Category Archives: State Government

Nominations sought for 2020 Arizona Game and Fish Commission Awards

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PHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Commission is soliciting nominations for the 2020 Commission Awards. The deadline for submission is September 4, 2020. The purpose of these awards is to recognize Arizonans who have contributed significantly to the conservation of the state’s wildlife, its outdoor heritage, and the mission of the Arizona Game and Fish Department.Nominations may include individuals, organizations, clubs, foundations or government agencies. Arizona Game and Fish Department employees are not eligible for nomination. To nominate someone, download a form (visit https://www.azgfd.com/agency/commission/awards/) and follow the instructions on the form.

The Arizona Game and Fish Commission will select the 2020 Commission Award recipients at its September 25-26, 2020 meeting. The awards will be presented at the annual Arizona Game and Fish Commission Awards Banquet scheduled for Saturday, January 23, 2021, at the Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort, 11111 N. 7th Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85020.

2020 AWARD CATEGORIES

AWARD OF EXCELLENCE:
Any individual, group, organization, club, foundation, or agency that has excelled in efforts to benefit wildlife, wildlife habitats, or programs of the Arizona Game and Fish Department.

YOUTH CONSERVATIONIST OF THE YEAR:
Any individual, 18 years of age or younger, who has excelled in efforts to benefit wildlife and the mission of the Arizona Game and Fish Department.

MEDIA OF THE YEAR:
Any media source (radio, television, magazine, newsletter, or periodical) that has published articles or materials beneficial to public interest about wildlife or wildlife related topics and the mission of the Arizona Game and Fish Department.

CONSERVATION ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR:
Any organization, group, foundation, or agency that has excelled in efforts to enhance the welfare of wildlife, wildlife related recreation, and the mission of the Game and Fish Department.

CONSERVATIONIST OF THE YEAR:
Any individual, not associated with a professional agency, which has excelled in efforts to enhance, conserve, and manage wildlife or their habitats.

NATURAL RESOURCE PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR:
Any individual who through a professional agency affiliation has excelled in efforts to enhance, conserve, and manage wildlife or their habitats.

VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR:
Any individual who, as a registered volunteer with the Department, has excelled in efforts to support and benefit the mission of the Arizona Game and Fish Department.

EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR:
Any individual whose educational activities have advanced and supported the welfare of wildlife, wildlife related recreation, or the mission of the Arizona Game and Fish Department.

MENTOR OF THE YEAR:
Any individual who has acted in the role of a mentor and whose efforts have resulted in the promotion and support of future wildlife conservation efforts and the development of future wildlife conservation leaders in Arizona.

ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR (Two Nominations):
Any individual that has engaged in political advocacy for the betterment of wildlife conservation and in the support of the mission of the Arizona Game and Fish Department.

BUSINESS PARTNER OF THE YEAR:
Any business partner that actively promotes Game and Fish through innovative approaches, community involvement and a customer service focus that benefits the citizens of Arizona and supports the Game and Fish’s mission of wildlife conservation.

BUCK APPLEBY HUNTER EDUCATION INSTRUCTOR OF THE YEAR AWARD:
Any hunter education instructor who actively participates in hunter education activities and demonstrates the highest level of customer service, dedication and professionalism during these activities. Award category recently approved by the AZGFD Commission in honor of Buck Appleby, a long time hunter education instructor who passed away in 2010.

Remote water measuring sensor saves bighorn sheep

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PHOENIX — Earlier this month, the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) received an alert from one of its solar-powered remote water sensors, located in the Chocolate Mountains near Yuma, indicating that a wildlife water catchment – critical to wildlife survival – was dry.

The sensors, developed and installed by the United States Army Yuma Proving Ground (YPG), deliver timely, remote notifications of significant water loss.

Concerned for the well-being of the animals, an AZGFD team hiked – in scorching heat – nearly 2 miles of steep terrain to assess the situation. Upon arrival, the team discovered the empty water catchment…and 15 bighorn sheep standing nearby. A broken pipe was responsible for the water shortage. The team mitigated the problem by turning on a back-up water system.

Without the real-time data from the electronic water measuring system, AZGFD would have not found the failure for weeks, which could have resulted in the death of bighorn sheep and other wild animals. In total, YPG has developed and installed four remote sensors on its property, where AZGFD manages several water catchments.

“Rain is unpredictable in southwest Arizona, and this requires innovative approaches and partnerships to protect wildlife,” said AZGFD Yuma Regional Supervisor Mike Sumner. “By continuing to foster our relationship with our partners at the U.S. Army’s Yuma Proving Ground – who adapted existing range equipment to monitor these water sensors – we can develop affordable solutions to protect wildlife and provide them with the water they need to survive during dry periods.”

Keep it Clean this Holiday Weekend!

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PHOENIX — Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) and Arizona State Parks and Trails today encouraged both residents and visitors to the Grand Canyon State to get outdoors during the July 4th holiday, enjoy all that Arizona’s unique, outdoor recreation areas have to offer and do their part to protect our beautiful, natural environment for each other and for future generations.

“Arizona’s state parks and trails offer a respite and a chance to explore this state’s most beautiful places,” said Arizona State Parks and Trails Executive Director Bob Broscheid. “It’s up to everyone to recreate responsibly and remember to always ‘Pack It In, Pack It Out,’ when enjoying the great outdoors.”

“We want Arizonans and visitors to enjoy our outdoor spaces and precious waters for generations to come,” said ADEQ Director Misael Cabrera. “We’re asking everyone to do their part and leave no trace, or, better yet, leave Arizona’s natural spaces better than you found them.”

It’s simple:

Pack out your trash
Use a designated restroom
Pick up after your pet

Over holiday weekends, significant amounts of trash are left behind at some of Arizona’s favorite outdoor destinations. Visitors need to ‘leave no trace’ by removing all items they bring to the outdoors and disposing or recycling those items responsibly at home. Trash left behind also brings a hidden danger to water — it attracts wild animals, which leave their waste behind. To make matters worse, people don’t always use designated restrooms and neglect to pick up after their pets. This ‘poo-llution’ contributes to potentially harmful bacteria, such as E. coli, in waters where families swim, wade and play.

You can help even more by picking up more than you pack in. Take an extra bag, pick up trash and tell ADEQ how much you helped protect Arizona’s land and water. It is incumbent to both Arizonans and visitors to the Grand Canyon state to maintain our beautiful parks and other outdoor spaces for everyone to enjoy.

Learn more about how you can help ADEQ scientists clean up Arizona’s great outdoors and protect Arizona’s beautiful waters today and for our future:

Help Clean Up
Become Citizen Scientist with ADEQ’s Arizona Water Watch Program

ADOT adds to truck screening technology smoothing flow of commerce

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PHOENIX – To help freight move efficiently while ensuring that commercial vehicles can operate safely on state highways, the Arizona Department of Transportation has expanded its use of technology that screens moving trucks for weight and identifying information.

This system, used until now at select rest areas including McGuireville on Interstate 17, Sacaton on Interstate 10 and Canoa Ranch on Interstate 19, is now operating at ADOT’s commercial ports of entry along I-10, I-40 and State Route 95 in Parker.

“This truck screening system will allow our officers to focus on the commercial vehicles that need our officers’ attention,” said Jeff Stanhope, deputy director for ADOT’s Enforcement and Compliance Division. “It helps us make better use of our resources and efforts while allowing trucks in compliance to go on their way.”

The technology includes weigh-in-motion sensors, cameras that are designed to read USDOT numbers and license plates, and message signs. An additional feature at the Ehrenberg and San Simon ports of entry on I-10 also identifies commercial vehicles with tires that could be damaged or in need of repair. The failure of a tire on a commercial vehicle can lead to catastrophic collisions and cause tire debris to be deposited on and along roadways.

As a commercial vehicle approaches the port of entry, highway signs direct the driver into the right lane. When the truck is a half mile from the port, the weigh-in-motion sensors and cameras capture the vehicle’s weight and identifying information and relay it to ADOT Enforcement and Compliance officers at the port.

The computer checks the truck’s credentials against national and state databases. If the truck is cleared and within weight limits, the message boards along the highway direct the driver to bypass the port and continue on. If there is an issue identified with the commercial vehicle, such as expired registration, federal out-of-service orders or required permits not on file, the signs direct the driver to pull into the port for further inspection.

In addition to saving ADOT officers and truck drivers time and resources, the system tracks and stores the size and weights of the commercial vehicles entering Arizona. This data will help ADOT’s Multimodal Planning Division make more informed decisions about the state’s highway system in the future.

Upcoming full closure on Interstate 40 east of Flagstaff June 26 – 29

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The Arizona Department of Transportation is advising drivers to plan for a full closure on Interstate 40 – about 30 miles east of Flagstaff – as work gets underway on the Two Guns bridge rehabilitation project.

While the following full closure is in place, drivers will use the on- and off-ramps at the I-40/Two Guns Road interchange (milepost 230) to exit and re-enter the highway: Starting at 8 p.m. Friday, June 26, and ending at 8 p.m. Monday, June 29.

Drivers should be prepared to slow down and make frequent stops while traveling through the construction zone.

ADEQ Air Quality Meteorologists Launch First State Wildfire Smoke Forecast in the Nation

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PHOENIX — Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) officials announced today a new wildfire smoke forecast — the first state wildfire smoke forecast of its kind in the country — to provide Arizona communities with early and ongoing information about potential air quality impacts so they can make informed decisions for their health. Designed to support, and in cooperation with U.S. Forest Service (USFS) wildfire air resource advisors and Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management (AZDFFM) staff, ADEQ’s air quality meteorologists will provide a wildfire smoke forecast when Arizona wildfires have the potential for extended air quality impacts to communities as determined in coordination with federal and state land managers.

“With our new wildfire smoke forecast, we are serving our communities by providing both early and ongoing information about potential air quality impacts from wildfires,” said ADEQ Director Misael Cabrera.

“We expect this wildfire smoke forecast, the first of its kind in the nation, to serve as a model for how state and federal air quality experts can work together to leverage local knowledge and best serve their communities,” said AZDFFM Director David Tenney.

To inform health and safety considerations and support decision-making, ADEQ’s wildfire smoke forecasts provide both community members and wildfire managers with information about:

  • Who is managing the wildfire and how to get in touch,
  • Which communities may be affected by smoke,
  • Where smoke is coming from and how long it is expected to last,
  • Recommendations about when to limit outdoor activity, and
  • Helpful resources including fact sheets, frequently asked questions and other resources related to land managers and other agencies.

When activated, online wildfire smoke forecasts will be available 24/7 and updated daily each morning to provide information about expected smoke impacts for the next 48-hours. ADEQ will continue to update activated wildfire smoke forecasts until data show significantly reduced risk of health impacts.

ADEQ’s wildfire smoke forecasts typically are not provided for wildfires that are short in duration or which occur in remote locations, away from populated areas.

Overnight lane closures scheduled on State Route 89A between Jerome and Clarkdale May 31 – June 1

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The Arizona Department of Transportation advises drivers to plan for alternating lane closures on north- and southbound State Route 89A between Dundee Lane (milepost 345) and Desert Sky Drive (milepost 349) while crews complete fog seal work, which protects and extends the life of the pavement.

The following restrictions will occur from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. Sunday, May 31, and Monday, June 1:

SR 89A will be narrowed to one lane only with alternating north- and southbound travel.
Flaggers and a pilot car will stop and direct drivers through the work zone

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ADOT advises drivers to slow down and use caution around personnel and equipment while pavement repairs are underway.

Plan for overnight lane restrictions on State Route 89A in Prescott Valley and Prescott May 31-June 4

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The Arizona Department of Transportation advises drivers in the Prescott area to plan for overnight lane restrictions on State Route 89A between Fain Road (milepost 325) and State Route 89 (milepost 317) while crews complete fog seal work, which protects and extends the life of the pavement.

Motorists should allow extra travel time, be prepared to slow down and use caution around construction personnel and equipment while the following restrictions are in place:

North- and southbound SR 89A will be narrowed to one lane in each direction overnight from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, May 31 through Thursday, June 4.

With state highways essential to delivering goods and services, ADOT, its employees and its contractor partners are dedicated to delivering transportation improvement projects during the current public health situation. To learn more, please visit azdot.gov/covid-19-resource-center.

Ben Avery Shooting Facility prepares to reopen with changes

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PHOENIX — The Ben Avery Shooting Facility (BASF) soon will be open and ready for business, but with some operational changes that will affect customers.

To ensure public health and safety protocols are observed, and to maximize opportunities for all recreational shooters, only online reservations will be accepted when BASF reopens at 7 a.m. Wednesday, May 13. The new online reservation system will be available Monday, May 11.

At this time, the shooting facility is unable to accommodate walk-in customers on its rifle and pistol ranges, as well as the Clay Target Center (CTC). Any changes will be based on gradual reopening guidelines for businesses and customers, as outlined by the Governor’s Office.

“BASF’s implementation of a new online reservation system is two-fold: We want to maximize the shooting opportunities that this world-class facility has to offer, while maintaining common sense health practices,” said Mike Raum, shooting sports branch chief for the Arizona Game and Fish Department.

Located on 1,650 acres in north Phoenix, BASF is one of the nation’s largest publicly operated shooting facilities. A City of Phoenix “Point of Pride,” the facility has received a five-star rating from the National Association of Shooting Ranges.

Public comment sought on proposed Commission Orders for raptors, amphibians, reptiles, and crustaceans and mollusks through June 6

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PHOENIX – The Arizona Game and Fish Department is seeking public comment on proposed 2021-2025 regulations for raptors, amphibians, crustaceans and mollusks, and reptiles.

Comments will be accepted from May 8 through June 6, 2020. If warranted, public meetings on the proposed changes to these Commission Orders may be held telephonically.

The proposed Commission Orders 25, 41, 42 and 43, if approved, will be in effect for the years 2021 through 2025. The documents posted below are only for 2021, but only the year will change for the Commission Orders for each of the subsequent four years.
• Commission Order 25 – Raptors
• Commission Order 41 – Amphibians
• Commission Order 42 – Crustaceans and Mollusks
• Commission Order 43 – Reptiles

Written comments can be submitted by U.S. mail to Arizona Game and Fish Department, Attn: Terrestrial Wildlife Branch, 5000 W. Carefree Highway, Phoenix, Arizona 85086, or they can be emailed to:
• CommOrd25@azgfd.gov (Raptors)
• CommOrd41-43@azgfd.gov (Amphibians and Reptiles)
• CommOrd42@azgfd.gov (Crustaceans and Mollusks)

For more information, call (623) 236-7506.