Highway corridors in Region 4 pass through distinct biotic communities (Biomes):
- Interior Chaparral
- Plains and Great Basin Grassland
- Great Basin Desert Scrub
- Mohave Desertscrub
- Great Basin Conifer Woodland
- Petran Montane Conifer Forest
- Petran Subalpine Conifer Forest
- Subalpine Grassland
Flagstaff Natural Resources Region 4 is responsible for managing land, wildlife, and vegetation inventory on 2,185 miles of the following roadways:
All of the following roadways: SR (State Route) 61, 64, 67, 73, 77, 81, 89, 89A, 98, 99, 180A, 261, 264, 273, 277, 373, 377, 389, 473, 564, and US (United States) 64, 160, 163 and 180.
And sections of the following roadways:
SR 87, US 60, 191, and I (Interstate)15, 17, and 40.
The diversity of biotic communities and explosive population growth present on-going issues in the Region 4: The biggest problem on Northern Arizona lands is the invasion of noxious weeds. Highways are major arteries for the spread of these weeds. Other problems include trees next to the highways, wildfires, and the lack of precipitation on seeding projects of disturbed areas
The year-round resource management projects in the Region are:
- Yearly spot herbicide treatments to manage invasive and noxious weeds.
- Tree thinning to create recovery zones, increase sight distance for wildlife, reduce shading on the pavement, and create defensible fire breaks.
- Control burns to manage noxious weeds and brush and to invigorate native grasses. Slash piles created by tree thinning operations are also burned.
- Seeding of disturbed areas.
Vegetation Management
While drought conditions have devastated our forests the past few years, it has made conditions suitable for non-native weeds. Diffuse knapweed populations have grown seven fold the past couple of years in the Flagstaff area. Five new Russian knapweed populations were identified recently along I-17 south of Flagstaff and two on I-40 in Flagstaff.
As our crews are gaining ground with forest thinning along ADOT rights-of-way, we hope to have more resources available in the coming year to deal with this population growth. 912 acres of noxious weeds were treated in Northern Arizona from January 1, 2005 to June 30, 2006. This compares to 875 acres during the same period last year and 481 two years ago.
Several populations of scotch thistle and diffuse knapweed will be burned along I-40 east of Flagstaff this coming fall and winter. This will remove the biomass and reduce the number of seeds in the seed bank. Hand pulling, biological controls, herbicides, and seeding will also be used in our integrated weed management program.
Prescribed (controlled or RX) burns
Several control burning projects will take place this fall and winter. Slash piles along I-40 east of Flagstaff will be burned. Piles will also be burned on US 191 north of St. Johns. RX burns are planned for I-40 east of Flagstaff, I-40 in the Chambers area, and US 60 east of Show Low.
Recovery Zones/Thinning
Snag removal projects to be completed over the next six months include SR 64 south of Tusayan, I-17 south of Flagstaff, I-40 through the City of Flagstaff, SR 260 west of Show Low, SR 264 east of Ganado, and US 191 south of Ganado. These projects will create a recovery zone, increase wildlife visibility, reduce shading on the roadway, reduce fuel loads, and create a defensible fuel break.
Wildlife Connectivity
Flagstaff Natural Resources has wildlife cameras in place to monitor wildlife crossings under highway bridges. We are finding some wildlife, such as elk and deer, are following natural drainages and passing under existing highway bridges. We are currently working on a research paper, and applying for grants.
Bluebird Project
In 2002, we built and positioned ten bluebird boxes along highways I-17, SR 180, and I-40.
In 2005 the bluebirds began utilizing the boxes and nests were found in three boxes installed along SR 180 with a total of 12 successful fledglings.
This spring we will continue our monitoring and possibly install additional boxes along SR 180. See Bluebird Project for additional information.
