Category Archives: State Government

Two ADOT snowplows damaged by vehicles in January storms

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PHOENIX ‒ Three Arizona Department of Transportation employees working to keep highways open in recent storms avoided serious injury when vehicles struck two ADOT snowplows in separate crashes. The drivers of the other vehicles came out fine as well.

One of the plows wasn’t so lucky, however, when a semi rear-ended and severely damaged it Jan. 21 on Interstate 40 near Seligman. In addition to sending the two ADOT employees aboard to the hospital with minor injuries, the crash hindered ADOT’s efforts to clear snow and ice along that route.

In the other crash, an SUV suffered serious damage Jan. 19 when it hit a snowplow clearing State Route 89A between Prescott Valley and Jerome. The plow and its operator were able to continue working, but only after losing precious time dealing with the crash.

“During storms, drivers need to slow down and give plows plenty of space,” said Alvin Stump, district engineer in ADOT’s Northwest District, where both of the incidents occurred. “Plows require a large work area to remove snow.”

It isn’t easy driving a snowplow on slippery roads with limited visibility, and other drivers make that job dangerous when they don’t give ADOT’s operators plenty of room to work. So respect the plow! It starts with staying at least four car lengths behind and never passing a working plow until the operator pulls over to let traffic by.

Gabriel Alvarado, who has plowed Interstate 40 for 13 years out of ADOT’s Seligman operation, said he likes seeing a line of vehicles making the sensible decision to follow his snowplow.

“It’s the best possible scenario to have a plow right in front of you,” he said.

But several times during a 12-hour shift a passenger vehicle or semi will make the ill-advised decision to pass Alvarado’s snowplow in an unplowed lane, raising the potential for a collision.

“Sometimes it gets really, really close,” Alvarado said.

Alvarado said it isn’t uncommon for him to later come upon those who’ve passed him stuck in the snow after sliding off the roadway.

Other tips from ADOT’s snowplow drivers:

· Never assume a snowplow operator knows you are nearby. If you can’t see the plow driver, there is a good chance the driver can’t see you.

· Plowed snow can create a cloud that reduces visibility, and spreaders on trucks throw de-icing agents or sand that can damage vehicles, so stay back.

· Leave space when stopping behind a snowplow. The driver might need to back up.

· If approaching an oncoming snowplow, slow down and give the plow extra room.

· Just because a plow has been through the area, drivers shouldn’t assume the roadway is completely clear of snow and ice.

BLM to host two additional public meetings on target shooting management on Sonoran Desert National Monument

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The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has scheduled two additional information meetings at which it seeks input on recreational target shooting management alternatives for the Sonoran Desert National Monument. The meeting dates and locations are:

  • Feb. 11: noon to 3 p.m., Copper Sky Recreation Center, 44342 W Martin Luther King Blvd., Maricopa.
  • Feb. 21: 4-7 p.m., Burton Barr Central Library, 1221 N Central Ave., Phoenix.

The purpose of the meetings is to present the draft management alternatives, answer public questions, and receive public input to be considered as the planning process progresses. During the first 30 minutes of each meeting, the BLM will provide opening remarks describing the ground rules and will proceed to present the alternatives. The remaining time will be conducted in an open house format, during which staff will answer additional questions and receive input to be considered. Three meetings were previously held Jan. 19-21 in Phoenix and Casa Grande.

The 90-day comment period will close on March 15, 2017. All comments must be received prior to this date in order to be included in the final analysis.

Following the public comment period, the BLM will consider all of the input and begin work to finalize the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Draft Resource Management Plan Amendment (RMPA).

Stakeholders and other members of the public are encouraged to submit their comments for the record through the BLM online land use planning tool, ePlanning. Written comments may be mailed to the BLM’s project manager, Wayne Monger, at 21605 N. 7th Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85027, faxed to (623) 580-5623, or e-mailed to BLM_AZ_SDNMtargetshooting@BLM.gov.

SDNM RMP Planning Website: http://bit.ly/SDNMtargetshooting.

Volunteers can help 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 9-12 and April 6-9 (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 3 for next month’s project and by March 30 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.

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

Game and Fish Commission to meet Friday in Lake Havasu City

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LAKE HAVASU CITY — The next meeting of the Arizona Game and Fish Commission will be Friday, Feb. 3, at ASU Colleges at Lake Havasu City, Santiago Hall, Room 109, located at 100 University Way in Lake Havasu City. The meeting will begin at 8 a.m.

The meeting can be attended in person or viewed at http://www.azgfd.gov/inside_azgfd/CommissionCam.shtml. The meeting also can be viewed on streaming video at department headquarters in Phoenix, or any of the department’s regional offices statewide.

Those who wish to speak to the commission may submit “speaker cards” (blue cards) in person at the meeting, or from any regional office. The ability to speak to the commission is not available for those viewing the webcast.

Items on the agenda include:

A briefing from Lake Havasu City staff on the Havasu Riviera Project.
A presentation on the results of the Lake Havasu Satellite Watercraft Registration Pilot Program (June-Dec. 2016).
A briefing on the status of state and federal legislation related to the department’s mission.
An update on the department’s efforts toward accomplishing commission priorities.
An update on the department’s statewide outreach campaign to increase public awareness of the department, its mission and how it’s funded.
A briefing on the department’s threatened and endangered species program, including a resolution in support of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies’ (AFWA) Blue Ribbon Panel’s recommendation to Congress to dedicate up to $1.3 billion annually to support the State Wildlife Action Plan and wildlife diversity funding.
A first-read item: A Memorandum of Understanding with the Arizona Antelope Foundation that would allow the department to partner with AAF on conservation and education programs.
A first-read item: A license agreement with Triskee Farms LLC for the purpose of planting and harvesting crops on the Quigley-Achee Wildlife Area.
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. Friday).
A request to review, for future approval, proposed recommendations to be included in the five-year rule review report for Article 3, regarding taking and handling of wildlife.
A briefing on public comment received to date on existing hunt guidelines.

To view a copy of the full meeting agenda, visit www.azgfd.gov/commission and click on the “commission agenda” link.

On Saturday, Feb. 4, community members will lead the commission and department staff on a field trip/boat tour of conservation and recreation projects on Lake Havasu.

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.

Arizona Senate confirms reappointment of Kurt Davis to Game and Fish Commission

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PHOENIX – The Arizona Senate on Jan. 25 confirmed Gov. Doug Ducey’s reappointment of Kurt Davis as a member of the Arizona Game and Fish Commission.

Davis is currently finishing a five-year term that began after his appointment in 2011 by then-Governor Jan Brewer. He served as commission chair in fiscal year 2016.

“Kurt has admirably served the commission, Arizona’s wildlife and the people of Arizona,” said Governor Ducey. “He is well versed in wildlife and outdoor recreation issues and is a strong advocate for the state’s wildlife management authorities. His extensive experience in government, communications and business will continue to be a tremendous asset.”

“Serving on a commission dedicated to conserving and protecting Arizona’s wildlife—more than 800 species—is an honor of a lifetime,” said Commissioner Davis. “I look forward to continuing help set policy for the nation’s premier wildlife agency and representing our constituents.”

An avid hunter and angler, Davis is a founding partner at FirstStrategic, a communications and public affairs firm specializing in strategic public policy development for non-profit clients, issues relating to rural Arizona, and government relations. Prior to forming FirstStrategic, he served as vice president of public affairs and marketing at Northern Arizona University and before that was vice president of public affairs and corporate communications at Rural/Metro Corporation.

Davis previously served as a deputy chief of staff and executive assistant in the office of former Arizona Governor Fife Symington. In that role, he had policy responsibility for executive agencies such as the departments of transportation, corrections, state land, game and fish, and others. He has also served as director of intergovernmental affairs and issues analysis at the Arizona Attorney General’s Office, and executive director of the Arizona Republican Party.

Davis was appointed to several positions in the Reagan administration and served as a gubernatorial appointment to the Arizona Board of Regents, the Vision 21 Transportation Task Force, and the Arizona State Board for Charter Schools. He received a Bachelor of Science from Northern Arizona University in 1984.

He is active in the community and has served on the boards of directors of Great Hearts Academies, the Arizona Chamber of Commerce, and Arizona State University’s Ramsey Executive Program for Public Policy.

Don’t let GPS, navigation apps replace common sense when you pick a route

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PHOENIX – When a highway closes or you’re just looking for possible routes, it’s natural to consult a navigation app or GPS unit. But drivers need to apply common sense to a computer’s suggestions, starting with not taking buses and other vehicles that aren’t up to the task down unpaved roads.

Since State Route 64 closed due to heavy snow between Grand Canyon Village and Grand Canyon National Park’s east entrance, a large bus, a smaller bus and at least two passenger vehicles carrying tourists have gotten stuck on a forest road heading east from US 180 between Valle and Flagstaff toward US 89.

While tow trucks were able to free the other vehicles free and get them headed back to US 180, the Arizona Department of Public Safety, with help from an Arizona Department of Transportation snowplow, had to rescue 45 people from the tour bus as Monday’s snowstorm moved in. The driver of the bus, which was bound for Page, said his GPS unit recommended taking the forest road.

The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office receives many calls throughout the year from motorists who get stuck following suggested alternate routes onto unpaved roads. It’s a big concern for ADOT during the winter, when snowstorms can cause sudden and prolonged highway closures.

“Sticking to the main highways is a driver’s best bet, especially during snowstorms,” said Audra Merrick, district engineer for ADOT’s North Central District. “Our snowplow crews are out clearing these roads around the clock along with patrols from the Department of Public Safety and ADOT’s motor-assist vehicles. Don’t follow an alternate route that’s not regularly plowed during winter storms.”

Earlier this winter, a Pennsylvania family wanting to see Grand Canyon National Park’s North Rim got stranded following forest roads suggested as an alternate route to State Route 67, which closes for the winter along with park facilities. A woman suffered frostbite walking 26 miles trying to get help, while her husband eventually was able to call rescuers by climbing high enough to get a cellphone signal.

Sgt. Aaron Dick, search-and-rescue coordinator for the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office, said if a suggested road becomes rough or difficult to navigate the best thing to do is turn around. Motorists also can prevent problems by understanding the settings on their GPS units or navigation apps, starting with making sure they are ranking alternate routes by “shortest time” rather than “shortest distance.”

“The shortest-distance setting will connect roads in the GPS unit’s inventory to create the shortest route without knowing the status or condition of the roads,” he said. “The shortest-time setting will generally keep the driver on paved or well-maintained roads.

Drivers heading to northern Arizona should do their research on road conditions by checking az511.gov and ADOT’s social media accounts on Twitter (@ArizonaDOT) and Facebook (facebook.com/AZDOT). They also should consult ADOT’s tips for winter driving at azdot.gov/KnowSnow, including:

  • Tell someone where you are going, your intended route and your expected arrival time.
  • Bring extra clothing and gloves, make sure the gas tank is half to three-quarters full at all times, keep cellphones charged, and pack extra drinking water, snacks and all necessary medications.
  • Pack an emergency kit that includes blankets, a flashlight with extra batteries, an ice scraper, a small shovel, a container of sand or cat litter for traction and warning lights or reflectors.

Great weather . . . great hunting!

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PHOENIX — A week’s worth of gray skies has given way to wall-to-wall sunshine. The rain puddles are long gone. The air is crisp, clean, refreshing.

While snow still might be piled high in some places around Arizona, it’s a great time – no, the perfect time – to head for the backcountry in lower elevations and take advantage of some great hunting opportunities.

But hunters need to get going. The general waterfowl season in the “Desert Zone” ends Sunday, Jan. 29. The last day to use “over the counter” archery-only nonpermit-tags for any antlered deer and spring javelina is Tuesday, Jan. 31. And the general season for Gambel’s, scaled, California and Mearns’ quail closes Feb. 12.

Don’t forget about the general spring javelina season. As of Monday, Jan. 23:

193 leftover hunt permit-tags were available for handgun, archery and muzzleloader (HAM) spring hunts that begin Feb. 10.
183 hunt permit-tags remained for general spring hunts that begin Feb. 24.

All of the leftover hunt permit-tags are available on a “first-come” basis. The Arizona Game and Fish Department has posted online a list of the leftover hunt permit-tags. Hunters can apply one of two ways: Fill out a paper application and bring it to any department office statewide, at which time a hunt permit-tag will be issued, or mail the completed application to: Arizona Game and Fish Department, Attn.: Draw/First Come, 5000 W. Carefree Highway, Phoenix, AZ 85086. Allow 10 to 15 business days to receive a hunt permit-tag by mail.

ADEQ Voluntary Environmental Stewardship Program Recognizes New Achievers

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PHOENIX – Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) officials announced today the addition of nine new participants in the Voluntary Environmental Stewardship Program (VESP), bringing the number of organizations demonstrating its value to 40. For ADEQ’s VESP, this is just the beginning – we want to recognize every deserving voluntary effort each Arizona business, municipality, school and non-profit is contributing to enhancing and protecting our communities’ health and environment.

ADEQ’s VESP encourages environmentally responsible economic growth and incentivizes Arizona businesses and other organizations demonstrating effective environmental practices to find more ways they can benefit from these actions, which also protect public health and the environment.

Simple and innovative voluntary actions stimulate VESP participants’ opportunities for less burdensome regulations and achieve positive outcomes for our communities, which deserve recognition. In addition to showcasing VESP participants’ achievements, program benefits can include:

  • Coordination of multiple on-site inspections
  • Reduced reporting requirements
  • Advance notification of inspections and enforcement rulings

“Arizona’s 50th Legislature passed the bipartisan-supported bill establishing the Voluntary Environmental Stewardship Program, encouraging ourselves to be ever-forward looking…the essence of which is the very embodiment of VESP,” said former Arizona state legislator, Hon. Amanda A. Reeve. “Many Arizona businesses, entities and organizations are invested in the health and responsible economic growth of our community; thus voluntarily endeavor to implement conservation and sustainable measures that go above and beyond environmental law requirements. ADEQ’s VESP recognizes these achievements and encourages continual implementation of innovative environmental stewardship practices. Through the community’s leadership, ADEQ will continue to grow VESP far beyond the already impressive participation of 40 entities.”

The VESP awards five levels of recognition (Copper through Platinum) and is proud to recognize the following new participants: Visit http://www.azdeq.gov/other/VESP today to learn more about the VESP and submit your application (http://bit.ly/2VESPApp) to earn recognition your organization deserves.

New verification method means veteran specialty plates may now be ordered online

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PHOENIX – Ordering a veteran specialty license plate no longer requires standing in line at an Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division office. With the introduction of a new electronic affidavit system to verify a veteran’s status, plates may now be ordered at ServiceArizona.com, skipping the office visit.

“As MVD continues to be ahead of the curve by improving customer service, this is one of the more gratifying changes we’ve made,” said MVD Director Eric Jorgensen. “MVD is proud to provide these plates to honor our veterans, and it’s very important to make it as easy as possible for our customers get out of line and safely on the road.”

Under state law, only veterans and their immediate family members may apply for a veteran plate. Until now, this plate could only be ordered in person at an MVD or Authorized Third Party location where the applicant would have to show veteran status documentation.

To allow for online ordering, MVD developed an electronic affidavit system that the applicant must initial before the transaction can be completed. MVD has also established an auditing compliance system to review applications to ensure that only those who are legally eligible receive the plate.

Each month, more than 1,200 applications for these plates are processed at MVD offices. Allowing this transaction to be done online will not only allow customers to order the plate at their convenience, but will reduce the amount of customer traffic at MVD offices.

In fiscal year 2016, veteran plates generated just over $1.2 million for a special veterans fund administered by the Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services.

For more information on specialty plates, please visit azdot.gov/mvd.

ADOT begins updating goal for Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program

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PHOENIX – The Arizona Department of Transportation has begun the process of updating its goal for the percentage value of federal-aid contract dollars won by firms certified for its Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program.

To do so, the agency has retained Keen Independent Research to develop a draft study on the availability of disadvantaged business enterprises in Arizona. This availability study will be completed in May and released for public review and comment along with ADOT’s proposed participation goal for disadvantaged business enterprises.

Every three years, ADOT must submit to the Federal Highway Administration an overall annual participation goal for disadvantaged business enterprises, expressed as a percentage of dollars going to certified firms from contracts using U.S. Department of Transportation funds.

Two public meetings on the proposed goal will be held in June, with public comments to be accepted through the end of June. The new goal, which must be submitted this summer, will go into effect on Oct. 1.

As part of this process, ADOT will seek comments on the proposed participation goal, the draft availability study, the conditions for minority- and women-owned firms in the Arizona transportation contracting marketplace, and other topics. All public comments will be reviewed before ADOT submits its final goal request to the Federal Highway Administration.

Through federal fiscal year 2017, ADOT has an overall disadvantaged business enterprise participation goal of 8.9 percent for contracts using Federal Highway Administration funds, setting contract-specific goals on some of its federally funded contracts to help meet the goal. During the past two fiscal years, ADOT has exceeded its goal.

ADOT will also use results of the availability study results to develop new overall disadvantaged business enterprise participation goals for its contracts funded by the Federal Transit Administration and the Federal Aviation Administration.

ADOT is briefing industry groups about the availability study and the goal-setting process and will provide regular updates on the process through the ADOT Business Engagement and Compliance website, azdot.gov/BECO.