are used to purchase equipment and technology used in the investigation of wildlife crimes and to protect the state’s wildlife resources.

Concessionaires will have food and beverages available for purchase, and many accept only cash — ATMs will be on site. There is a nominal charge for ammunition at some of the target shooting venues.

Expo hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 30, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, March 31. The Outdoor Expo is easy to find, located on Carefree Highway, about 1/2 mile west of I-17 in Phoenix.

See more information about the 2019 Expo.

Potential unpermitted discharge of treated water from Pecan Water Reclamation Plant into Queen Creek

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PHOENIX – The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) was notified by EPCOR on February 20, 2019 that an unpermitted discharge of treated effluent may be necessary from the Pecan Water Reclamation Plant into Queen Creek (the wash). Recent cool and wet weather has decreased demand for treated effluent used in irrigation, which has increased water levels in the recharge basins where the effluent is stored. To prevent a potential berm failure and/or overtopping of these basins, EPCOR determined a controlled release into Queen Creek may be required. This potential discharge does not impact Johnson Utilities’ drinking water systems and is not a release of untreated sewage into the environment.

The treated effluent, also known as recycled water, is typically used for non-potable applications, including for irrigation of golf courses and common areas within a community or in ponds at the facility to recharge the aquifer. The use of recycled water in a community is indicated by purple pipes and signage cautioning against contact with standing water and/or to not drink. If you have contact with standing water, wash hands thoroughly. ADEQ confirmed samples taken in January 2019 inside the plant meet water quality standards for A+ effluent.

A previous unpermitted discharge from the facility between January 9 and 17, 2019 totaled 15.36 million gallons. A permitted discharge of this kind would be required to do additional monitoring for surface water quality standards as determined by an Arizona Pollution Discharge Elimination System (AZPDES) permit. During the previous discharge, ADEQ sampled the water and results showed the discharge met applicable surface water quality standards. If another discharge is necessary, ADEQ confirmed that ECPOR will conduct sampling for applicable surface water quality standards.

The Pecan Water Reclamation Plant is located at 38539 N Gantzel Rd in San Tan Valley. To manage future flows, EPCOR continues working to increase recycled water capacity for local irrigation districts and farmers. EPCOR was appointed by the Arizona Corporation Commission as the interim manager for Johnson Utilities in August 2018.

Kaibab National Forest announces March archaeology month events

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WILLIAMS — This March, the Kaibab National Forest will continue its more than decade-long tradition of offering stimulating presentations and outdoor excursions in the Williams area as part of Arizona Archaeology and Heritage Awareness Month.

On Wednesday evenings throughout March, experts will present a series of lectures starting at 6 p.m. at the Sultana Theatre in Williams covering topics such as the preservation and rehabilitation of the historic 1911 Kendrick Mountain Lookout Cabin, the history of railroads in the Williams area, historic aircraft navigation arrows in northern Arizona, and a film recognizing the Arizona heroes of World War I.

On all five Saturdays in March, Kaibab National Forest archaeologists will lead fun and educational hikes to the Keyhole Sink petroglyph site near the Parks community starting at 2 p.m. The Keyhole Sink Trail offers a short, relatively flat hike to a scenic box canyon where prehistoric residents left their mark carved into the canyon’s gray volcanic walls. Those wishing to participate in the hikes should call in advance for reservations to (928) 635-5600.

“Archaeology month is one of my favorite times of the year because it gives us the opportunity to share the historic and cultural treasures of the Kaibab National Forest with so many people,” said archaeologist Neil Weintraub. “Those who get to experience these special places and resources end up being some of our greatest partners in preserving them.”

Archaeology month is intended to generate understanding of and support for the state’s archaeological heritage. Celebrations and events focus on promoting the preservation of archaeological resources and illustrating ways the public can help in protecting and appreciating them.

For detailed information about the Kaibab National Forest archaeology month offerings in the Williams area, visit the March 2019 Archaeology Event Calendar. To reserve a spot for either a lecture or hike, contact the Williams Ranger District at (928) 635-5600 or email Weintraub at nweintraub@fs.fed.us.

Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Snow cat Utilized in Medical Emergency

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FOREST LAKES – Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Snow Cat and Search and Rescue volunteers were utilized to transport a patient from Young, AZ to waiting ambulance to a hospital in Payson, AZ.

The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office had deployed and pre-positioned a Snow Cat with a Search and Rescue crew to Forest Lakes in preparation for the heavy snow fall. The crew and machine were in place to respond to and support the communities of Forest Lakes and Heber in Navajo County.

The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office coordinated with the Forest Lakes Fire Department over deployment of the Snow Cat. Forest Lakes Fire would support the operation with housing the crew and placing paramedics on the snow cat. Forest Lakes Fire had coordinated with surrounding Fire Departments and ambulance companies of the added resource of the snow cat.

Around 8:00 PM the Pleasant Valley Fire Department and Life Line Ambulance responded to a diabetic emergency in Young, AZ. Life Line Ambulance, knowing they could not make it to the call due to impassable roads, contacted Forest Lakes Fire requesting the snow cat response. The search and rescue crew with Forest Lakes Fire paramedics responded near Young.

The Snow Cat and crew traveled approximately 12 miles towards Young during heavy snow fall with visibility down to 10 feet. They arrived at the patient shortly after 10:00 PM where Pleasant Valley Fire transferred the patient to the Snow Cat and paramedics.

The crew traveled the 12 miles back to State Route 260, then transported the patient another 6 miles to ColCourd Camp Ground in Gila County (between Forest Lakes and Payson) and transferred the patient to Life Line Ambulance. Life Line was able to transport the patient to a hospital in Payson.

The Forest Lakes Fire Department, Pleasant Valley Fire Department, Life Line Ambulance, United States Forest Service Law Enforcement, Gila County Sheriff’s Office and the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office deputy and Search and Rescue volunteers were involved in this operation

The Sheriff’s Office would like to thank all the agencies for their pre-planning, communication, coordination and participation in making this operation and response a success.