Management Emphasis Areas
Vegetation Management
Wildlife Management
Erosion Control
GPS/GIS Data Management
Monitoring
Professional Development
Vegetation Management
The Natural Resources Management Section (NRMS) strives to uphold the diverse environmental responsibilities of the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) while supporting native ecosystems with stable plant communities. Vegetation management is arguably the cornerstone of the NRMS’s program. The vegetation management program is comprised of invasive species, brush control, hazardous tree removal, native plant salvage, re-vegetation, and herbicide treatments. Active management of Arizona’s rights-of-way provides for motorist safety, infrastructure stability and protects ecosystems adjacent to roadways.
Conduct noxious/invasive weed surveys in support of management activities
Buffelgrass (Pennisetum ciliare) populations have reached an alarming proportion in our region. Buffelgrass, now listed on the Arizona Noxious Weed List, displays the aggressive characteristics common to other listed species invading Sonoran Desert habitats, but presents a more severe threat in its ability to promote and sustain an un-natural fire cycle in these native ecosystems that evolved without frequent fires. An aggressive treatment program has begun to control the spread and eradicate known populations in our rights-of-way.
Data collection and assessment of invasive, noxious and nuisance vegetation populations in Region 2.
Survey and treatment of vegetation encroachment that pose line-of-sight distance and safety marker hazards.
Participation in the formation of the Pima County Cooperative Weed Management Area (CWMA).
Wildlife Management
Wildlife movement corridors (wildlife linkages) connect historical home ranges (habitats) that have been fragmented by roadways. It is known that wildlife cross roadways, sometimes unsuccessfully, through road-kill data. Also, that roadway structures, such as bridges and culverts are utilized to cross under roadways. In an effort to better understand wildlife linkages NRMS is utilizing motion sensing wildlife cameras to monitor areas were potential wildlife linkages intersect roadways.
Questions being considered include, but are not limited to:
1) What are the characteristics of wildlife linkages as they relate to roadways?
2) What roadway structures are more likely to be utilized by wildlife?
3) How can managers encourage and support their use?
Wildlife cameras are one of the methods being used to answer these questions. The goal is to facilitate wildlife movement through improved transportation planning. Tucson NRMS is responsible for camera installation and maintenance, film replacement and the management of collected photographic and GPS data.
Projects
Collection of Spring wildlife-road mortality data
Data collection, maintenance and new installation of wildlife-corridor monitoring cameras in Region 2
Inspection and repair of diversion fencing for Sonoran Desert Tortoise on State Route 86
Erosion Control
Stable road edge soils protect roadbed infrastructure and promote stable native vegetative cover in rights-of-way. Vegetation management activities occasionally require post-treatment erosion control measures when soils have been adversely disturbed. Best management practices require a strategy to address soil stability through the use of erosion and sediment control measures and re-vegetation when necessary.
GPS/GIS Data Management
Utilizing GPS hardware/software and GIS data management systems has become an integrated part of the NRMS’s management practices. NRMS collects and maintains GPS data for all work activities and projects. We also maintain data related to wildlife linkages and road-kills, monitoring, invasive species, riparian areas, threatened and endangered species habitats, test plots and other management concerns
Projects
Vegetation management project data
Road-kill location
Invasive species survey location data
Conduct preliminary roadway survey for potentially invasive landscape species, including, but not limited to:
- African Sumac (Rhuslancea)
- Mexican Bird of Paradise (Caesalpiniamexicana)
- African Daisy (Asteraceae)
- Texas Mountain Laurel (Sophorasecundiflora)
Monitoring
Monitoring of management activities is critical to the efficiency and effectiveness of management activities. Only through pre- and post-project monitoring can a determination be made whether management’s goals have been achieved.
Photo-monitoring point’s catalog yearly/seasonal rights-of-way condition and provide change over time assessment of management. Photo monitoring points have been establishment in areas characteristic of Region 2 biomes and in known areas of concern.
Seasonal photo monitoring point data collection
Yearly Level of Service inspection
Seasonal right-of-way inspections
Professional Development
NRMS personnel undertake a comprehensive and engaging training regimen attending various work method and environmental compliance trainings throughout the year.
ADOT mandatory training courses
GPS/GIS training
ArcGIS training
Wildland firefighting
Equipment training modules
Continuing education units for Structural Pest Control Applicator licenses
