We all saw during last Summer, the result of poor forest management practices with all those wild fires happening in eastern Washington.
I question the current policy of the DNR's forest management. Now that, the Wild Olympic passed, how will that effect proper forest management, to prevent the same wild fires from happening close to home, here in the North Olympic Peninsula? We were spared last year, will be so lucky this year? I say this Wild Olympics bill only caters to tourist, and environmentalist.
Good forest management starts by those who enter these lands to hike, not to start camp fires in non-designated area for camping.
Take out what you brought in the forest areas, and so forth, that would be a good place to start. If you smoke? Don't! Good common sense is the order of the day when venturing into the deep forest areas. --By, Peter Ripley
Related press release from Congressman Kilmer issued 2/ 26/21
Kilmer’s Wild Olympics Bill to Protect the Environment and Grow Jobs Passes House
Washington, DC – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Wild Olympics Wilderness and Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (H.R. 999). The bill, which was introduced by Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) and passed the House with bipartisan support as part of a package of bills called the Protecting America’s Wilderness and Public Lands Act, would permanently protect more than 126,000 acres of public land as Wilderness and 19 rivers and their major tributaries as Wild and Scenic Rivers. U.S. Senator Patty Murray will introduce a companion bill in the Senate.
“As someone who grew up on the Olympic Peninsula, I learned first-hand that economic growth and environmental protection go hand-in-hand,” said Representative Kilmer, who spoke on the House floor on Thursday to encourage his colleagues to pass the legislation. “I’m proud to see the House pass this practical, balanced strategy, that will protect the wildest and most pristine places on the Peninsula while ensuring we can keep and grow jobs in our natural resource industries and other sectors. I am grateful for the years-long collaboration to create a proposal that works for folks across the community – including Tribes, sportsmen, conservation groups, timber communities, business leaders, shellfish growers, and everyone in-between.”
“I’m thrilled to see the Wild Olympics Wilderness and Wild Scenic Rivers pass the House this week—an important step in ensuring that future generations can continue to enjoy the Olympic Peninsula’s vital resources and beauty,” said Senator Murray. “I applaud Representative Kilmer, local tribes, community leaders, sportsmen, and countless Olympic Peninsula residents for their tireless efforts to get to this point, and I am committed to keeping up the fight in the Senate to ensure this critical legislation becomes law and our prized and pristine wilderness is protected.”
This carefully balanced legislation – which would permanently protect the last remaining acres of ancient and mature forests on the Olympic Peninsula – was developed through years of extensive input from local communities, business, and other stakeholders. In addition to protecting these old growth forests, the bill would provide critical protections for salmon and steelhead habitat, and clean drinking water for local communities, while enhancing opportunities for the outdoor recreation community.
The proposal also reflects feedback provided by local and regional timber interests to ensure the legislation would have no impact on the harvestable timber base. Furthermore, this legislation will not close, decommission, or otherwise restrict access to any existing forest service roads or trailheads, it will not affect any private property rights, and it will not impact how the Washington Department of Natural Resources’ manages state-owned lands.
“I am proud to support Representative Kilmer’s Wild Olympics Wilderness and Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. This landmark legislation protects rare wilderness that has been treasured for centuries, while ensuring that natural resource jobs will continue to support Washington’s rural communities,” said Washington Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz in a letter to Rep. Kilmer last year.
More than 800 local area-businesses, farms, faith leaders, sportsmen groups, elected officials, conservation, outdoor recreation, and civic groups have endorsed Wild Olympics, and more than more than 12,000 Peninsula residents have written letters or signed a petition in support.
“It is easy to see and understand the ecological value of the Wild Olympics idea, conserving clean and free flowing rivers, but what is sometimes missed is the economic value that maintaining places like Wild Olympics brings by attracting people to the special outdoors of the Olympic region,” said State Representative Steve Tharinger, 24th Legislative District. “I want to thank REI and Patagonia for engaging local community leaders like myself to help design the map, and for recognizing that encouraging people to get out and enjoy the special places in the Wild Olympics proposal brings economic benefits to the communities I represent.”
“My own experience as a CEO and Entrepreneur is that our area’s natural treasures- which provide world-class outdoor recreation, clean water and our area’s high quality of living- are what give us a competitive edge over other regions in attracting and retaining the talented people new companies require,” said Aberdeen Forest Products Consultant & former timber CEO Roy Nott in his July 10th 2019 testimony before the House Natural Resources Committee in support of the bill. “Wilderness and wild and scenic river protections would help protect and grow the local jobs that depend on our ability to compete for talent against other regions, and they would enhance our recruitment efforts as we work to grow new businesses in the future. And as a former Timber Industry Executive, I appreciate that Senator Murray and Rep Kilmer’s final compromise proposal was scaled-back to ensure it would not impact current timber jobs.”
“Senator Murray and Representative Kilmer’s Wild Olympics legislation will help protect our state’s shellfish industry, including hundreds of shell fishing jobs in Hood Canal alone – and many more in related industries like processing, shipping and sales,” said Bill Taylor, President of Taylor Shellfish Farms. “It protects the rivers and streams vital to the health of our hatcheries and to the health and restoration of Puget Sound. Our oyster beds depend on the clean, cold, silt-free water that drains off Olympic National Forest into Hood Canal. Protecting these watersheds allows our industry to grow, expand and continue to benefit the economy and ecology of Washington State. We are grateful for their leadership.”
“Conservation for me on the Olympic Peninsula means that the next generation and generations to come can come out here and experience the way that I experience it and the way my grandpa experienced it when he fished out here and that forever we always have this – what is wild and what is the Olympic Peninsula and our culture today,” said Ashley Nichole Lewis, Bad Ash Fishing Guide Service in Tahola.
Related stories:
U.S. House passes Wild Olympics bill with public-lands package
Legislation targets more than 126,000 acres for protection---PDN
Invest in forest health and wildfire prevention.
(2) In other State related news headlines:
Cantwell, Collins Introduce Bill to Restore Native Plants in National Parks
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) introduced bipartisan legislation to promote the use of native plants, preserve biodiversity and reap the numerous benefits local flora provide to wildlife, human health, and the environment.
Senator Murray Calls for Senate to Pass COVID-19 Relief Package in Senate Floor Speech, Cites Staggering Cost of Inaction.
In a speech on the Senate floor, Senator Murray called for quick passage of the American Rescue Plan to get relief to those in need across Washington state
Kilmer Votes to Provide Relief to Washingtonians
American Rescue Plan Helps Crush COVID-19, Get Kids Back to School, Support Working Families, and Bolster Communities on the Frontlines
Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) voted to support the American Rescue Plan – an emergency legislative package to fund vaccinations, provide immediate and direct relief to families bearing the weight of the COVID-19 crisis, and support affected communities.
https://kilmer.house.gov/news/press-releases/kilmer-votes-to-provide-relief-to-washingtonians
Inslee announces authorization of J & J vaccine by Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup.
Gov. Jay Inslee today announced the authorization of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine by the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup.
The announcement comes after the FDA and CDC granted their initial authorization for the J & J vaccine. The Western States Workgroup, comprised of vaccine experts from Washington, California, Oregon and Nevada, has met to review the data and analysis to ensure the safety and efficacy of all FDA-authorized vaccines. Both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines were reviewed and authorized following federal authorization in December.
“The Workgroup’s authorization gives us further confidence around the safety and efficacy of the J & J vaccine,” Inslee said. “Like the other two, this vaccine offers strong protection against serious illness from COVID-19, which is critical in our fight against this deadly virus.
"With the delivery of the J & J vaccine this week, and overall increase in the number of vaccine doses coming to Washington, we have increased our capacity to get vaccine to all parts of the state. We are making good progress on vaccination rates, and this third vaccine will help our efforts to get as many people vaccinated as quickly as possible.”
AG FERGUSON LAWSUIT SHUTS DOWN DECEPTIVE TELEMARKETERS’ ROBOCALLING SCHEME, PUTS $495,000 TOWARD FUNDING LEGITIMATE CHARITIES.
SEATTLE — As a result of a lawsuit brought by Attorney General Bob Ferguson, 39 other attorneys general and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), two national companies that made more than 1.7 million robocalls for sham charities into Washington state will pay $495,000 to help fund legitimate charities. One company has since gone out of business and today’s lawsuit requires another one to dissolve.
AG FERGUSON: JUDGE RULES NATIONAL STUDENT LOAN SERVICER NAVIENT BROKE THE LAW IN SERVICING STUDENT LOAN DEBT.
SEATTLE — A King County Superior Court judge ruled that Navient, the country’s largest student loan servicer, violated the Consumer Protection Act by engaging in unfair and deceptive conduct related to Washingtonians’ student loans. This is the first time a judge has ruled that Navient broke a consumer protection law in a student loan servicing lawsuit filed by a state’s Attorney General or federal consumer protection agency. Attorney General Bob Ferguson has been litigating this case since January 2017, seeking accountability for Navient’s conduct, legally enforceable terms to prevent future unlawful conduct and financial restitution for Washingtonians harmed by the unlawful conduct.
A framework for greenhouse gas assessment
A little over a year ago, Gov. Jay Inslee directed the Department of Ecology to develop regulations to guide greenhouse gas assessments for major projects in Washington.--DOE
https://ecology.wa.gov/Blog/Posts/March-2021/A-framework-for-greenhouse-gas-assessment
Initial and continued unemployment claims for regular benefits decreased during the week of February 21 – 27
OLYMPIA – During the week of February 21 - 27, there were 12,958 initial regular unemployment claims (down 7.7 percent from the prior week) and 459,328 total claims for all unemployment benefit categories (down 0.6 percent from the prior week) filed by Washingtonians, according to the Employment Security Department (ESD).
https://esd.wa.gov/newsroom/initial-unemployment-insurance-claims-for-week-of-february-21-27-2021
Washington State Department of Health provides next-generation genome sequencing
OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) has increased its capacity to identify new strains of COVID-19 using next-generation genome sequencing equipment. The goal is to test several thousand specimens a month at the Public Health Lab in Shoreline, WA.
####
(3) IN OTHER HEADLINE STORIES...
WORLD NEWS HEADLINES:
Hopes for UN Security Council action against Myanmar military coup ‘waning’ fast, warns Special Envoy
Hopes placed in the UN and the Member States that serve on the Security Council to take action against leaders of Myanmar’s military coup, are waning fast, the UN Special Envoy for the country warned on Friday.--UN NEWS CENTER
https://news.un.org/en/story/2021/03/1086572
Proportion of women parliamentarians worldwide reaches ‘all-time high’
The proportion of women parliamentarians worldwide reached more than 25 per cent last year– a historic first but still far from gender parity, UN partner the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) announced on Friday ahead of International Women’s Day on 8 March. ---UN NEWS CENTER
https://news.un.org/en/story/2021/03/1086582
Pope’s visit to Iraq, ‘a symbol of hope’: UN agencies
The visit by Pope Francis to the northern Iraqi city of Mosul at the weekend will be a symbol of hope and an opportunity to join forces for peace and unity, the UN cultural agency, UNESCO, said on Thursday, ahead of his touchdown in the capital, Baghdad. --UN NEWS CENTER
https://news.un.org/en/story/2021/03/1086492
Wasting food just feeds climate change, new UN environment report warns.
More than 930 million tons of food sold in 2019 landed in waste bins, according to new UN research, released on Thursday, in support of global efforts to halve food waste by 2030.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2021/03/1086402
NATIONAL NEWS HEADLINES:
Related story:
Biden: ‘Indian-Descent Americans Are Taking Over the Country’--CNSNEWS BLOG
Uniformed Services University Student Develops Vaccine Plan for Military Retirement Community--DOD
Ohio Treatment Facilities and Corporate Parent Agree to Pay $10.25 Million to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations of Kickbacks to Patients and Unnecessary Admissions
Oglethorpe Inc. and its three Ohio facilities, Cambridge Behavioral Hospital, Ridgeview Behavioral Hospital, and The Woods at Parkside, will pay $10.25 million to resolve alleged violations of the False Claims Act for improperly providing free long-distance transportation to patients and admitting patients at Cambridge and Ridgeview who did not require inpatient psychiatric treatment, resulting in the submission of false claims to the Medicare program. --DOJ
HUD APPROVES $115,000 SETTLEMENT RESOLVING CLAIMS OF DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION AT SEVERAL PENNSYLVANIA APARTMENT COMPLEXES
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced today that it has approved a Conciliation Agreement resolving allegations that nineteen apartment complexes in and near Philadelphia refused to grant reasonable accommodations requested by individuals with disabilities. The Conciliation Agreement is between the Housing Equality Center of Pennsylvania; management companies Human Good East, dba Presby’s Inspired Life and Human Good Pennsylvania, dba Presby’s Inspired Life; twenty-seven apartment complex owners; and an individual with disabilities.
https://www.hud.gov/press/press_releases_media_advisories/HUD_No_21_036
BUSINESS & FINANCE NEWS:
Treasury to Invest $9 billion in Community Development Financial Institutions and Minority Depository Institutions through Emergency Capital Investment Program (ECIP)
https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy0047
Construction Company Owners Pleaded Guilty to Defrauding Federal Program Intended for Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses
WASHINGTON – Two Texas construction company owners have pleaded guilty in a long-running scheme to defraud the United States.--DOJ
U.S. Economic Outlook and Monetary Policy: An Update
Governor Lael Brainard
At the C. Peter McColough Series on International Economics, Council on Foreign Relations, New York, New York --THE FED
https://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/speech/brainard20210302a.htm
Biden-Harris Administration’s Actions to Reduce Food Insecurity Amid the COVID-19 Crisis
Through administrative actions and support provided by the American Rescue Plan Act, USDA will increase support for families struggling to put food on the table--USDA
###
(4) Commentaries & Local meetings:
In Defense of Dr. Seuss
Why he shouldn’t be canceled on his birthday — or ever.--American Spectator
https://spectator.org/dr-seuss-books-canceled/
Who Is America's President?--Larry Bell/NewsMax
https://www.newsmax.com/larrybell/president/2021/03/05/id/1012636/
Will the real president of the United States please stand up?
There's no evidence that Joe Biden is actually serving as president--Washington Times
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2021/mar/4/will-the-real-president-of-the-united-states-pleas/
Poll: Two-Thirds Of Americans Think Corporate Wokeness Has Gone Too Far--The Federalist
Corporate Media, Capitol Police Rumors Of Another Capitol Attack Again Prove To Be A Dud--The Federalist
Let’s Be Clear: ‘For the People’ Act Will Benefit Leftist Politicians, Not the People--Daily Signal
####
LOCAL MEETINGS
CLALLAM COUNTY MEETINGS:
Clallam County Commission work session for 3/8/21
https://clallam.granicus.com/GeneratedAgendaViewer.php?view_id=2&event_id=1253
Clallam County Commission business meeting for 3/9/21
https://clallam.granicus.com/GeneratedAgendaViewer.php?view_id=2&event_id=7255
Port of Port Angeles Commission meeting for 3/9/21
https://www.portofpa.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_03092021-486
City of Sequim Council meeting for 3/8/21
https://www.sequimwa.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/2384
City of Forks Council meeting for 3/8/21
https://forkswashington.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Agenda_20210308.pdf
Clallam County PUD meeting for 3/8/21
https://clallampud.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/3-8-21-WEB-Packet.pdf
PASD Board Meeting
When: Thu, March 11, 7pm – 9pm
Where: 905 W 9th St, Port Angeles, WA 98363, USA, Lincoln Center.
JEFFERSON COUNTY MEETINGS:
Jefferson County Commission meeting for 3/8/21
Port of Port Townsend
1st Monthly Meeting Agenda
Wednesday, March 10, 2021, 1:00 p.m.
https://portofpt.com/event/march-10-commission-meeting/
