SOURCE LINK: WSDA
OLYMPIA – For the first time since the northern giant hornet (Vespa mandarina) was initially detected in the state, the Washington State Department of Agriculture’s (WSDA) Pest Program did not trap or confirm any sightings of the hornets in Washington this year.
The hornet is not yet considered eradicated. Federal guidelines require three consecutive years without a confirmed detection to declare the hornets eradicated.
State entomologists first confirmed a sighting of the hornet when a resident in Whatcom County reported a dead specimen in Dec. 2019. In 2020, WSDA entomologists found and eradicated the first-ever northern giant hornet nest in the United States, followed by three additional nests in 2021. All nests were located east of Blaine.
“While not detecting any hornets this year is promising, the work to ensure they are eradicated is not over yet,” Sven Spichiger, WSDA managing entomologist, said. “Research to develop a better trap continues and public reports – which account for half of all confirmed detections – remain critical.”
Trappers also successfully caught more than 23,000 Japanese beetles (Popillia japonica) in Yakima County, a slight decline in detections from 2021 despite an overall increase in trapping. While WSDA was not able to treat the area in 2021, WSDA trapping, community outreach, and residents and businesses actively self-treating their properties likely contributed to the slight decline in detections.
The trapped beetles were primarily within the newly quarantined area. However, trappers also caught beetles outside the quarantine area including a concentration of 186 beetles in Wapato. The program expects to continue a multi-year eradication project next year in an attempt to eliminate the pest.
Spongy moth (Lymantria dispar) catches were also up. Trappers caught 30 spongy moths this year, up from just six in 2021. Program staff conducted surveys in areas where multiple moths were caught but did not observe any alternate life stages (eggs, pupae, etc.). While teams are not planning spongy moth eradication projects in 2023, WSDA’s invasive moth program will conduct intensive trapping in areas where moths were trapped this year in addition to their standard trapping throughout the state.
Despite these detections, many of the insects and diseases that the program looked for – such as spotted lanternfly – were not found in the state. “When it comes to the pests that we survey for, the best news is no news,” Spichiger said. “Monitoring for these pests allows us to react quickly to eradicate them if they are found. It also gives confidence to our trading partners that Washington commodities can be safely enjoyed around the world without the threat of spreading invasive pests.”
The WSDA Pest Program monitors the state for more than 130 pests and diseases that could impact agricultural production each year. The program’s work has protected Washington’s agriculture, forests, and other natural resources from invasive pests for decades.
IN OTHER STATE NEWS HEADINES
Appeals court upholds campaign finance ruling against Tim Eyman.--AG office
Washington Court of Appeals Division II Judges Name New Court Commissioner
December 01, 2022
The judges of the Washington State Court of Appeals, Division II, have appointed Karl Triebel to the position of court commissioner, effective December 1, 2022. Commissioner Triebel will replace long-time Commissioner Eric B. Schmidt, who is retiring.--WA COURTS
2. FROM OUR CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION
National Defense Bill to Help Safeguard Habitat for Puget Sound Orcas.
LINK SOURCE: Senator Cantwell office.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives voted 350-80 to pass the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The legislation, which now heads to the Senate, includes key provisions to preserve and protect crucial Puget Sound habitat -- and the orcas depending on it.
Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), who chairs the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, authored key provisions of the NDAA that would enhance protections for the Puget Sound, including the Marine Mammal Research and Response Act she introduced last year.
“For the first time, this bill establishes a Puget Sound Office where the EPA, NOAA, and other federal partners will have an annual budget for research and recovery efforts to help clean up Puget Sound. The new law will also require the Coast Guard to review and improve oil spill response plans to ensure we are ready in the event of an oil spill or other pollution event. Lastly, our bill requires NOAA and the Coast Guard to work together to protect orcas and other marine life from vessel traffic impacts including noise, pollution, and ship strikes,” Sen. Cantwell said.
Provisions in the NDAA include:
The Puget Sound Save Our Sound Act, which would:
Establish a Puget Sound Recovery National Program office within the Environmental Protection Agency;
Codify the Puget Sound Federal Leadership Task Force, which is made up of nine federal agencies that play a vital role in protecting the Puget Sound;
Authorize a $50 million annual budget to support Puget Sound recovery under this program.
Provisions to protect Southern resident orcas and marine mammals, including:
A new pilot program to establish a whale desk within the Coast Guard Puget Sound Vessel Traffic Center. The desk would improve coordination between NOAA, the Coast Guard, and the maritime industry to reduce the risk of vessel traffic impacts on Southern resident orcas. This new program, modeled after Canada’s Whale Desk, would help track and proactively engage vessel operators to alert them to whale presence, as well as regulations and voluntary guidelines that are in place to protect the whales.
Expansion of near-real time monitoring of large whales to improve management and conservation of endangered species including Northern right whales and orcas. Real time monitoring and the new whale desk will help first responders track and mitigate impacts to orcas from day-to-day vessel traffic and protect them during emergencies, such as the August 2022 oil spill in Friday Harbor.
A $10 million annual competitive grant program to support ports that are proactively working to invest in measures to mitigate vessel impacts and improve conservation of marine mammals.
A $1.5 million annual allocation over five years for NOAA to expand the deployment of ocean noise observation systems for protecting marine life.
A bill introduced by Sen. Cantwell reauthorizing the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) John H. Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue and Response grant program, which provides competitive grants ?marine?mammals that are sick or injured in U.S. waters. Frequent grant recipients include the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Olympia-based Cascadia Research Collective, and the Friday Harbor-based Whale Museum. Funds have previously been used to support the rehabilitation of sick and injured Southern resident orcas, including Springer. ?This legislation would also:
Create a new emergency financial assistance program to help states, Tribes, academic institutions, and nonprofit organizations respond to large scale emergency events, including mass stranding or beaching of marine mammals;
Establish a Marine Mammal Health Map to analyze gaps in data to help scientists better understand how marine mammal populations are impacted by climate change and other impacts;
Launch a National Academy of Science study on the connection between ocean warming events, such as harmful algae blooms, and marine mammal mortality.???
Provisions enhancing oil spill response operations, including:
Increased vessel response plan evaluations and oil spill response drills;
A Coast Guard study on national, regional, and local oil spill response plans and effectiveness;
A requirement that the best available data be used in oil spill preparedness and response.
A provision authored by Sen. Cantwell to secure $800 million for up to six NOAA weather research aircraft for in order to:
Collect important climate and weather related data to help comminutes prepare for and monitor climate change and extreme weather.
This provision would also prioritize research into atmospheric rivers, which are common in Washington state and cause heavy rainfall.
Direct the Maritime Administration to improve the climate resiliency of our nation’s ports.
A bill to improve federal research of bodies of water across the United States, including Puget Sound. The Bolstering Long Term Understanding and Exploration of the Great Lakes, Ocean, Bays and Estuaries, or?“BLUE GLOBE Act”,?would:
Require NOAA to conduct a focused study on future marine and maritime workforce needs;
Mandate that seral cooperative research institutes administered by NOAA prioritize the use of new technology to address current challenges in the ocean environments (for example, new technology and solutions needed to address the collection and removal of plastics in the ocean);
Establish an interagency program designed to provide a comprehensive “Blue Economy” assessment of value and impacts of natural resources, maritime industries, coastal communities, and military uses.??
A requirement that the Maritime Administration, NOAA, and the EPA to conduct a study into the impact of contaminant-laden stormwater runoff on salmon and steelhead trout populations that return to spawn in urban streams across the Pacific Northwest, including:
Evaluating tire-related chemicals in stormwater runoff, and the impact of that runoff on salmon survival;
Providing recommendations for science and management needs to understand and ultimately address tire-related runoff.
A provision establishing Regional Ocean Partnerships to increase collaboration among states on shared ocean and coastal issues, including:
A $2.5 million authorization for the West Coast Ocean Alliance (WCOA), a partnership between Washington, Oregon, California and coastal Indian Tribes;
A $1 million authorization dedicated to supporting Tribal government engagement. The Makah, Quileute, and Quinault Nation Tribes are all members of WCOA.
Crackdowns on illegal fishing and forced labor, including:
A bill improving traceability and intergovernmental coordination needed to catch illegal fishermen on the high seas;
Training requirements for NOAA and Coast Guard personnel to identify instances of forced labor and child labor in the international fishing industry;
Stronger tools for NOAA and the Department of Homeland Security to end illegal fishing and forced labor, including denial of port privileges, improved certification, observer training, and capacity building in countries working to cut down on illegal fishing activity.
The NDAA now heads to the Senate, where the bill is expected to be considered next week, before ultimately heading to the President’s desk.
IN OTHER CONGRESSIONAL NEWS:
Port of Tacoma Will Help Washington State Exports Remain Competitive Thanks to Defense Bill Authorization
Army Corps is expected to deepen Tacoma’s Blair and Sitcum waterways, allowing extra-large container ships to utilize the port.--Sen. Cantwell
REPRESENTATIVE KILMER, SENATOR WARREN UNVEIL HISTORIC LEGISLATION TO ADDRESS CHRONIC UNDERFUNDING AND BARRIERS TO SOVEREIGNTY IN INDIAN COUNTRY--Congressman Kilmer office
KILMER VOTES TO SUPPORT SERVICE MEMBERS, MILITARY FAMILIES, AND THE FEDERAL CIVILIAN WORKFORCE--Congressman Kilmer Office
Murray, Cardin, Brown Seek to Provide Much-Needed Payroll Tax Relief to Businesses Shut Out of Oversubscribed SBA Restaurant Revitalization Fund Program--Sen. Murray
Senators Murray and Cantwell Help Lead Bipartisan Letter Emphasizing Western Drought and Conservation Priorities--Sen. Murray office
3. WORLD NEWS HEADLINES.
Elections in Central African Countries Show Significant Progress, But Security Conditions Could Disrupt Democratic Strides, Briefers Tell Security Council--UN PRESS RELEASE
Noting that recent elections held in Angola, Congo, São Tomé and Príncipe and Equatorial Guinea showed significant progress towards democracy and rule of law, as well as a greater participation of women, briefers told the Security Council today that strengthened international and regional cooperation was needed to build and sustain peace and democratic strides in Central Africa in the face of persistent security challenges.
Abdou Abarry, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Central Africa and Head of the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA), briefed the Council for the first time since his appointment on 28 July and presented the related report of the Secretary-General (document S/2022/896). The region had great challenges, but also great opportunities, particularly in the area of economic and social development and the building of democracy and the rule of law, he said, noting the peaceful holding of elections in São Tomé and Príncipe, Angola, Congo and Equatorial Guinea. Citing other positive developments, he highlighted the increased participation and representation of women in institutions and political processes and significant progress, as well, in maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea.
However, in the Lake Chad Basin, extremist groups, although weakened, have continued to cause harm, he said, urging that military pressure must be maintained against those groups in a coordinated manner as part of the Multinational Joint Force. Meanwhile, in Cameroon, the situation in the north-west and south-west regions continues to threaten that country’s stability, with attacks on civilian targets, including schools. Still, the year 2023 will see significant political processes in certain Central African countries. Noting that the last elections in some of those countries were marked by violence, he called for international assistance and national and regional efforts to ensure peaceful electoral processes, and the Council’s increased political support towards that end.
Gilberto da Piedade Verissimo, President of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), said the ECCAS Commission deployed international electoral observation missions to Congo, Angola, São Tomé and Príncipe and Equatorial Guinea to monitor the electoral processes. In addition, ECCAS is working to implement an international fact-finding mission in Chad. An international fact-finding mission is also being operationalized in São Tomé and Príncipe to address the political and security crisis triggered by the recent presidential and legislative elections in 2021 and 2022.
Noting the worrisome situation in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as well as the terrorist movements and armed groups in South Kivu, North Kivu and Ituri, he said the Commission is exploring ways to send a regional force in the eastern part of the country as an observer. Calling on the cooperation of United Nations agencies, he said the challenging situations in Central Africa give rise to reimagined and renewed cooperation to promote peace and lasting security in the region.
In the ensuing debate, Council members welcomed the electoral processes in the region and the increased political participation and representation of women, noting them as prerequisites for democracy. They voiced alarm, however, about terrorism, ongoing violence and the humanitarian situation in the region and joined the briefers in calling for strengthened regional and international cooperation.
The representative of the United Kingdom, while highlighting the role of UNOCA in supporting inclusive and peaceful political processes, stressed it is up to Member States to deliver democratic elections and inclusive transitional processes. Regarding the eruption of violence in October in Chad, she welcomed the launch of an inquiry and urged UNOCA, ECCAS member States and the Chadian Government to ensure transparent and independent investigation. Voicing concern about the ongoing violence in the Central African Republic, she said the targeting of civilians, not only by armed groups, but by national forces and the Russian mercenary group, Wagner, continues to play a destabilizing role in the country.
Gabon’s representative, also speaking for Ghana and Kenya, expressed concern over persistent terrorist attacks by Boko Haram and dissident groups in the Lake Chad Basin and armed groups’ intensifying attacks in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Hoping the ongoing deployment of the East African Community Regional Force will help resolve the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, she called on the international community to support these subregional efforts. She further stressed the importance of boosting cooperation between the States of Central Africa through ECCAS and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), as well as between the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) and UNOCA.
The representative of the United Arab Emirates, in a similar vein, said the joint meetings between special envoys and concerned stakeholders in the region — such as the one held in Nairobi last October — are all important examples of cooperation between regional organizations and the United Nations. Noting that heavy rains, massive floods and desertification continue to impact populations, in addition to increasing tensions and conflicts, she said it is critical to foster the communities’ resilience to climate change, including in the Lake Chad Basin and the Congo Basin.
Mexico’s representative, also underscoring that complex situations require enhanced regional coordination, called for regional organizations to offer greater assistance, particularly regarding the transition in Chad. Delays in that transition will create a dangerous political precedent in the region, he warned, urging the authorities of the transition to respect their obligations. Turning to Cameroon, he underlined a need for a political mobilization towards national reconciliation, noting that a new basis needs to be built for peaceful coexistence of the communities in which the Cameroonian diaspora could play a key role.
China’s representative underscored that the stability of Central Africa is vital for the entire continent, adding that the international community should devote more attention to the region while respecting the sovereignty and ownership of countries in the region. Further, the international community must help regional countries improve their living standards and achieve socioeconomic development, he said, calling for adequate humanitarian financing to help affected countries. China will continue to support Central African countries through means such as debt suspension and development assistance, he said.( see link source for more details)
IN OTHER WORLD NEWS HEADLINES:
Remarks by Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield Before a UN Security Council Vote on a Humanitarian Carveout Resolution--USUN
The Release of Brittney Griner from Russia--US STATE DEPT.
4. NATIONAL & BUSINESS NEWS
U.S. Department of Education Launches New Initiative to Enhance STEM Education for All Students.
LINK SOURCE: US DEPT. of EDUCATION
today, the U.S. Department of Education (Department) will host the YOU Belong in STEM National Coordinating Conference in Washington, D.C. as a key initiative for the Biden-Harris Administration. The Raise the Bar: STEM Excellence for All Students initiative is designed to strengthen Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education nationwide. This new Biden-Harris Administration initiative will help implement and scale equitable, high-quality STEM education for all students from PreK to higher education—regardless of background— to ensure their 21st century career readiness and global competitiveness.
“Research shows how a sense of belonging in rich and rigorous classrooms is directly correlated to students’ long-term academic success. Moreover, the Department’s Civil Rights Data Collection continues to demonstrate that students of color and students with disabilities are disproportionately excluded from learning opportunities in STEM,” said U.S. Deputy Secretary of Education Cindy Marten. “Today, we are saying unequivocally to all students and educators that they belong in STEM and that they deserve to have rigorous and relevant educational experiences that inspire and empower them to reach their full potential as productive, contributing members of our nation’s workforce.”
The new initiative unites government, nonprofits, professional organizations, industries, philanthropies, and other community stakeholders to take bold action towards breaking down long-standing barriers for student success in the STEM fields. With the support of $120 billion dollars dedicated to K-12 education in the American Rescue Plan (ARP) and all other federal education funds, the Department is galvanizing the broader education ecosystem to prioritize three goals for STEM education:
Ensure all students from PreK to higher education excel in rigorous, relevant, and joyful STEM learning.
Develop and support our STEM educators to join, grow, and stay in the STEM field.
Invest in STEM education strategically and sufficiently using ARP and other federal, state, and local funds.
These goals provide strategic direction for the Department’s STEM-related efforts to meet the most pressing needs of students and educators. Further, through this initiative, the Department calls on all states, districts, schools, and STEM-connected organizations and industries to make specific, tangible commitments aligned to these goals to provide all students with the experiences and resources they need to succeed in STEM and in life.
In support of the initiative and its goals, the Department has:
Published a Dear Colleague Letter to state and district leaders outlining how federal education funds can be used to enhance STEM teaching and learning.
Announced a partnership with Beyond100K through an MOU. Beyond100K will partner with the Department to identify the key challenges to fully staffing schools with STEM teachers who reflect the diversity of their students and create classrooms of belonging. Beyond100K will also partner with the Department and other stakeholders to better understand and predict the supply and demand of STEM teachers at the state and local levels. Additionally, Beyond100K will co-sponsor a series of national communities of practices to support states, school districts, and other education organizations in developing and implementing innovative solutions to the STEM educator shortage and improve equitable access to high-quality STEM instruction for all students, especially those most excluded from STEM opportunity.
Additionally, over 90 public and private sector organizations from across the country have made specific commitments to enhance STEM education. These commitments range from local grassroots efforts to initiatives that are national in scope. Several excerpts of example commitments include:
Data Science for Everyone will assist 100+ school districts to leverage ARP and other funds for piloting and scaling data science education programs, impacting approximately 200,000 students, with a priority on serving Title I (~30%) and rural (~30%) communities; will launch working groups in 10 states to expand teacher training pathways into emerging technology education; will launch a research and development campaign for students with disabilities and other learning differences to engage in data science education by 2025.
DiscoverE will create 10 million K-12 engineering experiences, 5 million of which will serve girls and underrepresented students.
New York Hall of Science, through its STEM Equity Initiative, will engage over 300 three- and four-year-old students each year from the Corona community of Queens, New York, in its STEM-themed preschool through PreK program.
Smithsonian Science Education Center at the Smithsonian Institute will provide professional development to over 100 K-12 STEM educators on Universal Design for Learning in STEM classrooms and on culturally based pedagogy in STEM classrooms; will also support 20 education entities representing over 10,000 STEM teachers with the goal of ensuring a diverse STEM teacher pipeline.
STEM Next Opportunity Fund will expand the portfolios of Million Girls Moonshot partners to include local and regional STEM intermediaries and direct youth-serving organizations by investing an additional $1.5 million a year through 2025 to the existing $4 million planned; also by 2025 they will invest $8 million in developing a research agenda to increase public awareness of out-of-school time as a critical component of ensuring a sense of belonging for youth in STEM.
A full list of the organizations can be found here.
The YOU Belong in STEM National Coordinating Conference will welcome more than 200 STEM stakeholders from 30 states and territories in the Department’s Lyndon B. Johnson building in Washington, D.C. Participants will collaborate and learn about the importance of belonging in STEM, connect with students and educators about their experiences in STEM education, and develop new partnerships and commitments. We invite you to join us virtually for the opening (9 a.m. ET - 12:15 p.m. ET) and closing (4 p.m. ET - 4:45 p.m. ET) plenary sessions.
Today’s actions and conference build on the progress school communities have made this year in helping students and families recover from the pandemic, as they respond to President Biden’s call to enlist 250,000 adult volunteers to support student success. This past summer, the Department launched two national initiatives—the National Partnership for Student Success (NPSS) and Engage Every Student — that focus on innovative ways to engage students and schools and support academic achievement and student wellness.
IN OTHER NATIONAL HEADLINES:
Two Individuals Arrested for Pharmacy Health Care Fraud Kickback Schemes--DOJ
Transcript: CDC Media Telebriefing – Update on Respiratory Disease Circulation--CDC
HUD ANNOUNCES RACIAL EQUITY AGREEMENT WITH AFFORDABLE RENTAL HOUSING PROVIDER--HUD
BUSINESS NEWS:
Treasury and IRS propose regulations identifying syndicated conservation easement transactions as abusive tax transactions.
LINK SOURCE: IRS
WASHINGTON — The Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service today issued proposed regulations identifying certain syndicated conservation easement (SCE) transactions as "listed transactions" – abusive tax transactions that must be reported to the IRS.
In these transactions, investors typically acquire an interest in a partnership that owns land and then claim an inflated charitable contribution deduction based on a grossly overvalued appraisal when the partnership donates a conservation easement on the land.
The IRS previously identified certain SCE transactions as listed transactions in Notice 2017-10. Recent court decisions in the Sixth Circuit and the U.S. Tax Court ruled that the IRS lacks the authority to identify listed transactions by notices, such as Notice 2017-10, and must instead identify such transactions by following the notice and public comment procedures that apply to regulations.
Treasury and the IRS disagree with these decisionsPDF and continue to defend Notice 2017-10 and similar notices in litigation except in the Sixth Circuit. At the same time, however, Treasury and IRS issued the proposed regulations to eliminate any confusion regarding the need to report these transactions and to ensure that these decisions do not disrupt the IRS's ongoing efforts to combat abusive tax shelters throughout the nation.
Treasury and the IRS intend to finalize these proposed regulations, after due consideration of public comments, in 2023 and intend to issue proposed regulations identifying additional listed transactions in the near future.
IN OTHER BUSINESS NEWS:
Biden-Harris Administration Announces More Than $2.3 Million to Create Good-Paying Union Jobs, Catalyze Economic Revitalization in Alaska and Texas--DEPT. of INTERIOR
USDA and Social Security Administration Collaborate to Improve Nutrition Security through SNAP--SSA
hree Health Care Providers Agree to Pay $22.5 Million for Alleged False Claims to California’s Medicaid Program--DOJ
5. LOCAL MEETINGS.
CLALLAM COUNTY MEETINGS:
Clallam County work session for 12/12/22
https://www.clallamcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_12122022-502
Clallam County Commission business meeting for 12/13/22
https://www.clallamcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_12132022-503
Port of Port Angeles Commission meeting for 12/13/22
https://www.portofpa.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_12132022-642
City of Sequim Council meeting for 12/12/22
https://www.sequimwa.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/2737
A Regular Meeting of the Forks City Council will be held online December 12, 2022 at 7:30 pm.
(no agenda been posted on webpage)
https://forkswashington.org/document-category/council-agendas/
Clallam County PUD meeting for 12/12/13
https://clallampud.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/12-12-22-WEB-Packet.pdf
JEFFERSON COUNTY MEETINGS.
Jefferson County Commission meeting for 12/12/22
https://media.avcaptureall.cloud/meeting/212e9164-a712-466e-ada2-94f61aeae2cd
PORT TOWNSEND CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING AGENDA for 12/12/22
https://cityofpt.granicus.com/GeneratedAgendaViewer.php?view_id=4&event_id=1962
Port of Port Townsend Commission meeting 12/14/22
https://portofpt.com/wp-content/uploads/20221214-CommMtg-Agenda-only.pdf
