Category Archives: State Government

ADEQ comment period for Hayden Sulfur Dioxide Nonattainment Area State Implementation Plan

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ADEQ welcomes comments on the proposed Hayden Sulfur Dioxide Nonattainment Area State Implementation Plan (SIP) Revision.

The plan demonstrates that the Hayden nonattainment area will attain the 2010 Sulfur Dioxide National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). The revision will be submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency for incorporation in Arizona’s SIP as required by the Clean Air Act under Section 110.
View Public Notice/Related Documents here.

Public Comment Period:
Dec. 5, 2016 to Jan. 10, 2017

Public Hearing:
Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017 at 2 p.m.
1110 W. Washington St., Rm. 3175
Phoenix, AZ 85007

Comments may be submitted as follows:
Email | Send Email
Mail: (Must be postmarked by Jan. 10, 2017)

Stakeholder Meeting for Ozone Air Quality Standards December 19

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ADEQ welcomes interested parties to attend a stakeholder meeting regarding EPA’s proposed 2015 Ozone Implementation Rule. During the meeting, ADEQ will discuss key topics from the proposed rule in which the agency will most likely make comments.

When: December 19, 2016 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Where: Arizona Department of Environmental Quality
1110 W. Washington St.
Phoenix, Arizona, 85007
Room 145

View EPA’s proposed implementation rule here >

Johnson Utilities Drinking Water Problem Resolved

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The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) is pleased to report that we are lifting the Johnson Utilities Drinking Water Advisory for nitrate. ADEQ notified Johnson Utilities (PWS 11182) customers on Dec. 2, 2016, to not provide water to infants under of the age of 6 months or use the water to make infant formula because of elevated nitrate levels. ADEQ has confirmed the problem has been resolved and tap water can be given to infants under the age of 6 months.

Today, ADEQ received confirmation from Johnson Utilities that their sample collected on Nov. 30, 2016, demonstrated the nitrate level met the federal drinking water standard (lower than the Maximum Contaminant Level of 10 mg/L at 7.15 mg/L). This sample was analyzed using certified analytical methods.

Contact Katherine Nierva with Johnson Utilities at 480-998-3300 if you have questions.

Please share this information with all people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.

ADEQ DRINKING WATER WARNING

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The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) learned today that drinking water test results of Johnson Utilities water exceeded the federal drinking water standard for nitrate. Because Johnson Utilities has not contacted ADEQ or responded to our inquiries, ADEQ is not able to verify whether Johnson Utilities has completed the required notification to its customers about this important water quality concern.

DO NOT GIVE THE WATER TO INFANTS UNDER 6 MONTHS OLD OR USE IT TO MAKE INFANT FORMULA

Water sample results collected 10/27/2016 and 11/21/2016 showed nitrate levels of 12 mg/L and 11.4 mg/L, respectively. This is above the nitrate standard, or maximum contaminant level (MCL), of 10 mg/L. Nitrate in drinking water is a serious health concern for infants less than six months old.

Nitrate in drinking water can come from natural, industrial, or agricultural sources (including septic systems and run-off). Levels of nitrate in drinking water can vary throughout the year.

What should I do? What does this mean?

  • DO NOT GIVE THE WATER TO INFANTS. Infants below the age of six months who drink water containing nitrate in excess of the MCL could become seriously ill and, if untreated, may die. Symptoms include shortness of breath and blue baby syndrome. Blue baby syndrome is indicated by blueness of the skin. Symptoms in infants can develop rapidly, with health deteriorating over a period of days. If symptoms occur, seek medical attention immediately.
  • Water, juice, and formula for children under six months of age should not be prepared with tap water. Bottled water or other water low in nitrates should be used for infants until further notice.
  • DO NOT BOIL THE WATER. Boiling, freezing, filtering, or letting water stand does not reduce the nitrate level. Excessive boiling can make the nitrates more concentrated, because nitrates remain behind when the water evaporates.
  • Adults and children older than six months can drink the tap water (nitrate is a concern for infants because they can’t process nitrates in the same way adults can). However, if you are pregnant or have specific health concerns, you may wish to consult your doctor.

What is being done?

ADEQ is unable to determine what corrective action Johnson Utilities may be performing at this time and is continuing attempts to contact the company to determine what actions they have taken.

ADEQ urges Johnson Utilities’ customers who have questions to contact the company directly: Katherine Nierva, Johnson Utilities, 480-998-3300

Please share this information with all people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.

Nighttime restrictions set to begin on State Route 89A at Midgley Bridge

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SEDONA — Motorists traveling on State Route 89A between Sedona and Flagstaff during evening hours should allow for extra travel time beginning Monday, December 5, as ADOT crews install fencing at Midgley Bridge located about two miles north of the city of Sedona.

Work to install fencing will involve overnight lane closures and alternating traffic over the bridge at milepost 376. The restriction will be in place from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sundays through Fridays through Friday, December 23. If necessary, work will resume on Monday, December 26, and continue until complete.

The 10-foot-tall chain-link fencing attaches to the bridge’s railings. ADOT is installing the fencing in partnership with Sedona, the U.S. Forest Service and Coconino County to enhance public safety at the historic bridge over Oak Creek.

Drivers should proceed through the work zone with caution, slow down and watch for construction personnel and equipment.

ADEQ Waste Programs Division Workshops Free Webinar Series – February 2017

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wpd_cropArizona Department of Environmental Quality Waste Programs Division staff invite interested community members and business and government personnel to participate in our free February 2017 Waste and Water webinar workshop series.

Topics will include solid and hazardous waste regulations, Arizona’s Pollution Prevention program and underground storage tanks programs.

Click for more details and to Register for these FREE ADEQ Workshop Webinars >

Feb. 7, 2017 | 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. | Solid Waste Overview
Feb. 14, 2017 | 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. | Hazardous Waste Regulations & Reporting
Feb. 15, 2017 | 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. | Hazardous Waste Regulations & Reporting
Feb. 16, 2017 | 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. | Hazardous Waste Regulations & Reporting
Feb. 21, 2017 | 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. | Pollution Prevention
Feb. 28, 2017 | 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. | Underground Storage Tanks

Don’t miss this opportunity to get the latest information about requirements and best practices and earn Professional Development Hours.

MVD set to implement new law that waives some vehicle costs for survivors of military killed in line of duty

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PHOENIX — A state law taking effect Jan. 1 waives some vehicle fees and taxes for survivors of military members killed in service to the United States.

The law removes the vehicle registration fee and the Vehicle License Tax for one vehicle registered to an eligible surviving spouse or dependent who’s a resident of Arizona. It applies to all types of vehicles ‒ including trailers ‒ and is renewable on an annual basis.

The benefit applies to a surviving spouse or dependent of anyone killed or who died of injuries sustained in the line of duty with any branch of the U.S. military, including the National Guard, Coast Guard and Reserves.

To confirm eligibility, the surviving family member must visit a Motor Vehicle Division or Authorized Third Party office and present a U.S. Department of Defense Form 1300 Report of Casualty. Customers will also need to fill out an MVD Survivor of Fallen Military Member Exemption form. This document will be available at azdot.gov/mvd close to the effective date of Jan. 1, 2017, when the exemption can be issued.

The exemption is not applicable to a spouse who re-marries. Dependents from age 18 to 23 must provide a school transcript or class schedule showing at least 12 hours of classes in order to remain eligible.

Southern Arizona endangered Mount Graham red squirrel population decreases

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south-squirrelPHOENIX — An annual survey of the Mount Graham red squirrel recently revealed a slight decline in the number of the endangered squirrels in the Pinaleño Mountains in southeastern Arizona.

The survey conducted jointly by the Arizona Game and Fish Department, Coronado National Forest, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the University of Arizona estimated 252 squirrels. The survey is a decrease of 11 squirrels from the 2015 estimate of 263.

“While we’d prefer to see squirrel populations continually grow, it’s not uncommon for them to fluctuate considerably from year to year,” said Tim Snow, AZGFD terrestrial wildlife specialist. “At this point, we aren’t immediately concerned with the lower squirrel numbers. We remain optimistic that our efforts are working to ensure the population has the best opportunity to flourish in the future.”

The red squirrel survey is conducted each fall by visiting a random sample of known middens, which are areas where red squirrels store their pinecones. Mount Graham red squirrels live only in the upper elevation conifer forests of the Pinaleño Mountains and feed primarily on conifer seeds. Females produce two to seven young per year.

The species was declared endangered in 1987. The Mount Graham red squirrel population peaked at about 550 animals in the late 1990s, but typically ranges between 200 and 300 individuals.

Habitat losses caused by fire, insect infestations and poor cone crops caused by drought are considered primary factors influencing population size. Biologists continue to explore new methods to conserve the species, including squirrel research, habitat improvements and a pilot captive-breeding program.

Conservation of the species is guided by the Mount Graham Red Squirrel Recovery Team, a partnership that includes the Coronado National Forest, Arizona Game and Fish Department, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, University of Arizona, The Phoenix Zoo, Native American tribes and others.

SR 77 project to reduce risk of falling rocks dislodges a whopper

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sr77-rock_cropAn Arizona Department of Transportation project is blasting rock from a limestone cliff to prevent it from falling onto State Route 77 between Winkelman and Globe.

Illustrating the need, one of the rocks dislodged early Wednesday was far larger than expected, an 18-foot-tall block that dropped onto the highway from 150 feet above and forced crews to keep the route closed four hours longer than scheduled.

Crews on the overnight project worked until nearly 6 a.m. to break up the rock and push it off the highway. As a result, a detour using State Route 177 and US 60 remained the only way around the work area as area residents began their morning commutes.

The project requires working nights under a full closure of SR 77 between mileposts 154 and 161, in the Dripping Springs area, using explosives to remove potentially hazardous rocks from a cliff that hangs over the highway.

ADOT strives to provide timely information on restrictions, closures and detours, but occasionally the unexpected happens and announced schedules aren’t met.

Sometimes rocks break at naturally occurring joints beneath the surface that cannot be seen or anticipated, said J.J. Liu, manager of ADOT’s Geotechnical Services division. When the charge is ignited, it opens the crack at that joint and the rock detaches itself, he said.

Having an unexpectedly large rock come down increases the time needed to remove it, particularly with some of the extremely dense types of rock common in Arizona.

“The mountain is composed of the Mescal Limestone Formation with large blocks of limestone up to 155 feet above the highway, periodically falling with great energy and destructive potential,” said Brent Conner, a senior geotechnical engineer with ADOT.

The nature of the geology in the Dripping Springs area could mean more unanticipated delays before the project is complete, he added.

“The large block that fell required drilling and blasting at the roadway level to remove it from the travel lanes,” Conner said. “Last night’s work was one of the most difficult for the contractor on this project, but a couple more difficult sections remain.”

ADOT project will install protective fencing to Midgley Bridge near Sedona

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midgely-bridge_cropSEDONA — In partnership with Sedona, the U.S. Forest Service and Coconino County, the Arizona Department of Transportation will add protective fencing over the next few weeks to Midgley Bridge along State Route 89A.

The city of Sedona sought ADOT’s help after four people committed suicide from the bridge in 2015. After working with a nonprofit organization to add signs carrying the number of a suicide-prevention hotline, ADOT worked with area partners to design fencing for the bridge, located a mile and a half north of Sedona.

“We are responding to the community’s concerns and acting in the interest of public safety,” ADOT Director John Halikowski said. “Fencing can complement a broader community response by acting as an additional barrier and possible deterrent.”

Work to install fencing will involve overnight lane closures and alternating traffic over the bridge, located at milepost 376. The restriction will be in place from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sundays through Fridays beginning Monday, Dec. 5, and ending Friday, Dec. 23. If necessary, work will resume on Monday, Dec. 26, and continue until complete.

The 10-foot-tall fencing, which will be chain-link style and attached to the bridge’s railings, is designed to be difficult to climb.