Tag Archives: Phoenix

$75,000 in grants available for development of new hunters, anglers

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PHOENIX – The Arizona Game and Fish Department is accepting applications for $75,000 in annual grant funding for local sportsmen’s organizations to provide public, hands-on projects that are focused on the progressive development of new hunters and anglers.

The Local Sportsmen’s Group grants program places a high priority on projects that involve the pursuit or harvest of fish or wildlife with a valid license (and any necessary hunt permit-tag) and are geared toward participants who have the appropriate experience and skill levels relevant to a particular project.

Grants will be awarded through a competitive application process. Online applications and instructions are available at www.azgfd.gov/LSG. Applications must be received no later than 11:59 p.m. (Arizona time) June 18.

“This grant program continues to be a key element to the success of Arizona’s partnership-based hunter and angler recruitment, retention and reactivation (R3) program,” said Doug Burt, the department’s hunting and shooting sports program manager.

“The projects from these funds, and the efforts of these community groups, return far more in value than the grant dollars would on their own by providing education about safe and ethical hunting and fishing, and how sportsmen play an important role in wildlife conservation.”

There is no cost to Arizona taxpayers for this grant program. Game and Fish does not receive any of the state’s general tax funds and operates under a user-pay, public-benefit model. The grant program is an investment in the continuance of wildlife conservation efforts and outdoor recreation participation in Arizona. To learn more about how hunters, anglers, shooters and boaters fund wildlife conservation, visit https://www.azgfd.com/hunting/wsfr/.

Drive a big truck in the military? There may be a simpler path to a commercial driver license

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PHOENIX – Veterans of the U.S. military who operated large vehicles as part of their service may qualify for an Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division military skills test waiver when applying for a commercial driver license.

“The waiver is something that deserves more attention because it gives veterans who’ve honorably served this country more opportunities to use those skills once they return to civilian life,” said MVD Field Operations Administrator Mike Cryderman.

He added, “There’s a real need in this country for proficient commercial drivers, and the MVD is committed to assisting veterans with this kind of experience to appropriately get the credentials they need.”

The military skills test waiver applies to veterans who operated a military vehicle equivalent to a commercial vehicle within the last year. The waiver requires the applicant to describe what kind of vehicle he or she operated, such as fifth wheel, truck tractor/semi-trailer, truck trailer combination, or single vehicles that meet certain commercial weight specifications. It also requires the applicant to obtain a commanding officer’s certification that the applicant has commercial driving experience in the military.

Tony Bradley, President and CEO for the Arizona Trucking Association said, “The simple fact is that veterans make great employees and we should encourage every veteran with experience driving heavy equipment to take advantage of the military skills test waiver. By utilizing the skills test waiver these veterans can get credit for the skills they learned in the military and start earning money as a commercial truck driver or heavy equipment operator.”

Potential applicants can find the waiver form (Form 96-0680) at www.azdot.gov/MVD.

Four ADOT projects receive Partnering Excellence Awards

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PHOENIX – To address pavement damage from many harsh winters, the Arizona Department of Transportation engaged a contractor to rebuild a total of 10 miles of Interstate 40 west of Williams near Devil Dog Road. In addition to the complexity of removing and replacing 5 miles of freeway in each direction, challenges included minimizing impacts on travelers and communities while finishing as soon as possible around a winter hiatus when the weather made work impossible.

ADOT and Fann Contracting Inc. navigated these challenges along with others that weren’t anticipated, such as weather, fire restrictions and unsuitable and unstable soil conditions, to deliver the improvement on time while maintaining two-way traffic throughout. Contributing to this success was a defined process called partnering through which the agency, contractors and stakeholders including area governments and utilities agree to goals, a communication structure and a way to resolve issues that arise.

For its efforts on this $34 million improvement, which was completed last fall, the project team, including ADOT personnel and Fann Contracting, recently received an Arizona Transportation Partnering Excellence Award. The I-40 Devil Dog award, one of nine given at the Arizona Conference on Roads and Streets in Tucson, was for projects worth more than $25 million.

Each year, the Arizona Transportation Partnering Excellence Awards recognize teams of contractors and other organizations that have used partnering to foster productive relationships and successfully complete projects through communication, commitment, cooperation and continuous improvement. In addition to ADOT, the awards are sponsored by the Associated General Contractors Arizona Chapter, Arizona Public Works Association, American Council of Engineering Companies, Associated Minority Contractors of Arizona, Arizona Transportation Builders Association, Federal Highway Administration and Maricopa County Department of Transportation.

The Arizona Transportation Partnering Excellence Awards for 2018 honored three other ADOT projects:

  • For projects worth more than $25 million: ADOT and Ames Construction Inc., I-19 Ajo Way traffic interchange
  • For projects between $5 million and $25 million: ADOT and Nesbitt Contracting Co. Inc., State Route 88 improvements between Apache Junction and Tortilla Flat
  • For projects under $5 million: ADOT and Fann Contracting, I-40 Twin Arrows traffic interchange

“Successful partnerships reduce delays, develop positive and effective relationships and help partners identify and solve problems as quickly as possible,” said Michael Carter, ADOT partnering administrator. “Partnering allows ADOT to deliver projects on time and cultivate better working relationships with contractors and stakeholders.”

In 1991, before its partnering program began, ADOT faced 60 legal actions resolved through mediation, arbitration or litigation at a cost of $39.8 million. Today, almost no disagreements over projects give rise to legal actions involving stakeholders, and an ADOT legal team that once handled those actions no longer exists.

To learn more about partnering at ADOT, please visit azdot.gov/Partnering.

Life jacket exchange events kick off Safe Boating Week on Saturday, May 18

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PHOENIX — Safe Boating Week is on the horizon and the Arizona Game and Fish Department will kick off the national campaign locally with multiple life jacket exchange events at area lakes Saturday, May 18.

Now in its 11th year, the Life Jacket Exchange program allows people with an old, worn out life jacket to swap it for a new one (while supplies last). Last year, the department’s Boating Safety Education program exchanged 1,520 of the life-saving jackets.

“Life jackets save lives, but only if they’re still in good operating condition,” said Josh Hoffman, AZGFD’s boating safety education coordinator. “Like anything else, life jackets wear out with time and these exchange events are an amazing opportunity for Arizona’s boaters and paddlers to ensure they have a life jacket that not only fits correctly, but is in great condition.”

  • The events run from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, May 18 at seven locations throughout the state:
  • Bartlett Lake at the Jojoba Ramp
  • Bullhead City at Fire Station #2-1230 Hwy 95
  • Canyon Lake at the main boat ramp
  • Lake Havasu City at London Bridge Beach
  • Lake Pleasant at the 10- and four-lane boat ramps
  • Saguaro Lake at the main boat ramp (from 8 a.m. to noon)
  • Yuma at West Wetlands Park Pond

Please note that Type I and Type II life jackets will not be accepted, but other life jacket exchange events will be held at other times during the summer.

Before heading out on the water, it’s important that boaters check to ensure that their life jackets are in good condition and that they are the right size and fit for passengers. When inspecting life jackets, look for any rips or tears, missing straps, broken fasteners, and to ensure that the flotation hasn’t shifted. Life jackets should be inspected each boating season due to the environment’s impact on their materials.

State law requires all passengers 12 years old and younger to wear a life jacket while on board and each passenger must have a properly fitting, U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket available.

May 18 is also the start of National Safe Boating Week, an effort to spread the message that wearing a life jacket is the simplest way to ensure an individual’s safety on the water.

Drowning was the reported cause of death in four out of every five recreational boating fatalities in 2017, according to the U.S. Coast Guard’s most readily available statistics. In the 449 water-related deaths that year, 370 people — approximately 84.5 percent — were not wearing a life jacket. Those statistics are reflected in Arizona: There were eleven recreational boating fatalities in the state last year and sadly, we’ve already had our first fatality of 2019 that involved a kayaker that was not wearing a life jacket. These deaths are preventable.

“Through this program, the Arizona Game and Fish Department hopes to prevent boating tragedies and help to ensure everyone is safely enjoying Arizona’s waterways,” Hoffman said.

For more information about boating in Arizona or to sign up for a free safety course, visit www.azgfd.gov/boating.

Paper applications for 2019 fall hunts now being accepted

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PHOENIX – The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) has posted the 2019-20 Arizona Hunting Regulations online at www.azgfd.gov/draw.
The department now is accepting paper applications for 2019 hunt permit-tags issued through the draw process for deer, fall turkey, fall javelina, bighorn sheep, fall bison and sandhill crane. Note: In a significant change, this will be the first time that applications will be accepted as part of the fall draw process for sandhill crane. There no longer will be a separate application and draw process for the birds during the summer.
All paper applications must be received by 7 p.m. (Arizona time), Tuesday, May 14. Postmarks don’t count. The online application service is expected to be available in early to mid-May.
Paper applications can be mailed to: Arizona Game and Fish Department, Attn.: Drawing Section, P.O. Box 74020, Phoenix, AZ  85087-1052, or dropped off at any department office statewide. The printed “2019-20 Arizona Hunting Regulations” booklets are expected to be available in the next week or two at department offices and license dealers statewide.
As a reminder, this will be the last draw in which paper applications will be accepted. AZGFD is moving toward paperless hunt draws. Only online applications will be accepted beginning with the 2020 spring draw, which typically opens in late August or early September. In the meantime, hunters are encouraged to become familiar with the online draw application process.
For more information, call (602) 942-3000.

Free Class A/B Training for Owners & Operators of UST Systems

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PHOENIX – Arizona Department of Environmental Quality invites underground storage tank (UST) owners and operators to attend these no-cost Class A/B training for certification and to help ensure UST systems maintain compliance.

Topics include:

  • Rule updates, including equipment upgrade and testing requirements
  • What to expect when being inspected
  • Available ADEQ programs to aid UST owners

There will also be an opportunity to meet state regulators, who will be available to answer questions.

Click HERE to view all upcoming training and register for classes.

Paving along SR 377 to take place over next few weeks

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PHOENIX – Arizona Department of Transportation crews will be improving the road surface along the entire stretch of State Route 377 between Heber-Overgaard and Holbrook over the next three weeks with paving operations.

Drivers in the area should budget extra travel time while sections of the highway are narrowed to one lane. Flaggers will be controlling traffic through the area resulting in delays of up to 30 minutes.

Drivers can also use SR 277 and SR 77 to get between Holbrook and Heber-Overgaard.

The work is part of a $4.4 million project that also includes widening shoulders, extending pipe culverts and adding new permanent pavement markings and signage.

Honor Flight Arizona Spring 2019 Flight Season Closes

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PHOENIX – Our final trip of spring 2019 will fly to Washington, D.C. early Monday morning, April 29th from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport. This will be the last of four Honor Flight trips for central & northern Arizona this spring.

Our Veterans flying with us served in both WWII and the Korean War. We will have three former prisoners of war (POW) onboard. Two of them were prisoners of Japan in WWII. The third, served in both the Korean War and Vietnam War, and was a POW for eight years in Vietnam. We will also have a husband and wife on this trip who both served in the Korean War.

Honor Flight Arizona took its first flight of 11 WWII Veterans in November 2009, and has now flown more than 1,700 WWII Veterans, nearly 600 Korean War Veterans, and more than 1,400 guardians. We have a base of approximately 50 active volunteers.

There is currently a waiting list for Vietnam Veterans, and we hope to begin flying them in 2020 or 2021. They are encouraged to sign up on our website.

We thank Southwest Airlines, who is one of our major sponsors, and their employees. In addition, TSA employees compassionately process our Veterans through security.

On every trip, there have been so many handshakes, hugs, kisses, and “Thank you for your service” comments along the way. It all makes a huge difference in the lives of our Veterans. Many Veterans do not like to be called heroes – they will say that title is for those who did not make it home. But, because of all they sacrificed and endured, heroes are indeed what they are.

We will resume our flights for the fall 2019 season in September.

Tow chains, underinflated tires can cause wildfires

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PHOENIX – Summer is right around the corner, and with it comes an increased risk of wildfires along state highways caused by motorists dragging chains, driving on underinflated tires and tossing cigarettes.

Fires along highways not only put people and property at risk but can cause long backups and even extended closures.

Last June, the 377 Fire in Navajo County started when dragging metal on a trailer sparked several fires along 24 miles of State Route 377 between Heber-Overgaard and Holbrook. Those fires grew into a 5,000-acre wildfire that closed the highway for four days and prompted evacuations.

“Simple tasks like properly inflating your tires and taking a moment to make sure nothing is dragging on your vehicle or trailer can significantly reduce the risk of creating sparks that can cause wildfires,” said Dallas Hammit, the Arizona Department of Transportation’s state engineer and deputy director for transportation. “One act of carelessness, like tossing a lit cigarette out the window, can potentially burn thousands of acres.”

According to the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management, dragging chains is one of the main causes of fires along highways.

“Roadside fires continue to be one of the biggest causes of Arizona’s wildfires every year, especially on heavily traveled highways like Interstates 10 and 17. A majority of these roadside fires are preventable, yet they continue to happen,” said Tiffany Davila, public affairs officer for the Department of Forestry and Fire Management. “Please do your part to help keep wildfire activity low this summer. Before traveling, ensure tow chains are secure and your vehicle is properly serviced. We all need to do our part.”

Here’s how you can help cut down on sparks that start wildfires:

  • Check and secure tow chains, and never substitute parts when towing.
    Make sure nothing is hanging beneath your vehicle and dragging on the pavement.
  • Check tire pressure before you travel. Exposed wheel rims can cause sparks.
  • Don’t park in tall grass, as the heat from parts under your vehicle can start a fire.

For more information on how to prevent fires, please visit wildlandfire.az.gov.

State of the Air report shows ozone levels in Arizona counties contribute to failing grades

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PHOENIX – The American Lung Association’s State of the Air 2019 report shows that ozone levels improved in some Arizona counties. However pollutants that contribute to ozone continue to impact a third of Arizona counties, including those with large metropolitan areas, which received grades of “D” or “F”. Grades in the report are determined according to the levels of ozone and particulate matter (PM-2.5) in the air during 2015 – 2017.

Ozone Pollution Levels

Portions of four counties in Arizona — Gila, Maricopa, Pinal and Yuma — earned an “F” for having too many individual days when ozone reached unhealthy levels in the Air Quality Index (AQI), more than the last report. Monitors in Maricopa, Pinal and Gila Counties are part of the Phoenix metropolitan area, which is ranked as the 7th most ozone-polluted city in the nation. Pima County, where the Tucson metropolitan area is located, earned a “D”, which is a lower grade than the previous year’s report.

“Just like any grades we want an A+, especially when it comes to air quality and public health. Here at ADEQ, we hit the books, studied hard and found vehicle emissions are the biggest contributor to ozone pollution in Phoenix and Tucson,” said Timothy Franquist, ADEQ Air Quality Director. “It’s now time for each of us to look at what we can do to improve air quality. Simply driving less, carpooling or vanpooling, taking the bus, bicycling to work or telecommuting can eliminate thousands of tons of pollution each year.”

Ozone Fact Sheet
EPA Air Quality Index Guide

Additionally, emissions from international sources, such as Mexico and China, and other states, such as California contribute to ozone pollution in Arizona. Compounds that form ozone also come from biomass (shrubs and trees), industry, wildfires, gas powered garden equipment and more.

“Ozone pollution and particle pollution are two of the most widespread and dangerous air pollutants. Breathing these pollutants can cause asthma attacks, respiratory and cardiovascular harm, and even early death. Breathing particle pollution can also cause lung cancer,” said JoAnna Strother, Director of Advocacy for the American Lung Association in Arizona. “With 6 million people in Arizona we can all do our part by committing to driving less or using other forms of transportation. Together we can make a difference in our air quality.”

Be Air Aware!

As Arizona heads into summer, longer days raise the potential for higher ozone levels. Sunshine converts pollutants, such as nitrous oxides and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) found in vehicle emissions, into ozone.

Stay informed and be a part of the ADEQ air quality challenge. Together we can make a difference to improve air quality for everyone in Arizona by following three simple steps. Learn More

Particle Pollution Levels: PM-2.5

The State of the Air 2019 also found all counties in Arizona earned a passing grade for year-round particle levels known as PM-2.5, which is particulate matter found in smoke or very fine dust. However, both Maricopa County and Pinal County earned an “F” for having too many individual days when particle pollution spiked to unhealthy levels.

During holiday periods when fireworks are legal or when cooler weather prompts lighting wood burning fireplace and fire pits, smoke levels are often elevated in Maricopa County. In Pinal County, very fine dust from the desert can become airborne with high winds or driving on unpaved roads.

Particulate Matter Fact Sheet