Category Archives: State Government

AZGFD presentation posted online

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PHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) has posted a presentation on its website kicking off the 2nd phase of public input for establishing and maintaining a discretionary, dedicated funding source for public awareness and education.The Arizona Game and Fish Commission recently directed the Department to analyze ideas submitted by the public: the addition of a big game bonus point option, and the potential to expand revenue sources from non-traditional customers.

The public is invited to view the presentation (above), then submit comments specific only to the proposals via email (ideas@azgfd.gov) throughout a public input period that ends November 18.

AZGFD is also seeking feedback to specific questions at Answer Questions HERE regarding a big game bonus point option. This feedback will provide the Department with a preliminary glimpse of public opinion on the topic. Additional analyses and public vetting will be needed to fully assess the potential for this option.

The presentation and online feedback form also are posted at https://www.azgfd.com/agency/dedicated-funding-source/.

AZGFD will present feedback on the potential options for the funding source to the Commission at its public meeting December 7 in Phoenix.

Paving continues on Interstate 40 in northern Arizona

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The Arizona Department of Transportation advises northern Arizona drivers to plan for travel delays because of ramp closures on Interstate 40 at Parks on Monday, October 22, and Tuesday, October 23. Crews are repairing 17 miles of pavement on I-40 between Parks and Williams.

As crews pave Interstate 40, they plan to close the on- and off-ramps at Parks between the following hours:

1. The eastbound off-ramp at Parks (milepost 178) will be closed from noon to 5 p.m. Monday, October 22. Traffic will be detoured to Pittman Valley Road (milepost 171) to re-enter eastbound I-40.
2. The westbound on-ramp at Parks (milepost 178) will be closed from 6 a.m. to noon Tuesday, October 23. Traffic will be detoured to Bellemont (milepost 185) to re-enter westbound I-40.

Drivers are advised to plan for travel delays. Please proceed through the work zone with caution, slow down and watch for construction personnel and equipment.

Smartphone App and Citizen Science Program Helping Protect Arizona Waterways Wins National Award for Innovation

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PHOENIX — The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) Water Watch Mobile App and Citizen Science Program was awarded a State Innovation Award by the Environmental Council of States (ECOS). Smartphone users can download and open the app to easily submit photos and data for any stream, wash, river or lake in the state within a few minutes. Volunteers can also learn to gather water samples with training from ADEQ. These additional data are used by ADEQ scientists to update flow patterns, address water quality issues and identify waterbodies for future studies.

ECOS works to improve the capability of state environmental agencies and their leaders to protect and improve human health and the environment of the United States. The ECOS State Innovation Award recognizes outstanding state initiatives that can serve as replicable models for other states. Voting live at the ECOS Fall Meeting in Stowe, Vermont, attendees viewed video submissions and selected four winners from Alabama, Arizona, Connecticut and Colorado.“Smartphones have changed the way we gather information in our everyday lives,” said ADEQ Director Misael Cabrera. “By leveraging this technology and creating a vibrant citizen science program to include the public in our efforts to protect water quality, thousands of data points in both urban and remote areas of the state have already been submitted. We are honored by this recognition by ECOS members and are encouraged that other states may soon use our innovation to expand protection of their waterways.”

As Arizona gears up for more rain this weekend, ADEQ encourages people to download the Arizona Water Watch App and safely submit their observations as water drains from the mountains to the desert. At the touch of a fingertip on their Smartphone, anyone can become a Citizen Scientist, collaborating with ADEQ to expand our knowledge of the state’s waterways. After verification, data are plotted on an interactive GIS map of the entire state. The Arizona Water Watch Mobile App can be used even when out of range of cell phone service, as is common in the more remote areas of Arizona. Data are sent automatically to ADEQ when the phone returns to a service area.

Reducing inactive projects balance helps move ADOT improvements forward sooner

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PHOENIX – When a project isn’t using some or all of the funding committed to it because it’s become inactive, freeing that money as quickly as possible means the Arizona Department of Transportation can move forward sooner with other work that’s ready to go.

That’s the goal behind a comprehensive effort to reduce what is known formally as ADOT’s inactive projects balance. This balance is comprised of ADOT projects and local projects that haven’t used any of the funding committed to them in more than 180 days.

At its peak, ADOT’s inactive projects balance stood at $160 million, representing money committed to about 3,000 individual project phases including design, right-of-way acquisition and construction.

Today, ADOT employees responsible for project funding have reduced that balance to $50.4 million and are continuing to develop ways to reduce it even further.

“To some, it may sound like an achievement that only an accountant could love, but reducing our inactive projects balance is a win for all Arizonans,” ADOT Director John Halikowski said. “This allows us to be more nimble in getting limited transportation funding to other projects that will improve the quality of life in this state.”

The most common reasons for projects becoming inactive include requesting funding too far in advance of needing to spend it, a local agency not invoicing ADOT in a timely manner and representatives failing to notify ADOT that a project or project phase is complete.

“Working across ADOT divisions and with local partners, our employees have identified problems that contribute to the inactive projects balance and developed sustainable improvements,” said Kristine Ward, ADOT’s Chief Financial Officer. “We have a clear path and process for continuing to reduce this balance and get even more projects going sooner.”

This effort is aligned with the agency’s use of the Arizona Management System championed by Governor Doug Ducey. It calls for all employees to identify ways to improve continuously improve processes and their value to customers.

The improvements include ADOT tracking inactive projects weekly and examining each project phase rather than the whole project when determining what has become inactive. Each month, a website lists inactive projects and projects that will be considered inactive in 30 days.

Employees developed a new policy on inactive projects spelling out that funding authorization should be requested only when a project phase is ready to proceed and providing a consistent process for closing out projects. ADOT representatives have made presentations about the policy and procedures at meetings of local government leaders in addition to conducting webinars for ADOT staff and those with local agencies.

Looking to reduce the inactive projects balance even further, ADOT now is focusing on ways to streamline the process for closing out project phases so the remaining committed funds can be released sooner.

Learn more about how the Arizona Management System works at ADOT by visiting azdot.gov/AMS.

ADOT detectives nab dealer for selling vehicle with false odometer reading

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PHOENIX – A Gilbert man who manages a used car dealership has been arrested for selling a vehicle with a false odometer reading in addition to other violations by detectives with the Arizona Department of Transportation’s Office of Inspector General.

Mikel Martinez, 37, manager of Auto Link of Arizona, had recently sold a 2013 Chevrolet E2500 Cargo Van stating that it had 159,000 miles on it. Unbeknownst to the buyer, the vehicle had actually racked up over 303,000 miles.

The buyer originally came to OIG because Martinez had not provided the title or registration for the van. Martinez had also informed her that she was being financed through BHFC Financial Services; however, when the buyer contacted the company, it had no record of her.

ADOT’s Office of Inspector General took up the case and opened an investigation that led detectives to discover that the vehicle mileage on the title had been altered from when it was first titled to Auto Link of Arizona.

When Martinez was called in to OIG headquarters regarding the odometer tampering, detectives discovered that in addition to altering the mileage, Martinez removed the letter “C” designation on the vehicle’s title. A letter “C” indicates the true mileage of the vehicle is unknown. It was also discovered that he had a fictitious dealer plate on his vehicle that was made of laminated paper.

Martinez was arrested and booked at the Fourth Avenue Jail on Sept. 21 and is currently facing counts of fraudulent schemes, forgery, tampering with a public record, displaying a fictitious plate and odometer fraud.

While ADOT’s Office of Inspector General stands ready to assist those who’ve fallen victim to fraud, ADOT has car-buying tips that can be found on the agency’s website at azdot.gov/CarBuyingTips.

Beware of odometer fraud.

Check the odometer reading on the vehicle instrument cluster and compare it to what is listed on the back of the title from the seller and any odometer information contained in any vehicle history reports or repair invoices. Also check the title to see if the actual mileage is listed (Box A).
A typical vehicle is driven about 15,000 miles per year. If the odometer mileage of a vehicle shows much less than that average annual usage, it could be an indicator that the odometer has been rolled back, and worth further inspection.
Have a trusted mechanic check the odometer for signs of tampering and for wear on the vehicle to see if it’s in line with the displayed mileage. A mechanic can also check the vehicle computer for mileage.

Use good judgment and ask lots of questions. There are no stupid questions when it comes to protecting yourself in a big purchase. Do this:

Ask for identification to make sure the seller is the owner listed on the title.
Ask to see vehicle maintenance records.
Check the VIN on the inside of the driver’s door frame and on the top of the dashboard to make sure they match.
Check for VIN tampering such as the door frame sticker peeled off and replaced, and altered rivets on the dashboard plaque.

The most important thing to do is to take time and not rush the process. If the seller is acting suspiciously, unwilling to show ID or records or trying to rush the process, walk away. Take the time to find the right purchase.

Seek help if you’ve been scammed. ADOT is here to help victims of fraud involving vehicle titles, registrations and driver licenses. Call our 24-hour fraud hotline at 877.712.2370 or email fraud@azdot.gov.

October 25 is deadline to update credit card information for online spring draw

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PHOENIX – The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) reminds hunters who applied online for 2019 spring hunt permit-tags that 11:59 p.m. (Arizona time) Thursday, October 25, is the deadline to update their credit card or debit card account information, as well as purchase PointGuard to protect their bonus points.

Online applicants are responsible for keeping their account information current. If payment is declined at the time of the draw, the application will not be drawn. AZGFD no longer will call customers to obtain payment on drawn applications if their credit card or debit card has been declined. Also, if a credit card or debit card has been used to pay for more than one application, the applicant is responsible for notifying their financial institution that multiple charges could be simultaneously processed from AZGFD.

Online applicants who have been issued a new credit card or debit card (including Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s replacement cards), a new expiration date, or had a change to their card’s number should visit https://draw.azgfd.gov/. Scroll down the page, select “Update Credit Card” and follow the prompts. Note: It is important to update payment information for each species for which an online application has been submitted.

Meanwhile, applicants can purchase PointGuard, as part of their online application, through 11:59 p.m. (Arizona time) Thursday, October 25. A free AZGFD portal account is required to purchase PointGuard. Visit www.azgfd.gov, click on the “My Account” button in the upper right-hand corner of the home page, then select the “Register” option.

PointGuard is a great way to protect those coveted bonus points for when “life happens.” PointGuard is only $5 per species, per applicant, and ensures if a successful applicant is unable to participate in a hunt for any reason, the accumulated bonus points that were expended to draw that hunt permit-tag will be reinstated. Visit https://www.azgfd.com/hunting/pointguard/, or call (602) 942-3000, for more information.

AZGFD will post an announcement on its website and social media channels when draw results are available. All spring hunt permit-tags will be mailed by November 30; all refund warrants will be mailed by November 16.

Partners engage in collaborative efforts to heal the Gila River

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Public invited to learn the area’s history and the restoration efforts being undertaken at http://bit.ly/LGRCStoryMap

AZGF Photo

PHOENIX — A unique partnership of cities, agencies, nonprofit groups and other organizations has developed an interactive online story map that takes viewers on a journey through history and explores the challenges the lower Gila River is facing and what collaborative landscape-scale restoration efforts are being done.

Users can scroll through detailed information that’s presented in a visually appealing and easy-to-understand format, while learning about the area’s history as it relates to how invasive vegetation has changed the function of the river.

This story describes the numerous challenges on the river, including invasive vegetation, fire and flooding, and the impending arrival of a beetle that could increase fire risk and habitat loss for threatened and endangered species. The site also provides in-depth information about efforts to address these challenges, taking the viewer on a journey with photos, maps, and key information on how the river plays an important role not only in our history, but also today and for future generations.

This story explains the collaborative restoration efforts on a portion of the lower Gila River that flows through the cities of Phoenix, Avondale, Goodyear and Buckeye. The Gila River is considered the second-longest river in Arizona. Restoration efforts are necessary to ensure a more functional river system that provides critical habitat for wildlife species, supports biological diversity, and provides for recreational opportunities in the Sonoran Desert.

A collaborative planning team came together to address the issues and determine how to move forward in order to protect and restore the river. Creating solutions to these challenges will help to restore multiple ecosystem services: establish high-quality habitats for fish and wildlife species, improve water quality, increase water flows, provide recreational opportunities, and reduce flooding and wildfire risk.

“This online tool is an important part of the initiative because it pulls the public into the story, while providing detailed information in a clear and visual manner and putting into a geographic context the various challenges and efforts going on to heal the river,” said Kelly Wolff, Habitat Evaluation and Lands Program Manager with the Arizona Game and Fish Department.

“This stretch of the Gila River might be the best opportunity in our region for restoration of one of North America’s most endangered ecosystems: the cottonwood-willow gallery forest,” said Ian Dowdy of the Sonoran Institute. “Though once thriving along rivers and streams in the Southwest, dams and groundwater pumping have virtually eliminated it from the landscape. With abundant water, this portion of river could become a world-class destination for cultural appreciation, ecotourism, recreation, and birding along its banks.”

“For two decades, officials have been working tirelessly to raise awareness of the need for removal of the invasive vegetation and replacement with the natural conditions that existed a hundred years ago along this river system. With the coming of the tamarisk leaf beetle, restoration is even more important than before,” said Mayor Jackie Meck of Buckeye.

The story map was developed in partnership with the various entities in the Lower Gila River Collaborative. These partners contributed data, photos and video, making the resource possible. The Arizona Game and Fish Department currently hosts the application.

ADOT project rebuilding stretch of I-40 wins national award

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I-40 improvement near Devil Dog Road – ADOT Photo

PHOENIX – An Arizona Department of Transportation project that’s rebuilding 5 miles of Interstate 40 near Williams has been ranked in the nation’s top 10 by Roads & Bridges, a construction industry publication.

The many freeze-thaw cycles seen annually in this area, combined with heavy snow, snowplowing and use by a large number of commercial vehicles, had stressed pavement considerably between Williams and Devil Dog Road.

A $34 million project completely removed the existing eastbound roadway and replaced the surface with new concrete pavement, and crews are nearly done with work overlaying the westbound roadway with new concrete pavement.

“We were patching potholes after every winter storm,” said Chad Auker, assistant district engineer for ADOT’s North Central District. “It was a big maintenance issue.”

To accelerate much-needed improvements, ADOT and Gannett Fleming, the design firm for the project, completed design work, which normally takes about a year, in less than three months. And construction has moved rapidly in part because crews are incorporating Portland Cement Concrete Pavement recycled from this stretch.

Using Portland Cement Concrete Pavement as the road surface increases pavement life by up to 60 percent and outlasts asphalt overlays by at least 10 years.

Gannett Fleming made the nomination to Roads & Bridges because of the project’s innovative and sustainable approach. Handling the construction is Fann Contracting Inc.

“It’s much-deserved,” Auker said. “The whole team, from the designers to the development team to the contractor and ADOT construction staff, worked hard. There were a lot of long days and long weeks, and the award is well-deserved for bringing new pavement to the road.”

The reconstruction between Williams and Devil Dog Road is among projects improving 34 miles of I-40 west Flagstaff. Crews also are improving 28 miles of northbound Interstate 17 just south of Flagstaff and reconstructing I-40 bridge decks at the interchange with I-17 in Flagstaff.

At ports of entry and elsewhere, ADOT helps combat human trafficking

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PHOENIX – At Arizona Department of Transportation commercial ports of entry near California and New Mexico, K-9 units are trained to identify not only evidence of illegal drugs but human cargo that can include victims of human trafficking. Lieutenants overseeing these ports have training on identifying warning signs of human trafficking, such as unusual tattoos, an unwillingness to speak up and carrying large amounts of cash without explanation.

Meanwhile, dozens of vehicles driven by officers with ADOT’s Enforcement and Compliance Division have bumper stickers aimed at directing those who need help or who see signs of trouble to EndSexTrafficking.AZ.gov or 888.373.7888, resources offered through the Governor’s Office of Youth, Faith and Family.

With human trafficking an increasingly urgent issue, ADOT officers enforcing commercial vehicle laws have joined other law enforcement agencies and the Arizona Human Trafficking Council created by Governor Doug Ducey to help make Arizona a leader in combating this crime.

“Human trafficking is not just something you hear about on TV or read on the Internet; it’s happening right here in our state,” ADOT Director John Halikowski said. “That’s why it’s critical for ADOT to be part of this comprehensive effort to combat it.”

As a member of the Arizona Human Trafficking Council, Chief Gary McCarthy with ADOT’s Office of Inspector General, part of the Enforcement and Compliance Division, chairs the outreach and awareness committee that not only raises public awareness but trains people on how to spot human trafficking and what to do about it.

In addition to the training provided to lieutenants overseeing commercial ports of entry, starting in 2019 advanced training for ADOT officers will include a human-trafficking component, including where the demand comes from and what cases look like. And the Enforcement and Compliance Division plans to develop online training so other ADOT employees who work along highways will learn how to spot the signs of human trafficking.

Since December, ADOT has had its first two K-9 units trained to detect human smuggling in addition to illegal drugs. The K-9s are used at the ports of entry along the eastern and western sides of Arizona to check any commercial vehicles that raise suspicions.

“We’re taking a few approaches to do our part to end this heinous practice here in Arizona,” McCarthy said. “>From training more officers to use of our K-9 units to raising awareness through bumper stickers on our vehicles, ADOT is serious about stopping human trafficking and saving lives.”

If you would like to learn more about how to help stop human trafficking, please visit EndSexTrafficking.az.gov. To report anything suspicious, please call 888.373.7888.

Closures scheduled in conjunction with I-17, I-40 and Beulah Boulevard improvement project

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FLAGSTAFF – Flagstaff-area drivers should plan for closures while deck work continues on four Interstate 40 bridges that carry traffic over I-17 and Beulah Boulevard. The Arizona Department of Transportation advises motorists to use detour routes and allow extra travel time while the following restrictions are in place:

  • The closure of the ramp from southbound I-17 to eastbound I-40 will remain in place around the clock through Wednesday, October 17. Detour: Use southbound I-17 to the J.W. Powell/ I-17 interchange, then travel north on I-17 to eastbound on I-40.
  • Northbound Beulah Boulevard will be closed from 8:30 p.m. Sunday, October 21, to 5 a.m. Monday, Oct. 22, and from 10:30 p.m. Monday, October 22, to 5 a.m. Tuesday, October 23. Detour: Travel south to the J.W. Powell/ I-17 interchange, then north on I-17 to Forest Meadows Street and west to Beulah Boulevard.
  • Southbound Beulah Boulevard will be closed from 10:30 p.m. Tuesday, October 23, to 5 a.m. Wednesday, October 24, and from 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, October 24, to 5 a.m. Thursday, October 25. Detour: Travel north to Forest Meadows Street, east to I-17 and south onto southbound I-17 to the J.W. Powell/I-17 Interchange, then north on Beulah Boulevard.

Work to repair and replace the decks on the four bridges began eight months ago and is scheduled for completion later this year. Learn more on the project webpage. ADOT advises drivers to slow down in the work zone, follow posted detour routes and use caution around construction personnel and equipment.

Schedules are subject to change based on weather and other unforeseen factors. For more information, please call the ADOT Project Information Line at 855.712.8530 or email Projects@azdot.gov. For real-time highway conditions statewide, visit ADOT’s Traveler Information Site at www.az511.gov, follow ADOT on Twitter (@ArizonaDOT) or call 511, except when driving.