Press release issued 12/14/23
Today, the Biden Administration announced its commitment to partnering with the Six Sovereigns on actions that address the urgency of the salmon, climate, energy, and Tribal justice crises facing the Columbia River Basin.
The Six Sovereigns worked in a historic, collaborative manner to develop a comprehensive package of actions – the Columbia Basin Restoration Initiative (CBRI) – to address these crises, and now welcome the Biden Administration’s commitments, in response to the CBRI. This is an integral step in our collective work to prevent salmon extinction and restore their population to healthy and abundant levels.
The Administration's commitments outline the critical steps we will be taking together to address an extinction crisis among salmonids throughout the Columbia River Basin. More than just avoiding extinction, today’s announcement marks a renewed obligation to restoring salmon to healthy and abundant levels, while addressing the services provided by the Federal Columbia River Power System and creating a roadmap for the region to meet growing electricity demand with new, clean energy resources.
The Six Sovereigns’ CBRI provides a path to solutions that consider all affected parties that rely on the Columbia River, while building on a foundation of sound science and – like Governor Inslee and Senator Murray’s report and recommendations, and Congressman Simpson’s Initiative – advancing actions that solve for salmon, climate, and Tribal injustice while also building a stronger, more resilient Northwest.
The Six Sovereigns appreciate the Biden Administration for acknowledging the needs of the salmon and the communities that depend on them. With today’s announcement, the Administration is embracing the United States’ treaty and trust obligations to Tribal nations, while also considering all other interests – energy consumers, irrigators, fishers, recreationalists, and farmers, to name a few.
As we look ahead, the Six Sovereigns are optimistic about the ongoing partnership with the Biden Administration to advance and implement the urgent, actionable elements set forth in these commitments.
The Six Sovereigns include the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs, Nez Perce Tribe, State of Oregon, and State of Washington.
IN OTHER STATE NEWS HEADLINES:
AG report: Data breaches decline for the second consecutive year, remain historically high.
OLYMPIA — Attorney General Bob Ferguson released his eighth annual data breach report today that shows data breaches remain at historic levels. However, the number of breaches and Washingtonians affected has gone down over the past two years./WAAG
Inslee budget proposes $1.2 billion increase for Department of Commerce.
Focus on equity runs throughout significant funding increases serving range of priorities from housing to clean energy, broadband expansion and helping secure federal funding/ WA COMMERCE DEPT.
New protections to reduce plastic and foam pollution from dock floats.
Beginning in 2024, floating plastic foam used for overwater structures must be fully encased in a durable shell/DOE
Processing.Direct, LLC Not Licensed in Washington State.
The Washington State Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) has received a complaint from a Washington consumer against Processing./DFI
Seven steps for a happy and healthy holiday season.
OLYMPIA –The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) wishes everyone a happy holiday season. Embrace the spirit and enjoy this special time of year by following these seven steps to keep yourself and your loved ones healthy./DOH
2) From our Congressional Delegation to DC:
Senator Murray, Rep. Kilmer Celebrate Their Wild Olympics Bill Passing through Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee/FROM A PRESS RELEASE ISSUED 12/14/23
KILMER CHAMPIONS COMPREHENSIVE SUPPORT FOR SERVICEMEMBERS, MILITARY FAMILIES IN 2024 DEFENSE BILL/ Press release issued 12/14/23
KILMER ANNOUNCES $600K IN FEDERAL FUNDING FOR SAFER STREETS AND IMPROVED ACCESSIBILITY IN TACOMA/From a press release issued 12/12/23
Cantwell-Led Legislation to Reauthorize the Maritime Administration Heads to the President’s Desk
Bill expands programs to benefit WA seafood industry, shipbuilding, & mariner workforce/ From a press release issued 12/14/23
Cantwell, Risch Call for Swift Conclusion of Columbia River Treaty Modernization
“We urge you to renew the focus of your teams to complete their work and to consult closely with the U.S. Congress and Canadian Parliament on the path ahead,” the Senators wrote/ press release issued 12/13/23
3) WORLD< NATIONAL < BUSINESS:
WORLD:
Fifth Committee Approves Proposed Programme Plan for 2024 after Rejecting Resolution to Remove References Regarding Mechanism Investigating Serious Crimes in Syria
The Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) today approved its annual programme planning resolution, after rejecting an eponymous text by the Russian Federation that would have removed any references to a mechanism set up by the United Nations a dozen years ago to investigate international crimes committed in Syria since that country’s war began in March 2011./UN PRESS RELEASE
Outgoing Chairs of Subsidiary Bodies Update Security Council on Progress Made by Sanctions Committees, Working Groups
Security Situations, Armed Groups, Weapons Embargos Come Under Spotlight
Outgoing Chairs of Security Council subsidiary bodies detailed their work today on various progress made, underscoring their efforts in discussions on security situations, activities of armed groups and monitoring of arms embargoes, as they emphasized that more work remains to be done to move forward the goals of the 15-member body./UN PRESS RELEASE
South Sudan Not Ready for Conducting Credible Elections, Special Representative Tells Security Council, Outlining Important Prerequisites to Be Met
South Sudan is not yet ready to hold credible elections in 2024, a senior United Nations official said today, as the Security Council examined the recent developments in that country, including implementation of the 2018 peace agreement and the dire humanitarian situation exacerbated by the influx of people fleeing the conflict in Sudan./UN PRESS RELEASE
Remarks at a UN Side Event Titled: “Empowering Youth for Reconciliation, Peace, and Stability: Shaping a Brighter Tomorrow”/USUN
The Ceasefire in Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo/US STATE DEPT.
NATION:
Trust, Responsibility at Core of DOD Approach to AI.
The Defense Department's path toward the adoption of artificial intelligence is guided by trust and responsibility, a senior Pentagon AI official said today./DOE
Man Charged for $60M Health Care Fraud and Kickback Scheme.
A federal grand jury in Miami returned an indictment yesterday charging a Texas man for his alleged role in a $60 million health care fraud, wire fraud, and kickback scheme involving the submission of false and fraudulent claims to Medicare for medically unnecessary durable medical equipment (DME), genetic tests, and foot bath medications./DOJ
Statement from U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona on the Recent Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System Collection/ DEPT. of Education
HUD Announces $40 Million Funding Opportunity to Expand Support Services for Seniors and Persons with Disabilities
Funding provides service coordinator staff that connect residents in affordable multifamily homes with vital resources/HUD
In 2023, HUD Helps More Than 424,000 Households Connect to Homeless Support Services, Exit or Avoid Homelessness
New Biden-Harris Administration programs and efforts are increasing the number of people who exit homelessness into permanent housing in the last two years/HUD
BUSINESS:
Justice Department Announces Crackdown on Networks That Steal Money from Consumer Accounts and Use Fraudulent “Microtransactions” to Hide the Activity from Banks/DOJ
USDA Signs Agreement with Agriculture Future of America to Prepare Young People for Careers in Agriculture/USDA
Small Business Survey Drops as Respondents See Weakening Economy
The Q4 2023 Small Business Index fell on a worsening view of the economy, but small business owners remain positive on the health of their own business./US CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
DIDION MILLING INC., AGREES TO PAY $1.8M IN PENALTIES, MAKE COMPREHENSIVE SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS AFTER 2017 CAMBRIA CORN MILL EXPLOSION KILLED 5 WORKERS/DEPT. of LABOR
United States Announces Leading Pledge to the International Fund for Agricultural Development Replenishment/US TREASURY DEPT.
IN FOCUS & LOCAL MEETING FOR THE WEEK 12/16/23
https://pr2345.blogspot.com/p/in-focus-local-meeting-for-week-121623.html
