British Columbia Premier John Horgan and Washington Gov. Jay Inslee are announcing further bilateral cooperation between B.C. and Washington state to build a sustained and ongoing transboundary initiative to address Nooksack River flooding prevention and response.
Their announcement follows months of high-level discussions after the catastrophic flood in November 2021 that displaced an estimated 500 people in Whatcom County, led to the evacuation of over 14,000 people in B.C., and resulted in billions of dollars in damage across B.C. Flooding in the Nooksack watershed has been a long-standing issue for residents, Tribes and First Nations, and government leaders.
“Washington state and British Columbia have a unique role to play in addressing the urgent challenge of Nooksack River flooding,” Inslee said. “Flooding will continue to worsen in the face of population growth, development and climate change, and this challenge is bigger and more urgent than any level of government can solve on its own. Long-term, sustainable solutions will require resources from all levels of government on both sides of our border, and we are committed to working together to leverage input and significant expertise from impacted communities.”
Washington state and B.C. officials will begin initial engagement and process planning this month. They will work with First Nations, Tribal and local governments, and stakeholders to identify the areas that need coordinated work, and develop the governance structure and work plan. The two governments will announce the details of the Nooksack transboundary flooding initiative this spring.
“We are proud to coordinate with our Washington neighbours on devastating flooding from the Nooksack watershed," said Premier Horgan. “There is tremendous expertise on both sides of the border and our work will bring together the necessary resources and the relevant experts to help identify, evaluate, and advance solutions so that all adjacent communities are better prepared for the inevitable impacts of extreme weather caused by climate change."
Following a period of initial engagement and process planning, Inslee and Horgan intend for this transboundary initiative to drive the design of projects and programs and identify sources of funding. The initiative will build upon local efforts on both sides of the border and seek to protect public infrastructure, farms, salmon and related ecosystems, as well as communities both upriver and downriver, particularly those disproportionately impacted by flooding.
Earlier this year, U.S. federal authorities approved federal disaster assistance to impacted communities in northwest Washington, including taking the rare step of approving Individual Assistance for this type of disaster. In the recently completed 2022 legislative session, the Washington State Legislature approved $750,000 for staffing and technical support for flood planning, $600,000 for disaster assistance to Whatcom County farmers and ranchers, $2 million for Nooksack River flood mitigation, and $2 million for the Nooksack Valley School District to respond to flood damage and future flood risks.
B.C. has budgeted $1.5 billion over the next three years on recovery supports for people and communities impacted by the floods. The Canadian federal government and the government of B.C. have also established a joint committee along with First Nations, to ensure effective response and recovery while enhancing climate adaptation and response measures.
IN OTHER STATE NEWS HEADLINES:
Biosecurity and protecting your horse from strangles.---WSDA
This week, a Snohomish County horse that recently attended a show in Whatcom County was diagnosed with strangles, Streptococcus equi, an endemic bacterial infection that is rarely fatal, but as the name suggests, can affect a horse’s respiratory system.
https://wastatedeptag.blogspot.com/2022/03/biosecurity-and-protecting-your-horse.html
AG Ferguson files lawsuit against US Stemology for peddling unproven, untested stem cell treatments.
OLYMPIA — Attorney General Bob Ferguson filed a lawsuit against Seattle-based US Stemology and its owner, Dr. Tami Meraglia, for deceptively marketing stem cell treatments for COVID-19 and dozens of other serious medical conditions, including asthma, lupus, Parkinson’s, congestive heart failure and multiple sclerosis. There is no reliable clinical evidence stem cell therapy can effectively treat these conditions.
AG Ferguson provides funding to 53 law enforcement agencies for expanded storage for sexual assault evidence.
OLYMPIA — Attorney General Bob Ferguson today announced that his office will provide 53 local law enforcement agencies across the state with funding for refrigeration units to store evidence from sexual assault investigations.
ESD Monthly Employment Report: Payroll employment growth surges in February
OLYMPIA – Washington’s economy added 31,700 jobs in February. In February, the preliminary seasonally adjusted monthly unemployment rate fell slightly to 4.3%.
https://www.esd.wa.gov/newsroom/monthly-employment-report-for-february-2022
WDFW and DNR invite public input on Central Washington Green Dot Road management.
YAKIMA – The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and the Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) invite the public to review annual management updates for Green Dot Roads on state lands in Central Washington.
WDFW seeks public input on 2022 proposals for Washington’s ocean salmon fisheries.
OLYMPIA – Fishery managers have developed options for Washington’s ocean salmon fisheries that reflect an expected improvement to coho returns to the Columbia River and many coastal areas in 2022.
https://wdfw.wa.gov/news/wdfw-seeks-public-input-2022-proposals-washingtons-ocean-salmon-fisheries
State disciplines health care providers.
Jefferson County
In February 2022 the Nursing Commission and registered nurse Sara Leslie Campbell (RN00166893) entered an agreement that requires Campbell to participate in a substance use monitoring program after Campbell diverted a controlled substance.
https://doh.wa.gov/newsroom/state-disciplines-health-care-providers-208
UTC staff investigated 1,000s of utility disconnections, customer complaints in 2021.
LACEY, Wash. - In 2021, consumer protection staff at the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission intervened in nearly 2,500 potential customer energy utility disconnections and closed hundreds of customer complaints across six industries.
FROM OUR CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION:
Senator Murray Statement on Idaho’s Copy-Cat Abortion Ban.
https://www.murray.senate.gov/senator-murray-statement-on-idahos-copy-cat-abortion-ban/
Senators Cantwell and Murray Announce $26 Million for King, Kitsap, and Clark County Electric Buses and Transportation Improvements
Kilmer’s Bipartisan Legislation to Help Communities Address Ongoing Opioid Crisis Signed Into Law
Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) announced that the Drug-Free Communities Pandemic Relief Act, bipartisan legislation he introduced with Rep. Dave Joyce (OH-14), was signed into law as part of the twelve-bill spending package to fund the federal government.
Biden Signs Kilmer-Supported Legislation into Law to Fund Local Priorities and Support the Ukrainian People
Kilmer Secured Over $22.9 Million for 10 Local Projects.
Washington, DC – Today, President Joe Biden signed into law a twelve-bill spending package to fund the federal government. U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) voted to support the legislation last week, which passed the U.S. House and the U.S. Senate with bipartisan support. The legislation also included the Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act, which provides $13.6 billion in emergency funding to support the Ukrainian people and defend global democracy in the wake of Russia’s unprovoked attack on Ukraine.
WORLD NEWS HEADLINES:
World must deliver support to Afghans: UN refugee chief.
UN Refugee Agency chief Filippo Grandi called on Thursday for sustained international support for Afghanistan’s people, where the country’s humanitarian crisis is worsening.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/03/1114102
UK border reform bill treats vulnerable newcomers like criminals: Bachelet
The UN’s top rights official urged the United Kingdom on Friday to reconsider proposed changes to its border policy, warning that suggested reforms would criminalize vulnerable people for entering the country irregularly.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/03/1114092
International Court orders Russia to ‘immediately suspend’ military operations in Ukraine.
Russia must immediately suspend military operations in Ukraine, the UN International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled on Wednesday, in The Hague.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/03/1114052
Misinformation that Omicron is ‘the last COVID-19 variant’ fuelling uptick worldwide: WHO.
A combination of factors, including misinformation that the pandemic is over, the lifting of mask mandates, ending physical distancing - and a more transmissible Omicron BA.2 variant - are causing an increase of COVID-19 cases globally, the World Health Organization warned on Wednesday.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/03/1114062
Ukraine health facilities ‘stretched to breaking point’, warns WHO.
The World Health Organization (WHO) warned on Monday that it is working “day and night” to keep medical supply chains open and preserve the health system in Ukraine, where, it says, medical facilities are stretched to breaking point.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/03/1113902
Welcoming the International Court of Justice’s Order Directing the Russian Federation to Immediately Suspend Military Operations in Ukraine.--US STATE DEPT.
Explanation of Vote Following the Adoption of UN Security Council Resolution on the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan--USUN
Remarks at a UN Security Council Briefing on Libya---USUN
https://usun.usmission.gov/remarks-at-a-un-security-council-briefing-on-libya-7/
NATIONAL HEADLINES:
Biden Signs Order Transferring Arms to Ukrainian Defenders---DOD
Home Health Care Business Owner Pleads Guilty to Employment Tax Fraud
A former Kansas businessman man pleaded guilty today to employment tax crimes.--DOJ
https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/home-health-care-business-owner-pleads-guilty-employment-tax-fraud
Federal Reserve issues FOMC statement
Indicators of economic activity and employment have continued to strengthen. Job gains have been strong in recent months, and the unemployment rate has declined substantially. Inflation remains elevated, reflecting supply and demand imbalances related to the pandemic, higher energy prices, and broader price pressures.
https://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/pressreleases/monetary20220316a.htm
IRS Spotlights Criminal Investigation Law Enforcement.
CI pursues financial crimes like money laundering, terrorist financing, cybercrimes, and sanctions evasion—including investigating and seizing assets of Russian elites.
https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-spotlights-criminal-investigation-law-enforcement
USDA Now Accepting Applications for the Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement Program, Providing Up To $200 Million to Purchase Local Food for Schools--USDA
U.S. Chamber Applauds Administration’s Ban on Russian Oil, Calls for Increased Domestic Production--US CHAMBER COMMERCE
US DEPARTMENT OF LABOR ANNOUNCES PAY EQUITY AUDIT DIRECTIVE FOR FEDERAL CONTRACTORS TO IDENTIFY BARRIERS TO EQUAL PAY
WASHINGTON – Today, as the nation observes Equal Pay Day – the day through which U.S. women typically must work to be paid the same wages men received in 2021 – the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs issued a new directive to promote greater contractor attention concerning the proactive and effective use of pay equity audits to identify barriers to equal pay in their pay-setting and employment practices.
https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/ofccp/ofccp20220315
HEADLINES FROM OTHER SOURCES:
California City Considers Declaring Chick-fil-A a 'Public Nuisance' Because It's Too Popular.--The Federalist
The Hill's Morning Report - Biden to warn Xi against arming Russia--The Hill
17 Months Late, Millions Short at NY Times on Hunter Biden’s Laptop--Daily Signal
Pope Francis on Ukraine (Without Naming Russia or Putin): ‘In the Name of God, I Ask You: Stop This Massacre!’--CNSNEWS
AOC: There’s A Connection Between ‘Fossil Fuel Extraction Sites’ And ‘Murders Of Indigenous Women’--Daily Wire
There's No Denying It Anymore: The Media Lies to You--NEWS MAX
https://www.newsmax.com/geneberardelli/media-hunter-biden/2022/03/18/id/1061815/
President Vladimir Putin has invoked Nazis to justify the war against Ukraine. Here are the roots of his puzzling assertion.--NYT
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/17/world/europe/ukraine-putin-nazis.html
Biden’s chance to tackle climate change is fading amid global energy upheaval
High fuel prices have led to calls for a supercharged clean energy transition, but Democrats still lack a legislative strategy to advance their climate agenda.--Washington Post
https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2022/03/18/russian-energy-ukraine-climate-change/
LOCAL MEETINGS:
CLALLAM COUNTY MEETINGS
Clallam County Commission work session for 3/21/22
https://clallam.granicus.com/GeneratedAgendaViewer.php?view_id=2&event_id=1307
Clallam County Board meeting for 3/22/22
https://clallam.granicus.com/GeneratedAgendaViewer.php?view_id=2&event_id=7309
Port of Port Angeles Commission Meeting for 3/22/22
https://www.portofpa.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_03222022-580
PASD Board Meeting
When: Thu, March 24, 7pm – 9pm
Where: 905 W 9th St, Port Angeles, WA 98363, USA (map)
Description
Regular meetings are usually scheduled on the second and fourth Thursday of each month, beginning at 7:00 p.m. All meetings are open to the public. Call 360.565.3702 for information.
JEFFERSON COUNTY MEETINGS:
Jefferson County Board meeting for 3/21/22
https://media.avcaptureall.cloud/meeting/eb7e88a1-81d4-468c-800b-d51a797e53e1
PORT TOWNSEND CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING AGENDA for 3/21/22
https://cityofpt.granicus.com/GeneratedAgendaViewer.php?view_id=4&event_id=1697
Port of Port Townsend
2nd Monthly Commission Meeting
Agenda
Wednesday, March 23, 2022, 1:00 p.m.
https://portofpt.com/event/mar-23-port-commission-meeting/
