Category Archives: State Government

ADOT, Phoenix open SR 51 ramps at Black Mountain Boulevard

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PHOENIX — The Arizona Department of Transportation has opened elevated ramps connecting State Route 51 at the Loop 101 Pima Freeway with Black Mountain Boulevard, improving access in the Desert Ridge area.

A roundabout serves as a transition to slow traffic to and from the freeway, and a pedestrian bridge has been added over Black Mountain Boulevard near Pinnacle High School.

ADOT and Phoenix partnered on the $17.8 million ramps project, with ADOT managing construction that began in June 2015. A separate project, also managed by ADOT on behalf of the city, included improvements to Black Mountain Boulevard north to Pinnacle Peak Road.

“Our goal has been to deliver a project that helps the city with its transportation plans for the Desert Ridge area and beyond,” said ADOT Assistant Director Steve Boschen, who leads the agency’s Infrastructure Delivery and Operations Division. “The ramps provide local drivers with direct access to State Route 51.”

“As the city continues to develop in the north, better transportation options are needed to meet the needs of a growing city,” said Phoenix Councilwoman Thelda Williams, who chairs the City Council’s Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee. “The new ramps will provide options for a rapidly growing area.”

At the roundabout, along Black Mountain Boulevard south of the high school, signs direct drivers to slow to 20 mph. Motorists also should be prepared to yield to traffic already in the roundabout.

While helping high school students cross Black Mountain Boulevard, the pedestrian bridge is part of the Reach 11 trail within a 1,500-acre recreation area popular with hikers and bicyclists.

The connections between State Route 51 and Black Mountain Boulevard have been part of Phoenix’s plans for the Desert Ridge region for several years. The project was funded as part of the Maricopa Association of Governments’ Regional Transportation Plan approved by county voters in 2004.

What’s new at this year’s Outdoor Expo? Wildlife assets!

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Assets_-_2PHOENIX — Get ready to place your bids.

For the first time, the Arizona Game and Fish Department will auction off its annual collection of wildlife assets April 2-3 during the 2016 Outdoor Expo at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility, just west of Interstate 17 on Carefree Highway.

Assets_-_4_1More than 100 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. There also will be smaller loose antlers that will be sold by the pound, as well as some that will be turned into chew treats for pets.

While a detailed list of assets is unavailable at this time, the department soon will be posting photos on Instagram (www.instagram.com/gf_assets) as examples of some of the individual items that will be auctioned off (opening bid prices have not been established). Once the expo gets underway, photos of all assets will be posted for the benefit of those tracking their bids or wanting to see what items become available throughout the day.

“Besides the antlers, this year we have a couple of very large elk racks, some bighorn sheep hides, wildlife artwork and some fish mounts,” said Gene Elms, law enforcement branch chief. “It doesn’t matter if you’re working on a craft project, adding décor to your home, or picking up a treat for your pets, we’ll have something for everyone.”

Here’s how the auction works:

  • The majority of the sales are through a silent auction. The length of a silent auction is usually one hour. That time is lengthened for larger items, however.
  • All bids are recorded on a sheet so everyone is aware of the highest bid at all times.
  • A minimum bid will be established for each item. If the starting price is not met, that item will be removed and made available for bidding at a later time. Tip: The larger or more desirable items will be put on the auction block during high traffic times at the expo.
  • In addition to the silent auction, one item – usually a head mount – will be raffled off each day at the expo. Raffle tickets will be available for purchase.

Funds generated from the wildlife assets auction are used to purchase equipment and technology used in the investigation of wildlife crimes and to protect the state’s wildlife resources.

For more information about the 2016 Outdoor Expo, visit www.azgfd.gov/expo.

Ready for free family fun?

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EXPO.paddlemorePHOENIX — Around 35,000 people are expected to explore the expansive grounds at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility throughout the weekend of Saturday, April 2 and Sunday, April 3 for some all-ages, hands-on adventures at The Arizona Game and Fish Department Outdoor Expo, presented by Shikar Safari Club International.

Admission and parking are free.

There will be all sorts of live wildlife. Kids will be all smiles at the huge kids’ fishing tanks. Target archery and other shooting sports will be held in a safe, supervised environment on the range. Get a feel for specialty shooting disciplines like clay target, cowboy action, practical pistol, black powder, and air gun.

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. Get information about boating and how to stay safe on the water. Talk to experts about wildlife, hunting and fishing tips, and more.

You can also visit with more than 150 exhibitors, including outdoor recreation and conservation groups, government agencies, and commercial vendors of outdoor products and services.

Expo2Once again, admission and parking for the Expo are free! You may want to bring some cash for the many food and beverage concessionaires that will be on-site, or for the commercial vendors who will be selling outdoors-related goods or services. For those who want to try shooting sports, 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, April 2, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 3. The 2015 Outdoor Expo is easy to get to, located on Carefree Highway, about 1/2 mile west of I-17 in Phoenix.

The title sponsor for this year’s event is Shikar Safari Club International. Gold sponsors are Cabela’s, Arizona State Credit Union and the National Shooting Sports Foundation.

Arizona’s baby bald eagle season is here

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Biologist band new eagles.

Biologist band new eagles.

PHOENIX — It’s two female offspring for proud bald eagles nesting at Lake Pleasant, as Arizona Game and Fish Department biologists discovered yesterday. The discovery was made during the department’s efforts to place identification bands on the eaglets before the birds fledge and leave the nest.

Each year as part of a highly successful program to manage and conserve bald eagles in Arizona, department biologists band as many nestlings as possible. Last year, nearly half of all the nestlings that reached fledging age had been banded. The identification bands help biologists learn more about population demographics and the species’ migration, reproduction and nesting behavior.

Gaining access to the nest and its 6-week-old occupants takes skill and requires biologists to rappel down to the cliff-side nest that sits high above the lake. The young birds are then placed in a specially-equipped “baby bag” and hoisted to the ground above to receive both a state and federal ID band, have measurements taken and feather samples collected for contaminants analysis.

“Arizona has both cliff nests and tree nests. Some nests cannot be safely accessed, but we try to band as many of the young as we can in order to continue learning about the species. The timing is critical; we have to band the nestlings when their legs are nearly full-grown, but they aren’t at risk for trying to prematurely fly from the nest, which occurs around 7 weeks,” said Kenneth Jacobson, head of the Arizona Game and Fish Department Bald Eagle Management Program.

Eagle_banding_3-17-16_Lake_Pleasant_webEntering nests to band nestlings also allows biologists to collect and remove potentially lethal fishing line and tackle, addled (dead) eggs, eggshells, prey remains, rescue individuals, and to repair or reconstruct nests if they are falling apart.

The public is reminded that 23 high-use recreation areas across the state are closed this time of year to help bald eagles successfully reproduce. The exact restrictions depend on the area but can include closures to foot or boat traffic. Outdoor recreationists, aircraft pilots, drone operators and motorized paragliders are asked to stay out of closed areas. For a list of closures, visit www.azgfd.gov/baldeagle.

“Cooperation from outdoor recreationists has been a major reason that the bald eagle population continues to grow, and now we’re working to create more awareness among aircraft pilots, drone operators and motorized paragliders. Pilots should maintain the FAA-recommended 2,000-foot above ground level advisory when flying over bald eagle habitat, and drones and paragliders are asked to avoid the areas completely,” said Jacobson.

Bald eagles are sensitive to even short durations of low-flying aircraft activity near their nests and just a few minutes of disturbance can lead to a nesting failure.

Bald eagles were successfully recovered and removed from the federal Endangered Species Act but remain protected by the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and other state and federal rules.

Student archers taking aim at 2016 state tournament

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Archery_in_Schools_-_2_1PHOENIX — More than 320 student archers from throughout Arizona, participants on the state level of the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP), will be competing Saturday in the 2016 state tournament and 3D shoot at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department coordinates NASP on the state level and hosts a half-dozen state qualifying tournaments throughout the academic year, beginning in September and ending in March. The top three boys and girls competing in the bullseye and 3D events in three divisions — elementary, middle and high school — will be awarded.

The student archers also will be attempting to qualify for the 2016 national NASP tournament, scheduled for May 12-14 in Louisville, Ky.

The competition will take place from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the FITA and FITA practice ranges. Admission is free. Several local outdoors organizations, as well as a food truck, will be on-site.

The program is a physical education curriculum designed to teach international-style target archery for students in grades 4 through 12. The core content covers safety, techniques, equipment, mental concentration, and self-improvement, as well as the history of the sport.

It’s also about having fun. Kelsey Gerchar, the department’s archery education coordinator, said there has been tremendous interest in the NASP/IBO 3D Challenge, where students take shots at six different foam animal targets placed at various distances, then rotate to take shots at each of the remaining targets.

“This interest has led to the introduction of a new NASP bowhunting program the department will be rolling out at the end of the year,” Gerchar said.

Arizona’s Archery in the Schools program is funded through an excise tax on the sale of hunting and shooting sports equipment. No state general funds are used to support the program. Game and Fish administers the program for the purpose of promoting safe, responsible aspects of the sport, as well as wildlife conservation as part of the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Act (WSFR). Visit www.azgfd.gov/archery for more information.

Final paving scheduled on US 93 north of Wickenburg

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Drivers traveling on US 93 north of Wickenburg (mileposts 185 to 190) should allow extra travel time for the next two weeks starting Monday (March 21) through Thursday (March 31) as crews prepare for final paving on the project.

Traffic will be guided through the work zone by pilot cars and minimal delays are expected between 4:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday each week. Speed will be reduced through the work zone.

As part of the final paving, crews will mill some of the existing pavement on the northbound lanes and drivers will be on rough road conditions until final paving is complete.

ADOT began this expansion project in February to widen US 93 between State Route 71 and State Route 89 which included the reconstruction of the highway into four lanes. This work will complete the widening project.

The work zone will be clearly marked by temporary barricades and signage. ADOT advises drivers to allow additional time to reach their destinations, and to proceed through the work zone with caution and comply with the reduced speed limit.

No time like the present to prepare watercraft for boating season

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PHOENIX — The official start of the boating season is on the horizon and many Arizonans are getting ready to pull their favorite watercraft out from storage in preparation for more fun on the water.

To ensure the season is hiccup-free, the Arizona Game and Fish Department recommends that all watercraft owners thoroughly inspect their vessel to help prevent problems that could keep them off the water. To ensure you encounter only smooth sailing, watercraft owners should conduct the following inspections:

  1. Fuel system – Check the system for any leaks or damages. Give special attention to any fuel lines and connections. Damaged fuel hoses could either be cracked, brittle or soft. Also ensure the engine exhaust and ventilation systems are functioning properly. Before starting your engine, open the engine cover and smell for the presence of fuel vapor. Leave the engine cover off when first starting so you can inspect for proper functioning of the engine.
  2. Belts, cables and hoses – As with fuel lines, inspect all belts, cables and hoses that may have been damaged while in storage. Inactive items can become brittle and may crack. Ensure belts are fitted tightly and that there are no cracks on the outer jacket of the throttle, shift and steering control cables.
  3. Electric system – Inspect all electrical connections to ensure they are clean, tight and corrosion free. All electrical systems should be regularly inspected by a qualified technician.
  4. Fluid levels – Check all fluid levels including engine oil, power steering, power trim reservoirs and engine coolant. Also be sure to change the engine oil, oil filter and drive lubricants.
  5. Propellers and hulls – Ensure propellers are free of dings, pitting, cracks and distortion, and that they are secured properly. On the hull, inspect for blisters, distortions and cracks. Also make sure the vessel’s drain plug is in place before launching.
  6. Safety gear – Check to ensure all life jackets are still in good condition, that they are the right size and fit for your passengers. On average in Arizona, life jackets should be replaced every three to five years. Remember that state law requires anyone 12 and under must wear a life jacket at all times when the vessel is underway and there should be one life jacket aboard for every passenger.

    Don’t forget that a throwable flotation device – usually a cushion with handles or a ring buoy – is required for all watercraft longer than 16 feet, except for canoes and kayaks. Also check to ensure the fire extinguisher is fully charged and stowed in the proper location.
  7. Take a safety course – The department offers free courses in Phoenix and Lake Havasu City every month to provide water users the information and tips needed to stay safe while on the water. 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.”

 

Pavement work scheduled on US 60 in Wickenburg for next two weeks

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This week, crews will be sealing cracks in the pavement on US 60 during the day (mileposts 111-113) through Thursday (March 17) between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. each day. Drivers can expect minimal delays through the work zone.

Starting Sunday (March 20), crews will seal cracks in the pavement in the same area, but will do the work overnight to minimize impacts to traffic and business access. Work hours at night will be 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. through Thursday morning (March 23).

Motorists should expect some delays and should allow extra time to reach their destinations.

Gilbert man catches state record for native roundtail chub

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AGF Photo

General area of the Verde River where Rudolph Hoffman caught his state record catch-and-release roundtail chub.

CLARKDALE — It’s the native fish with a sporting fight. On Feb. 13 on the Verde River above Clarkdale, Rudolph Hoffman of Gilbert found a large pool of water and began cranking in multiple roundtail chub. The first measured at about 17 inches. Then another at 18 … then 18 1/2 inches …

Typically, the length of a roundtail chub is 8 to 18 inches, weight is 4 ounces to more than 3 pounds, and they potentially reach 8 years of age. George Andrejko/AZGFD

Typically, the length of a roundtail chub is 8 to 18 inches, weight is 4 ounces to more than 3 pounds, and they potentially reach 8 years of age. George Andrejko/AZGFD

Finally, a 19-inch chub took a 1/4-ounce bronze spoon with a spinning rod and 8-pound fluorocarbon line. This Gila robusta set a state catch-and-release record for roundtail chub. (Topping Dave Wagner’s 16-inch roundtail caught 2011, also on the Verde).

“There is really something special about being able to catch and release a fish that has been part of our Arizona waterways for tens of thousands of years,” Hoffman said.

The Department has initiated numerous conservation efforts since the early 2000s. Maintenance of healthy roundtail chub populations were likely influenced by all of these conservation measures in the Verde River.

AZGFD biologists prepare to stock chub. George Andrejko/AZGFD

AZGFD biologists prepare to stock chub. George Andrejko/AZGFD

By 2008, several flood events and conditions aligned to boost their populations. A few high-flow years helped young chub to survive. Conservation efforts by the Salt River Project’s Habitat Conservation Program and the Department have led to healthy populations of chub in the Verde River and across the state. These efforts included the development of a brood stock of chub to be raised at the Bubbling Ponds Hatchery, near Cornville, Ariz., and a stocking strategy to enhance wild populations of chub in the Verde River.

There also are special fishing regulations for the Verde River and its tributaries that likely have benefitted the chub — it’s all catch and release, and downstream from Granite Creek to Horseshoe Dam, anglers can enjoy unlimited daily bag limits for smallmouth and largemouth bass, and channel and flathead catfish.

So why not chase some of these Arizona natives during your next fishing trip?

“These chub fight better than smallmouth,” said Matt Chmiel, Aquatics Program Manager in the AZGFD Kingman office. “I’ve caught both and every one of the chub fought better than the smallmouth. Fishing from a canoe one time I had three chub break me off on 4-pound line.”

Transcon Lane South of Interstate 40 (Winslow) to undergo improvements beginning tomorrow

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The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) is administering improvements on behalf of the City of Winslow to Transcon Lane between Interstate 40 and the travel plaza (truck stop) beginning Wednesday morning. Construction will occur during daylight hours, Monday through Friday. No weekend or holiday construction is anticipated; however traffic restrictions will be in place continuously until project completion late July, 2016.

Travel through Transcon Lane and access to the travel plaza will be available at all times.

ADOT advises drivers to proceed through the work zone with caution, obey posted speed limits and be alert for construction equipment and personnel.