PHOENIX – While no one anticipates that their day on the water will be cut short by an accident, all boaters should prepare for the unexpected and know what to do in the event of an incident.
If you are in a collision or accident while on one of the state’s waterways, Arizona law requires you to:
stop and render aid at the scene of the accident;
help those that have been injured and provide any assistance necessary unless doing so would endanger additional passengers or boats; and
exchange names, addresses, contact information and the boats’ identifying numbers with anyone injured in the accident and/or the owner of any property that was damaged.
If it’s an emergency, call 911 if cellphone service is available. When preparing for an outing, boaters should take note of which law enforcement agency has jurisdiction on the waterway in order to call for assistance if needed. In addition, the National Safe Boating Council recommends that boaters carry at least two communication devices that will work when wet. For example, an emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) and personal locator beacon (PLB) both transmit a coded message to the nearest rescue coordination center. Continue reading →
FLAGSTAFF – Flagstaff drivers should prepare for traffic impacts including lane restrictions and ramp closures while crews begin bridge work at Interstate 40 and Beulah Boulevard. Crews are scheduled to remove the westbound I-40 bridge deck and install false work under eastbound Interstate 40 bridge deck over Beulah Boulevard. This work is necessary for the first phase of project construction.
One-direction overnight closures of Beulah Boulevard are scheduled for the following times:
Southbound Beulah Boulevard will be closed from 8:30 p.m. Sunday, May 13, to 5 a.m. Monday, May 14; from 10:30 p.m. Monday, May 14, to 5 a.m. Tuesday, May 15; and from 10:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 15, to 5 a.m. Wednesday, May 16. The southbound Beulah Boulevard detour route takes drivers 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.
Northbound Beulah Boulevard will be closed from 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 16, to 5 a.m. Thursday, May 17; from 10:30 p.m. Thursday, May 17, to 5 a.m. Friday, May 18; and from 10:30 p.m. Friday, May 18, to 7 a.m. Saturday, May 19. The northbound Beulah Boulevard detour route takes drivers southbound to the J.W. Powell/ I-17 Interchange and then north on I-17 to Forest Meadows Street, then west to Beulah Boulevard.
The northbound I-17 to westbound I-40 ramp remains closed for the duration of the project. Traffic that would normally use this ramp is being detoured onto I-40 eastbound, then exiting at Butler Avenue and heading west on I-40.
Drivers should proceed through the work zone with caution, slow down and watch for construction personnel and equipment.
For more information, visit the project website. For questions or comments, call Mackenzie Kirby, ADOT Community Relations project manager at 928.525.6494 or email mkirby@azdot.gov.
FLAGSTAFF – The Arizona Department of Transportation will host a public open house for the Milton Road Corridor Master Plan from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 10, 2018 at the Flagstaff High School Commons, 400 W. Elm Ave, in Flagstaff.
Everyone is encouraged to attend, ask questions and provide input. Visit the project website for more information.
The next meeting of the Arizona Game and Fish Commission will be Friday, May 4 at the Mohave County Board of Supervisors Auditorium, 700 W. Beale Street, Kingman.
The public can attend in person, view the meeting on a webcast at https://livestream.com/azgameandfish, or watch the meeting on streaming video from any regional office statewide. Those who wish to speak to the commission may submit “speaker cards” (blue cards) in person at the meeting or from any Game and Fish office (Friday only).
The ability to speak to the commission is not available for those viewing the webcast. See the full agenda.
The meeting begins at 8 a.m. Among the items are:
Approval of several consent agenda items.
Consideration to implement intergovernmental agreement for the Community Fishing Program.
Approval of new commission policy regarding commission compensation and expense reimbursement.
Approval of a Salt River Project License Agreement for mitigation ponds.
An update on state and federal legislation.
Updates on commission priorities and the department’s deployment of the Arizona Management System.
A briefing on Gila topminnow recovery efforts.
An update on Federal lands planning.
Hearings on license revocations for violations of Game and Fish codes, and civil assessments for the illegal taking and/or possession of wildlife (time certain at 10 a.m.).
A request for approval of four applications for FY 2019 Shooting Range Development Grants.
An update on the Research Branch’s projects and activities.
Request to approve a License Agreement with Arizona State Parks and the city of Safford authorizing a sewer main to cross the Roper Lake property to provide sewer service for Roper Lake State Park.
Update on potential rotenone treatment in the Virgin River Gorge in 2018 if drought conditions persist.
A request for approval of final rulemaking amending Article 3 rules addressing taking and handling of wildlife.
An update on the Information, Education and Recreation Division’s Volunteer Programs highlighting the Pittman-Roberston Act’s match success and the power of the volunteer workforce.
Consideration to approve an intergovernmental agreement with the Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Department for collaborative management of wildlife, habitat and outdoor recreation within the Maricopa County Parks system.
Consideration to approve an Agreement to the Externship Agreement with Midwestern University, extending the term of the agreement for 5 years.
A presentation on the Fiscal Year 2020 proposed budget and a proposed modification to the Fiscal Year 2019 budget.
On Saturday, May, 5, the Commission will hold a public workshop beginning at 8 a.m. No legal action will be taken. The agenda includes a discussion of: Department marketing strategy and branding; funding for habitat projects and public conservation education; and protecting state authority to manage wildlife.
To view a copy of the full meeting agenda, visit www.azgfd.gov/commission and click on the “commission agenda” link. The Arizona Game and Fish Commission is a five-member, policy-setting board that oversees the Arizona Game and Fish Department. For more information about the commission, visit www.azgfd.gov/commission.
PAYSON – On Saturday, May 12, Green Valley Park comes alive with a multitude of wildlife and outdoor fun activities for the whole family at the 24th Annual Payson Wildlife Fair.
Catch a rainbow trout, cruise the lake in a canoe, or touch a live snake … there is something for everyone. People come from all over the state for this outdoor event. It’s a great day up in the cool mountain air of Payson, at a time of year when the Valley is really heating up. And it’s all free.
There will be booths from many local and state organizations, hands-on activities, an archery range, and (out)door prizes for the kids such as fishing rods and lures. Live birds of prey will be on display, as well as snakes, Gila monsters, tortoises and other wildlife. The fair celebrates Arizona’s great outdoors and our state’s diverse wildlife.
Green Valley Lake will receive more than double its normal stocking of trout in preparation for the Fair, thanks to the generosity of the Mogollon Sporting Association (MSA). No fishing license is required for fair attendees, and equipment and bait are provided at the free fishing booth at the fair.
The Payson Wildlife Fair is a cooperative effort between the Arizona Game and Fish Department, USDA Forest Service, Mogollon Sporting Association, and Payson Parks and Recreation Department. The event runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on May 12 at Green Valley Park in Payson.
FLAGSTAFF – The Arizona Department of Transportation advises drivers traveling on Interstate 40 west of the town of Williams to expect delays as traffic will be shifted onto roadway crossovers beginning Friday, May 4. The traffic shift is necessary so crews can replace the pavement on westbound I-40 from milepost 156 to milepost 161.
A single lane of travel for both directions will be provided at all times; however, there will be lane restrictions and reduced speed limits in the area. Drivers should proceed through the work zone with caution, slow down and watch for construction equipment.
Last year, project crews replaced the same section of roadway on eastbound I-40 with new concrete pavement. This project also includes installing new guardrail and rehabilitating the bridge deck at the Devil Dog Wash overpass. Construction is expected to be complete by the end of the year.
FLAGSTAFF – The Arizona Department of Transportation will host a public open house for the US 180 Corridor Master Plan from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 3, 2018 at the Flagstaff High School Commons, 400 W. Elm Ave, in Flagstaff.
Everyone is encouraged to attend, ask questions and provide input. Visit the project website for more information.
PHOENIX (April 30, 2018) – The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) is celebrating Air Quality Awareness Week April 30 to May 4, 2018. While there have been improvements in air quality over the last 40 years, Arizona still faces challenges. Weather and climate are big factors in our air quality, but each person can make a difference in reducing air pollution.
“The biggest contributors to air pollution decades ago – industry – are no longer the biggest contributors today. Our air pollution issues are now community-based, which means our solutions are community-based,” says Timothy Franquist, ADEQ Air Quality Division Director. “With 7 million people living, working and enjoying all that Arizona has to offer, small actions add up to big ones. Together, we can positively impact our environment, our economy and our community.”
Monday, April 30: Celebrate the successes. Since 1990, air quality has improved for Arizona even as the population and economy has grown. Plus, the American Lung Association found in their 2018 State of the Air report that some counties and the city of Phoenix were experiencing fewer days of unhealthy levels for certain pollutants compared to the last report.
Tuesday, May 1: World Asthma Day. Almost 100 Arizona residents die every year due to asthma. Hundreds of thousands more suffer from it. Driving less, curbing fireworks use during the holidays and using gas instead of wood fires are all actions that can reduce harmful pollutants.
Wednesday, May 2: Ozone. What type of air pollution can you not see or smell? Ozone. By simply driving less, taking mass transit, reducing idling in lines at drive-thru windows and waiting to fuel up until after dark, we can reduce the amount of ozone impacting our breathing.
Thursday, May 3: PM-10 — also known as dust. Some areas in Arizona are in nonattainment for PM-10, which means they are above a level set by the Clean Air Act and the EPA to control pollutants. This has economic impacts with increased regulation, as well as health impacts.
Friday, May 4: PM-2.5 — also known as smoke. These tiny particles get deep into the lungs and can cause bigger health impacts than PM-10. Smoke from fireworks during the 4th of July holiday may drive those with respiratory issues inside or even to the hospital.
What can you do? You can be a part of the solution! Working together, we can improve air quality across Arizona, allowing each of us to breathe easier. Please help us spread the word.
For information to localize this story to your area and audience, contact ADEQ PIO Erin Jordan at jordan.erin@azdeq.gov or 602-771-2215.
TIPS TO IMPROVE AIR QUALITY:
Ride transit, carpool or telework.
Eliminate all unnecessary driving and/or combine trips.
Avoid idling.
Refuel after dark.
Keep your tires inflated to proper levels and your car tuned.
Change your oil every 3,000 to 5,000 miles.
Avoid the use of gas-powered lawn equipment.
Avoid dirt roads.
Avoid the use of leaf blowers.
Use gas or electric instead of burning wood.
Limit the lighting of fireworks.
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FLAGSTAFF – As the Arizona Department of Transportation studies and develops long-term visions for two major Flagstaff corridors, the agency will hold public meetings on the first two Thursdays in May to solicit input.
The public meeting on the US 180 Corridor Master Plan will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 3, at the Flagstaff High School Commons, 400 W. Elm Ave. ADOT will also host a public meeting for the Milton Road Corridor Master Plan from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 10, at the same location.
Both meetings will begin with a brief presentation, followed by an open house during which the public can talk with ADOT representatives.
Each corridor master plan will set a 20-year vision for US 180 and Milton Road with suggested projects aimed at improving traffic flow and maintaining safety.
US 180, the primary route between Flagstaff and Arizona Snowbowl and other snow-play areas, has seen heavy traffic during winter weekends. The study area for US 180 runs from the intersection of Humphreys Street and Route 66 to the Crowley Pit at milepost 233.
Milton Road, also known as State Route 89A, is the primary roadway through the heart of Flagstaff. It sees traffic delays during weekday rush hours and experiences backups during winter weekends.
The study area for Milton Road runs from Forest Meadows Street near the southern entrance to Flagstaff to the point where Milton turns into Route 66 at Butler Avenue and goes to Beaver Street.
For more information on these important studies, visit azdot.gov.
PINETOP — On April 26, the U.S. Forest Service announced new closures due to the Rattlesnake Fire burning south of Alpine, which will affect access for turkey hunters heading to Game Management Unit (GMU) 27.
Forest Road 26 is open to vehicles, but the area south of the roadway is closed from FS Road 26 to FS Road 587. Additionally, trailhead closures are in place between FS Roads 26 and 54 east of Highway 191. The Black River south of Buffalo Crossing is also included in this closure.
See the map and closure order for more details (Facebook).
Areas in Unit 27 outside of the expanded Rattlesnake Fire closure area on the Alpine Ranger District that turkey hunters should consider during the closure include:
FS Road 281 all the way down into Blue River.
FS Road 403 just west of Alpine.
The middle mountain area along FS Roads 37 and 405.
The Indian Peak area along FS Roads 58 and 59, just south of Alpine.
FS Road 276 west of Alpine, down into the East Fork of Black River.
FS Road 567 east to Blue River.
FS Road 184 east off of Highway 191.
PHOENIX – While no one anticipates that their day on the water will be cut short by an accident, all boaters should prepare for the unexpected and know what to do in the event of an incident. 
PAYSON – On Saturday, May 12, Green Valley Park comes alive with a multitude of wildlife and outdoor fun activities for the whole family at the 24th Annual Payson Wildlife Fair.