District 5 Supervisor Lena Fowler — Coconino County Swears in Elected Officials in Virtual Ceremony

Tuesday, January 12, 2021
News Release
January 5, 2021
Alexandra Fischer
Sr. Communications Manager
(928) 266-6694
Coconino County Swears in Elected Officials in Virtual Ceremony
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — On the evening of Monday, Jan. 4, Coconino County swore in elected officials during
a virtual ceremony. Elected officials taking a term in office after winning election in November of 2020
include the Board of Supervisors, the County Constitutional Officers and Superior Court Judge Cathleen Brown Nichols.
“It’s an honor for all of us to serve the residents of Coconino County. Together, we are ready to face
2021 with optimism and action from the most diverse set of leaders the County has ever had,” said
Chairwoman Liz Archuleta. “Challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic will continue to face our
community and I know that together we will demonstrate the resilience and leadership our County is
known for. The immense commitment of our elected officials to community and public service is
something our County residents can be very proud of.”
Sworn into office on January 4th were:
  • District 1 Supervisor Patrice Horstman, serving her first term on the Board of Supervisors
  • District 2 Supervisor Liz Archuleta, first elected to the Board of Supervisors in 1996
  • District 3 Supervisor Matt Ryan, first elected to the Board of Supervisors in 1996
  • District 4 Supervisor Judy Begay, serving her first term on the Board of Supervisors
  • District 5 Supervisor Lena Fowler, first elected to the Board of Supervisors in 2008
  • Superior Court Judge Cathleen Brown Nichols, first elected to the bench in 2012, after serving seven years as a Judge Pro Tem.
  • Recorder Patty Hansen, first elected to the office in 2012
  • Treasurer Sarah Benatar, first appointed to the office in 2014
  • Assessor Armando Ruiz, first elected to the office in 2016
  • County Attorney William Ring, first elected to the office in 2016
  • Sheriff Jim Driscoll, first elected to the office in 2016
  • Superintendent of Schools Dr. Tommy Lewis, first appointed to the office in 2019
Of note, Judge Cathleen Brown Nichols is the first Coconino County Superior Court Judge to be
“retained” on the bench since the voter-approved 2018 Proposition 416 which eliminated election of
judges and authorized appointment of judges to the bench. Judges, once appointed or seated, are
subject to retention elections every four years. Judge Brown Nichols was the first judge to be subject to
the retention election and was retained by the voters of Coconino County.
Those interested may view the Swearing-In Ceremony on YouTube at https://youtu.be/FiPVPfvPMC4
Coconino County 2021 Elected Official Swearing-In
News Release
BLM Arizona Strip District, Arizona
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jan. 11, 2021
Media Contact: Rachel T. Carnahan
rcarnahan@blm.gov (435) 688-3303
Expanded access to world-famous geologic feature in the Paria Canyon–Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness
ST. GEORGE, Utah – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) today announced it has approved a proposal to expand visitor access to the world-famous geologic feature known as the Wave, located in the Paria Canyon–Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness on the Arizona Strip. Under the new decision, the number of hiking permits issued for the Wave will increase from 20 to 64 people and/or 16 groups per day, whichever comes first. The BLM could implement further increases or decreases in the future based on monitoring of resources and social conditions.
“The stunning beauty of the Wave is part of every American’s public lands heritage, and we’re honored to protect and manage it for generations to come,” said Deputy Secretary Kate MacGregor. “This effort provides for additional safety for visitors, access to our nation’s veterans, and ensures that in times like the COVID-19 pandemic, the American people have expanded access to recreational opportunities on their public lands.”
“The Wave is one of the world’s most incredible and visually stunning natural wonders,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Land and Minerals Management Casey Hammond. “We’re pleased to be able to expand options for public viewing of this amazing landscape in a way that’s consistent with its preservation.”
“We conducted robust environmental analysis and worked in collaboration with partners and interested stakeholders in an effort to allow more visitors access to the Wave, while maintaining wilderness character,” said BLM Arizona State Director Ray Suazo. “I appreciate the close collaboration with Coconino County in Arizona and Kane and Washington Counties in Utah in managing this important natural area.”
“We look forward to continuing our partnership with the Arizona Strip District on all aspects of the Paria Canyon–Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness and Wave management. The Kanab Field Office will continue to run the next day lottery in an efficient and respectful manner,” said BLM Utah State Director Greg Sheehan. “This decision provides additional safety for visitors and will hopefully decrease the workload on Kane County’s already-busy search and rescue personnel.”
“The Kane County Sheriff’s Office has been working closely with our federal partners at the Bureau of Land Management to improve the safety of visitors at the Wave. As visitation and interest has dramatically increased, the permit process has become more complex. We appreciate the leadership shown by the BLM on this safety issue. Improving the safety and overall experience of visitors here is clearly a shared priority. As the Kane County Sheriff, I feel very fortunate to have such a positive cooperative relationship with the Bureau of Land Management. We share a sincere love of public lands and a responsibility to those that visit. A big thank you from my office to folks at the BLM for recognizing this issue and working to solve difficult problems,” said Kane County Sheriff Tracy Glover.
“Coconino County supports this decision to increase visitor access to the Wave in a manner that will preserve and protect the natural and scenic wonders of this landscape,” said Coconino County Supervisor Lena Fowler. “We are excited about the opportunities for economic growth in our local communities that comes with this increase in recreational tourism.”
“The Wave has become one of the most iconic and recognizable destinations in the world. Increased visitation and associated tourism is a vital part of the Kane County economy. The desire to visit The Wave has created some complex management concerns. These concerns have required a great deal of coordination between Kane County, the DOI and local BLM managers. Kane County sincerely appreciates the efforts put forth by key DOI and BLM officials who took interest in this issue and worked hard for a rapid resolution. Because of these efforts, visitors will be safer and have a better overall experience as they enjoy the beauty of public lands in our area,” said Kane County Commissioner Andy Gant.
The decision supports Secretary’s Order 3347, Conservation Stewardship and Outdoor Recreation, and Secretary’s Order 3366, Increasing Recreational Opportunities on Lands and Waters Managed by the
U.S. Department of the Interior. It strikes an appropriate balance by responding to the public’s increased interest in visiting the site while minimizing environmental impacts and maintaining wilderness values. This will be accomplished though an adaptive management framework that is outlined in the Final Environmental Assessment. The framework provides the BLM the ability to make adjustments to meet desired conditions based on monitoring at the site.
Public interest in the Wave has grown exponentially in recent years. In 2018, more than 200,000 individuals applied for the 7,300 hiking permits available annually to access the site. With only 20 people allowed each day through both the online and walk-in lotteries, only 3.6 percent of applicants were able to obtain a permit to access the Wave. This prompted the BLM to explore options for expanding visitor access in a manner that protects the character of the site and its unique natural features.
While the increase in visitors at the Wave (a feature which is less than half the size of a football field) will be apparent to hikers, there are ample opportunities for solitude that are available away from the main route and outside of the Wave within the more than 112,500 acres of the Paria Canyon–Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness. Additional wilderness values including primitive and unconfined recreation, natural sights and sounds, remoteness, freedom, risk, and the physical and emotional challenges of self-discovery and self-reliance can be enjoyed on the route to and at the Wave.
The BLM’s Final Environmental Assessment and Decision Record approving the change are posted on BLM’s ePlanning website at: https://go.usa.gov/xyxtK. Learn more about visiting the Wave or the online permit system on our website at: www.blm.gov/TheWave.
– BLM –
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. In fiscal year 2018, the diverse activities authorized on BLM-managed lands generated $105 billion in economic output across the country. This economic activity supported 471,000 jobs and contributed substantial revenue to the U.S. Treasury and state governments, mostly through royalties on minerals.
Tuba City Remote Office Hours
Our Tuba City office is physically closed to the public, but we are still working for you.
Remote Office Hours:
Monday to Thursday | 10 am to 4 pm
Closed Fridays
If you need assistance, please call: 928-283-4518 or email Miranda at mmorales@coconino.az.gov
COVID-19 Information
County Updates
Did you know that Coconino County provides a weekly report on grant opportunities? The grants are available for Non-Profits, Local Governments, Native American Tribes, Private Entities, Academic Institutions, Tribal Organizations, Schools and School Districts.
To learn more or view the report, visit https://coconino.az.gov/2435/Grant-Opportunities
Courts
Health & Human Services
Library District
Flagstaff Public Library
Flagstaff Public Library is here for you! There are still a number of ways to take advantage of this great library. Start the school year off on the right foot with the Flagstaff Public Library.
Call: (928) 213-2381
Parks & Recreation
Community Bulletin Board
Coconino County District 5 Supervisor Lena Fowler’s Office
46 Maple Street
PO BOX 948
Tuba City, AZ 86045
P: 928-679-7155 | F: 928-283-6366 | www.coconino.az.gov
Questions or comments? Email us at mmorales@coconino.az.gov
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