Janice K. Brewer, Governor
John S. Halikowski, Director
Scott Omer, Division Director

Multimodal Planning

ADOT Tribal Consultation Actions: State Fiscal Year 2014
The following provides a summary of tribal related consultation and coordination actions undertaken by ADOT Divisions. A
number of the actions relate directly to the implementation of the ADOT tribal consultation policy priorities. Also mentioned are
actions that are on-going forms of communication that ADOT conducts with tribal governments, tribal communities, and tribal
related agencies. A number of the identified activities are undertaken in cooperation between the various Divisions illustrating
ADOT’s internal team effort toward accomplishing successful transportation program and project implementation.

Environmental Planning Group (EPG)
NHPA ADOT/ FHWA Section 106 Consultation
ADOT’s Environmental Planning Group (EPG) consults and coordinates regularly with Tribal communities throughout Arizona.
Under Section 106, ADOT prepares letters for consultation by FHWA on most federally funded projects. For state-funded
projects, as well as commercial materials sources, EPG’s Historic Preservation Team (HPT) members consult directly with
Tribal communities about potential effects to historic properties. EPG staffs attend monthly coordination meetings with the
Gila River Indian Community and the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community at which a variety of issues of mutual
concern are discussed. Additionally, EPG staffs participate in the formal transportation partnerships that ADOT has with the
Navajo Nation, the San Carlos Apache Tribe, and the Hopi Tribe.
Following formal government-to-government meetings with several Tribes in FY 2013, EPG staff continued conversations in
FY14 with Tribal cultural resource staff regarding the development of agreement documents to guide and simplify both
Section 106 and Arizona Historic Preservation Act consultation, and coordination regarding broader issues of cultural
sensitivity for the Tribes. Based on these conversations, ADOT staffs are currently drafting agreements for Tribal review, and
it is anticipated that a number of agreements will be completed in FY 15 and FY 16.

Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Integrated Weed Management Plan (IWMP)
ADOT is a participating agency with the Navajo Nation BIA on an EIS and IWMP for the Navajo Nation. Roadside Resources
has attended 5-6 General Planning Meetings and Section 7 Consultation meetings with the Navajo. We have also provided
detailed comments on the IWMP and have provided templates for the Biological Evaluation based on past ADOT projects.

US 89
US 89 Slope Repair project – attended environmental meetings and conducted golden eagle surveys with Navajo Nation
Department of Fish and Wildlife (NNDFW) biologists.

SR 264
Coordination of tree cutting ahead of construction with Holbrook District, Navajo Nation Department of Fish and Wildlife
(NNDFW) and Navajo Department of Forestry. Also regular project-related coordination (scoping) with NNDFW from June
through December 2014.

SR 86
Roadside Resources coordinated closely with the Tohono O’odham Nation (TON) on the implementation of two SR 86 precast concrete arch wildlife underpasses on the Kitt Peak and Santa Rosa Ranch widening projects, funded by the Pima
County Regional Transportation Authority. Roadside Resources is also cooperating with the TON on camera monitoring of
wildlife use of the underpasses.
Roadside Resources assisted the Tohono O’odham Nation in the development of a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Tribal
Wildlife Grant that will be used to support the conduct of camera monitoring of the two SR 86 pre-cast concrete arch wildlife
underpasses. The TON was awarded the full amount requested ($250,000).
Roadside Resources along with the support of ADOT’s Tucson District and Urban Project Management assisted the Tohono
O’odham Nation in the development of a Pima County Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) grant proposal to construct
two wildlife overpasses on the SR 86 Kitt Peak and San Isidro segments, and wildlife fencing of the Kitt Peak, Santa Rosa
Ranch and San Isidro segments. The RTA Wildlife Linkages Committee unanimously approved the $6.7 million grant request,
which is awaiting approval by the RTA Board.

SR 66
Roadside Resources assisted the ADOT Kingman District in assessing options to address an elk-vehicle collision issue along
SR 66 on the Hualapai Indian Reservation; the Hualapai Tribe had requested that ADOT help address the situation. A
preliminary assessment was prepared for the Kingman District with the first step to meet and coordinate with the Tribe to
ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
206 S. 17th Ave. | Phoenix, AZ 85007 | azdot.gov

pursue the various options available to reduce the incidence of elk-vehicle collisions.

Financial Management Services
Fuel Tax
ADOT, with FHWA funding, has established a multi-agency, multi-state project, which provide effective mechanisms for
assessing the current level of fuel tax compliance in and around the Navajo Nation (Nation) by performing: retail station and
refinery inspections; joint audits on carriers, retailers, and distributors; and fuel inspections on the Nation’s roads and
highways. Establishing a visible presence on the Nation is used as a measurement on the deterrence of tax evasion. The
project allows the Nation to strengthen its ongoing compliance capability, and provides all agencies with training and
experience that will promote effective and ongoing inter-agency initiatives.
The project activities involves staff from Office of the Navajo Tax Commission (ONTC), the Navajo Nation Business
Regulatory Department (NBRD), New Mexico Department of Agriculture, New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department,
Arizona Weights and Measures, Arizona Department of Transportation (FMS, Audit and Analysis, ECD), and Internal
Revenue Service.
Results from retail station inspections held in July and May 2014 revealed the following issues: excess water found in fuel
storage tanks, missing ethanol and octane labels, meter jump, leaking fuel pump nozzles, missing Navajo Nation manifests
and bills of lading, and missing meter calibration seals. Two joint audits are currently ongoing for two retailers whose
inventory reconciliations showed significant anomalies. Another retail station inspection is scheduled for October 2014.

Intermodal Transportation Division (ITD) – Engineering Districts
Globe District
SR 260
ADOT Natural Resources staff partnered with White Mountain Apache Tribe for tree removal by Tribal Forestry Contract
under encroachment permit. We plan to provide traffic control; their contractor will be treating the trees at no cost to the
Department. This will allow removal of hazard and shade trees along SR 260, which will be a significant safety improvement,
and allow tribal forestry to harvest the timber for production, which on an HED type ROW, remains a tribal resource. Hazard
trees were marked for removal and the permit application was provided to the tribal contact. The work was completed with
great results and benefits to the White Mountain Apache Tribe and ADOT.

Holbrook District
SR264
•
•
•

District staff met with Navajo Forestry and BIA Forestry for Phase II tree removal in Fort Defiance milepost 450-459.
Share SR 264 Project information at the Navajo Nation Fort Defiance Agency meeting.
Met with the Hopi Tribe, BIA and IHS on the Keams Canyon Widening Project to address a waterline issue.

Kingman District
Tribal Coordination
Initiated in 2012, staff continues to meet quarterly with the Hualapai Tribe and the Fort Mojave Tribe. Participation includes
tribal representation from cultural development, public works, planning, and law enforcement. ADOT representation includes
engineering, maintenance, environmental and community relations. The meetings provide an open forum to discuss and
coordinate current and future transportation projects, help identify and partner to resolve transportation issues, and continue to
commit and foster interagency communication.

Safford District
US 70
Staff continues to coordinate with officials of the San Carlos Apache Tribe during the design phase of proposed safety
improvements in the community of Bylas. It is anticipated that work will be delivered in two phases: 1) adding automated gates
to selected at-grade railroad crossings in Fiscal Year 2015; and 2) constructing highway, lighting, and pedestrian improvements
in Fiscal Year 2016 to US70.
Staff use the forums of the quarterly San Carlos Apache Tri be Transportation Partnering meetings, monthly San Carlos
Apache Tribe Transportation Committee meetings, and other informal settings to address routine activities as well as long
range planning issues.

ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
206 S. 17th Ave. | Phoenix, AZ 85007 | azdot.gov

Yuma District
Tribal Coordination
The scope of the Chapay Street project is to reconstruct an existing roadway within the Cocopah Indian Tribe Reservation.
District staff worked with Cocopah officials on the development of this project that is currently being advertised for construction.
Yuma District Staff worked with ADOT MPD to develop the Cocopah Indian Tribe East Reservation Circulation Plan and the
Colorado River Indian Tribes Strategic Long Range Transportation Plan.

Intermodal Transportation Division (ITD) – Sections
Partnering Office
Tribal Facilitator
ADOT hired a new employee to facilitate on-going tribal transportation partnerships with the Navajo Nation, Hopi Tribe, the
San Carlos Apache Tribe, and the Arizona Tribal Strategic Partnering Team (ATSPT). This resulted in bringing tribal
facilitation expertise internally and provided the agency another point of contact for tribal consultation and coordination efforts.

Right of Way Group
Tribal Coordination
To effectively coordinate and enhance Right of Way Communications, we participated in quarterly and annual Transportation
Partnering meetings with the San Carlos Apache Tribe, Hopi Tribe and Navajo Nation in addition to the AZ Tribal
Transportation Safety Summit.
Attended Right of Way process training held by BIA Navajo Region in June 2013, which allowed parties to further
communicate process guidelines and discuss challenges and benefits.
Coordinated for right of way clearances on US 89 and N20 emergency projects on the Navajo Nation.
Ongoing communications with Tohono O’odham Nation San Xavier District regarding upcoming tree thinning project.
Currently processing renewal leases with the Navajo Nation on four Maintenance Camps in the ADOT Holbrook District.

Traffic Safety Section
Arizona Strategic Highway Safety Plan Update
During 2013-2014, ADOT conducted outreach with tribal, local and regional entities to obtain input for the plan. Tribal
participation included Colorado River Indian Tribes, Gila River Indian Community, Hopi Tribe, Hualapai Tribe, Navajo
Nation, Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, San Carlos Apache Tribe, Tohono O’odham Nation and White
Mountain Apache Tribe. The plan assists the state with identifying and prioritizing strategies, activities and resources to
improve safety by reducing crash fatalities and serious injuries on public roadways including tribal roads. The plan is expected
to be finalized in September 2014.

Multimodal Planning Division (MPD)
Aeronautics Section
Arizona Aviation Fund
Senate Bill 1317 was signed by Governor Brewer in June 2013 and became effective September 13, 2013. It includes tribal
airports as eligible entities for grants from the state aviation fund. Follow-up requests for state-tribal consultation were sent by
ADOT to the Navajo Nation, Hopi Tribe, Hualapai Tribe, Colorado River Indian Tribes, White Mountain Apache Tribe and
San Carlos Apache Tribe to begin discussion on agreements for state aviation grants to tribal airports.

ADOT Triennial Airport Pavement Management Study
In September 2012, ADOT sent notification to the Colorado River Indian Tribes, Hopi Tribe, Hualapai Tribe, Navajo
Nation, San Carlos Apache Tribe and White Mountain Apache Tribe to announce inclusion of their tribal airports in this
study. The study began in March of 2013 and is ongoing; all airports have been inspected as of August, 2013. Reports and
final resulting project recommendations and airport pavement management plans will be completed and distributed to the tribes
in 2014.

Research Center
The Role of Arizona Tribes in Transportation Decision Making
The ADOT Research Center is continuing work on The Role of Tribes in Transportation Decision-Making in Arizona after a
delay over the past year. This research study will evaluate current funding processes and sources, investigate barriers to
greater participation in state transportation decision making, identify successful practices from other states, and recommend
next steps. The study is expected to conclude in late 2015.

ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
206 S. 17th Ave. | Phoenix, AZ 85007 | azdot.gov

Systems Planning & Programming Section
ADOT State Transportation Improvement Program
In October 2013, ADOT conducted outreach to all tribal governments in Arizona to inform them of the opportunity to consult and
provide input into the State Transportation Improvement Program. Comments were received from the Hopi Tribe and Tohono
O’odham Nation and appropriate responses were provided. The STIP was formally approved by the Federal Highway
Administration and Federal Transit Administration in March 2014.

Planning Assistance for Rural Areas (PARA) Program Studies
ADOT Tribal Planners managed the following studies:
• Apache County-Fort Defiance Industrial Area Traffic Circulation Study
• Colorado River Indian Tribes 2014 Strategic Long Range Transportation Plan
• Gila River Indian Community Multimodal Pedestrian Safety Study
• Hualapai Indian Tribe Long Range Transportation Plan

ADOT Tribal Transportation Consultation Online Training Course

ADOT MPD developed an innovative, online training program and accompanying handbook for all ADOT employees as part
of the agency’s ongoing effort to implement its Tribal Consultation Policy. Tribal Planners realized the need for a common
core of information to explain and increase awareness of the Tribal Consultation Policy and build effective relationships
between ADOT and Tribal staff, as many employees lack information about Tribal governments, federal Indian law, and the
purpose of ADOT’s Tribal Consultation Policy. The online training program provides a wealth of historical, legal, and policy
information explaining the purpose and background of the Tribal Consultation Policy as well as specific approaches and tools
for effective collaboration with Tribal governments. The Tribal Consultation Training program is highly engaging, using stateof-the-art instructional technology. The project modeled its goal of improved collaboration by convening a Training Critique
group that included Tribal representatives as well as representatives of federal, state, and local agencies. This program is the
only one of its kind in the U.S. and creates an important legacy for ADOT in its relationships with Tribal Nations. The Training
Program has five modules: 1) an overview of demographic characteristic of Tribes nationally and in Arizona; 2) development
of federal Indian law and policy; 3) development of Tribal-state relations; 4) effective Tribal consultation and coordination; and
5) ADOT coordination with Tribal-focused organizations. Participants are quizzed intermittently while going through a module
and are tested at the end of each module. Participants can go through the modules at their own pace and in any order.
This course is extremely important to a wide range of disciplines within ADOT, and it is planned to eventually make the course
available to consultant staff. More than 75 ADOT employees have already gone through the training program. Included below is
a small sampling of their responses:
“I have had the opportunity to complete the five modules and I wanted to send the creating team my gratitude for the
course. The contents, layout, and overall experience were beneficial and I appreciate the efforts expended to create such a
dynamic workshop. The quiz questions were challenging at times and reinforced good note taking. My Group will reap
valuable insight and implementation strategies for years to come and will utilize during coordination and consultation efforts
with Tribal Governments.”
“Sensitively and beautifully put together. Music is nice – appropriate and relevant. Test questions reflect learning content.
Screen shots move around visual content to keep student interested. Interactive maps very instructive, useful, interesting
and beautiful. Graphics up-to-date, interesting, and relevant. Ability to move back and forth throughout lesson in case
clarification needed is beneficial. Pronunciation guide extremely helpful –what a great idea.”
“Appreciated the manual greatly! Printed it off to keep as a desk reference.”
ADOT anticipates that at least 30% of the department’s staff will have completed the Tribal Consultation Training program
over the next three years. Training this critical mass of employees will significantly increase the likelihood that, in any
meeting, at least one staff person will have adequate information about ADOT’s Tribal Consultation Policy and about Tribal
governments.
While there will continue to be a need for specific Tribal liaisons within ADOT, having a significant percentage of ADOT
employees complete the Training Program will allow the department to move closer to the objective of each employee taking
the responsibility and having the tools to perform as a Tribal liaison in their daily work.

ADOT Tribal Transportation Website Redesign
ADOT MPD in collaboration with ADOT Communications Creative Services section redesigned the Arizona Tribal
Transportation Website with a new look and feel. The website provides resource information, current events, contact
information, and tribal transportation partnership activities.

ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
206 S. 17th Ave. | Phoenix, AZ 85007 | azdot.gov

= “Pearl”
For questions or for more information regarding this ADOT Annual Tribal Consultation Report, please contact:
Misty Klann, ADOT-MPD Transportation Planner & Tribal Liaison
P: 602.712-7029|F: 602.712.3046|E: MKlann@azdot.gov
Don Sneed, ADOT-MPD Senior Transportation Planner & Tribal Liaison
P: 602.712.6736|F: 602.712.3046|E: DSneed@azdot.gov
ADOT’s Tribal Consultation Policy is located at http://www.aztribaltransportation.com/PDF/MGT_1601.pdf

ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
206 S. 17th Ave. | Phoenix, AZ 85007 | azdot.gov