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May 19, 2013

AZGFD

Boat safely over the busy Memorial Day holiday

National Safe Boating Week ends May 24, but the Arizona Game and Fish Department reminds watercraft operators that safe boating should be exercised year-round.

The Memorial Day holiday next weekend means more boats are likely to be out on Arizona’s waterways. Here are some precautions you should take before heading out on the water to help ensure a safe, enjoyable experience:

• Make sure enough life jackets are on board the boat for everyone, and make sure they’re all the right size, U.S. Coast Guard-approved, and in good working order, free from holes. Wear your life jacket.
• Know the “rules of the road.” The correct direction of travel on Arizona lakes is counterclockwise (shoreline off your right shoulder).
• Check that your boat’s motor and propulsion system are working right.
• Never operate a boat while intoxicated. Alcohol limits for boat operators are identical to those for motor vehicle drivers and you could be arrested for operating under the influence of alcohol if you exceed those limits.
• Don’t crowd other boaters, and remember to maintain a safe distance when passing others.
• Know the passenger and weight limits for your boat, so you can avoid overloading it.
• Make sure your fire extinguishers work.
• Put drain plugs back in your boat after winter storage.

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May 17, 2013

BLM

BLM issues a Final Environmental Impact Statement for a Wind Farm in Northwestern Arizona

• Mail or other delivery service: Bureau of Land Management, Arizona State Office, Renewable Energy Coordination Office, Attention: Jackie Neckels, Environmental Coordinator, One North Central Avenue, Suite 800, Phoenix, Arizona 85004.
• Email: KFO_WindEnergy@blm.gov.

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May 17, 2013

Lake Mead National Recreation Area

UPCOMING EVENTS AT LAKE MEAD NATIONAL RECREATION AREA MAY 18

BOULDER CITY, NEV. - The following events are happening at Lake Mead National Recreation Area May 18.

Hundreds of visitors are expected to show up to Lake Mead National Recreation Area at 11 a.m. May 18 to put on their lifejackets in hopes of breaking last year's world record. Events will be held at Las Vegas Boat Harbor, Katherine Landing, Cottonwood Cove and Meadview. At Las Vegas Boat Harbor, the U.S. Coast Guard will conduct free vessel inspections and Nevada Department of Wildlife will offer a free lifejacket exchange program. Information booths and interactive displays will also be set up at Las Vegas Boat Harbor, Katherine Landing and Cottonwood Cove until 1 p.m. Visitors who show up with lifejackets who plan to attend the event will be granted free entrance into the park from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Around 150 swimmers will compete in the LV10K Open Water Swim at Lake Mead National Recreation Area's Boulder Beach May 18 during the U.S. Masters Swimming 2013 National 10K Open Water Championship swim race. Participants from 26 states will swim the 10K, 5K and 1 mile. The event is 8 a.m. to noon. For more information on this permitted event, visit http://www.lv10k.com/.

Around 100 people will cycle through Lake Mead National Recreation Area to raise awareness for organ donation during the first Nevada Donor Network Re"Cycle" Life Charity Ride May 18. The 40-mile ride begins at 8 a.m. in Saguaro Park in Henderson, Nev., and travels through Lake Las Vegas and the River Mountains Loop Trail within Lake Mead NRA. For more information on this permitted event, visit here 

Around 50 spear fisherman will compete in the 2013 Rocky Mountain Spearfishing Nationals at Lake Mead National Recreation Area May 18. Competitors will dive and fish throughout the lake from daybreak to 2 p.m. For more information on this permitted event, visit http://rockymountainspearfishing.org/wp/.

Around 100 boaters will participate in the Lake Mead Yacht Club 2013 Props & Wheels Poker Run at Lake Mead National Recreation Area's Callville Bay May 18. For more information on this permitted event, visit http://thelakemeadyachtclub.com/.

Around 50 anglers will compete in an Ultimate Team Tour Fishing Tournament at Lake Mead National Recreation Area's Callville Bay May 18. For more information on this permitted event, visit http://ultimatebassteams.com/divisions/nevada/.

24^{th Annual Firefighter Fishing Derby May 18}

Around 75 people will compete in the 24th Annual Firefighting Fishing Derby at Lake Mead National Recreation Area's South Cove May 18. For more information on this permitted event, visit ^{http://pffaz.org/24th-annual-firefighter-fishing-derby.}

Around 50 anglers will compete in an American Bass Association Fishing Tournament May at Lake Mead National Recreation Area's Cottonwood Cove May 18. For more information on this permitted event, visit here 

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May 10, 2013

SOUTHERN NEVADA, LAKE MEAD NRA FIRE RESTRICTIONS BEGIN MAY 11

Las Vegas - On May 11, the Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, National Park Service, Nevada Division of Forestry, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and U.S. Forest Service are implementing fire restrictions in Southern Nevada.

Interagency fire restrictions prohibit:

• building and/or using a campfire or charcoal stove (using portable stove using gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel OK)
• welding or operating an acetylene torch with open flames (except by permit)
• using any explosive (except by permit)
• using fireworks or firing a tracer
• operating an off-road vehicle without a spark arrestor

Agency specific exceptions and additional restrictions are also in place:

·Bureau of Land Management - steel jacket ammunition and explosive targets prohibited as they are known fire starters. Smoking is allowed in an enclosed vehicle only.

·Lake Mead National Recreation Area - wood or charcoal fires allowed in grills of developed picnic areas; wood or charcoal burning devices allowed on the shoreline where natural vegetation is at least 100 feet from the shoreline; barbecue grills allowed on private boats outside the harbors of Lake Mead and Lake Mohave; rental boats are authorized to use barbecues attached to vessel if allowed under rental boat agreement; all vessel barbecue fires must be at least 100 feet away from shoreline vegetation. Smoking is allowed outside of an enclosed vehicle in areas that are cleared of all flammable material for at least three feet. Cigarettes must be discarded in a car ashtray or an ashtray in a developed area.

·U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - campfires allowed in fire rings at Desert Pass Campground on Desert National Wildlife Refuge; grills in day use area of Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge may be used.

·U.S. Forest Service - campfires allowed in developed recreation sites; private property owners allowed approved cooking or heating devices in Mt. Charleston Area. Smoking is allowed outside of an enclosed vehicle in areas that are cleared of all flammable material for at least three feet.

The public is urged to contact the local U.S. Forest Service office at (702) 515-5400, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at (702) 515-5450, National Park Service at (702) 293-8990, Bureau of Land Management at (702) 515-5000 or Nevada Division of Forestry at (702) 486-5123 if they have any questions or need clarification on the restrictions.

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May 7, 2013

USFWS

*Aquatic Hitchhikers Campaign Partnership Announces Bold Changes*

Fishing and boating season is just around the corner, and new communications tools and an enhanced partnership will make it easier than ever to learn how to Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers!TM. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently announced it is passing the “red stop sign” baton of this unique aquatic resource campaign to the Minnesota-based nonprofit conservation organization Wildlife Forever.

The Service will maintain ownership of the campaign’s trademark, but under the new arrangement Wildlife Forever will run day-to-day operations of the campaign, leverage its excellent relationship with the larger conservation community, and create a plan for growing the campaign by using a host of different media channels, including television, web, radio and social media.

“I’m proud the Service’s leadership is committed to expanding the Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers! campaign in a time of increasing threats to our resources,” said Wildlife Forever President and Chief Executive Officer Doug Grann. “The partnership campaign is successful because state, federal and private organizations invest and work together to reach millions of Americans each year.”

 “Wildlife Forever brings many value-added tools to the table and will help to make invasive species prevention a key part of modern-day outdoor recreation and conservation,” said Mike Weimer, the Service’s division chief of Fisheries and Aquatic Conservation.

Eleven years ago, the conservation community was just beginning to understand the complex ramifications of aquatic nuisance species.  In April 2002, the federal government, led by the Service and under the umbrella of the national Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force, stepped up efforts to address the threat by introducing a national partnership and behavior-change campaign known as Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers!

Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers strategically targets specific audiences and empowers individuals to be part of the solution through best management practices.  By employing a partnership-focused, grassroots-driven branding strategy and hosting a dedicated website (www.protectyourwaters.net), Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers!  is redefining  how to do outreach at a national level for complex, 21st century conservation issues.  The campaign has been so successful that it was written up as a case study example for branding in the *4th Edition of Social Marketing – Influencing Behaviors for Good*, a social marketing text book.

The campaign unites federal, state, local and Tribal governments and interests with businesses, national conservation and environmental organizations, regional, state and local organizations. Currently, 1,143 organizations participate in the campaign.   The campaign also has leveraged approximately $1.25 million in non-federal dollars and has been promoted outside the United States in the U.K. (England, Scotland and Ireland), New Zealand and Kenya all joining the campaign.  For more information about Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers!TM, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Wildlife Forever or the aquatic invasive species issue and what you can do to help, please contact Joe Starinchak from the Fish and Wildlife Service at 703-358-2018 or Pat Conzemius from Wildlife Forever at 763-253-0222.

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April 15, 2013  

AZGFD

The Arizona Game and Fish Department and its partners are lifting some of the closures at lakes and rivers statewide that are put into place annually to help bald eagles during the breeding season.

The closures at the following four sites have been removed, effective immediately, because the bald eagles in these areas failed to produce young and will not breed this late in the spring.

• Lake Pleasant
• Verde River near Chasm Creek
• Tonto Creek inlet to Roosevelt Lake
• Tonto Creek from Gisela to 76 Ranch

All other previously announced closures remain in effect because bald eagle breeding activities are still continuing in those areas. The public should contact the local land management agency to ensure the area they are visiting is open for recreational use.

Each year, land and wildlife management agencies close bald eagle breeding areas for part of the year, beginning in December, to protect the state’s bald eagles. Outdoor recreationists are asked to help protect these important breeding areas by honoring the closures.

Bald eagles are particularly sensitive to human disturbance during the breeding season and public cooperation with the closures is an important part of helping to conserve the species. Human activity near active bald eagle nests can cause a breeding pair to leave its eggs uncovered, leading to a failed breeding attempt. Human presence can also cause a young bird to prematurely leave the nest.

For more information on Arizona’s bald eagles, visit www.azgfd.gov/baldeagle or www.swbemc.org .

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April 3, 2013  

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area

Wahweap Fish Cleaning Station Closed for Repair

The Wahweap Fish Cleaning Station experienced a waterline break in the early morning of April 2, 2013 and will be closed until further notice. The water from the break caused extensive damage to the electrical system. An attempt was made to turn on the station after it had dried completely, but the panel was not operable. Replacement parts have been ordered and the station will be reopened as soon as possible.

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April 1, 2013  

AZGFD

PAGE, Ariz. - The recent discovery of 14 adult quagga mussels at Lake Powell is a crucial reminder to boaters to clean, drain and dry their boats after every use to help prevent the spread of these destructive invasive species.

According to a March 27 National Park Service (NPS) mussel monitoring update, the NPS identified 14 adult quagga mussels attached to moored vessels and dock structures at the Wahweap Marina in Lake Powell over the last week. None of the adult mussels were close enough together to mate for successful reproduction. All of the mussels were physically removed from the lake.

“At this point, these monitoring results aren’t evidence of an established, reproducing population of mussels,” says Tom McMahon, invasive species program coordinator for the Arizona Game and Fish Department. “NPS dive teams are continuing to check boats, docks and cables, and biologists are continuing to gather and assess information. In the meantime, boaters need to remember to clean, drain and dry their boat and equipment after every use.”

According to the NPS mussel monitoring update, the first four mussels were found when a local marine service business noticed the small shells on a boat that had been pulled for maintenance and then notified the NPS.

“We really appreciate the report of this finding since it will help in the removal of the adult mussels before they can reproduce,” said Mark Anderson, Glen Canyon ecologist, in the news release. “It’s likely that the mussels were introduced via ballast or bilge water from a boat(s) that was not cleaned, drained, or dried.”

Additional monitoring information and updates are posted on the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area webpage at www.nps.gov/glca.

McMahon emphasized that, under Arizona law, boaters who take their boats out of waters designated as having aquatic invasive species (this includes Lake Pleasant, Lake Mead, Lake Mohave and Lake Havasu) must take the following steps when leaving:

• CLEAN. Clean/remove any clinging material such as plants, animals and mud from the anchor, boat, motor, and trailer.
• DRAIN. Remove the plug and drain the water from the bilge, live-well and any other compartments that could hold water. Drain the water from the engine and engine cooling system(s).
• DRY. Ensure the watercraft, vehicle, equipment, or conveyance are allowed to dry completely.
• If you are using your boat again in less than five days from the previous use, replace the bilge drain plug and disinfect the bilge by pouring in not less than one gallon of vinegar; the vinegar can be drained from the bilge upon arrival at home (vinegar can be reused several times).
• If you’re taking your boat out of a lake where it has been moored more than five days, refer to the boat cleaning protocols for long-term users (view boat cleaning protocols in Director’s Order #3).

Quagga mussels colonize rapidly on hard surfaces and can ruin boat motors and clog water intake structures, such as pipes and screens, thereby impacting pumping capabilities for power and water treatment plants.

For more information on quagga mussels and other aquatic invasive species, including links to the Director’s Orders that list the species, the Arizona waters that have them, and the boat transport protocols from those waters, visit www.azgfd.gov/ais.

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March 28, 2013

AZGFD

The Arizona Game and Fish Department wants to remind all boaters, anglers, and personal watercraft users that this year’s boating season has arrived and to please exercise safe, responsible practices when on the water.

Safe boating recreation is a must, and everyone should take a minute and remember to check your boats, personal watercraft and all equipment before launching at your favorite lake or waterway. Make sure you have all required safety equipment, such as proper life jackets and working fire extinguishers. The Arizona Game and Fish Department is also here as a resource for education and training when it comes to water sports, including all paddle sports.

Arizona had its first fatal boating accident in early March, when an experienced kayaker traversing a remote area on the East Verde River drowned during a tragic accident on March 9. The incident is a reminder that weather and water conditions can present challenging circumstances for even the most experienced kayakers or paddleboaters. Visit www.americancanoe.org/?page=Top_10 for a list of helpful safety tips.

Game and Fish also reminds boaters to not drink and operate a boat. The department will be conducting sobriety checkpoints at various lakes and waterways throughout Arizona over the next several months.

“Impaired boat operators have been proven to increase the risk to those who want to enjoy safe boating and watercraft recreation. 42 percent of all fatal boating accidents since 1993 involve alcohol,” stated Kevin Bergersen, AZGFD Boating Law Administrator. “Although our boating officers and other agencies’ boating officers have seen an increase in the number of designated operators around the state, they also arrested 53% more impaired boat operators in 2012 than 2011..”

Bergersen said that multi-agency sobriety checkpoints and on-the-water saturation patrol efforts are planned for this summer and will include high-traffic waterways such as Lake Pleasant and the Colorado River and its reservoirs. “Removing impaired boaters from the waterways is critical in creating a safe, enjoyable recreational environment,” he said.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department encourages boaters to take part in a boating education class. Interested parties can look for available classes on the department website,

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June 18, 2012

AZGFD

Clean your boat anchor!

PHOENIX – Arizona Game and Fish officers have recently issued citations to two individuals who brought quagga mussel contaminated boats to Lake Powell, and citations are pending in a third case.

“Fortunately, in these instances the quagga mussels on the boats were discovered at Lake Powell’s decontamination station prior to launching,” said Tom McMahon, the invasive species coordinator for the Game and Fish Department.

One of the vessels had mussels on its anchor, which many people forget to clean, and the boat owner neglected to remove the plug before leaving Lake Pleasant, which is another violation.

“About a quarter of the boats showing up at Lake Powell with quagga mussels have been in violation due to mussels being attached to the anchor,” McMahon said.

McMahon added that these two incidents demonstrate why boaters coming from lakes such as Pleasant, Mead, Mohave, and Havasu that are infested with quagga mussels need to be conscientious about taking legally required proper precautions so they don’t move these invasive mollusks to an unaffected water, such as Powell or Bartlett Lake.

“It’s essential that boaters clean, drain and dry their boats each and every time they go boating anywhere, any time. Unfortunately, there are lots of aquatic invasive species that might hitchhike to another water on your boat or trailer,” McMahon said.

However, he added, those boating in waters listed as having aquatic invasive species, such as quagga and zebra mussels, by law must follow the prescribed decontamination procedures.

“Quite simply it is against the law in Arizona to transport quagga or zebra mussels and those found doing so can and probably will be cited,” McMahon pointed out.

For the most part, those legally required procedures are simple and straightforward.

Before leaving the vicinity of an aquatic invasive species listed water, such as Pleasant, Mead, Mohave or Havasu, the law requires that you:

Step 1: Clean and remove any clinging material such as plants, animals and mud from anchor, boat, motor and trailer.

Step 2: Pull your plug and drain the water from the bilge, livewell and any other compartments that could hold water. Also be sure to drain the water from the engine and engine cooling system.

Step 3: Ensure your watercraft and equipment are allowed to dry completely and out of the water for a minimum of seven days.

For more detailed information, check out www.azgfd.gov/ais.

“We’ve been asking boaters to clean, drain, and dry their boats for years. It’s just a good practice to not only protect our precious water resources, but to protect your own boating investment. Most boaters have been pretty understanding and cooperative,” McMahon said.

Now when they boat at waters listed as having aquatic invasive species, such as Mead, Mohave, Havasu, and Pleasant, it is required by law. As McMahon tells everyone he contacts to remember, “Don’t Move a Mussel – Now it’s the Law”.