Kaibab National Forest to offer firewood permits

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WILLIAMS – The Kaibab National Forest will offer firewood cutting permits for the 2018 firewood season beginning April 16 for the Williams and Tusayan Ranger Districts and May 1 for the North Kaibab Ranger District.

The minimum cost for a personal use firewood permit is $20. Firewood cutting permits can be purchased at the following locations and during the specified hours Monday through Friday, excluding federal holidays:

· Williams Ranger District, 742 S. Clover Road, Williams; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; (928) 635-5600
· Tusayan Ranger District, 176 Lincoln Log Loop, Tusayan; 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; (928) 638-2443
· North Kaibab Ranger District, 430 S. Main St., Fredonia; 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; (928) 643-7395

The 2018 firewood cutting season runs from April 16 to Dec. 31 for the Williams and Tusayan Ranger Districts and from May 1 to Nov. 30 for the North Kaibab Ranger District.

Besides the paid, personal-use firewood permits, free-use permits may also be available for specific areas on the forest. Individuals seeking such permits should check with the appropriate ranger district office for availability, locations and other information. Those interested in free-use permits are also encouraged to check in periodically with the appropriate ranger district office throughout the firewood season, as additional free-use areas may be opened for public use.

It is important that a permit be acquired even for free-use areas because by tracking public demand for the various kinds of permits, the amount of wood removed, and other factors, forest managers are better able to plan for the future needs of firewood collectors and provide greater opportunities for accessing these important resources. Firewood from the Kaibab National Forest is frequently used by local community and tribal members for home heating, cooking and other critical purposes.

“We consider our firewood cutters to be partners in our forest restoration efforts. We have a lot of dead and down trees as well as small-diameter trees that firewood cutters help us remove. This improves overall forest health and reduces the threat of unnaturally severe wildfire,” said Samantha Flores, timber staff officer for the Williams and Tusayan Ranger Districts. “We ask our firewood cutting partners to always get a permit for any wood removed so that we can continue to provide plentiful opportunities for firewood collection across the forest.”

All permits issued by the Kaibab National Forest will include a map and detailed cutting regulations as well as load tags, which must be physically attached to each ¼ cord of firewood and visible from the rear of the vehicle. The goal of this load tagging system is to ensure accountability for the amount of wood removed from the forest and to inform planning for future firewood cutting areas to meet public need and forest restoration objectives.

The removal of firewood is permitted only from National Forest lands on the district for which the permit is issued. Firewood cutters are reminded to take note of property boundaries and cut only on National Forest lands.

Detailed firewood cutting information and maps for each ranger district will soon be available on the Kaibab National Forest website at www.bit.ly/KNFfuelwood. Please check back for updates as firewood season cutting dates approach.

Members of the public can find additional information on the Kaibab National Forest through the following sources:

Twitter: www.twitter.com/KaibabNF (Text ‘follow kaibabnf’ to 40404 to receive text messages.)
Kaibab website: www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab
Kaibab Facebook: www.facebook.com/KaibabNF

ADOT set to reopen routes to lakes in White Mountains

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PHOENIX – With another winter season in the books, three state highways to lakes in the White Mountains are scheduled to reopen Thursday, April 12, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

They are: State Route 261 between Eagar and Big Lake; State Route 273 between Sunrise Park and Big Lake; and State Route 473 between State Route 260 and Hawley Lake.

State Route 366, also known as Swift Trail that runs up Mount Graham in southeastern Arizona, is scheduled to open on April 15.

Another highway that closes for the winter, State Route 67, leading to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, is anticipated to reopen in mid-May.

Before heading off to enjoy the mountains, motorists should do the following:

  • Make sure all occupants in a vehicle are buckled in.
  • Check tire pressure, fluids and more to make sure a vehicle is in proper running condition.
  • Be patient, including not following other vehicles too closely and building in extra travel time.
  • Get enough sleep before the trip.
  • Bring extra water and food.
  • Never drink and drive.
  • Check for information about highway restrictions and more by visiting az511.gov, calling 511 or following ADOT on Twitter (@ArizonaDOT).

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.

Adopt a Highway volunteers put up big numbers in 2017

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PHOENIX ­­­– Almost 1,500 miles of landscape cleaned along state highways. Fourteen-thousand bags of trash collected. Half a million taxpayer dollars saved.

That’s what nearly 11,000 volunteers wearing lime-yellow vests accomplished in 2017 through the Arizona Department of Transportation’s Adopt a Highway program.

With many other highway stretches available for adoption, even more can be accomplished in 2018.

“As a frontier state, Arizona has a long history of self-sacrifice and volunteerism, and these impressive numbers illustrate those values,” ADOT Director John Halikowski said. “Highways provide a first impression of Arizona for many visitors, so we all owe a debt of gratitude to those who are investing time and effort through Adopt a Highway.”

Regardless of how many people volunteer for Adopt a Highway, Halikowski said, everyone has a responsibility for keeping Arizona litter-free.

“We have to continue changing the culture until everyone instinctively knows that littering is absolutely unacceptable,” he said.

Volunteer groups can apply for two-year permits to adopt highway stretches using an application available at azdot.gov/AdoptAHighway. Highways are available in ADOT engineering and maintenance districts around Arizona, and each district has someone available to help groups make selections.

Those accepted for the program get their own instantly recognizable blue sign featuring the name of the organization or group. Groups are expected to clean their stretches of highway at least three times a year.

Volunteers must be at least 12 years old, and cleanup crews should consist of six to 10 people. Groups schedule their cleanups ahead of time with their local ADOT districts, which provides trash bags, scheduled collections and safety training.

Adopt a Highway also has a sponsorship program through which businesses use ADOT-approved providers to clean up along busier highway stretches that tend to attract more litter. Participants in the sponsorship program can have their names and approved logos on blue Adopt a Highway signs.

Mary Currie, who oversees Adopt a Highway volunteer programs, said volunteers include those drawn to service, including retirees, civic organizations and faith groups, as well as families who adopt in memory of a loved one who has passed away. Volunteers tend to have two characteristics: a lot of drive and a love of the outdoors.

“It’s not easy working under the Arizona sun,” Currie said. “But it’s a great way to get exercise and have fun with friends, family or colleagues while providing an invaluable service to Arizona.”

More information on Adopt a Highway opportunities is available at azdot.gov/AdoptAHighway.

I-40/I-17 interchange restrictions starting Monday, April 9

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FLAGSTAFF – Work requiring closures and detours will start next week on the $10 million upgrade to the I-40/I-17 interchange that serves as the gateway to Flagstaff, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

Starting Monday, April 9, the I-17 northbound to I-40 westbound ramp will close for the duration of the project. Traffic heading north on I-17 looking to head west on I-40 should take the ramp for I-40 eastbound and then exit at the Butler Avenue traffic interchange. From there drivers can head back west on I-40.

One-direction closures on Beulah Boulevard are anticipated to occur at various times overnight between mid-April and May and again in October. Traffic should use the I-17 and the JW Powell Boulevard interchange to get around the closure both north- and southbound.

I-17 will also require one-direction closures overnight for bridge construction. Closures are anticipated to occur overnight on various dates in May. During northbound closures, traffic heading into Flagstaff will need to take the I-40 eastbound exit and then use the Butler Avenue interchange to come back and use the I-17 northbound exit to head into Flagstaff.

Traffic heading out of town during southbound closures should take I-40 westbound to the Flagstaff Ranch Road interchange and come back to use the I-40 east to I-17 south ramp.

Intermittent closures of the I-17 south to I-40 eastbound ramp will also be required. Those closures are anticipated to occur from mid- to late-June, late July and late October. Traffic looking to head east on I-40 leaving Flagstaff should take I-17 south to the JW Powell interchange and then head back north to I-40 eastbound.

This project includes replacing the I-40 bridge decks in each direction over Beulah Boulevard, immediately west of I-17, as well as the westbound bridge deck over I-17. The eastbound I-40 bridge over I-17 will get a new concrete surface.

The project will also increase the cross slope of the roadway over the renovated bridges, helping drain water off of the road surface. It also includes guardrail and paving work.

For more information, visit azdot.gov/FlagstaffTI.

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.

ADOT seeks to keep public informed on projects in Flagstaff

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FLAGSTAFF – With multiple paving and improvement projects happening in the Flagstaff area this year, the Arizona Department of Transportation wants to keep the public informed on progress and traffic restrictions with open houses this spring and summer.

Throughout April, work will begin on Interstate 40 west of Flagstaff with paving and road reconstruction between Parks and Cataract Lake in Williams and reconstructing the westbound lanes west of Williams between mileposts 156 and 161. Paving and reconstruction work will also begin on Interstate 17 northbound between mileposts 312 and 340.

Also, the I-40 bridges over I-17 and Beulah Boulevard at the I-40/I-17 interchange are being revamped, requiring ramp closures and detours around the interchange.

To keep the public up-to-date on these projects, ADOT will host open houses at its facility, 1901 S. Milton Road in Flagstaff, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. April 9, May 8, June 12 and July 10.

Project teams will present information and answer questions on the construction schedule and traffic impacts.

Preceding the public open houses will be stakeholder meetings from 3 to 5 p.m. on the same dates.

For more information on these projects, visit azdot.gov/projects.

For questions or comments, please contact Mackenzie Kirby, ADOT Northcentral District Community Relations project manager at 928-525-6494 or email mkirby@azdot.gov.

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.

Kids and OHVs: When are they ready to safely ride?

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Exploring Arizona from an off-highway vehicle (OHV) provides a great way to view the state’s beautiful scenery and spend quality time with family and friends. While children may be eager to climb aboard — or parents ready to share their love of the hobby with kids — OHVs aren’t toys and there are many questions to answer before allowing youngsters to take the handlebars or steering wheel.

For example, there are five different categories of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and each vehicle has a warning label that states requirements regarding the minimum age of the rider, according to the ATV Safety Institute. These safety labels clearly highlight the seriousness that everyone should employ when riding an ATV: “Operation of this ATV by children under the age of X increases the risk of severe injury or death. Adult supervision required for children under the age of 16.”

The ATV Safety Institute also provides a readiness checklist to help individuals determine if their child is ready to ride an ATV. The checklist covers information like physical development, visual perception/motor development, social/emotional development, and reasoning and decision-making ability. However, it also clarifies that “the decision is yours” and “there are no suggestions as to how many of the following abilities are necessary, nor the degree of ability that your child should have.”

When it comes to other types of OHVs, another organization wants it to be clear that ATVs and recreational off-highway vehicles (ROVs) are not one and the same even though they are used for similar types of recreation. According to the Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association, ROVs are “driven” — they have a steering wheel and foot pedals for acceleration and braking. By comparison, ATVs are “ridden,” have a handlebar for steering, a throttle controlled by a thumb lever, hand levers for brakes and a foot pedal for the rear brake.

Another major difference: ROVs are designed to be operated by individuals age 16 or older. The different size models of ATVs allow children as young as 6 to ride the vehicle, with adult supervision of course.

In addition to following the requirements set by manufacturers, education is the key to safely introducing people of any age to OHVs. The Arizona Game and Fish Department’s website links to a number of hands-on courses that are offered by different groups as well as online classes.

Once it’s been decided that it’s time to introduce a newbie to the world of OHVs, don’t forget the safety gear. All OHV operators or passengers younger than 18 are required to wear a U.S. Department of Transportation-safety rated helmet (and they’re strongly recommended for everyone). Motorcycle goggles or a full-face shield are legally required for all riders if the OHV isn’t equipped with a windshield. See the complete list of protective gear in the OHV Laws and Places to Ride brochure.

And finally, if the OHV is equipped with seatbelts, wear them. They’ll help keep the operator and any passengers inside the vehicle in the event of an accident and could help prevent a tragedy.

More than 400 student archers compete in 2018 state tournament

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PHOENIX — A total of 437 student archers representing 30 schools from throughout Arizona, participants on the state level of the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP), recently competed in the 2018 state tournament and 3D shoot at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility in Phoenix.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department coordinates NASP on the state level and hosts a half-dozen state qualifying tournaments throughout the academic year, beginning in September and ending in March. This year’s state tournament, which took place March 3, was the largest in the 11-year history of the event.

The top three boys and girls who competed in the bullseye and 3D events in three divisions – elementary, middle and high school – received awards. In addition, the top overall boy and girl also took home a new bow, donated by NASP, and a new archery target, courtesy of FeraDyne Outdoors LLC. The top three teams in each division also were awarded.

Kelsey Gerchar, the department’s archery education coordinator, said a record 256 student archers competed in the 3D event, which included an introduction to science-based wildlife management and conservation. The foam animal targets – a wild turkey, coyote, black bear, pronghorn, white-tailed deer and bighorn sheep – represented six species found in Arizona.

“We created an animal fact sheet, with the help of our (Terrestrial Wildlife) Branch, to provide students, coaches, parents and spectators with some habitat information, as well as conservation facts,” Gerchar said.

The top 10 boys and girls from each division and both events now will take aim at next month’s NASP national tournament. For the first time, the tournament will be divided into a Western and Eastern event. Gerchar said Arizona will be represented by 124 student archers April 13-14 at the Western Nationals in Sandy, Utah, while the Eastern Nationals will take place May 10-12 in Louisville, Ky.

“In previous years, only about 50 students would be able to travel to Louisville to participate in the national tournament,” Gerchar said. “Now we are able to bring almost all of our qualified archers.”

Arizona’s NASP program is funded through an excise tax on the sale of hunting and shooting sports equipment. No state general funds are used to support the program. Game and Fish administers the program for the purpose of promoting safe, responsible aspects of the sport, as well as wildlife conservation as part of the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Act (WSFR). Visit www.azgfd.gov/archery for more information.

Kaibab National Forest continues forest restoration project north of Parks

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WILLIAMS – With the return of spring weather, log trucks will again be able to access and remove trees, chips and other material from the 1,039-acre Community Tank Timber Sale area north of the Parks community where forest restoration work has been occurring since last fall.

The Community Tank project is located about 11 miles north of Parks just south of Forest Road 171 and west of Kendrick Mountain Wilderness near Pumpkin Center on the Williams Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest. Harvesting operations began last September, with about 800 acres having been treated to date. The forest restoration work is expected to continue through July, barring weather or other delays.

Residents of Parks and visitors recreating in the area can expect to see an increasing number of log trucks traveling along the haul route to and from the project beginning this month. Approximately 14 trucks per day may be visiting the site in order to remove downed trees and other restoration byproducts.

The major haul route is from Forest Road 151 and FR 194 to FR 141, which travels through the Parks community, and then on to Interstate 40. It is possible that there could be a significant number of trucks hauling timber through this area until project completion.

By May, foresters with the Kaibab National Forest anticipate an increase in tree felling operations at the site in order to complete the remaining acres of restoration work within the 1,039-acre project area. As this thinning work is implemented, residents and visitors can expect to see heavy, mechanized equipment and workers on site and a continued presence of log trucks along the haul route.

Members of the public are urged to use extreme caution near timber removal and hauling operations. Besides the presence of heavy equipment and log trucks, there will also be trees being felled and stacked into log decks, which can be unstable. Visitors to the area should not camp near nor climb on them, as they often shift and have the possibility of collapse. Motorists should be aware of the likelihood of encountering a log truck along haul routes and are encouraged to drive with safety in mind at all times.

The objectives of the Community Tank Timber Sale are to reduce fuel loading and the potential for future high-intensity wildfires and to improve forest health and watershed conditions. Another important component of the effort is to work toward restoration of historic grasslands and meadows, which support a variety of wildlife species including pronghorn antelope. As a result of historical livestock grazing, fire suppression, changes in wildlife populations, climate change, and other factors, grasslands and meadows have experienced substantial encroachment and infilling by woody species over the last century.“Much of this area was open meadow historically. The restoration work we are doing at Community Tank is improving habitat quality and connectivity,” said Tom Dauenhauer, timber sale administrator, Kaibab National Forest. “We are already seeing much more frequent visitation to and use of the area by pronghorn since we started this project. That is a great benefit to be added to all of the other community protection and forest health benefits of this work.”

The tree harvesting efforts occurring on the Williams Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest are part of the overarching restoration work associated with the Four Forest Restoration Initiative. The goal of the Four Forest Restoration Initiative is to accelerate the pace and scale of restoration within 2.4 million acres of ponderosa pine forest in northern Arizona to increase resilience and proper functioning. Restoring this fire-adapted ecosystem is accomplished with a suite of restoration activities, from watershed maintenance and habitat improvements to prescribed burning and thinning.

For additional information on the Four Forest Restoration Initiative, visit www.fs.usda.gov/4fri. Members of the public can find additional information on the Kaibab National Forest through the following sources:

Twitter: www.twitter.com/KaibabNF (Text ‘follow kaibabnf’ to 40404 to receive text messages.)
Kaibab website: www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab
Kaibab Facebook: www.facebook.com/KaibabNF

Moonset Pit Renovations Begin But Will Remain Closed For Public Safety

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WILLIAMS – Officials on the Kaibab National Forest, are alerting local residents in and around the communities of Parks and Sherwood Forest Estates, that Moonset Pit will undergo an expansion project set to begin this month.

The purpose of the project is to open up the space within the pit which will allow for separation between the cinder operations and the woody debris piles ultimately providing for a much safer environment for all users. It will also provide for a larger capacity which in turn will accommodate more users for this popular site in the future.

The work will involve a Forest Service contractor who will clear timber from an additional 5 acres adjacent to the existing area. Once the timber has been safely removed, Coconino County Public Works will continue with the surface expansion creating a larger, safer area between the personal use cinder materials and the debris pit used for public disposal of natural woody materials.

Unfortunately, due to the hazardous nature of the site undergoing construction, the entire pit will remain closed for public use for the remainder of the year to ensure public safety. Kaibab National Forest and Coconino County officials hope to complete the entire project by spring of 2019 and expect the Moonset Pit to be fully operational and open for both uses by the summer of 2019.

In the interim, alternative locations have been designated to provide residents options to access personal use cinders and provide a location for dumping of herbaceous materials from cleanup of private properties.

The W-Triangle Cinder Pit just north of Spring Valley will be available to residents for personal use cinder collection. Personal mineral material permits are available at the William Ranger District office at 742 S Clover road during regular business hours Monday through Friday.

The alternative green waste disposal site will be at the old dump site off Buggy Wheel road on forest road 900 north of Pittman Valley off forest road 74. Scheduled days and hours of operation at this temporary location will be made available by early next week. Access will only be permitted during open hours of operation.

Residents are encouraged to take advantage of these services in order to make their private property more defensible against the threat of wildland fire. No garbage, household trash, building materials, lumber or other items will be allowed. Materials should not be bagged.The success of this community provision is largely attributed to the volunteers of the Parks Area Connection and Sherwood Forest Fire District who staff these pits during open hours of operation. This annual service is also supported by the Kaibab National Forest and the Rural Communities Fuels Management Partnership.

For more information on the about the Moonset Pit expansion project contact Deirdre McLaughlin at damclaughlin@fs.fed.us 928-635-5662
For additional information on creating defensible space, visit www.firewise.org or fireadapted.org/

Public comment period on rules for taking, handling of wildlife ends April 15

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PHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) is seeking public comment through April 15 regarding proposed rule changes within Article 3, “Taking and Handling of Wildlife.”

AZGFD recently hosted a public forum about proposed changes by the Arizona Game and Fish Commission pertaining to trail cameras, pneumatic weapons, drones and “smart” firearms, among others. The proposed rulemaking can be viewed on the department’s website at https://www.azgfd.com/agency/rulemaking/. The rulemaking forum can be viewed below.

All public comments about the proposed rulemaking can be made by the following methods:

E-mail: rulemaking@azgfd.gov, or jcook@azgfd.gov.
U.S. Mail: Arizona Game and Fish Department, Attn.: Jay Cook, Regional Supervisor FOR6, 7200 E. University Drive, Mesa, AZ 85207.
Telephone: Jay Cook, Regional Supervisor FOR6, (480) 324-3540.

The final rule will be presented to the five-member commission at its May 4 meeting at the Mohave County Board of Supervisors Auditorium, 700 W. Beale St., Kingman.

To track the progress of this rule, view the regulatory agenda and all previous Five-year Review Reports, and to learn about any other agency rulemaking matters, visit https://www.azgfd.com/agency/rulemaking/.