OLYMPIA, Wash. – A King County excavator was issued a $20,000 penalty for repeated violations of the state’s “call before you dig” law.
The Utilities and Transportation Commission fined Enumclaw-based Watterson Excavation LLC $20,000 for four violations of the dig law that occurred in 2016 and 2017.
The violations include:
Two violations for failing to provide the required notice to a one-number locator service at least two business days before excavating;
One violation for starting excavation without a valid ticket date; and
One violation for failing to notify a utility operator of damage to an underground facility.
Puget Sound Energy initially filed four complaints against Watterson Excavation with the Washington State Dig Law Safety Committee. The committee reviewed the complaints in July and identified four violations. The committee recommended a $20,000 penalty: $5,000 for each of the four violations. The committee also recommended all of the company’s ownership, management, and employees be required to complete National Utility Contractor Association (NUCA) Dig Safe Training.
As required by law, the committee forwarded the recommendation to the UTC for consideration. The UTC review of the recommendation found support for the four violations.
Commission staff recommended the commission issue a $5,000 penalty for each violation and supported the NUCA training requirement.
Watterson Excavation had 15 days after receiving notice of its penalty to pay the $20,000 fine, request a hearing, or request a reduction to the penalty amount. The company was notified on August 29, 2017, but has not responded to the penalty or paid the fine. The UTC may refer the penalty to the Office of the Attorney General for collection.
Watterson Excavation LLC was fined $10,000 in 2016 and $4,000 in 2015 for similar violations.
State law requires excavators call 811 or submit a request online at callbeforeyoudig.org at least two business days prior to digging.
The call before you dig law (RCW 19.122 Underground Utilities) charges the UTC with enforcement of violations, which are first reviewed by the safety committee and sent to the UTC for a final decision.
All penalties collected are put into a damage prevention account and used for educational outreach designed to improve worker and public safety related to excavation and underground facilities.
The UTC regulates the rates and services of telecommunications companies, investor-owned electric utilities, natural gas and water companies, garbage-collection haulers, household-goods movers and charter-bus companies, commercial ferries, pipeline companies, and a low-level radioactive waste repository.
WEEKLY AGRICULTURAL REPORT
USDA: Secretary Perdue Statement on Ibach & Northey Senate Committee HearingPRESS RELEASE ISSUED 10/ 5/ 17 (link source)
(Washington, D.C., October 5, 2017) - U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today commended Greg Ibach and Bill Northey, two nominees for key posts at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), for their joint appearance before the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. President Donald J. Trump nominated Ibach to serve as Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs (MRP) and selected Northey for Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation (FPAC). The two await committee action and approval of the entire U.S. Senate.
The Under Secretary for MRP oversees three critical USDA agencies: the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service; the Agricultural Marketing Service; and the Grain Inspection, Packers, and Stockyards Administration. The Under Secretary for FPAC oversees three critical USDA agencies: the Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and the Risk Management Agency.
Perdue issued the following statement:
“These two nominees will bring experience and integrity to USDA the moment they walk in the door. Greg Ibach’s work as Nebraska’s Director of Agriculture has prepared him to address the needs of American agriculture, particularly regarding the cattle industry. Bill Northey, the Iowa Secretary of Agriculture, will give us a fourth generation corn and soybean farmer who knows the issues facing producers across the nation. I look forward to their speedy passage through the committee and floor votes, and urge the Senate to act on other nominees awaiting approval as well.”
USDA Brings Key Resources to Individuals and Communities Hit by Recent Hurricanes
PRESS RELEASE ISSUED 10/ 6/ 17 (link source)
WASHINGTON, Oct. 6, 2017 – U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue today announced employees and agencies in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) continue to offer vital resources to help citizens and communities recover from the devastating effects of hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria.
“USDA remains steadfast in its mission to work on behalf of every community in Texas, Florida, Georgia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to ensure that life-sustaining resources are available to our neighbors as they begin the hard work of rebuilding their lives and communities following these devastating storms,” Perdue said. “We are coordinating hour-by-hour and day-by-day with state and local governments, the private and non-profit sectors, dozens of our federal sister agencies, and in some cases, key international partners, to bring aid to everyone in need.”
At the same time, Perdue noted that communities face a long, uphill battle on the road to recovery and pledged that USDA will do all it can to aid in that recovery. The following summary of key actions that USDA has taken to help individuals and communities cope with the aftermath of hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria exemplifies USDA’s commitment to all who have been impacted.
Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)
APHIS' experience in responding to plant and animal health emergencies is vital to FEMA as it responds to recent hurricanes and a wide variety of emergencies. For example, APHIS continues to coordinate with multiple non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to ensure that pet food and resources are sent to points of distribution where human supplies are available. The agency is helping owners relocate with their pets and making entry of those pets into the United States as easy as possible. APHIS coordinated response efforts for exotic animal owners and zoos affected by the hurricanes.
At the request of Puerto Rico’s government, APHIS is working to get pet assessment teams (NGOs) into the commonwealth to assess shelters and rescue facilities. In Texas and Florida, APHIS identified locations of stranded livestock and dropped feed for stranded livestock in Texas and worked with officials there identify and re-patriate those that can be identified. In Florida, the agency played a key role in bringing a train load of much needed feed for dairy cows. Additionally, APHIS facilitated coordination among non-governmental organizations interested in providing hay, feed, and other products to support horses and livestock in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Food and Nutrition
As of September 29, USDA provided 40,296 cases of USDA Foods that have been used by voluntary organizations to feed residents in Puerto Rico congregate settings and shelters. USDA also approved Puerto Rico to operate the Disaster Household Distribution program, which provides boxes of nutritious, USDA Foods. Approximately 500,000 households are expected to benefit.
FNS’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) has responded with disaster assistance to households affected by the hurricanes by providing DSNAP to new households and replacing and supplementing food benefits to current participants. As of October 1, SNAP benefits to victims of the hurricanes have totaled over $860 million. Eligible households continue to apply for this important disaster relief.
USDA Helping Growers Build Success with New Technology
USDA BLOG POSTING DATED 10/ 5/ 17 (link source)
Everyone loves that burst of flavor you get when you eat a fresh fruit or vegetable. But we often don’t think about all the research, propagating, and growing by plant breeders that happens prior to giving us that great food experience. Plant breeders work hard to develop new varieties, which are crucial to continued agricultural production, at levels that provide us with food security. New varieties help address the challenges we face - from plant pest and disease outbreaks to an increasing world population.
USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has a long tradition of increasing the marketing options for American farmers, growers, and plant breeders. Our Plant Variety Protection Office (PVPO) grants certificates for intellectual property protection to developers of new plant varieties. These certificates enable breeders to market their variety exclusively for 20 years, providing them a strong incentive to invest the time and money to develop new improved varieties. These PVPO issued certificates are recognized worldwide, increasing trade opportunities for agricultural business across the country.
AMS identified a clear opportunity to improve the customer experience by adopting an innovative technology to automate plant variety protection applications. This week PVPO launched a new electronic Plant Variety Protection (ePVP) System.
The ePVP System features the ability to file applications with supporting data, analyses and high resolution photographs. The system also provides an efficient and secure way to pay fees electronically and makes it easier for customers to check the status of an application or amend an existing application.
Seminis Vegetable Seeds and Pioneer Hi-Bred International are just two of many customers that helped us pilot the first phase of the project. With their evaluation and feedback, the web accessible system is now fully operational! Our improved services will benefit a variety of customers from land grant universities with plant breeding programs to specialized breeders such as 3 Star Lettuce and Highland Specialty Grains, and those companies with a long history of plant breeding like Ball Horticultural and Pure-Seed Testing.
The efficiency and cost savings from the new ePVP System will benefit both the customer and USDA. The new online system is just another example of AMS staff striving to provide the best service to American agriculture.
In the Face of Natural Disaster, USDA Answers the Call to Action
USDA BLOG POST DATED 10/ 4/ 17 (link source)
Over the last few weeks, we have seen parts of our country devastated by natural disasters. People in Florida, Georgia, Texas, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands experienced devastation that affected every part of their life, including food, housing, and their livelihood. President Trump called on leaders and government officials at all levels to put bureaucracy aside and lend a helping hand to those in need. At USDA, we have done our best to answer that call.
As Hurricane Harvey hit land along the shores of Texas, USDA ramped up efforts to provide assistance before, during, and after this disaster. Just recently, I was given the opportunity to meet with Texas cotton producers hurt by the wreckage to their farms from caused hurt by Hurricane Harvey. Their crops were battered, but Texans don’t give up easily.
Unfortunately, Hurricane Harvey was not the only natural disaster to strike. Hurricane Irma swept decimated countless farms and crop yields. In Georgia, downed pecan trees may set growers as much as back 10 years. To survey the damage, I toured the impacted areas with local leaders to meet with farm owners and discuss how USDA can help them recover.
I made a similar stop in Florida, where Hurricane Irma caused losses of 50 to 70 percent of southern Florida’s citrus. Like in Texas, many were also left without proper access to food and nutrition. When they began reporting shortages of food, USDA made it easier for schools affected by Hurricane Irma to feed students during this time of great need. These sensible and timely flexibilities ensure children receive the assistance needed.
Finally, as Hurricane Maria swept through the Caribbean, causing great damage to Puerto Rico and other islands, USDA again answers the call to help. Before the storm, USDA spread information on how to preserve food. Now, we are now in full recovery mode. USDA Law Enforcement Officers from the Forest Service acted as first responders ensuring the lives and security of victims. Our Forest Service saw teams are on the ground clearing roads and facility access points. USDA Food Packages are in the hands of first responders with the American Red Cross and the National Guard, and are currently being distributed in Puerto Rico (as well as in Florida and Texas), and USDA Foods are being used for congregate feeding in the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. As communications come online and travel becomes possible through the hard work of our FEMA partners, USDA agents will be out in the fields with the farmers, ranchers, and landowners assessing damage to their operations and advising what USDA assistance is available to them. USDA will continue to offer all possible aid and assistance.
When it comes to natural disasters, President Trump’s directive is to help people first and deal with paperwork second; and that is exactly what USDA is doing. It is paramount that USDA makes it as easy as possible for our programs to be administered, so no one affected by this disaster goes hungry or loses their livelihood. While we as a nation continue to recover from these recent tragedies, USDA will continue our work providing help to those who need it most.
LOCAL MEETINGS AND AGENDA HIGHLIGHTS
CLALLAM COUNTY COMMISSION MEETINGSCLALLAM COUNTY WORK SESSION AGENDA HIGHLIGHTS
1) Discussion of quiet title action, Riggs v Messinger, et al. Clallam County Superior Court No. 14-2-00983-9 to resolve the quiet title action, facilitate a correction of legal descriptions/boundaries and execute the appropriate documents to convey the right of way to Ms. Margaret Riggs (4a)*
2) Contract with State of Washington Department of Ecology for the continued operation of the Clallam Marine Resources Committee
3) Contract amendment 3 with Washington State Department of Social and Health Services to provide funds for September 30, 2017 to September 29, 2017 in the amount of $101,167
See full agenda
CLALLAM COUNTY REGULAR MEETING AGENDA HIGHLIGHTS
1) Request for proposal(s) to be received no later than 3 p.m., November 3; proposals will be opened publicly November 7 at 10 a.m. for Affordable Housing and Homeless Housing and Assistance Funds
2) Quiet title action, Riggs v Messinger, et al. Clallam County Superior Court No.
14-2-00983-9 to sign/execute the following documents: (1) Release and Hold Agreement, (2) Land Purchase Agreement, (3) Quit Claim Deed, (4) Real Estate Excise Tax Affidavit, and (5) Resolution – Directing the Conveyance of Tax title Property (this will be discussed during their work sesson on Monday.)
3) Contract with Aldergrove Construction, Inc. for the Superior Court Security Improvement project
( see full agenda)
OTHER LOCAL AND REGIONAL MEETINGS
CITY OF SEQUIM AGENDA HIGHLIGHT ITEM: Resolution R2017-21 Notification of the City of Sequim's Intent to Conduct a Public Hearing for the Purpose of Assuming the Rights, Powers, Functions and Obligations of the Sequim Transportation Benefit District
(see full agenda)
JEFFERSON COUNTY COMMISSION AGENDA HIGHLIGHT
AGREEMENT re: Develop and Implement Coordinated Tobacco, Vapor Product and Marijuana Intervention Strategies; In the Amount of $50,000; Jefferson County Public Health; Kitsap Public Health District (see full agenda)
CITY OF FORKS AGENDA HIGHLIGHT ITEM: Quillayute Airport Rehabilitation Project timeline
See full agenda
WORLD AND NATIONAL NEWS BRIEFS from REUTERS...
Danish divers find missing body parts of Swedish journalist
COPENHAGEN (Reuters) - Danish police said on Saturday divers had found the head and the legs of Swedish journalist Kim Wall, who died in mysterious circumstances on an inventor’s homemade submarine.
Russian opposition calls for Putin to quit at Moscow rally
MOSCOW (Reuters) - Supporters of jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny gathered in Moscow on Saturday, calling for President Vladimir Putin to quit and let Navalny run in an election.
Trump undermines U.S. birth control coverage requirement
WASHINGTON/NEW YORK (Reuters) - President Donald Trump’s administration on Friday undermined requirements under the Obamacare law that employers provide insurance to cover women’s birth control, keeping a campaign pledge that pleased his conservative Christian supporters.
U.S. Treasury outlines sweeping reform of capital markets
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Treasury on Friday unveiled a blueprint for sweeping reforms of the U.S. capital markets as it looks to implement Republican President Donald Trump’s agenda to promote economic growth by slashing red tape.
Daily Bible Verse: [ Joy in the Fellowship of God ] [ A Psalm of David when he was in the wilderness of Judah. ] O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You In a dry and thirsty land Where there is no water.
Psalm 63:1 NKJV
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