NewzIntel.com

Category: Environment

  • MIL-OSI USA: GLSC Invasive Sea Lamprey, COVID-Pause Study Highlighted in Great Lakes Fishery Commission Press Release and Detroit Free Press Article

    Source: US Geological Survey

    A recent study led by GLSC’s Ben Marcy-Quay (Millersburg, MI), published on March 25, 2025, in Fisheries (https://doi.org/10.1093/fshmag/vuaf020), quantifies the effect of reduced sea lamprey control effort in 2020-2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic. The multi-agency team, which included Sean Lewandoski (GLSC, Millersburg, MI), Brian O’Malley (GLSC, Oswego, NY), and Nick Johnson, (GLSC, Millersburg, MI), as well as scientists from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, and the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, analyzed a multi-decade suite of lamprey wounding and adult lamprey abundance index data. Results indicate that when sea lamprey control is relaxed, sea lamprey abundance and wounding rates increase substantially (more than 10-fold in some circumstances). The Great Lakes Fishery Commission highlighted the work in an April 10, 2025 press release: Noxious Sea Lampreys Took Advantage of Covid-19 Pandemic, New Study Finds and Ben was interviewed regarding the work by Keith Matheny from the Detroit Free Press for an article published the following day: Sea lamprey control efforts slowed during COVID-19: It let the Great Lakes invaders flourish.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: WATCH: Rep. Gabe Vasquez Celebrates Reintroduction of Gila Wild & Scenic River Legislation with Local Advocates in Silver City

    Source: US Representative Gabe Vasquez’s (NM-02)

    SILVER CITY, NM –Today, U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) joined members of the Wild Gila River Coalition in Silver City to celebrate the re-introduction of the M.H. Dutch Salmon Greater Gila Wild and Scenic River Act—a major milestone in the ongoing effort to permanently protect New Mexico’s last free-flowing river and the communities that depend on it. The legislation is led by U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) in the Senate.

    “The Gila River is a symbol of everything we love about New Mexico—wild, beautiful, and full of life,” said Vasquez. “This legislation is about protecting that legacy for future generations, and I’m proud to stand alongside so many New Mexicans who have fought for years to make this legislation possible.”

    WATCH: Silver City Press Conference

    The bill would designate approximately 450 miles of the Gila and San Francisco Rivers and their tributaries as Wild and Scenic. This would ensure that the rivers remain free-flowing while maintaining public access and existing water and land uses. U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján and U.S. Reps. Stansbury and Leger Fernandez are original cosponsors of the legislation.

    Rep. Vasquez gathered with local conservationists, business owners, and outdoor advocates at a community celebration to recognize the grassroots momentum behind the bill. The event was organized in partnership with the Wild Gila River Coalition, a broad alliance of stakeholders working to protect the ecological, cultural, and economic values of the watershed.

    The Gila Wild and Scenic River Act is endorsed by the Wild Gila River Coalition, which includes Gila Resources Information Project (GRIP), Heart of the Gila, Upper Gila Watershed Association, New Mexico Wild, American Rivers, Center for Biological Diversity, Conservation Lands Foundation, the Wilderness Society, the New Mexico Wildlife Federation, the Pew Charitable Trusts, Trout Unlimited, and American Whitewater.

    “The Gila Wild and Scenic designation will pay tribute to our rich natural heritage and boost Grant County’s outdoor recreation economy,” said Grant County Commissioner Nancy Stephens.

    “The free-flowing Gila River is the true cornerstone of the Gila Wilderness Area.  This river remaining free-flowing state, in perpetuity, greatly benefits outdoor recreation-centric businesses like ours in the present, and into the future.  We strongly support a Wild and Scenic Designation for the Gila River,” said Eric Payne, co-owner of Gila Hike & Bike in Silver City. 

    “Wild and Scenic for the Gila River is one of the most important pieces of legislation for my lifetime,” said Brett Myric, a 5th-generation New Mexican who served in Seal Team 5. He continued, “I will go to my grave with a smile on my face knowing the Gila River is protected this way in perpetuity.”

    Alexa Tubbs, CEO of Open Space Brewing in Santa Clara, NM, said, “Wild and Scenic is vital for our business and the future of our community. The Gila River is where we play and why we live here. Let’s finally protect the river that gives us so much.”

    “Each member of this community has a different story of their experience and connection to the forest and the river, but protection of the Gila is extremely important to all of us. As our community continues to grow and evolve, our love of the Gila is the one thing that stays the same,” said Guadalupe Cano, Silver City Councilor, District 4 and Mayor Pro Tem. She continued, “The reintroduction of the Gila Wild and Scenic legislation will protect the land while still providing access for everyone to enjoy the outdoors responsibly. As we continue to welcome visitors who also contribute immensely to our local economy, we will ensure this incredible public land will be protected for many generations to come.”  

    “I have been recreating on the Gila River since I was a small child; the river means more to me than I can explain in two sentences,” said Cindy “Renee” Provencio, Grant County resident and local community organizer. “The Gila River has a value to so many in our community that cannot be monetized, and it should be protected with the highest level of protection for future generations to come.”

    “A Wild and Scenic designation is important to our area’s preservation. The Gila River is to be left alone. Keeping it for the next generation is important. Not only is recreation one aspect, but is habitat and healing waters for those in need,” said Frances Gonzales, Bayard City Councilor. She added that, “as Steve Erwin once said, ‘If we save our wild places, we will ultimately save ourselves.’”

    “As a 43-year resident of Glenwood, New Mexico, I know that the incredible natural beauty that surrounds us here is what makes this area so unique. Wild, free-flowing rivers are a part of that. Protecting these rivers for future generations is one of the best things we can do for this special place,” said Beth Menzcer, a Catron County resident. 

    “After 45 years of living on the western slope of the Gila Mountains, I have experienced a connection with and concern for our water and air factory reliant on the 5 vegetative zones and natural flowing tributaries,” said Stanley King, Owner Operator at Silver Creek Inn in Mogollon, NM. “Because of the unique Southwest location of this watershed, the fragile environment, and endangered residents, our obligation is to protect this ecosystem from human interference.” 

    “The Gila River has been an inspiration to me and has taught me many things about the heritage and history of New Mexico. Keeping the Gila untamed is important in the conservation of such history,” said Anthony Canari, student at WNMU in Silver City

    “As a student attending WNMU from Oregon, I am all too aware of dams and the harm they can cause,” said WNMU student Aidin Wilson. “That’s why I see protecting the Gila River with great importance. Let’s keep rivers free.”

    “Thanks to the vision and bipartisan leadership of Rep. Vasquez, the Gila is closer than ever to getting the protection it deserves,” said Ángel Peña, Executive Director of the Nuestra Tierra Conservation Project. “The Gila River serves as the lifeblood of our region, sustaining wildlife, recreation, and local economies. Nuestra Tierra applauds leaders like Rep. Vasquez who work hard to safeguard these waters as they continue nourishing our communities and cultural connections for future generations.”

    “The reintroduction of the Gila Wild and Scenic River Act represents a critical opportunity to protect a key watershed connected to our trail system,” said Teresa Martinez, Executive Director of the Continental Divide Trail Coalition. “The protection of the CDT and its surrounding landscapes has never been more important, not just for today’s users but for generations to come.”

    Background:

    • The Gila Watershed has the last major free-flowing river segments in the Southwest, providing critical wildlife habitat, cultural heritage, and recreational opportunities.
    • The Wild and Scenic designation does not impact existing grazing rights or irrigation rights and preserves traditional land uses. in the Gila. It does not impact recreational uses on the Gila.
    • The proposal has been shaped by more than a decade of local stakeholder input and enjoys widespread support across Grant, Catron, and Hidalgo counties.
    • Designation is expected to boost outdoor recreation and tourism, a key part of the region’s economy.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Kevin Vilkin Joins Conservation International Board of Directors

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    AUSTIN, Texas, April 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Kevin Vilkin, co-founder of Emergent Strategic Partners, has been appointed to the Board of Directors of Conservation International, a leading global nonprofit dedicated to protecting nature for the benefit of people and the planet. As a board member, Vilkin will contribute his expertise in sustainable innovation and strategic partnerships to support the organization’s mission of advancing conservation efforts worldwide.

    “I have know Kevin for close to a decade,” said Peter Seligmann, Chairman of the Board of Conservation International. “He brings the needed boldness of youth, as well as integrity, intelligence and humanity, to the great challenges that CI and all of our partners must overcome.”

    “Joining the board of Conservation International is a privilege,” said Vilkin. “The organization’s work in preserving our planet’s natural resources is more critical than ever. I am excited to help drive initiatives that create lasting environmental and economic impact.”

    About Conservation International

    Conservation International protects nature for the benefit of humanity. Through science, policy, fieldwork and finance, we spotlight and secure the most important places in nature for the climate, for biodiversity and for people. With offices in 30 countries and projects in more than 100 countries, Conservation International partners with governments, companies, civil society, Indigenous peoples and local communities to help people and nature thrive together. Go to Conservation.org for more, and follow our work on Conservation News, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, Instagram and YouTube.

    About Kevin Vilkin

    Before launching Emergent, Vilkin founded and successfully exited his first business—a music events company—at the age of 21, helping shape the careers of global artists such as Mumford & Sons and the Zac Brown Band. He founded the Vanguard Program for Summit Series, connecting the world’s most influential leaders, including Richard Branson, Ray Dalio, and Jeff Bezos.

    Vilkin currently serves as a Senior Advisor to Redaptive, ID.me, and GoodLeap. He sits on the Board of Directors at Conservation International, is a member of Business Executives for National Security (BENS), and has been recognized as a Milken Young Leaders Circle and Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree. Additionally, he previously served as a Senior Advisor to TPG Growth.

    About Emergent Strategic Partners

    Emergent develops strategic partnerships that scale sustainable innovations for large enterprises. By connecting leading companies with emerging businesses, Emergent drives cost efficiencies and revenue growth while providing family offices with access to high-potential investment opportunities. Emergent partners’ impact includes $2.2B in revenue generated, $2.8B in enterprise value created, and $1.3B in capital raised.

    Media Contact:
    Paul Orszag
    Emergent Strategic Partners
    porszag@esp.co
    (661) 803-6617

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: IMF Staff Completes 2025 Article IV Mission to Nigeria

    Source: IMF – News in Russian

    April 18, 2025

    End-of-Mission press releases include statements of IMF staff teams that convey preliminary findings after a visit to a country. The views expressed in this statement are those of the IMF staff and do not necessarily represent the views of the IMF’s Executive Board. Based on the preliminary findings of this mission, staff will prepare a report that, subject to management approval, will be presented to the IMF’s Executive Board for discussion and decision.

    • The Nigerian authorities have taken important steps to stabilize the economy, enhance resilience, and support growth. These reforms have put Nigeria in a better position to navigate the external environment.
    • The macroeconomic outlook is marked by significant uncertainty. Elevated global risk sentiment and lower oil prices impact the Nigerian economy.
    • Macroeconomic policies need to further strengthen buffers and resilience, reduce inflation, and support private sector-led growth.

    Washington, DC: An International Monetary Fund team, led by Axel Schimmelpfennig, IMF mission chief for Nigeria, visited Lagos and Abuja on April 2–15 to hold discussions for the 2025 Article IV Consultations with Nigeria. The team met with Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Abubakar Kyari, Central Bank of Nigeria Governor Yemi Cardoso, senior government and central bank officials, the Ministry of the Environment, the private sector, academia, labor unions, and civil society. At the end of the visit, Mr. Axel Schimmelpfennig, issued the following statement:

    “The Nigerian authorities have taken important steps to stabilize the economy, enhance resilience, and support growth. The financing of the fiscal deficit by the central bank has ceased, costly fuel subsidies were removed, and the functioning of the foreign exchange market has improved. Gains have yet to benefit all Nigerians as poverty and food insecurity remain high.

    ”The outlook is marked by significant uncertainty. Elevated global risk sentiment and lower oil prices impact the Nigerian economy. The reforms since 2023 have put the Nigerian economy in a better position to navigate this external environment. Looking ahead, macroeconomic policies need to further strengthen buffers and resilience, while creating enabling conditions for private sector-led growth.

    “The authorities communicated to the mission that they will implement the 2025 budget in a manner that is responsive to the decline in international oil prices. A neutral fiscal stance would support monetary policy to bring down inflation. To safeguard key spending priorities, it is imperative that fiscal savings from the fuel subsidy removal are channeled to the budget. In particular, adjustments should protect critical, growth-enhancing investment, while accelerating and broadening the delivery of cash transfers under the World Bank-supported program to provide relief to those experiencing food insecurity.

    “A tight monetary policy stance is required to firmly guide inflation down. The Monetary Policy Committee’s data-dependent approach has served Nigeria well and will help navigate elevated macroeconomic uncertainty. Announcing a disinflation path to serve as an intermediate target can help anchor inflation expectations.”

    IMF Communications Department
    MEDIA RELATIONS

    PRESS OFFICER: Julie Ziegler

    Phone: +1 202 623-7100Email: MEDIA@IMF.org

    https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2025/04/18/pr-25114-nigeria-imf-staff-completes-2025-article-iv-mission

    MIL OSI

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Lawsuits seeking to address climate change have promise but face uncertain future

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Hannah Wiseman, Professor of Law, Penn State

    Kelsey Juliana, a lead plaintiff in a federal lawsuit over responsibility for climate change, speaks at a 2019 rally in Oregon. AP Photo/Steve Dipaola

    The U.S. Supreme Court in March 2025 ended a decade-old lawsuit filed by a group of children who sought to hold the federal government responsible for some of the consequences of climate change. But just two months earlier, the justices allowed a similar suit from the city and county of Honolulu, Hawaii, to continue against oil and gas companies.

    Evidence shows that fossil fuel companies, electric utilities and the federal government have known about climate change, its dangers and its human causes for at least 50 years. But the steps taken by fossil fuel companies, utilities and governments, including the U.S. government, have not been enough to meet international climate targets.

    So local and state governments and citizens have asked the courts to force companies and public agencies to act. Their results have varied, with limited victories to date. But the cases keep coming.

    Attacking the emissions themselves

    In general, legal claims in the U.S. can be based on the U.S. and state constitutions, federal and state laws, or what is called “common law” – legal principles created by courts over time.

    Lawsuits have used state and federal laws to try to limit greenhouse gas pollution itself and to seek financial compensation for alleged industry cover-ups of the dangers of fossil fuels, among many other types of claims.

    In 2007 the U.S. Supreme Court determined that greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide emitted from motor vehicles were a “pollutant” under the federal Clean Air Act. As a result, the court ordered the Environmental Protection Agency to either determine whether greenhouse gases from new vehicles contribute to climate change, and therefore endanger human health, or justify its refusal to study the issue.

    In 2009 the EPA found that carbon dioxide emissions did in fact endanger human health – a decision called the “endangerment finding.” In 2010 it imposed limits on carbon dioxide emissions from new vehicles and, later, from newly constructed power plants.

    But related EPA efforts to regulate emissions from older power plants – the ones that emit the most pollution – failed when challenged in court on the grounds that they went too far in limiting emissions beyond the power plants’ own properties.

    The Biden administration had finalized a new rule to clean up these older plants, but the Trump administration is now seeking to withdraw it.

    The Trump administration is also now beginning the complicated process of reviewing the 2009 endangerment finding. It could try to remove the legal basis for EPA greenhouse gas regulations.

    A common-law approach

    In response to this federal executive seesaw of climate action, some legal claims use a court-based, or common law, approach to address climate concerns. For instance, in Connecticut v. American Electric Power, filed in 2004, nine states asked a federal judge to order power plants to reduce their emissions. The states said those emissions contributed to global warming, which they argued met the federal common law definition of a “public nuisance.”

    That case ended when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 2011 that the existence of a statute – the federal Clean Air Act – meant common law did not apply. Other plaintiffs have tried to use the “public nuisance” claim or a related common-law claim of “trespass” to force large power plants or oil and gas producers to pay climate-related damages. But in those cases, too, courts found that the Clean Air Act overrode the common-law grounds for those claims.

    With those case outcomes, many plaintiffs have shifted their strategies, focusing more on state courts and seeking to hold the fossil fuel industry responsible for allegedly deceiving the public about the causes and effects of climate change.

    Three examples of petroleum industry advertisements a lawsuit alleges are misleading about the causes of climate change.
    State of Maine v. BP, Chevron, ExxonMobil, Shell, Sunoco and American Petroleum Insititute

    Examining deception

    In many cases, state and local governments are arguing that the fossil fuel industry knew about the dangers of climate change and deceived the public about them, and that the industry exaggerated the extent of its investments in energy that doesn’t emit carbon.

    Rather than directly asking courts to order reduced carbon emissions, these cases tend to seek damages that will help governments cover the costs associated with climate change, such as construction of cooling centers
    and repair of roads damaged by increased precipitation.

    In legal terms, the lawsuits are saying oil and gas companies violated consumer-protection laws and committed common-law civil violations such as negligence. For instance, the city of Chicago alleges that major petroleum giants – along with the industry trade association the American Petroleum Institute – had “abundant knowledge” of the public harms of fossil fuels yet “actively campaigned” to hide that information and deceive consumers. Many other complaints by states and local governments make similar allegations.

    Another lawsuit, from the state of Maine, lists and provides photographs of a litany of internal industry documents showing industry knowledge of the threat of climate change. That lawsuit also cites a 1977 memo from an Exxon employee to Exxon executives, which stated that “current scientific opinion overwhelmingly favors attributing atmospheric carbon dioxide increase to fossil fuel consumption,” and a 1979 internal Exxon memo about the buildup of carbon dioxide emissions, which warned that “(t)he potential problem is great and urgent.”

    These complaints also show organizations supported by fossil fuel companies published ads as far back as the 1990s, with titles such as “Apocalypse No” and “Who told you the earth was warming … Chicken Little?” Some of these ads – part of a broader campaign – were funded by a group called the Information Council for the Environment, supported by coal producers and electric utilities.

    Courts have dismissed some of these complaints, finding that federal laws overrule the principles those suits are based on. But many are still winding their way through the courts.

    In 2023 the Supreme Court of Hawaii found that federal laws do not prevent climate claims based on state common law. In January 2025 the U.S. Supreme Court allowed the case to continue.

    Lead claimant Rikki Held, then 22, confers with lawyers before the beginning of a 2023 Montana trial about young people’s rights in a time of climate change.
    William Campbell/Getty Images

    Other approaches

    Still other litigation approaches argue that governments inadequately reviewed the effects of greenhouse gas emissions, or even supported or subsidized those emissions caused by private industry. Those lawsuits – some of which were filed by children, with help from their parents or legal guardians – claim the governments’ actions violated people’s constitutional rights.

    For instance, children in the Juliana v. United States case, first filed in 2015, said 50 years of petroleum-supporting actions by presidents and various federal agencies had violated their fundamental “right to a climate system capable of sustaining human life.” The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that their claim was a “political question” – meant for Congress, not the courts. The U.S. Supreme Court declined to reconsider that ruling in March 2025.

    But children in Montana found more success. The Montana Constitution requires state officials and all residents to “maintain and improve a clean and healthful environment … for present and future generations.” In 2024 the Montana Supreme Court determined that this provision “includes a stable climate system that sustains human lives and liberties.”

    The Montana Supreme Court also reviewed a state law banning officials from considering greenhouse gas emissions of projects approved by the state. The court found that the ban violated the state constitution, too. Since then, the Montana Supreme Court has specifically required state officials to review the climate effects of a project for which permits were challenged.

    Concerned people and groups continue to file climate-related lawsuits across the country and around the world. They are seeing mixed results, but as the cases continue and more are filed, they are drawing attention to potential corporate and government wrongdoing, as well as the human costs of climate change. And they are inspiring shareholders and citizens to demand more accurate information and action from fossil fuel companies and electric utilities.

    Hannah Wiseman receives funding from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, Arnold Ventures, and the National Science Foundation for work researching the energy transition, renewable energy policy, hydrogen, and carbon capture and sequestration. She is a scholar member of the Center for Progressive Reform.

    – ref. Lawsuits seeking to address climate change have promise but face uncertain future – https://theconversation.com/lawsuits-seeking-to-address-climate-change-have-promise-but-face-uncertain-future-253484

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Building for a Better World: Norfolk Students Bring STEM to Life with NASA Partnership

    Source: NASA

    At Norfolk Technical Center in Norfolk, Virginia, carpentry students in Jordan Crawford’s first-year class aren’t just learning how to measure and cut wood—they’re discovering how their skills can serve a greater purpose.
    When the NASA Science Activation program’s NASA eClips project—led by the National Institute of Aerospace’s Center for Integrative Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education (NIA-CISE)—needed help building weather instrument shelters for local schools, Norfolk Public Schools’ Career and Technical Education (CTE) team saw an opportunity to connect students to something bigger than the classroom. The shelters are used to house scientific equipment that K–12 students rely on to collect data using GLOBE (Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment) protocols—a set of standardized, internationally recognized methods for gathering environmental data such as temperature, soil moisture, and cloud cover. These observations contribute to a global citizen science database, giving young learners a meaningful role in real-world environmental research.
    Originally, shelters were being ordered from a national supplier to support GLOBE training sessions for teachers in GO (Growth & Opportunity) Virginia Region 5, an economic development region. These training sessions were funded through a generous grant from the Coastal Virginia STEM Hub (COVA STEM Hub), which supports regional collaboration in STEM education. But when the supplier couldn’t keep up with demand, Norfolk Public Schools CTE Specialist Dr. Deborah Marshall offered a bold solution: why not have local students build them?
    That’s when the project truly took off. Under the guidance of Jordan Crawford, students took on the challenge of building 20 high-quality shelters in spring 2024, following precise construction plans provided through the GLOBE Program. Materials were funded by the COVA STEM grant, and the students rolled up their sleeves to turn lumber into lasting educational tools for their community.
    “As an instructor, you look for opportunities that challenge your students, allow them to do things bigger than themselves, and let them see a project through from start to finish,” Crawford said. “This project allowed my students to hone existing skills and build new ones, and I saw incredible growth not just in craftsmanship but in teamwork. The most rewarding part was seeing the impact of their work in real schools.”
    And the students rose to the occasion—taking pride in their work, learning advanced techniques, and developing new confidence. One of the most challenging parts of the build involved crafting the louvers—angled slats on the sides of the shelters needed for proper air circulation. Student Zymere Watts took the lead in designing and building a jig to make sure the louvers could be cut uniformly and precisely for every unit.
    “Building the weather shelters was a fun and challenging task that pushed me to strive for perfection with each one,” said student Amir Moore. “After completion, I was delighted to see the faces of the people who were proud and happy with what we built.”“It was an extreme pleasure working on this project. I would love to work with NIA again,” added LaValle Howard. “I am proud to be a part of this vocational school and team.”Jaymyson Burden agreed: “It was fun and great to be exposed to the carpentry realm and install them in the real world. It was gratifying to know what we have done has an impact.”
    After completing the shelters, the students volunteered to install them at seven Hampton City Schools. Their work completed the full circle—from building the shelters in their carpentry classroom to setting them up where younger students would use them to collect real environmental data.
    Their dedication did not go unnoticed. The team was invited to NASA’s Langley Research Center for a behind-the-scenes tour of the NASA Model Shop, where they met Sam James, a Mechanical Engineering Technician and Fabrication Specialist. James showed the students how the same kind of craftsmanship they’d used is essential in the creation of tools and components for NASA missions. They also learned about NASA summer internships and discovered that their hands-on skills could open doors to exciting careers in STEM fields.
    “It was an honor to help where we were needed,” said student Josh Hunsucker. “Assembling these gave us a new perspective on the importance of duplication and how each step impacts the result. We’re happy to help wherever or whenever we’re needed—it provides a learning experience for us.”Kyra Pope summed it up: “It’s been a great amount of work over the past few months, but it pays off—especially when you’re giving back to the community.”
    According to Dr. Sharon Bowers, Associate Director and Senior STEM Education Specialist for NIA-CISE, the project demonstrates what’s possible when regional partners come together to empower students and educators alike. “The financial support from COVA STEM Hub supported sustained educator professional learning within our STEM learning ecosystem. Work with the Norfolk Technical Center truly made this a real-world, problem-solving experience. This is just the beginning for more collaborative work that will bring the region together to engage educators and learners in authentic STEM learning experiences.”
    This collaboration wasn’t just about building boxes to house thermometers. It was about building bridges—between technical education and science, between high school students and their futures, and between local classrooms and global research. With each shelter they crafted, the students created something that will outlast them, reminding others—and themselves—of what’s possible when learning is hands-on, meaningful, and connected to the world beyond school walls.
    Thanks to Betsy McAllister, NIA’s Educator-in-Residence from Hampton City Schools, for her impactful contributions and for sharing this story. The NASA eClips project provides educators with standards-based videos, activities, and lessons to increase STEM literacy through the lens of NASA. It is supported by NASA under cooperative agreement award number NNX16AB91A and is part of NASA’s Science Activation Portfolio. Learn more about how Science Activation connects NASA science experts, real content, and experiences with community leaders to do science in ways that activate minds and promote deeper understanding of our world and beyond: https://science.nasa.gov/learn

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: 100 days after the fires: California and Los Angeles rebuild, recover, and rise together

    Source: US State of California 2

    Apr 17, 2025

    What you need to know: Governor Newsom has made the recovery of Los Angeles his highest priority – directing a whole-of-government response to support communities and survivors.

    LOS ANGELES – On the 100 day milestone since the Eaton and Palisades fires ignited, California mourns the loss of those who died, the communities that were forever changed and celebrates the heroic efforts of first responders and those working tirelessly everyday to rebuild these communities stronger and more resilient. 

    “My job is to make sure Californians who felt helpless after the fires are able to have hope again. Our work is far from over — but 100 days since the fires first broke out in early January, California remains united and together will rebuild, recover and rise.”

    Governor Gavin Newsom

    Since the first day these firestorms ignited, Governor Newsom has been on the ground leading an all-in state response. 

    The Governor deployed resources before the fires broke out – growing to over 16,000 boots on the ground at the peak of the state’s response. And in the hours that followed, Governor Newsom launched historic recovery and rebuilding efforts to help Los Angeles get back on its feet, faster. 

    Even before the fires were out, Governor Newsom worked closely with outgoing President Joesph Biden to secure a presidential major disaster declaration and then coordinated with the Trump Administration to ensure full-throated federal support for Los Angeles. 

    That work has paid dividends as California is on-track to deliver the fastest major disaster cleanup in American history. The current pace of debris and hazardous waste removal is months ahead of the cleanup timeline for the Camp, Woolsey, Hill fires in 2019 and Tubbs Fire in 2017/18, which at the time were themselves the fastest of their kind. 

    That work has paid dividends as California is on-track to deliver the fastest major disaster cleanup in American history. The current pace of debris and hazardous waste removal is months ahead of the cleanup timeline for the Camp, Woolsey, Hill fires in 2019 and Tubbs Fire in 2017/18, which at the time were themselves the fastest of their kind. 

    State and federal officials have worked hand in glove to clear hazardous waste from 9,000 homes in less than 30 day. Currently there are 500 crews of expert heavy equipment operators from the Army Corps of Engineers working around the clock to rapidly clear ash, soot, and fire debris from structures damaged by the Eaton and Palisades fires. 

    More than 2,300 parcels have already been completed and signed off by the county and hundreds more have been cleared of debris and are now just awaiting erosion controls, tree removal, and final inspection.

    By the Numbers 

    • 16,000 first responders and recovery personnel deployed
    • $2.5 billion in Small Business Administration Assistance 
    • $100,000 million in individual assistance disbursed
    • $100,000 million community partnerships through LA Rises
    • 40,000 totals visitors to disaster recovery centers 
    • 9,000 properties cleared of hazardous waste in 30 days
    • 2,300 homes cleared of debris 
    • 12,500 right of entry forms submitted 
    • 8 of 8 schools resumed in person instruction 
    • 8 of 9 water systems reactivated  

    California’s historic recovery and rebuilding efforts 

    • Cutting red tape to help rebuild Los Angeles faster and stronger. Governor Newsom issued an executive order to streamline the rebuilding of homes and businesses destroyed — suspending permitting and review requirements under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the California Coastal Act. The Governor also issued an executive order further cutting red tape by reiterating that permitting requirements under the California Coastal Act are suspended for rebuilding efforts and directing the Coastal Commission not to issue guidance or take any action that interferes with or conflicts with the Governor’s executive orders. The Governor also issued an executive order removing bureaucratic barriers, extending deadlines, and providing critical regulatory relief to help fire survivors rebuild, access essential services, and recover more quickly.
    • Fast-tracking temporary housing and protecting tenants. To help provide necessary shelter for those immediately impacted by the firestorms, the Governor issued an executive order to make it easier to streamline construction of accessory dwelling units, allow for more temporary trailers and other housing, and suspend fees for mobile home parks. Governor Newsom also issued an executive order that prohibits landlords in Los Angeles County from evicting tenants for sharing their rental with survivors displaced by the Los Angeles-area firestorms.
    • Mobilizing debris removal and cleanup. With an eye toward recovery, the Governor directed fast action on debris removal work and mitigating the potential for mudslides and flooding in areas burned. He also signed an executive order to allow expert federal hazmat crews to start cleaning up properties as a key step in getting people back to their properties safely. The Governor also issued an executive order to help mitigate risk of mudslides and flooding and protect communities by hastening efforts to remove debris, bolster flood defenses, and stabilize hillsides in affected areas. 
    • Directing immediate state relief. The Governor signed legislation providing over $2.5 billion to immediately support ongoing emergency response efforts and to jumpstart recovery efforts for Los Angeles. California quickly launched CA.gov/LAfires as a single hub of information and resources to support those impacted and bolsters in-person Disaster Recovery Centers. The Governor also launched LA Rises, a unified recovery initiative that brings together private sector leaders to support rebuilding efforts. Governor Newsom announced that individuals and families directly impacted by the recent fires living in certain zip codes may be eligible to receive Disaster CalFresh food benefits.
    • Getting kids back in the classroom. Governor Newsom signed an executive order to quickly assist displaced students in the Los Angeles area and bolster schools affected by the firestorms.
    • Protecting victims from real estate speculators. The Governor issued an executive order to protect firestorm victims from predatory land speculators making aggressive and unsolicited cash offers to purchase their property.

    Helping businesses and workers get back on their feet. The Governor issued an executive order to support small businesses and workers, by providing relief to help businesses recover quickly by deferring annual licensing fees and waiving other requirements that may impose barriers to recovery.

    Press Releases, Recent News

    Recent news

    Apr 17, 2025

    News Sacramento, California – Governor Gavin Newsom today issued a proclamation declaring April 2025, as Arab American Heritage Month. The text of the proclamation and a copy can be found below: PROCLAMATIONThe Arab American community, comprising over 20 nationalities…

    Apr 17, 2025

    News What you need to know: Following Governor Newsom’s state of emergency proclamation to protect communities from catastrophic wildfire, a new online fast-track process now makes it faster to get state-level approvals – in as little as 30 days – for critical forest…

    Apr 17, 2025

    News What you need to know: California’s Organized Retail Crime Task Force recovers nearly 41,000 stolen items valued at $4.4 million, leading to 383 arrests.  SACRAMENTO – Citing ongoing progress to takedown organized retail crime statewide, Governor Gavin Newsom…

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: UNDRR, Green Climate Fund, the West African Development Bank and Early Warning for All Partners join hands to empower Togo to strengthen climate and disaster risk management

    Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction

    From 8 to 11 April 2025, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) Office for Northeast Asia and Global Education and Training Institute (ONEA & GETI), in partnership with the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the West African Development Bank (BOAD), hosted a technical Training of Trainers workshop on “Tools for Implementing Disaster Risk Reduction, Climate Information and Early Warning Systems Projects” with national stakeholders from Togo. The workshop, held in Incheon, Republic of Korea, was organized in support of the implementation of the recently approved GCF co-funded project, ‘Strengthening the resilience of vulnerable communities within high climatic and disaster risk areas in Togo,’ to help build capacity and technical knowledge of key governmental stakeholders to support the project’s activities.

    Throughout the training, representatives from Togo’s key institutions involved in disaster risk reduction, climate information and early warning, including the National Agency for Civil Protection (ANPC), the Togolese Meteorological Agency (ANAMET), the Ministry of Environment and Forest Resources (MERF), and other project partners including the West African Development Bank (BOAD) and the African Risk Capacity (ARC), joined sessions delivered by UNDRR, GCF, as well as international partners from CREWS, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), UN Climate Technology Centre and Network (UNCTCN), and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). Core themes included disaster risk reduction (DRR), climate change adaptation (CCA), multi-hazard early warning systems (MHEWS) and anticipatory action, gender mainstreaming and diversity, equity and inclusion in DRR, project monitoring and evaluation, forecast-based finance, and climate investment planning. Participants explored global frameworks, such as the Sendai Framework, the Paris Agreement, and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and discussed the design, coordination, and financing structure for the new GCF co-financed initiative in Togo.

    In addition to in-depth sessions on GCF’s project implementation, reporting, and results frameworks, the workshop introduced practical tools such as the Sendai Framework Monitor Custom Indicators and the Disaster Resilience Scorecard for Cities, and its thematic annexes to support national and local level DRR planning. Technical partners presented available tools and collaborative approaches under the Early Warnings for All Initiative and shared examples from country-level implementation. Practical experience from the Republic of Korea was also shared through a presentation from the Ministry of the Interior and Safety (MOIS) on its integrated disaster management system and emergency communication tools, showcasing how the four pillars of early warning, including risk knowledge, monitoring and forecasting, dissemination and communication, and response capability, are implemented through advanced technologies and inter-agency coordination.

    The final day of the workshop included a field visit to the Incheon Metropolitan City Safety Situation Division, a core facility within Korea’s urban resilience infrastructure. Participants toured the division’s integrated monitoring and control systems, including real-time CCTV surveillance, flood sensors, wildfire alert systems, and automated detection systems for identifying unusual events and alerting operators. City officials shared how Incheon leverages digital tools and interdepartmental coordination to ensure fast, reliable disaster alert delivery across sectors. The visit served as a practical demonstration of how smart governance and technology can strengthen resilience at the local level. Participants reflected on the field visit to the Incheon Metropolitan City Safety Situation Division, sharing valuable insights and inspirations drawn from the experience:

    “The visit has given us a lot of inspiration for setting up our operations room (soon to be equipped) in coordination with the UNDRR. The Project will help to strengthen current data collection, processing and dissemination for early warning. We hope that one day we will also have an observation network similar to the one in Incheon.” – Yoma Baka (Director General of ANPC)

    “We have great enthusiasm for the tools that we observed during the visit to Incheon City Hall. This visit brought a very operational character to the workshop.” – Komi Sossou (Environmentalist Expert in Climate Change and Sustainable Development of MERF & MERF Focal Point at the National Disaster Risk Management Platform)

    The workshop concluded with reflections and action planning for the national implementation of the SAP048 project. Participants expressed their commitment to applying the lessons learned and strengthening coordination among national and international partners. The training served as an important milestone in Togo’s progress toward scaling up climate resilience and ensuring that early warnings reach all vulnerable communities. The trained trainers are expected to support a training for national stakeholders in Togo in the coming months, as part of a number of project inception activities planned by BOAD in coordination with national and international partners.

    “We now have more inspiration to better innovate in disaster management.” – Sanetienone Damorou (National Focal Point of Project SAP048 ‘Strengthening the resilience of vulnerable communities in high climate and disaster risk areas in Togo’ of ANPC)

    “Throughout the four days we had an opportunity to share experience and learn about disaster risk management. We learned a lot and we see that there is much be done in our country, and that the new project can greatly contribute to improving and implementing certain activities. We also heard from partners interested to support this project. It is important that we really work together.” – Méwekiwé Egbare (Engineer in Agrometeorology of ANAMET & Head of the Weather Center of GMN)

    “This training is important in terms of sharing experience and learning tools and getting a better idea of what technical partners can do. It’s a training course for trainers, so it’s essential that we can replicate it at home.” – Aissatou Diagne (Climate Projects Supervision Specialist (DSPC) of BOAD)

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SPC Severe Thunderstorm Watch 142 Status Reports

    Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: “BioTech-2025”: Scientists Discuss Innovations in Biotechnology

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –

    The 2nd All-Russian scientific and practical conference with international participation “BioTech-2025” was held at Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University.

    Guests from Kazan, Ulan-Ude, Tambov, Yekaterinburg, Kaliningrad and the Republic of Belarus gathered at the Higher School of Biotechnology and Food Production of the Institute of Biomedical Systems and Biotechnology. An excursion to the SPbPU History Museum was organized for them.

    The participants were greeted by the Director of the Institute of Biotechnology and Biotechnology Andrey Vasin, who noted that biotechnology is one of the priority areas of scientific and technological development of the country, therefore the specialty of biotechnologist is very popular among applicants.

    The Chairperson of the Organizing Committee, Director of the Higher School of Biotechnology and Food Production Yulia Bazarnova emphasized that the exchange of experience and knowledge between young specialists will accelerate the development of innovative solutions and technologies, and that such meetings contribute to the birth of new ideas and projects.

    Leading researchers in the field of food security, biomedicine and environmental biotechnology, as well as representatives of the conference partners, the companies Alkor Bio and Partiya Eda, spoke at the plenary session.

    Oksana Pavlova, associate professor of Grodno State University, spoke about the long-term cooperation between Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University and Yanka Kupala State University of Grodno. She noted that the long-term experience of interaction confirms the high efficiency in the development of the international educational space and indicates significant potential for further expansion of scientific and pedagogical exchange formats.

    Irina Cheglakova, Head of the Department for the Development of Biologically Active Supplements at Alkor Bio Group of Companies, presented the development prospects for one of the areas of the modern food industry and medicine — the creation and production of dietary supplements. Irina Potoroko, Professor at the South Ural State University, gave a report on food security.

    Several final reports were made by SPbPU scientists. Professor of the Higher School of Social and Economics Marina Karpenko spoke about the various effects of manganese, which is toxic, but at the same time a vital microelement for human health and development. Prospects and methods of using microalgae to solve environmental problems were presented by Professor of the Higher School of Social and Economics Natalia Politaeva. She spoke about a method for obtaining biohydrogen from spent microalgae, which were previously used to purify wastewater from the food industry. According to experts, this approach will simultaneously provide access to renewable environmentally friendly fuel and reduce the impact of industrial wastewater on the environment.

    In conclusion, leading technologists of the Food Party company, graduates of the Higher School of Business and Food Safety Vladimir Gnilitsky and Kristina Bogdanova shared their experience in the development of new dishes and the introduction of the latest methods of processing products to preserve their freshness.

    In addition, meetings of the sections “Food Systems and Nutrition”, “Molecular and Cellular Biotechnology”, “Biotechnology for Plant Growing”, “Methods of Molecular Diagnostics and Environmental Biotechnology” were held.

    The conference moderator, senior lecturer at the Higher School of Business and Public Policy Anna Sevastyanova, emphasized that the event provides a unique opportunity for young scientists to get acquainted with the experience of experienced researchers – professors, associate professors and leading employees of various scientific organizations.

    It was interesting to listen to the reports on various problems related to biotesting of different environments: air, water and soil. After the presentations, it became clear that microalgae are a certain “favorite” in this topic. The use of biotechnology to increase crop yields and product quality also aroused keen interest. I would like to thank the organizers for the opportunity to exchange experiences, – shared 4th year student Andrey Voynov.

    Based on the results of the conference, a collection of materials will be compiled.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: What was HMNZS Manawanui doing before it sank? Calls for greater transparency

    By Susana Leiataua, RNZ National presenter

    There are calls for greater transparency about what the HMNZS Manawanui was doing before it sank in Samoa last October — including whether the New Zealand warship was performing specific security for King Charles and Queen Camilla.

    The Manawanui grounded on the reef off the south coast of Upolu in bad weather on 5 October 2024 before catching fire and sinking. Its 75 crew and passengers were safely rescued.

    The Court of Inquiry’s final report released on 4 April 2025 found human error and a long list of “deficiencies” grounded the $100 million vessel on the Tafitoala Reef, south of Upolu, where it caught fire and sank.

    Equipment including weapons and ammunition continue to be removed from the vessel as its future hangs in the balance.

    The Court of Inquiry’s report explains the Royal New Zealand Navy was asked by “CHOGM Command” to conduct “a hydrographic survey of the area in the vicinity of Sinalei whilst en route to Samoa”.

    When it grounded on the Tafitoala Reef, the ship was following orders received from Headquarters Joint Forces New Zealand. The report incorrectly calls it the “Sinalei Reef”.

    Sinalei is the name of the resort which hosted King Charles and Queen Camilla for CHOGM — the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting — which began in Samoa 19 days after the Manawanui sank from 25-26 October 2024. The Royals arrived two days before CHOGM began.

    Support of CHOGM
    Speaking at the release of the court’s final report, Chief of Navy Rear Admiral Garin Golding described the Manawanui’s activity on the south coast of Upolu.

    “So the operation was done in support of CHOGM — a very high-profile security activity on behalf of a nation, so it wasn’t just a peacetime operation,” he said.

    “It was done in what we call rapid environmental assessment so we were going in and undertaking something that we had to do a quick turnaround of that information so it wasn’t a deliberate high grade survey. It was a rapid environmental assessment so it does come with additional complexity and it did have an operational outcome. It’s just, um you know, we we are operating in complex environments.

    “It doesn’t say that we did everything right and that’s what the report indicates and we just need to get after fixing those mistakes and improving.”

    Sinalei Resort . . . where the royal couple were hosted. Image: Dominic Godfrey/RNZ Pacific

    The report explained the Manawanui was tasked with “conducting the Sinalei survey task” “to survey a defined area of uncharted waters.” But Pacific security fellow at Victoria University’s Centre for Strategic Studies at Victoria University Iati Iati questions what is meant by “in support of the upcoming CHOGM”.

    “All we’ve been told in the report is that it was to support CHOGM. What that means is unclear. I think that needs to be explained. I think it also needs to be explained to the Samoan people, who initiated this.

    “Whether it was just a New Zealand initiative. Whether it was done for CHOGM by the CHOGM committee or whether it was something that involved the Samoa government,” Iati said.

    What-for questions
    “So a lot of the, you know, who was behind this and the what-for questions haven’t been answered.”

    Iati said CHOGM’s organising committee included representatives from Samoa as well as New Zealand.

    “But who exactly initiated that additional task which I think is on paragraph 37 of the report after the ship had sailed, the extra task was then confirmed. Who initiated that I’m not sure and I think that needs to be explained. Why it was confirmed after the sailing that also needs to be explained.

    “In terms of security, I guess the closest we can come to is the fact that you know King Charles was staying on that side and Sinalei Reef. It may have something to do with that but this is just really unclear at the moment and I think all those questions need to be addressed.”

    The wreck of the Manawanui lies 2.1 nautical miles — 3.89km — from the white sandy beach of the presidential suite at Sinalei Resort where King Charles and Queen Camilla stayed during CHOGM.

    Just over the fence from the Royals’ island residence, Royal New Zealand Navy divers were coming and going from the sunken vessel in the early days of their recovery operation, and now salvors and the navy continue to work from there.

    AUT Law School professor Paul Myburgh said the nature of the work the Manawanui was carrying out when it ran aground on the reef has implications for determining compensation for people impacted by its sinking.

    Sovereign immunity
    “Historically, if it was a naval vessel that was the end of the story. You could never be sued in normal courts about anything that happened on board a naval vessel. But nowadays, of course, governmental vessels are often involved in commercial activity as well,” he said.

    “So we now have what we call the restrictive theory of sovereign immunity which states that if you are involved in commercial or ordinary activity that is non-governmental you are subject to the jurisdiction of the courts, so this is why I’ve been wanting to get to the bottom of exactly what they were doing.

    “Who instructed whom and that sort of thing. And it seems to me that in line with the findings of the report all of this seems to have been done on a very adhoc basis.”

    RNZ first asked the New Zealand Defence Force detailed questions on Friday, April 11, but it declined to respond.

    This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Discovery Compost PAS 100 quality for seventeenth year

    Source: Scotland – City of Dundee

    Dundee City Council has now received PAS 100 Quality certified recognition for its compost for the seventeenth year in a row.

    Discovery Compost is produced by the Council from the garden waste taken from brown bin collections, the same materials brought to the city’s recycling centres and from green waste produced from local parks and commercial landscapers.

    Climate, Environment & Biodiversity Committee Convener Cllr Heather Anderson said: “The Council has again achieved the high standards required for this certification, with customers knowing that Discovery Compost meets a high quality of criteria.

    “As of March this year, Dundee City Council was one of only twenty certified organic waste processes in Scotland. The Council’s on-site facility at Riverside sees approximately 9,000 tonnes of green waste processed each year.

    “The process is well established now with Discovery Compost consistently receiving PAS 100 Quality certification year-on-year since 2008.

    “The certification covers the entire composting process from the raw materials collected to how the finished product is labelled. It means producers know they are making a quality product and buyers know they are receiving quality compost.

    “Garden waste is an immensely valuable resource, by diverting it away from our Energy from waste facility we are helping to minimise our carbon footprint as well as making a valuable end product.

    “In 2023, the Council made an investment in acquiring a Green Waste Shredder for the city’s Riverside Composting facility in order to enable more control and flexibility in delivering the composting service while bringing revenue savings.”

    An update report to the city’s Climate, Environment and Biodiversity Committee, which takes place on Monday 21st April, will update Councillors on the recently achieved accreditation.

    More information about Discovery Compost and how to purchase it is available on the Dundee City Council website.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Miske Enterprise Member Sentenced to 7 Years in Federal Prison for Racketeering Conspiracy and Role in Kidnapping and Murder of Johnathan Fraser

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    HONOLULU – Acting United States Attorney Kenneth M. Sorenson announced that Delia Fabro-Miske, 30, of Honolulu, was sentenced yesterday in federal court by U.S. District Judge Derrick K. Watson to 84 months of imprisonment, followed by 3 years of supervised release for racketeering conspiracy. Fabro-Miske pled guilty on January 12, 2024, in the middle of jury selection, to conspiring to conduct and participate in the conduct of the affairs of a racketeering enterprise, the “Miske Enterprise,” through racketeering activity that included bank fraud, obstruction of justice, and wire fraud.

    Fabro-Miske admitted that she and codefendant Michael J. Miske committed bank fraud by submitting fraudulent paperwork in order to obtain leases for two vehicles that were used for one of Miske’s businesses. Fabro-Miske also  obstructed a joint investigation into another of Miske’s businesses, Kamaaina Termite and Pest Control (“KTPC”), which was conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Hawaii Department of Agriculture (“HDA”). At Miske’s direction, Fabro-Miske submitted to HDA falsified fumigation logs, which claimed that she was the certified applicator of chemicals on hundreds of jobs. In reality, most of the listed jobs were completed by unlicensed applicators. Fabro-Miske also fraudulently obtained Social Security Administration (“SSA”) survivor benefits at Miske’s direction by having her wages at KTPC decreased below the SSA benefits income threshold. At the same time, Miske paid Fabro-Miske in benefits that were not reported to the SSA or Internal Revenue Service.

    Additionally, according to information provided to the Court, in or about 2017, Miske placed Fabro-Miske in charge of his businesses in an attempt to preserve and conceal his assets in anticipation of federal prosecution. In practice, Fabro-Miske carried out Miske’s wishes and acted at his direction. Fabro-Miske assisted in a fraudulent scheme committed through Miske’s businesses, which involved submitting false filings to the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs that permitted the businesses to operate under fraudulently obtained and maintained licenses. Miske Enterprise members then falsely represented to customers that Miske’s businesses were properly licensed. Between 2017 and 2020, the businesses generated millions of dollars in income annually. As the head of Miske’s businesses, Fabro-Miske was also responsible for the proper and safe application of pesticides and other chemicals at customers’ homes. Information provided to the Court, however, showed that fumigations were regularly conducted without proper supervision or chemicals. Chief Judge Watson stated that Fabro-Miske’s work at Miske’s businesses “funded any number of crimes that we heard months and months of testimony” about in Miske’s trial, and her assistance “allowed Mr. Miske to run rampant in this community.”

    Finally, the Court determined that Fabro-Miske was also responsible for participating in a conspiracy with other Miske Enterprise members to kidnap and murder 21-year-old Johnathan Fraser. According to information provided to the Court, Caleb Miske – Miske’s son and Fabro-Miske’s husband – and Fraser were driving together when the two were involved in a car crash in November 2015.  Caleb Miske ultimately passed away from his injuries, and Miske blamed Fraser for his son’s death and enlisted several Miske Enterprise members to assist in his plan to murder Fraser. As part of that plan, Miske directed Fabro-Miske to rekindle her friendship with Fraser and his girlfriend and to lure them into living with her at an apartment paid for by Miske. On July 30, 2016, Fabro-Miske took Fraser’s girlfriend on a “spa day” paid for by Miske, ensuring that Fraser would be isolated when he was kidnapped. Fraser was never seen again after that day. Due to Miske’s death in December 2024, Chief Judge Watson explained that “the person most involved in Mr. Fraser’s demise will not ever be sentenced by this Court.” While Chief Judge Watson found that Fabro-Miske did not “directly and personally kill” Fraser and determined her to be a minimal participant in the kidnapping and murder conspiracy, he noted that there was “no doubt” that her actions led to Fraser’s murder and that the circumstances painted a “strong and clear picture” of a conspiracy to commit kidnapping murder in aid of racketeering.

    Fabro-Miske was charged alongside twelve other defendants, all of whom pled guilty except for Miske, who proceeded to trial and was found guilty of racketeering conspiracy, murder, and 11 other felony charges on July 18, 2024. Seven other members and associates of the Miske Enterprise pled guilty to various offenses in related cases. 

    “Delia Fabro-Miske was an integral member of the Miske Enterprise, which terrorized, exploited, and defrauded our community for decades. She participated in Miske’s bank frauds, social security fraud, falsification of fumigation records, and the concealment of Miske’s illegally obtained assets, and was a vital cog in the plot to murder of Johnathan Fraser. Fabro-Miske’s sentence yesterday demonstrates that those who occupy even the lower rungs of Hawaii’s criminal enterprises will pay a steep price when they face justice in federal court,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Ken Sorenson. “The dismantling of the Miske Enterprise represents one of the most significant law enforcement efforts in the history of Hawaii law enforcement, and it would not have been possible without the tremendous and dedicated work of our partners at the Honolulu Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Internal Revenue Service, Homeland Security Investigations, and Environmental Protection Agency, among many others.”

    “Ms. Fabro-Miske was a key member in the Miske Enterprise fraud schemes, actively participating in defrauding the government and taxpayers,” said FBI Honolulu Special Agent in Charge David Porter. “This sentencing reflects years of collaboration between FBI Honolulu and our law enforcement partners. The FBI remains steadfast in its commitment to dismantle violent criminal enterprises, hold their members accountable, and pursue justice for victims.”

    “Our investigators follow the money because criminal organizations profit at the expense of public safety,” said Adam Jobes, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation’s Seattle Field Office. “Ms. Fabro-Miske’s racketeering conviction is a reminder that, in the end, crime really doesn’t pay.”

    “The sentencing of Ms. Fabro-Miske underscores HSI’s commitment to disrupting and dismantling criminal organizations in Hawaii,” said HSI Special Agent in Charge Lucy Cabral-DeArmas. “HSI will continue to hold accountable those who significantly harm our communities by breaking federal laws. By bringing justice to the Miske Enterprise, HSI sends the message that we will not tolerate any violent activity on our islands.”

    “By falsifying documents, defendant obstructed EPA and the state’s criminal investigation of a pesticide applicator that illegally applied restricted use pesticides,” said Benjamin Carr, Special Agent in Charge for the Environmental Protection Agency’s Criminal Investigation Division in Hawaii. “Yesterday’s sentencing reflects the seriousness of defendant’s fraudulent conduct and the importance of complying with pesticide reporting requirements so EPA and Hawaii Department of Agriculture can keep our communities safe.”

    This prosecution was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligencedriven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

    This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, the Criminal Investigation Division of the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, with assistance from the Honolulu Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Coast Guard Investigative Service, the United States Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force, the Cybercrime Lab of the Department of Justice Criminal Division Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section, the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center, the Honolulu Fire Department, the Hawaii National Guard, 93rd Civil Support Team, the Office of Investigations–Office of the Inspector General for the Social Security Administration, and the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mark Inciong, Michael Nammar, KeAupuni Akina, and Aislinn Affinito prosecuted the case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cantwell Statement on Seafood-Related Executive Order

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington Maria Cantwell
    04.17.25
    Cantwell Statement on Seafood-Related Executive Order
    EDMONDS, WA – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, released this statement regarding President Trump’s executive order related to seafood and fisheries.
    “You can’t manage and grow American fisheries when you fire the very scientists and fishery managers who are charged with supporting the more than one million jobs that rely on sustainable fisheries. This executive order comes on the heels of the leaked Trump Administration draft budget which would slash the National Marine Fisheries Service budget by 27 percent and eliminate the Habitat Conservation Program and the Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund, which fishermen rely on to restore salmon and other fish populations. The administration’s actions are hurting fishing families, not helping them.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Cyanobacteria—Technology that Nurtures Nature Through Nature

    Source: Panasonic

    Headline: Cyanobacteria—Technology that Nurtures Nature Through Nature

    Seiji Kojima
    Green Transformation Division,Technology Sector,Panasonic Holdings Corporation

    Michael Shadovitz
    Design Division,Panasonic Corporation

    Toshiki Tanisaki
    Ryokukou Garden

    Encouraging Growth in the Truest, Most Natural Way—That’s Novitek
    Kojima: While animals like us get the nutrients we need for survival through food, plants use their chloroplasts to perform photosynthesis and generate the energy required for growth. “Novitek” is a technology that enhances photosynthesis, stimulating plant growth. It works by transforming cyanobacteria into a biological plant growth stimulant, mimicking the role of chloroplasts.
    Michael: When I first discovered this technology, I thought, “This is incredible!” Everywhere you go, people are talking about the need to increase greenery to tackle food shortages and environmental issues. But if we’re only expanding plants in limited spaces or spending excessive amounts of money and energy on greening efforts, it doesn’t really achieve much. What sets Novitek apart is that it offers an easy way to encourage plant growth simply by spraying it on plants. On top of that, it’s made from natural, biologically derived ingredients. I believe we need to spread this technology further and make more people aware of it.
    Kojima: Initially, this technology was developed with field and greenhouse crops in mind, so when I first heard about using Novitek for an Expo exhibit, I was honestly surprised. I also had concerns about whether it could be effective for houseplants or indoor pot cultivation.

    Michael: We really wanted to use Novitek, but we wondered if it would even be possible. To address this question, we brought in Mr. Tanisaki from Ryokukou Garden, a plant expert. He was already familiar with exhibits like those that decorate trains with plants, and I felt he would view our challenge of bringing greenery to places that lack it in a positive, enthusiastic way. So, I reached out to him.
    Tanisaki: I had been involved in landscaping for Expo-related projects before, so I was thrilled when I was approached for this one. As a landscape designer, I frequently work on exhibits, but typically, they last only a week or two. With the Expo running for six months, I quickly realized that maintaining the health and vibrancy of the plants for such an extended period would be a significant challenge.
    Kojima: With Mr. Tanisaki on board and the expertise of Ryokukou Garden, we began the experiment. The main challenges were determining whether we could maintain plants indoors in pots for an extended period, and whether Novitek could still stimulate growth in that setting. Based on the results, we selected the plants that would be showcased in the Earth area.
    Tanisaki: The experiment helped us determine which plants could stay healthy over the long term, how much light they needed, and what height it should be applied. We’ll be showcasing the whole process, from cultivation to harvest, focusing on corn, mini tomatoes, bananas, and asparagus.

    Embracing the Fun of This Project, Unexpected Challenges and All
    Kojima: This project has been a massive source of inspiration for me. The idea of using Novitek—initially developed for crops—on houseplants was an entirely new perspective I hadn’t considered before. Beyond that, working with Ryokukou Garden to actually grow the plants and collaborating with the team to share ideas… It’s been a completely different experience from my usual work, where I quietly conduct research in the lab. The space that Mr. Tanisaki set up for the experiments is incredible, don’t you think? It felt like a secret hideout, and I was excited every time I walked in (laughs).
    Tanisaki: I’ve always grown plants with the assumption they’d be under natural sunlight, so it was a refreshing experience to observe them while measuring the intensity of artificial light. For instance, figuring out things like “This plant needs XX lux” or “With artificial light, it has to be placed at this distance.” This project has been a great learning experience for me, and I feel like my knowledge has really expanded.
    Michael: Environmental challenges have reached a point where even large companies can’t tackle them alone. That’s why collaboration must extend beyond our walls, whether it be with technology or between people. I believe this approach is not only a mission for Panasonic, but something that should become increasingly standard moving forward.

    The dedicated space within Ryokukou Garden’s facilities for the experiment

    Kojima: The real challenge of our exhibit starts once we bring the plants into the venue. We can expect some unexpected hurdles, whether it’s the lighting or temperature. But that’s the beauty of working with plants, and I believe the only way to overcome these challenges is by facing them together as a team.
    Tanisaki: Plants have their own individual variations, so what worked in the experiment may not always work as expected. But if we’re going to do this, I really want it to be something that makes children say, “What plant is this?” “Wow, that’s its name!” or “This shape is so cool!”—something that will spark their excitement and curiosity.
    Michael: Today’s kids may only know tomatoes as just tomatoes, right? But when they see how something they only recognize as a fruit actually grows on a branch, it will surely make a lasting impression. We don’t know exactly how things will unfold yet, but if they can touch the plants or spot a few bugs, I think it would be wonderful to create a space where they can engage with nature in the most natural way possible.

    Envisioning a Future Where Novitek is Integrated into Cities and Daily Life
    Michael: I hope the children visiting the Earth area will see the vibrant greenery and think, “I’d love for my city to look like this,” or “I want to help create a city like this.” The Expo exhibit is just a stepping stone. Our ultimate goal is to inspire everyone to work together to build a more natural and thriving city and way of life.
    Kojima: If we can demonstrate that Novitek works not only on crops but also on non-food plants like houseplants, I believe the potential applications will grow in many areas. This includes using it to enhance greenery for urban development, or even helping plants grow for fuel production. I sense that Novitek has the potential to make a significant contribution to society in many different ways.
    Michael: Urban environments are becoming tougher by the day, right? Summers are getting hotter, winters colder, and the weather is changing in ways we didn’t see before. But if Novitek can help plants thrive in these harsh conditions, I believe it will contribute to creating green infrastructure—something that goes far beyond just adding greenery.

    Tanisaki: Having lived in Africa until two years ago, I’ve seen the global food crisis up close. I believe that as Novitek gains more applications and becomes widely recognized, demand from overseas will grow. Starting with the Expo, I hope Novitek spreads across Japanese society and, eventually, internationally. It would be great to see that momentum take off.
    Michael: To make that happen, we need to focus on the Expo first. We’ll all do our best to visit the venue as much as possible and take care of everything (laughs). I’m hoping we can enjoy even the challenges that come with it.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Fire Safety – Open fire season starts for Thames-Coromandel, Waikato Northern

    Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

    Fire and Emergency New Zealand is moving the Waikato Northern and Thames-Coromandel Districts back to an open fire season from 8am, Friday 18 April, until further notice.
    An open fire season means people planning to light fires outdoors no longer need to apply to Fire and Emergency for authorised permits.
    Waikato District Manager Daryl Trim says the summer temperatures have given way to cooler autumn conditions, so the fire risk has lowered.
    “As always, we ask people to take care when considering lighting any fires, and to check the conditions for your location on www.checkitsalright.nz,” he says.
    “This weekend however, with the expected wind from ex Tropical Cyclone Tam, we urge the public to delay the lighting of any fires.
    “Once the windy conditions ease, we urge everyone to always take care with any fire, and check for reignition, which can still happen weeks after a fire has been thought to be extinguished.”
    Department of Conservation lands are still in a restricted season, so permits are needed from Fire and Emergency before lighting any fires in those areas.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Unleashing American Commercial Fishing in the Pacific

    US Senate News:

    Source: The White House
    class=”has-text-align-center”>BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
    A PROCLAMATION
    The Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument (PRIMNM) was established by Proclamation 8336 of January 6, 2009 (Establishment of the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument), and then further expanded by Proclamation 9173 of September 25, 2014 (Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument Expansion).  Under these monument proclamations, over 400,000 square miles in the Pacific Ocean were appropriated and withdrawn from all forms of entry, location, selection, sale, leasing, or other disposition under the public land laws for care and management by the Federal Government.The PRIMNM was established to protect and preserve the lands and marine environment around Wake, Baker, Howland, and Jarvis Islands; Johnston and Palmyra Atolls; Kingman Reef; and the historic and scientific objects therein.  These objects include fish, birds, marine mammals, coral, and the general biodiversity of the ecosystems encompassed by the PRIMNM.As part of the management of the PRIMNM, commercial fishing is currently prohibited within its boundaries.  As explained herein, following further consideration of the nature of the objects identified in Proclamations 8336 and 9173 and the protection of those objects already provided by relevant law, I find that appropriately managed commercial fishing would not put the objects of scientific and historic interest that the PRIMNM protects at risk.With respect to fish in particular, fisheries in the region are effectively managed by the National Marine Fisheries Service and the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council.  Management of the PRIMNM is doing little to guard fish populations against overfishing as tunas and other pelagic species found within the boundaries of the PRIMNM are migratory in nature, and do not permanently reside within the PRIMNM.As a result of the prohibitions on commercial fishing, American fishing fleets have lost access to nearly half of the United States’ Exclusive Economic Zone in the Pacific Islands.  This has driven American fishermen to fish further offshore in international waters to compete against poorly regulated and highly subsidized foreign fleets.  This disadvantages honest United States commercial fishermen and is detrimental for United States territories like American Samoa, whose private sector economy is over 80 percent dependent on the fishing industry.Proclamations 8336 and 9173 do not list recreational fishing as a threat to local fish populations within the PRIMNM.  A host of Federal protections exist under current laws and agency management designations to protect the area’s natural resources, vulnerable marine species, and unique habitats, such as coral and seamount ecosystems.These laws include the Magnuson–Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.), the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Endangered Species Act) (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. 703-712), the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C. 668dd-668ee), the Refuge Recreation Act (16 U.S.C. 460k et seq.), the Marine Mammal Protection Act (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.), the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.), the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (Oil Pollution Act) (33 U.S.C. 2701et seq.), and Title I of the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act (Ocean Dumping Act), 33 U.S.C. 1401 et seq.  For example, the Endangered Species Act generally prohibits the taking of listed fish and wildlife species, and also generally ensures that Federal actions, including fisheries management, are not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of any such species nor adversely modify designated critical habitats.  Numerous other statutes, including the Clean Water Act, the Oil Pollution Act, and the Ocean Dumping Act, address both land-based and ocean-based sources of pollution and help ensure that water quality conditions support the conservation values of the Pacific Remote Island ecosystems.Therefore, I find that appropriately managed commercial fishing would not put objects of scientific and historic interest within the PRIMNM at risk.After further consideration of the nature of the objects identified in Proclamations 8336 and 9173 and the protection of those objects already provided by the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act and other relevant laws, I find that a prohibition on commercial fishing is not, at this time, necessary for the proper care and management of the PRIMNM or the objects of historic or scientific interest therein.NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, including section 320301 of title 54, United States Code (Antiquities Act), hereby proclaim that:(a)  All language under the section entitled “Management of the Marine National Monument” in Proclamation 9173 is deleted and replaced with the following:“Nothing in this proclamation shall change the management of the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument as specified in Proclamation 8336.  The Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with the Secretary of Commerce, shall have primary responsibility for management of the Monument Expansion pursuant to applicable legal authorities.  The Secretary of Commerce, through the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and in consultation with the Secretary of the Interior, shall within the Monument Expansion have primary responsibility with respect to fishery-related activities regulated pursuant to the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.), and any other applicable legal authorities.  The Secretary of Commerce and the Secretary of the Interior shall not allow or permit any appropriation, injury, destruction, or removal of any object of the Monument Expansion except as provided for by this proclamation as modified by the Proclamation of April 17, 2025 (Unleashing American Commercial Fishing in the Pacific).Between 50 to 200 nautical miles from the landward boundaries of the Monument, the Secretary of Commerce shall not prohibit commercial fishing within the boundaries of the Monument and the Monument Expansion in those areas where the Monument and Monument Expansion is coterminous with the Exclusive Economic Zone of the United States.  The implementation of any regulation of commercial fishing within the Monument and the Monument Expansion shall be done in coordination with the Secretary of Defense.  Only United States flagged vessels shall be allowed to commercially fish within the boundaries of the Monument and the Monument Expansion, except that permits may be issued to foreign flagged vessels to transship fish harvested by United States fishermen.The Secretary of Commerce and the Secretary of the Interior shall take appropriate action pursuant to their respective authorities under the Antiquities Act; the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act; and such other authorities as may be available to implement this proclamation, to regulate fisheries, and to ensure proper care and management of the Monument Expansion.The United States shall continue to preserve the freedom of the seas (i.e., all of the rights, freedoms, and lawful uses of the sea recognized in international law and enjoyed by all nations, including the conduct of military activities, exercises, and surveys in or over the Exclusive Economic Zone of the United States), and to protect the training, readiness, and global mobility of the United States Armed Forces as United States national interests that are essential to the peace and prosperity of civilized nations.The Secretary of Defense shall continue to manage Wake Island and Johnston Atoll as specified in Proclamation 8336.”.(b)  The Secretary of Commerce, through the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, shall expeditiously publish new proposed rules in the Federal Register to amend or repeal all burdensome regulations that restrict commercial fishing in the PRIMNM.Nothing in this proclamation shall be construed to revoke, modify, or affect any withdrawal, reservation, or appropriation, other than the one created by Proclamations 8336 and 9173.Nothing in this proclamation shall change the management of the areas designated and reserved by Proclamations 8336 and 9173, except as explicitly provided in this proclamation.If any provision of this proclamation, including its application to a particular parcel of land, is held to be invalid, the remainder of this proclamation and its application to other parcels of land shall not be affected thereby.IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand thisseventeenth day of April, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-five, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-ninth.
                                  DONALD J. TRUMP

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness

    US Senate News:

    Source: The White House
    class=”has-text-align-left”>By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered:
    Section 1.  Background.  The United States controls one of the largest and most abundant ocean resources in the world, with over 4 million square miles of prime fishing grounds.  With this vast resource and centuries of hard work from American fishermen, our Nation has the greatest seafood in the world.
    Most American fish stocks are healthy and have viable markets.  Despite these opportunities, seafood is one of the most heavily regulated sectors in the United States.  Federal overregulation has restricted fishermen from productively harvesting American seafood including through restrictive catch limits, selling our fishing grounds to foreign offshore wind companies, inaccurate and outdated fisheries data, and delayed adoption of modern technology.
    The United States should be the world’s dominant seafood leader.  But in addition to overregulation, unfair trade practices have put our seafood markets at a competitive disadvantage.  Nearly 90 percent of seafood on our shelves is now imported, and the seafood trade deficit stands at over $20 billion.  The erosion of American seafood competitiveness at the hands of unfair foreign trade practices must end.
    Sec. 2.  Purpose.  The United States must address unfair trade practices, eliminate unsafe imports, level the unfair playing field that has benefited foreign fishing companies, promote ethical sourcing, reduce regulatory burdens, and ensure the integrity of the seafood supply chain.  Previously, I signed Executive Order 13921 of May 7, 2020 (Promoting American Seafood Competitiveness and Economic Growth).  That successful order — which remains in effect — enhanced the competitiveness of United States seafood, streamlined regulations, supported maritime jobs and coastal economies, and improved data collection.  During the past 4 years, our fishermen were once again crushed under the pressure of unnecessary regulations and unfavorable policies.  It is vital that we now build upon our previous hard work with new, additional measures to promote domestic fishing.
    Sec. 3.  Policy.  It is the policy of the United States to promote the productive harvest of our seafood resources; unburden our commercial fishermen from costly and inefficient regulation; combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing; and protect our seafood markets from the unfair trade practices of foreign nations.
    Sec. 4.  A New Era of Seafood Policy.  (a)  The Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services and with input from the United States fishing industry, shall immediately consider suspending, revising, or rescinding regulations that overly burden America’s commercial fishing, aquaculture, and fish processing industries at the fishery-specific level.  Within 30 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Commerce shall identify the most heavily overregulated fisheries requiring action and take appropriate action to reduce the regulatory burden on them, in cooperation with the Regional Fishery Management Councils, interagency partners, and through public-private partnerships, as appropriate.  This process shall include the following actions:
    (i)    The Secretary of Commerce shall request that each Regional Fishery Management Council, within 180 days of the date of this order, provide the Secretary of Commerce with updates to their recommendations submitted pursuant to Executive Order 13921, to reduce burdens on domestic fishing and to increase production.  Building upon the earlier goals, identified actions should stabilize markets, improve access, enhance economic profitability, and prevent closures.  The Regional Fishery Management Councils will commit to a work plan and a schedule for implementation to ensure these actions are prioritized.
    (ii)   The Secretary of Commerce shall solicit direct public comments, including from fishing industry members, technology experts, marine scientists, and other relevant parties, for innovative ideas to improve fisheries management and science within the requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.); the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.); the Marine Mammal Protection Act (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.); and other applicable laws.
    (iii)  The Secretary of Commerce shall pursue additional direct public engagement to ensure executive departments and agencies (agencies) are focusing core fisheries management and science functions to directly support priority needs that strengthen our Nation’s seafood supply chain.
    (b)  Upon completion of the process described in subsection (a) of this section, the Secretary of Commerce shall consider updating the Department of Commerce’s contribution to the Unified Regulatory Agenda.  The Secretary of Commerce shall resume submission of annual reports to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy, the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy, and the Chairman of the Council on Environmental Quality pursuant to these activities as described in Executive Order 13921.
    (c)  The Secretary of Commerce shall direct the National Marine Fisheries Service to incorporate less expensive and more reliable technologies and cooperative research programs into fishery assessments conducted pursuant to 16 U.S.C. 1867.  As soon as practicable, the Secretary of Commerce shall expand exempted fishing permit programs to promote fishing opportunities nationwide.  Further, the Secretary of Commerce shall take all appropriate action to modernize data collection and analytical practices that will improve the responsiveness of fisheries management to real-time ocean conditions.
    (d)  The Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture, shall develop and implement an America First Seafood Strategy to promote production, marketing, sale, and export of United States fishery and aquaculture products and strengthen domestic processing capacity.  This program shall accelerate the Department of Agriculture’s efforts to educate American consumers about the health benefits of seafood and increase seafood purchases in nutrition programs.
    (e)  Within 60 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Commerce and the United States Trade Representative, in consultation with members of the Interagency Seafood Trade Task Force, shall assess seafood competitiveness issues and jointly develop a comprehensive seafood trade strategy.  The strategy shall be based upon the Seafood Trade Strategy of November 3, 2020, that improves access to foreign markets and addresses unfair trade practices — including IUU fishing and unjustified non-tariff barriers — while ensuring a fair and competitive domestic market for United States seafood producers.
    (f)  The United States Trade Representative shall examine the relevant trade practices of major seafood-producing nations, including with regard to IUU fishing and the use of forced labor in the seafood supply chain, and consider appropriate responses, including pursuing solutions through negotiations or trade enforcement authorities, such as under section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2411).
    (g)  The Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and other relevant agencies, shall immediately consider revising or rescinding recent expansions of the Seafood Import Monitoring Program to unnecessary species and further improve the program to more effectively target high-risk shipments from nations that routinely violate international fishery regulations.  The Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall use cost savings to improve thorough checks at United States ports to prevent IUU seafood from entering the market.  The Secretary of Commerce shall further consider options to use improved technology to identify foreign fishery-related violations.
    (h)  Within 180 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with the Secretary of the Interior, shall review all existing marine national monuments and provide recommendations to the President of any that should be opened to commercial fishing.  In making these recommendations, the Secretary of Commerce will consider whether the opening of the monuments to commercial fishing would be consistent with the preservation of the historic landmarks, historic and prehistoric structures, and other objects of historic or scientific interest originally identified in the proclamations establishing the marine national monuments.
    Sec. 5.  General Provisions.  (a)  Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:
    (i)   the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or
    (ii)  the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
    (b)  This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
    (c)  This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.
    DONALD J. TRUMP
    THE WHITE HOUSE,
    April 17, 2025.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Dmitry Patrushev: In 2024, the Government allocated 64 billion rubles for the development of forestry

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Dmitry Patrushev spoke at a meeting dedicated to the main results of the work of the forestry sector of the Russian Federation in 2024 and the tasks for 2025

    April 17, 2025

    Dmitry Patrushev spoke at a meeting dedicated to the main results of the work of the forestry sector of the Russian Federation in 2024 and the tasks for 2025

    April 17, 2025

    Meeting dedicated to the main results of the forestry work of the Russian Federation in 2024 and tasks for 2025

    April 17, 2025

    Meeting dedicated to the main results of the forestry work of the Russian Federation in 2024 and tasks for 2025

    April 17, 2025

    Previous news Next news

    Dmitry Patrushev spoke at a meeting dedicated to the main results of the work of the forestry sector of the Russian Federation in 2024 and the tasks for 2025

    Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Patrushev spoke at a meeting dedicated to the main results of the work of the forestry sector of the Russian Federation in 2024 and the tasks for 2025. It was held at the site of the National Center “Russia”.

    “Russia accounts for a fifth of the world’s forest reserves. Thanks to this, our country makes a major contribution to ensuring global environmental well-being. For several years now, more forests have been appearing in Russia than are being lost. This is facilitated by the measures implemented by the Federal Forestry Agency, attracting businesses. In 2024, forest restoration was one and a half times greater than the area of felled and dead trees. We must continue to adhere to the given vector. The amount of funds allocated by the Government for the development of forestry in 2024 amounted to 64 billion rubles,” Dmitry Patrushev reported.

    The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized that, on the instructions of the President of Russia, forest users in the Northwestern Federal District were partially exempted from paying rent for 2023, which also provided businesses with the necessary support. Separate measures are also provided for wood processors.

    “The forestry complex is a solid base for the relevant industry, a significant component of the economy of most regions. Therefore, it is very important that in 2024 the systematic recovery of the industry after the introduction of sanctions continued. The rise was largely facilitated by previously adopted support measures. According to the results of last year, timber harvesting increased by more than 6 million cubic meters. We expect that in 2025 the positive dynamics will continue and harvesting volumes will exceed 200 million cubic meters,” added Dmitry Patrushev.

    During the implementation of the national project “Ecology”, the total area of new forest plantations reached almost 8 million hectares. Forest restoration was also included in the new national project “Ecological Well-Being”. The Government has allocated more than 16 billion rubles for the implementation of relevant measures until 2030.

    Special attention was paid to fighting forest fires at the meeting. Dmitry Patrushev drew attention to the need for regions to eliminate at least 80% of fires within the first 24 hours after detection. The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized that the key to effective work is to direct adequate forces and resources to extinguishing fires.

    To strengthen interdepartmental coordination, an all-Russian headquarters dedicated to the passage of the fire season was held in March of this year.

    In 2025, the Government has allocated almost 20 billion rubles to fight forest fires, which is significantly more than last year. More than 5 billion of the total amount is allocated to expand the system of regional air bases in the most fire-prone regions and strengthen their material and technical base. In January, a new forest fire center began operating in the Far East. Its work will facilitate more rapid extinguishing of complex fires typical for this district.

    Speaking about the strategic directions of forestry development, Dmitry Patrushev reported that in accordance with the instruction of the President of Russia, the efficiency of the forestry industry continues to be improved. First of all, this concerns the issues of decriminalization and the fight against illegal logging and transportation of timber. The Deputy Prime Minister also noted the need to improve the efficiency of forest patrolling, including through the introduction of remote methods and unmanned aerial systems. As part of a separate national project, the industry will receive almost 1.5 thousand drones.

    Since January 1, 2025, the federal forestry information system has been launched, which allows real-time data on raw material routes, volumes and species composition. Dmitry Patrushev emphasized that the legalization of forestry has significantly increased budget revenues. Last year alone, the volume of funds exceeded 80 billion rubles. According to him, these funds should also be directed to the industry. For example, this year, almost 3.5 billion rubles have been allocated to increase the salaries of industry specialists. And a total of 24 billion rubles are planned to be directed by 2030.

    In conclusion, Dmitry Patrushev added that the key tasks of the forestry complex are united in the corresponding strategy, which is being updated this year. In terms of forestry, according to him, it is necessary to pay attention to advanced forest restoration, reducing the area of fires, digitalization and improving the quality of forest accounting. A special emphasis should be placed on establishing a fair price for the use of forest resources.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Dan Goldman, Borough President Antonio Reynoso, Organized Labor, Energy Advocates Slam Trump Administration’s Stop Work Order on New York’s Second Largest Offshore Wind Project

    Source: US Congressman Dan Goldman (NY-10)

    Trump Administration Illegally Ordered Construction to Cease at Empire Wind 1, Threatens Offshore Wind Projects Nationwide 

     

    Empire Wind 1 Development Employs 1,500 Union Workers, Will Power 500,000 NYC Homes Upon Completion 

     

    See Pictures and Video from Event Here

    New York, NY – Congressman Dan Goldman (NY-10) was today joined by Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, organized labor, and industrial workforce and energy advocates for a press conference slamming the Trump administration’s unlawful stop work order for the fully-permitted Empire Wind 1 wind farm — the second-largest wind farm project in New York State — and urging the administration to reverse course. 

    The project employs 1,500 union workers and was set to deliver clean, renewable energy to over half a million New York City homes, provide over $100 million in supply chain economic investments across New York, and make significant progress toward the city’s climate and energy goals. 

    “Trump’s decision to halt the Empire Wind 1 project, and all offshore wind development, is a betrayal of his own ‘America first’ agenda,” Congressman Dan Goldman said. “If executed, this directive would kill thousands of union jobs, reduce American manufacturing, increase energy prices, weaken our national security, and hand the clean energy future to China. In the name of his assault on climate initiatives, the President is actually undermining his own agenda and reducing American energy independence and dominance. I urge my Republican colleagues to work together to reverse this ill-advised decision.”

    Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso said, “Donald Trump has made it clear that he is hellbent on keeping our air polluted and putting Americans out of work. The President claims to be all about creating blue collar jobs, but here he is erasing over 1,000 union jobs in what remains of Brooklyn’s working waterfront. With Empire Wind, Brooklyn is leading the nation’s transition toward renewable, reliable, and affordable energy. We won’t back down just because Trump says so. I’m proud to stand with Rep. Goldman and so many other partners today to reject this reckless decision.”

    State Senator Andrew Gounardes said, “The Trump Administration’s decision to revoke approval for Empire Wind 1 is a slap in the face to all New Yorkers. Empire Wind 1 isn’t just about power generation—it’s about powering our economy with good-paying union jobs, apprenticeships for our young workers, and billions in economic investment in neighborhoods like Sunset Park and Red Hook. This project was fully permitted. Shovels were already in the ground, creating jobs. We cannot sit by quietly while this administration blocks the path toward affordable energy, resilient infrastructure, and jobs that support families.”

    Councilmember Alexa Avilés said, “I am profoundly concerned by the decision to stop the ongoing offshore wind project in New York. Our community has fought for years to ensure that Sunset Park would be part of solutions to reduce carbon emissions, build healthier and green energy, and provide new local union jobs. It is undeniable that we must build offshore wind to address our energy needs while recognizing the climate crisis. Thank you to all the community partners, city agencies, unions and Equinor for their commitment to our community and offshore wind. We stand in deep support.”

    Glen Siegel and Michael Stamatis, Managing Partners of SSBMT L.P., Operators of the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal, said, “We are deeply disappointed by the Trump Administration’s abrupt and shortsighted decision to halt all construction of Equinor’s Empire Wind project in federal waters. This decision undermines years of planning, investment, and collaboration between public and private partners working together to realize New York’s clean energy goals and create good-paying union jobs right here in Brooklyn. Equinor’s Empire Wind project is not only essential to our state’s energy future—it is the catalyst for revitalizing SBMT as a national hub for offshore wind staging, assembly, and operations. This project represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform New York’s working waterfront, drive economic development, and deliver sustainable, renewable energy to millions of residents.”

    Vincent Alvarez, President of the New York City Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO, and Climate Jobs New York Director, said, “Hundreds of workers were prepared to start jobs on the offshore construction of Empire Wind 1 in just a few weeks, but now, their financial futures have been pulled out from under them. Thousands more jobs supporting the offshore wind industry – on the port at South Brooklyn Marine Terminal, assembly and staging at Arthur Kill Terminal on Staten Island, and component manufacturing in Albany and across the country, to name a few – are also all now at risk. Our union members and our communities are counting on clean energy jobs. We need to protect them.”

    Gary LaBarbera, President of the Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York, and Climate Jobs New York Director, said, “This announcement is a blow to New York’s hardworking tradesmen and tradeswomen who are counting on this project to create high-quality, long-lasting jobs, and to everyone in New York who is struggling to afford their electric bills right now. Empire Wind was going to bolster the middle class, make our air cleaner, and bring much-needed local power to our energy grid to lower costs. This stop work order on a shovel-ready energy project is a massive step backward for union workers and our quest to build more domestic energy, and it sends a chilling effect to any developers looking to build energy projects here in America.”

    Christopher Erikson, Business Representative for Local Union No. 3 IBEW, said, “The nearly 29,000 members of Local Union No. 3, IBEW are disappointed with the federal government’s decision to pause construction on the Empire Wind 1 project. This action is detrimental to my members, other Building Trades workers, Sunset Park, and the surrounding communities who were counting on clean energy to be added to the grid to help power our neighborhoods. Local 3, IBEW members have been preparing for this project for years in anticipation of the union wages and benefits that would support them and their families. We stand in solidarity with Congressman Goldman, Equinor, and the team behind Empire Wind to express our dismay, disappointment, and anger at this shortsighted decision by the Trump administration. We hope this is only a pause, so that we can get to work on securing a clean energy future in our city and a healthier planet for ourselves and our families.”

    Jesse Solomon, Executive Director of the Southwest Brooklyn Industrial Corporation, said, “For the past year, SBIDC has been working directly with small businesses in Brooklyn to help them access offshore wind contracts and prepare for a generational economic opportunity. Empire Wind 1 is central to that progress. This is one of the most important climate and economic development projects New York has ever seen – we stand with Rep. Goldman in urging the federal government to reinstate this project.” – Jesse Solomon, Executive Director, Southwest Brooklyn Industrial Development Corporation.” 

    Chris Ward, Interim President and CEO at Waterfront Alliance said, “Clean, affordable, and reliable power for 500,000 homes. 1,000 jobs. A billion-dollar port. Yesterday, the Trump administration decided that New Yorkers do not need these. With the scratch of a pen, an incredible $2 billion investment to make the world better was halted. Waterfront Alliance is confident that wiser minds will prevail. We will offer every support to Equinor, the State and City of New York, and our partners in offshore wind and port development to see that this decision is reversed,”

    Esther Rosario, Executive Director of Climate Jobs New York, said, “If we stall these projects, we don’t just jeopardize our energy grid’s stability—we put workers’ livelihoods at risk. These aren’t abstract ideas — they’re real paychecks that were promised to working people in our unions and our communities. Local businesses, from bodegas to gas stations, also benefit when these projects are underway. We urge our federal government to reverse their decision to halt this project and our leaders in New York to stay the course and invest in and protect the union jobs that are rebuilding our middle class and building our future.”

    Julie Tighe, President of the New York League of Conservation Voters, said, “The federal government is placing American energy independence and abundance, thousands of union jobs, and clean air at risk with the reckless stop work order for Empire Wind. This project is fully permitted and will provide energy for half a million homes – there are no other ways to get that amount of energy into New York’s grid in the near term when electric demand is growing. We are proud to stand with Governor Hochul, Congressman Goldman, our friends in labor, and the environmental movement to fight this attempt to derail our clean energy future and hurt New York’s nation-leading progress to develop offshore wind power.”

    Allyson Samuell, Sierra Club’s Senior Campaign Organizer in New York said, “Offshore wind creates good jobs with good salaries and doesn’t pollute our air and water. This is the future for our energy system. The downstate New York region is incredibly dense, we don’t have a lot of space for large scale energy infrastructure on land. Offshore wind projects, like Empire Wind 1, are the ideal solution for providing electricity to the entire New York City metro-area. This project is essential to helping downstate New York meet the rising demand for electricity and ensure reliable energy for families. For New Yorkers, this is local power that is generated near where it’s needed, bringing us closer to energy independence.”

    Spurred by clean energy subsidies in President Biden and House Democrats’ Inflation Reduction Act, the Empire Wind 1 offshore wind project would be the first of its kind to plug directly into the New York City power grid, ultimately powering over 500,000 homes. The South Brooklyn Marine Terminal would also be the largest offshore wind Operations and Maintenance hub as well as staging area in the United States.  

    Congressman Goldman has championed the Empire Wind 1 project and offshore wind energy as a national security and economic imperative since taking office. 

    Last June, Congressman Goldman joined elected officials to break ground on the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal, which would serve as the largest offshore wind staging and maintenance port in the nation and connect offshore wind power to over 500,000 homes across New York City. 
    Last Spring, Congressman Goldman led a walking tour of the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal to tout the role that Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) tax credits played in making Brooklyn the future offshore wind capital of America.  
    Congressman Dan Goldman is a member of the Congressional Offshore Wind Caucus, which pushes for policies to improve offshore wind technology, increase investment in the offshore wind workforce, and position the United States as a global leader in the industry. 

     ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SPC Severe Thunderstorm Watch 140 Status Reports

    Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

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  • MIL-OSI: USX Cyber® and ROLM Partner to Deliver Unified Cybersecurity for Regulated Industries

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VIENNA, Va., April 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — USX Cyber®, a leader in Security Operations Center-as-a-Service (SOCaaS) and developer of the award-winning GUARDIENT® cybersecurity platform, has announced a strategic partnership with ROLM, a trusted name in secure communications and advanced cyber defense.

    This collaboration brings together USX Cyber’s real-time threat detection, response automation, and compliance alignment with ROLM’s proven track record and market reach—creating a streamlined, fully managed cybersecurity solution for businesses of all sizes, with a special focus on highly regulated sectors such as healthcare, defense, manufacturing, financial services, and critical infrastructure.

    Through this partnership, ROLM will offer USX Cyber’s best-in-class SOC-as-a-Service and the GUARDIENT® platforms as part of its ROLMSecure Services, giving customers access to enterprise-grade cybersecurity capabilities—without the complexity or cost of building and staffing their own security operations center.

    “This strategic partnership allows us to bring world-class protection to organizations that need to meet strict regulatory standards, but may not have the resources to manage cybersecurity in-house,” said Cole McKinley, CTO of USX Cyber. “ROLM’s history of innovation and trust in the marketplace makes them the perfect strategic partner to take this solution to the next level.”

    Mark Daley, CEO of ROLM, added: “Today’s threat landscape requires continuous, intelligent protection. Partnering with USX Cyber means we can deliver that—seamlessly and at scale—for clients who cannot afford gaps in security or compliance.”

    Key Features of the Joint Offering:

    • 24/7 U.S.-Based Monitoring, Detection, and Response
    • Advanced XDR via the GUARDIENT® Platform
    • Seamless Integration Across Cloud, Endpoint, and Network Environments
    • Built-In Compliance with HIPAA, CMMC, PCI-DSS, SOC 2, and More
    • Flexible Packages for SMBs to Large Enterprises

    This strategic partnership represents a shared commitment by two trusted teams to redefining what’s possible in cybersecurity—making advanced defense accessible, affordable, and aligned with the real-world needs of today’s organizations. This strategic partnership does not constitute a joint venture or legal partnership. Each of USX Cyber and ROLM are independent businesses and not agents of the other.

    About USX Cyber®

    USX Cyber® is a cybersecurity innovator delivering GUARDIENT®, a lightweight yet powerful XDR security platform, alongside SOC-as-a-Service tailored for modern organizations. The company empowers businesses to detect threats, automate response, and achieve continuous compliance with a single unified solution.

    About ROLM

    ROLM brings a legacy of trusted technology leadership in secure communications and cyber defense. Through its ROLMSecure Services, ROLM offers a suite of cybersecurity and secure communication solutions designed to support mission-critical operations in both public and private sectors.

    Media Contact:
    Megan Donovan
    External Communications Director
    USX Cyber, LLC
    megan@howllouder.com
    (123) 456-7890

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Mission Amrit Sarovar

    Source: Government of India

    Mission Amrit Sarovar

    Reviving India’s Water Heritage through Community-led Conservation

    Posted On: 17 APR 2025 5:45PM by PIB Delhi

    Introduction

    India’s water challenges have long demanded both structural and participatory interventions. Against this backdrop, the Government of India launched the Mission Amrit Sarovar in 2022 as a flagship initiative under the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. The mission aims to construct and rejuvenate 75 water bodies in each district across the country, thereby fostering water conservation, ensuring sustainability, and reviving traditional community water bodies through public participation.

    Launched with the vision of building 50,000 Amrit Sarovars by August 15, 2023, the initiative has now been extended and has become a nationwide movement converging rural development, environmental stewardship, and community empowerment. It is not merely a reservoir creation initiative—it represents the fusion of national pride, ecological restoration, and grassroots governance. In the backdrop of growing concerns regarding groundwater depletion and rural water scarcity, Mission Amrit Sarovar has emerged as a strategic response—blending tradition with modernity and institutional alignment with public mobilization.

    As on March 2025, over 68,000 Sarovars have been completed, enhancing surface and groundwater availability across various regions. Under Mahatma Gandhi NREGS, over 46,000 Sarovars were constructed/rejuvenated. These Sarovars have not only addressed immediate water needs but also established sustainable water sources, symbolizing Government’s commitment to long-term environmental sustainability and community well-being.

     

    Background and Vision

     

    Amrit Sarovars plays an important role in increasing the availability of water, both on surface and under-ground. Development of Amrit Sarovars is also an important symbol of constructive actions, dedicated to the country on the occasion of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, that create sustainable and long-term productive assets, beneficial to both the living beings and environment.

     

    The Mission Amrit Sarovar was announced on 24th April 2022 by the Prime Minister during the celebration of National Panchayati Raj Day at Palli Gram Panchayat, Samba District, Jammu. Anchored by the Ministry of Rural Development, the initiative involves seven ministries: Ministry of Rural Development, Ministry of Jal Shakti, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Ministry of Railways, Ministry of Culture and Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. This mission is also supported by the Bhaskaracharya National Institute for Space Applications and Geo-informatics (BISAG-N). This multi-stakeholder approach was intended to ensure convergence, efficiency, and participatory ownership of the initiative. The National Informatics Centre (NIC) has provided a centralized digital platform—amritsarovar.gov.in—which tracks real-time progress at the granular level, ensuring transparency and enabling coordination between departments and states.

    The objective of this mission is “construction/rejuvenation of at least 75 Amrit Sarovar (ponds) in every district of the country”. Each Amrit Sarovar is designed to have a pondage area of minimum of 1 acre (0.4 hectare) with water holding capacity of about 10,000 cubic meter. Importantly, the reservoirs also serve as socio-cultural hubs—many are associated with national heroes and freedom fighters, nurturing a sense of ownership and respect.

    The mission’s core vision is to:

    • Conserve water and promote sustainable water management practices
    • Strengthen decentralized governance and empower Gram Panchayats
    • Foster employment under MGNREGA and related schemes
    • Revive traditional and cultural water structures and community participation

     

    Institutional Convergence and Implementation Mechanism

    Mission Amrit Sarovar works are being taken up by the states and districts with convergence from various ongoing schemes such as Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (Mahatma Gandhi NREGS), 15th Finance Commission Grants, Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sichayi Yojna sub-schemes such as the Watershed Development Component, Har Khet ko Pani, besides States’ own schemes.

    For the monitoring of the progress of Amrit Sarovars, following arrangements are in place at the Panchayat level:

    1. Two dedicated Prabharis for each Amrit Sarovar will be positioned i.e. Panchayat Pratinidhi and Panchayat level officer.
    2. Gram Panchayat will nominate Panchayat Pratinidhi, who will act as citizen supervisor, and will be responsible for faithful and fair execution of the Amrit Sarovar in the Panchayat while protecting the community interest.
    3. Panchayat level officer will monitor the progress and ensure faithful implementation of the mission in the panchayat while reporting the progress in the form of document, with appropriate photos and videos. 

    As per the guidelines of Mission Amrit Sarovar, effective maintenance and sustainability of Amrit Sarovars requires a formation and clear mapping of users’ groups associated with each Sarovar largely drawn from members of SHGs. A User Group is a voluntary group that operates collectively to conserve and manage the Sarovar for promoting water use efficiently. It is a representative body of user members of the Sarovar with adequate representation of women and weaker sections. Proper identification and coordination of these user groups are essential for the optimal use and upkeep of the Sarovars. The user group will also be responsible for the ongoing use and maintenance of the Amrit Sarovar including the plantation activities. The removal of silt from the catchment area should be done by the users’ groups voluntarily after every monsoon season.

     

    Different types of user groups could be formed based on the usage:

    1. Village Water and Sanitation Committee (VWSC) / Pani Samiti (Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, GoI)
    2. Self Help Groups (NRLM)
    3. Fishermen group (Department of Fisheries, Gol)
    4. Van Samiti (Forest Department)
    5. Aquaculture practitioners
    6. Water chestnut cultivators
    7. Lotus cultivators
    8. Makhana cultivators
    9. Duckery
    10. Water for Livestock users
    11. Domestic water users
    12. Any other depending on the socio-economic importance of local lakes

     

    In order to optimize the benefit of the Amrit Sarovars and to ensure that the implementation is done in the most credible manner, latest and most relevant technologies like remote sensing and geospatial are being used extensively from site selection till its completion.

     

    Phase I (April 2022 – August 2023)

     

    Overall, the target to build 50,000 Amrit Sarovar by August 15, 2023, was achieved ahead of schedule. As of May 2023, 59,492 Amrit Sarovar were successfully completed.

    Additional to the accomplishment of the Mission target, linking Amrit Sarovar with Panchayat Pratinidhis, Panchayat level officers, user groups were the imperative aspects. About 79,080 Panchayat Pratinidhi and 92,359 Panchayat Level Officers were engaged in the Mission. About 2,203 freedom fighters, 22,993 eldest members of the panchayat, 385 family members of freedom fighters, 742 family members of martyrs and 69 Padma Awardees participated in the Mission.

    Each completed Amrit Sarovar has a common signage board stating all the details of the site including the scheme under which it was constructed and mandatory plantation of trees such as Neem, Bargadh, Peepal and any other native trees. About 23,51,331 trees were planted through the Mission out of which 5,32,124 were Neem, 3,65,791 were Peepal, 3,24,945 were Bargadh and 11,28,471 were other native trees.

     

       

     

    Phase II (Ongoing Since September 2023)

    Phase II of Mission Amrit Sarovar is envisaged to continue with a renewed focus on ensuring water availability, with community participation (Jan Bhagidaari) at its core, and aims to strengthen climate resilience, foster ecological balance, and deliver lasting benefits for future generations. A total of 3,182 sites have been identified under Phase II of the Mission, as of April 17, 2025.

     

    State-Wise Performance Highlights

    The top 5 performing states under the Mission Amrit Sarovar initiative as of March 2025, ranked by the number of Amrit Sarovars completed, are:

     

    Rank

    State

    Number of Amrit Sarovars Completed

    1

    Uttar Pradesh

    16,630

    2

    Madhya Pradesh

    5,839

    3

    Karnataka

    4,056

    4

    Rajasthan

    3,138

    5

    Maharashtra

    3,055

     

    Community Engagement and Innovative Practices

    Jan Bhagidari has been the core of this Mission and involves people’s participation at all levels. So far 65,285 user groups have been formed for each Amrit Sarovar. These user groups are fully involved during the entire process of development of an Amrit Sarovar viz feasibility assessment, execution and its utilization. To encourage mobilization of citizens and non-Government resources for supplementing the Government’s efforts to achieve the target, explicit provisions have been made in the guidelines of the Mission Amrit Sarovars as follows:

    1. Laying the foundation stone for the Amrit Sarovar to be led by freedom fighter or her/his family member or by the family of martyr (post-independence) or a local Padma awardee, and in case no such citizen is available, by the eldest member of the local Gram Panchayat.
    2. Provision for people to participate by donating construction material, benches and by Shramdaan. 
    3. If village community so desires, beautification works on the Sarovar site may mobilize necessary donations through crowd sourcing and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) contributions.
    4. Provision has been made that on the occasion of Independence Day/ Republic Day, the National Flag is to be hoisted at each Amrit Sarovar site, by the freedom fighter or his/her family member or by the family member of martyr or a local Padma Awardee. On Amrit Sarovars sites, national events are to be celebrated.
    5. Possible users of such water structure, including for irrigation, fishery or water chestnut cultivation, should be identified and creation of their group are encouraged.

    The Mission promotes the formation of user groups, particularly among farmers, fisherfolk, and local communities, to ensure optimal use of water resources for irrigation, aquaculture, and allied activities.

     

    Economic and Ecological Impact

    Mission Amrit Sarovar is boosting the rural livelihood as the completed Sarovars have been identified for the purpose of different activities such as irrigation, fisheries, duckery, cultivation of water chestnut and animal husbandry, etc. These activities are being carried out by different user groups which are linked to each Amrit Sarovar.

    The Ground Water Resources Assessment by Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), in collaboration with State Governments, shows a significant rise in groundwater recharge due to sustained conservation efforts. Recharge from tanks, ponds and water conservation structures increased from 13.98 Billion Cubic Meters (BCM) in 2017 to 25.34 BCM in 2024, reflecting the success of water conservation such as Mission Amrit Sarovar and the role of tanks, ponds & water conservation structures in sustaining groundwater levels. These Sarovars have not only addressed immediate water needs but also established sustainable water sources that can be utilised for irrigation and other purposes thereby improving agricultural productivity.

     

    Stories of Success

    1. Rejuvenation of Pond at the near Grave Yard: Andaman and Nicobar Islands

    The pond has been rejuvenated under Amrit Sarovar and is located at Satellite Basti near Graveyard under Gram Panchayat Govind Nagar, Campbell Bay, Great Nicobar. It is a community use base sarovar which directly benefits the 200 villagers. The work has provided employment to 24 households. Neem and other trees have been planted with tree guards around the sarovar. Along with this, the sarovar is also helpful for the local farmers as moisture remains in the surrounding fields and they use the sarovar water for irrigation and cattle-rearing.

     

    1. Indpe Gadrahi Pokhar: Bihar

    ​​​​​​​ In Jamui district in Bihar is situated Indpe Panchayat, where there was a pond in neglected condition. Indpe Gram Panchayat took decision to rejuvenate this pond. Rejuvenation works were taken up by Mahatma Gandhi NREGA. Thanks to the rejuvenation, this pond has got a new life with attractive look. Spread across 1.04 acres area, this sarovar has become centre of utmost attraction. It has been beautifully decorated with paver block pathway with proper sitting bench facilities. Plantation has also been done around the area of the pond. Boating facilities have also been started in this pond, which is making it unique and generating livelihood. Installation of solar tree and soar lights are giving tremendous look to this beautifully decorated Amrit Sarovar. An electronic display board has also been established here. Large number of morning walkers are getting health benefits. The Sarovar and the area across it is now most preferred choice for the children to play and enjoy. Naari Shakti Jeevika Group is using this Amrit Sarovar for carrying out the fishery activity.

     

    1. Fish Pond at Dine Dite Rijo: Arunachal Pradesh

    ​​​​​​​ Construction of Fish Pond at Dine Dite Rijo which is a controlled pond, small artificial lake or retention basin that is stocked with fish and is used in aquaculture for fish farming, for recreational fishing, or for ornamental purposes which has been taken up under Mission Amrit Sarovar. The pond is being used to raise fish for sale at a very profitable price. With proper nurturing of fish and management, harvestable food fish production has increased drastically in such a way that it has been utilised for food production. This pond has also been indispensable for livestock rearing, breeding and nurturing of various species of fishes.

     

    Conclusion

    Mission Amrit Sarovar stands as a monumental example of cooperative federalism, environmental action, and local democracy. Its blend of cultural reverence, citizen engagement, scientific design, and institutional convergence has allowed it to evolve into a Jan Andolan—a people’s movement for water security. As the nation continues into Amrit Kaal, this mission not only addresses India’s immediate water needs but also lays the foundation for a resilient, water-abundant rural future. The success of Mission Amrit Sarovar will be likely to inspire more such community-centered development models, placing people at the heart of national transformation.

     

    References

    https://amritsarovar.gov.in/

    https://ncog.gov.in/AmritSarovar/EbookAmritSarovar.pdf

    https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2101868

    https://amritsarovar.gov.in/AtaGlancePhase2

    https://ncog.gov.in/AmritSarovar/IEC-UserGroups_English.pdf

    https://sansad.in/getFile/annex/267/AU734_wedqul.pdf?source=pqars

    https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2114884

    https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=2088996

    https://sansad.in/getFile/annex/265/AU618_WCmPvE.pdf?source=pqars

    https://sansad.in/getFile/loksabhaquestions/annex/184/AU4001_53M2AW.pdf?source=pqals

    https://ncog.gov.in/AmritSarovar/Eventscelebrations_English.pdf

    https://amritsarovar.gov.in/gallery_photos_nt

    Mission Amrit Sarovar

    ****

    Santosh Kumar | Sarla Meena | Rishita Aggarwal

     

    (Release ID: 2122478) Visitor Counter : 33

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: California launches streamlined online permitting process to fast-track critical wildfire safety projects

    Source: US State of California 2

    Apr 17, 2025

    What you need to know: Following Governor Newsom’s state of emergency proclamation to protect communities from catastrophic wildfire, a new online fast-track process now makes it faster to get state-level approvals – in as little as 30 days – for critical forest and vegetation management projects.

    SACRAMENTO – A new online streamlining request process cuts bureaucratic red tape and now makes it faster to get state approval to implement forest and vegetation management projects, which are critical to reducing the risk of catastrophic wildfires. This new process will shorten project approvals to as little as 30 days – saving a year or more of review and red tape for more complicated projects.

    This builds on consecutive years of intensive and focused work by the State of California to confront the severe ongoing risk of catastrophic wildfires, and most recently Governor Newsom’s emergency proclamation. Full information on project eligibility and the suspension request form are available here.

    The new process to accelerate critical wildfire safety projects advances some of the essential actions identified in the Governor’s Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force’s ambitious 25 key deliverables for 2025, and builds on statewide efforts to move fast to prepare communities ahead of peak wildfire season by promoting key safety measures such as hardening homes and creating defensible space.

    Peak fire season is still ahead of us, yet this year has already been marked by some of the most destructive wildfires in California’s history. We need to move faster and go bigger.

    This new streamlined process, which builds on historic investments and nation leading actions to confront catastrophic wildfires, cuts red tape to fast-track more wildfire projects than ever before.

    Governor Gavin Newsom

    Faster permitting without compromising environmental protections

    The new process will allow practitioners across the state to move faster without compromising important environmental protections. A new Statewide Fuels Reduction Environmental Protection Plan (EPP) has been developed to enable critical wildfire safety projects to proceed expeditiously while protecting public health and the environment. The EPP requires applicants to comply with best management practices and measures to minimize impacts to environmental resources while completing fuels reduction projects, ensuring the safeguarding of water and air quality, tribal cultural resources, and special-status species and their habitats.

    Expanding prescribed and cultural fire

    In addition to streamlining permitting, leaders from across the state have already come together in response to the Emergency Proclamation to start developing recommendations on specific actions to expand and expedite the implementation of prescribed and cultural fire. On April 11, a virtual briefing provided an overview on the execution of the Proclamation and provided the public an opportunity to share recommendations for expanding beneficial fire. 

    Building on unprecedented progress

    New, bold moves to streamline state-level regulatory processes builds long-term efforts already underway in California to increase wildfire response and forest management in the face of a hotter, drier climate. A full list of California’s progress on wildfire resilience is available here. 

    Highlights of achievements to date include:

    • Historic investments — Overall, the state has more than doubled investments in wildfire prevention and landscape resilience efforts, providing more than $2.5 billion in wildfire resilience since 2020, with an additional $1.5 billion to be allocated from the 2024 Climate Bond.
    • On-the-ground progress — More than 2,200 landscape health and fire prevention projects are complete or underway, and from 2021-2023, the State and its partners treated nearly 1.9 million acres, including nearly 730,000 acres in 2023.
    • Increasing transparency — The Governor’s Task Force launched an Interagency Treatment Dashboard to display wildfire resilience work across federal, state, local, and privately managed lands across the State. The Dashboard, launched in 2023, provides transparency, tracks progress, facilitates planning, and informs firefighting efforts.
    • Hardening communities — Adding to California’s nation-leading fire safety  standards, Governor Newsom signed an executive order to further improve community hardening and wildfire mitigation strategies to neighborhood resilience statewide. Since 2019, CAL FIRE has awarded more than $450 million for 450 wildfire prevention projects across the state and conducts Defensible Space Inspections on more than 250,000 homes each year.
    • Leveraging cutting-edge technology — On top of expanding the world’s largest aerial firefighting fleet, CAL FIRE has doubled its use of Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) and the state is utilizing AI-powered tools to spot fires quicker.

    Press Releases, Recent News

    Recent news

    Apr 17, 2025

    News What you need to know: California’s Organized Retail Crime Task Force recovers nearly 41,000 stolen items valued at $4.4 million, leading to 383 arrests.  SACRAMENTO – Citing ongoing progress to takedown organized retail crime statewide, Governor Gavin Newsom…

    Apr 16, 2025

    News What you need to know: California today filed a lawsuit challenging President Trump’s authority to unilaterally enact tariffs, which have created economic chaos, driven up prices, and harmed the state, families, and businesses. SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom…

    Apr 15, 2025

    News What you need to know: The passage of Proposition 1 by California voters adds rocket fuel to Governor Gavin Newsom’s transformational overhaul of the state’s behavioral health system. These reforms refocus existing funds to prioritize Californians with the most…

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Lamola concludes working visit to Russia

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola has concluded a two-day working visit to Russia. 

    During his visit to Moscow, Lamola co-chaired the 18th session of the Joint Inter-Governmental Committee on Trade and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) alongside Alexander Kozlov, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation. 

    ITEC is a structured bilateral mechanism that aims to enhance bilateral trade and economic cooperation between South Africa and the Russian Federation.

    The 18th ITEC session facilitated a comprehensive review of bilateral cooperation across key sectors. 

    These include trade, investment, agriculture, education, digital technologies, mass communication and transport. 

    On the margins of the ITEC proceedings, the Minister held a constructive dialogue with Sergey Lavrov, the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs. 

    “The discussions underscored the enduring diplomatic ties between South Africa and the Russian Federation,” the statement read.  

    According to the department, Lamola also extended sincere appreciation to Russia for its unwavering support for South Africa’s Group of 20 (G20) Presidency and its advocacy for the reform of the United Nations Security Council to ensure that there is equitable representation of the Global South, including African nations, within multilateral institutions.  

    “In reaffirming South Africa’s principled commitment to global peace and stability, Minister Lamola emphasised the urgent imperative of resolving the Russia-Ukraine conflict through inclusive dialogue and diplomacy. He articulated profound concern over the devastating humanitarian consequences of the conflict, including the tragic loss of civilian lives, destruction of critical infrastructure, and broader regional instability.” 

    The department said South Africa reiterates its call for an immediate cessation of hostilities to facilitate a negotiated settlement. 

    “South Africa stands ready to support all credible, inclusive multilateral efforts to address the root causes of conflicts, achieving a just, sustainable, and comprehensive peace.

    “South Africa remains steadfast in its dedication to fostering international cooperation and peaceful resolution to conflicts.” – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Government pays out R45.6 billion in RAF claims

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    The Road Accident Fund (RAF) has encouraged road users to be responsible on the roads this Easter weekend, while highlighting the significant costs that road accidents have on government spending and society.

    In the 2023-2024 financial year, the RAF settled claims to the value of R45.6 billion

    The amount included R47 million for funeral claims, R21.6 billion for loss of earnings, R12.7 billion for general damages, R2.6 billion for loss of support and R1.7 billion for medical compensation.

    “The RAF pleads with South African road users to make this Easter fatality free by using the roads responsibly. Road fatalities and trauma result in devastating emotional, social and economic costs to the victims, their families and the country.

     “This calls for an immediate change of attitude by all road users. Easter 2024 recorded the highest Easter weekend fatalities since 2019 with 335 deaths. This was a sharp increase from 252 deaths in 2023,” RAF said on Wednesday.

    Human error, vehicle failure, and environmental factors all significantly contributed to the 1 325 fatalities recorded from 2019 to 2024 Easter weekend car crashes. 

    Major human factor contributors were speeding, jaywalking, and hit-and-run. 

    Vehicle related factors that resulted in the highest accidents were tyre bursts, brake failures, and smooth tyres. Environmental factors such as poor visibility, sharp bends, stray animals, and road surface defects also jeopardise peoples’ road safety and require caution. 

    RAF Chief Executive Officer Collins Letsoalo said: “Reckless driving, pedestrian negligence, and poor vehicle maintenance remain major contributors to road crashes. These are all factors that we can do something about as individual road users. 

    “Arrivals at unintended destinations should never happen. We encourage all road users to pledge to themselves or whoever is precious to them to drive responsibly and make this Easter weekend fatality free.”

    In the first quarter of 2025, the RAF participated in a road safety awareness campaign through partnerships with radio stations, soccer events, school activations, scholar patrol uniform distribution, cyclist safety awareness, Defensive Driver Workshops, spraying of livestock with reflective sprays, adult assisted crossing for learners, and removing vegetation from sidewalks in areas with high accidents. 

    In the event of being involved in a motor vehicle accident, the RAF can be reached on 087 820 1 111 from Monday to Friday, 07h45 to 16h00. 

    Claimants may also contact the RAF’s Contact Centre on the WhatsApp number 071 605 4707, via SMS on 44930, or by email on contactcentre@raf.co.za. 

    In addition, the RAF is reachable through its offices countrywide, details of which are available on its website on www.raf.co.za. –SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Global: ‘Heavy metals’ contaminate 17% of the world’s croplands, say scientists

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Jagannath Biswakarma, Senior Research Associate, School of Earth Sciences and Cabot Institute for the Environment, University of Bristol

    Nearly 17% of the world’s croplands are contaminated with “heavy metals”, according to a new study in Science. These contaminants – arsenic, cadmium, lead, and others – may be invisible to the eye, but they threaten food safety and human health.

    Heavy metals and metalloids are elements that originate from either natural or human-made sources. They’re called “heavy” because they’re physically dense and their weight is high at an atomic scale.

    Heavy metals do not break down. They remain in soils for decades, where crops can absorb them and enter the food chain. Over time, they accumulate in the body, causing chronic diseases that may take years to appear. This is not a problem for the distant future; it’s already affecting food grown today.

    Some heavy metals, such as zinc and copper, are essential micronutrients in trace amounts. Others – including arsenic, cadmium, mercury, and lead – are toxic even at low concentrations.

    Some are left behind by natural geology, others by decades of industrial and agricultural activities. They settle into soils through mining, factory emissions, fertilisers or contaminated water.

    When crops grow, they draw nutrients from the soil and water – and sometimes, these contaminants too. Rice, for instance, is known for taking up arsenic from flooded paddies. Leafy greens can accumulate cadmium. These metals do not change the taste or colour of food. But they change what it does inside the body.

    The quiet health crisis beneath our crops

    Long-term exposure to arsenic, cadmium, or lead has been linked to cancer, kidney damage, osteoporosis, and developmental disorders in children. In regions where local diets rely heavily on a single staple crop like rice or wheat, the risks multiply.

    The Science study, led by Chinese scientist Deyi Hou and his colleagues, is one of the most comprehensive mapping efforts. By combining recent advances in machine learning with an expansive dataset of 796,084 soil concentrations from 1,493 studies, the authors systematically assessed global soil pollution for seven toxic metals: arsenic, cadmium, cobalt, chromium, copper, nickel, and lead.

    The study found that cadmium in agricultural soil frequently exceeded the threshold, particularly in the areas shaded in red in this map:

    A map of the aggregate distribution of seven heavy metals reveals lots of hotspots around the world.
    Hou et al / Science

    The authors also describe a “metal-enriched corridor” stretching from southern Europe through the Middle East and into south Asia. These are areas where agricultural productivity overlaps with a history of mining, industrial activity and limited regulation.

    How science is reading the soil’s story

    Heavy metal contamination in cropland varies by region, often shaped by geology, land use history, and water management. Across central and south-east Asia, rice fields are irrigated with groundwater that naturally contains arsenic. That water deposits arsenic into the soil, where it is taken up by the rice.

    Fortunately, nature often provides defence. Recent research showed that certain types of iron minerals in the soil can convert arsenite – a toxic, mobile form of arsenic – into arsenate, a less harmful species that binds more tightly to iron minerals. This invisible soil chemistry represents a safety net.

    In parts of west Africa, such as Burkina Faso, arsenic contamination in drinking and irrigation water has also affected croplands. To address this, colleagues and I developed a simple filtration system using zerovalent iron – essentially, iron nails. These low-cost, locally sourced filters have shown promising results in removing arsenic from groundwater.

    In parts of South America, croplands near small-scale mines face additional risks. In the Amazon basin, deforestation and informal gold mining contribute to mercury releases. Forests act as natural mercury sinks, storing atmospheric mercury in biomass and soil. When cleared, this stored mercury is released into the environment, raising atmospheric levels and potentially affecting nearby water bodies and croplands.

    Cropland near legacy mining sites often suffers long-term contamination but with the appropriate technologies, these sites can be remediated and even transformed into circular economy opportunities.

    Evidence-based solutions

    Soil contamination is not just a scientific issue. It’s a question of environmental justice. The communities most affected are often the least responsible for the pollution. They may farm on marginal lands near industry, irrigate with unsafe water, or lack access to testing and treatment. They face a double burden: food and water insecurity, and toxic exposure.

    There is no single fix. We’ll need reliable assessment of contaminated soils and groundwater, especially in vulnerable and smallholder farming systems. Reducing exposure requires cleaner agricultural inputs, improved irrigation, and better regulation of legacy industrial sites. Equally critical is empowering communities with access to information and tools that enable them to farm safely.

    Soils carry memory. They record every pollutant, every neglected regulation, every decision to cut corners. But soils also hold the potential to heal – if given the proper support.

    This is not about panic. It’s about responsibility. The Science study provides a stark but timely reminder that food safety begins not in the kitchen or market but in the ground beneath our feet. No country should unknowingly export toxicity in its grain, nor should any farmer be left without the tools to grow food safely.

    Jagannath Biswakarma does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. ‘Heavy metals’ contaminate 17% of the world’s croplands, say scientists – https://theconversation.com/heavy-metals-contaminate-17-of-the-worlds-croplands-say-scientists-254783

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: expert reaction to study looking at the global distribution of cropland contaminated by heavy metal pollution

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    A study published in Science looks at global soil contamination by toxic metals. 

    Dr Lucie Buchi, Senior Lecturer in Crop Ecology at the NRI, University of Greenwich, said:

    “While the results of the study seem alarming, the 10×10 scale of the grid cells that the study was based on does not allow any practical application at a local scale. The authors make note of this in the paper: ‘The present study is based on average metal concentrations on a 10-km grid, which is more reflective of diffusive and regional pollution rather than site-specific conditions. The data may be sufficient for risk screening purposes but are inadequate to support risk mitigation. Soil remediation needs to rely upon site-specific delineation of lateral and vertical extent of soil pollution, as well as a better understanding of metal sources, fate and transport dynamics, and bioavailability’.

    “Their map also seems to show low risks in the UK, except for a hotspot in the south and Ireland, but the scale of the figure doesn’t allow to understand where it is actually. And again, with a resolution of 10 x 10 km, nothing can be concluded for any particular fields. But farmland in the hotspot would probably need to be careful, but these regions are probably already known for heavy metal presence.

    “The authors conclude ‘We hope that the global soil pollution data presented in this report will serve as a scientific alert for policy-makers and farmers to take immediate and necessary measures to better protect the world’s precious soil resources.’, and I think this is what it is, more of an alert about a global problem, but which requires further investigation at smaller spatial scales.”

     

    Prof Oliver Jones, Professor of Chemistry, RMIT University, said:

    “I am in two minds about this paper. On the one hand, it takes a clever scholarly approach, and soil pollution is a serious issue in many parts of the world; on the other hand, I feel some of the conclusions are perhaps a little preliminary.

    “The authors have not generated new data but combined data from existing studies together and then used some very complex data processing methods to predict concentrations of selected metals across a wider area. This method has generated some interesting insights – such as the potential “metal-enriched corridor” across low-latitude Eurasia (although I think blaming this corridor on multiple ancient cultures might be overspeculative). However, there are also issues here. For example, the authors refer to “toxic metals” throughout the paper, even in the title. This is a little misleading because detection is not the same as relevance. Everything is toxic at the right dose, even water. It would be better to just say ‘metals’ and then discuss concentrations if/where appropriate rather than suggesting everything is toxic right from the title.

    “The authors also refer to metal concentrations in soil. The fact that some places on Earth have high levels of metal contamination in their soils and that this could have effects on humans is not new. However, the amount of a compound in the soil does not automatically correlate with the amount that ends up in plants grown in the soil or the amount that people or animals that might eat those plants might eventually be exposed to. According to the supplementary data of the paper, the probability of many of the metals exceeding human health thresholds is low in most cases (including the UK). Context and nuance are important in toxicology and environmental health, as are local conditions. Thus, while certainly worth discussion, the question of whether metal pollution actually threatens agriculture and human health at a global scale is, I think, far from proven”.

     

    Dr Wakene Negassa, Soil Chemist, The James Hutton Institute, said:

    Does the press release accurately reflect the science?

    “The press release accurately captured the important ideas presented in the published paper. 

    Is this good quality research? Are the conclusions backed up by solid data?

    “The authors did not present original research but reviewed previously published studies. Nevertheless, reviewing existing literature is a conventional and valuable approach for identifying research and technology gaps. What sets this review apart is the authors’ use of artificial intelligence to identify global hotspots of soil pollution, distinguishing it from traditional mapping and review papers. Such global analyses are essential for technological and policy interventions of addressing global soil pollution by heavy metals. Although soil pollution from anthropogenic activities has not been widely addressed, databases like Web of Science (WOS) and the National Library of Medicine (PubMed) have indexed over 2,000 related publications since 1960. As the authors conclude, “We hope that the global soil pollution data presented in this report will serve as a scientific alert for policy-makers and farmers to take immediate and necessary measures to better protect the world’s precious soil resources.”

    How does this work fit with the existing evidence?

    “This work aligns with existing evidence, as soil pollution has become a global concern. Although the authors did not include a detailed account of polluted areas, a recent review by Khan et al. (2021) reported over five million soil pollution sites worldwide (Khan et al., 2021; DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.126039)

    Have the authors accounted for confounders? Are there important limitations to be aware of?

    “One major limitation of this review is that the authors did not present the chemical forms (speciation) of heavy metals. It is not the total concentration of heavy metals that determines their potential as pollutants, but rather their bioavailable forms—those that can be taken up by plants and transferred through the food chain to animals and humans. Additionally, the magnitude of global soil pollution may be greater than what is reported in the review, as the authors themselves acknowledge, due to a lack of comprehensive data from many countries.

    What are the implications in the real world? Is there any overspeculation?

    “As mentioned in previous responses, the actual extent of global soil pollution may far exceed what is presented by the authors, due to limited data availability and likely underestimation.

    What is the significance of heavy metal contamination in croplands – how does it affect food and/or biodiversity?

    “Soil pollution by heavy metals disrupts plant cellular functions and enzyme activities, resulting in reduced growth and yield, as well as shifts in soil microbial populations. Consuming food or feed grown on contaminated soils, or direct exposure to such soils, poses significant health risks, including kidney damage, neurotoxic effects, and increased carcinogenic potential.

    What is the relevance of this study for UK agriculture and/or public health?

    “It is also worthwhile to investigate UK agricultural soils, as over half a century of intensive farming practices, including continuous use of agrochemicals and the application of various agricultural and urban waste materials, may have led to the accumulation of heavy metals. This could pose potential risks to plant, animal, and human health and ecosystem services.”

     

    Prof Mark Tibbett, Chair of Soil Ecology, University of Reading, said:

    “After many years working post-mining landscapes and in industries that supply metals to soil in organic wastes, it has been intuitively obvious to me that our food production and natural ecosystems are commonly replete with toxic metal, often of human origin. This comprehensive analysis, which seems long overdue, provides clear and worrying empirical evidence of the extent and expanse of this global issue. It is clear that anthropogenic toxic metals are a global and growing pollution issue in our soils, with human activities at the core of the patterns seen.”  

     

    Prof Chris Collins, Professor of Environmental Chemistry, University of Reading

    “This is a very useful study and highlights the issue of global soil pollution. Congratulations to the authors for compiling such a large data set. Although as the authors state the real issues only potentially exist in Eurasia rather than worldwide. It should be noted that presence in soil does not mean the crop grown in that soil will absorb and be contaminated by an element as this depends on the chemical form. The authors do acknowledge this along with other exposure factors e.g. if crops are for human consumption. The study will be of use in identifying those areas where edible crops should be avoided and alternatives, e.g. biomass crops, should be grown. The UK is relatively unaffected (Fig 2B). There are some areas e.g. the SW but this is known and is probably arsenic which is in a form not freely transferred into crops.”

     

    Dr Liz Rylott, Senior Lecturer, Department of Biology, University of York, said:

    “Deyi Hou and colleagues used cutting edge technologies to globally map the distribution of toxic metals. Their findings reveal the deeply worrying extent these natural poisons are polluting our soils, entering our food and water, and affecting our health and our environment.

    “Of concern are cadmium, copper, nickel and lead, and the metalloid arsenic. Often collectively called heavy metals, these elements cause a range of devastating health problems, including skin lesions, reduced nerve and organ functions, and cancers. While some of the contamination is due to naturally occurring geological outcrops of these metals, much of the pollution is from mining and associated industrial activities. As our drive for technology-critical metals to build the green infrastructure required to tackle climate change (wind turbines, electric vehicle batteries and photovoltaic panels) will exacerbate this pollution.

    “Other scientists (Fuller et al The Lancet 2022) calculated that 16% (9 million) of all deaths globally each year are caused by  environmental pollution, of which, heavy metals comprise a significant proportion. This new research links the presence of these heavy metals in the agricultural soils and water, with the food that we eat.

    “To track these elements, extensive regional studies and AI technology were used to build a map detailing soil metal concentrations at a 10 km grid resolution across the world. The analysis reveals previously unrecognised hotspots of metal-enriched areas, including a zone across southern Europe.

    Much of the pollution is in low- and middle-income countries, where communities are directly affected, exacerbating poverty. The effect of these contaminated crops entering global food networks is not as clear. The authors call for soil pollution surveys in data-sparse areas such as sub-Saharan Africa to understand more about its effects on local, and global, human and environmental health.

    “There are ongoing global initiatives (the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and FAO) to remediate contaminated soils. This map will be a powerful tool to help us to identify high-risk areas, understand how natural and human activities have contributed to the pollution, and design mitigation and remediation strategies.

    “This map also illustrates how metal pollution is independent of human borders; to tackle this problem, countries will have to work together.”

    ‘Global soil pollution by toxic metals threatens agriculture and human health’ by Hou  et al. was published in Science at 19:00 UK time on Thursday 17th April.

    DOI: 10.1126/science.adq6807

    Declared interests

    Dr Lucie Buchi “I don’t have any conflict of interests to declare”

    Prof Oliver Jones “I have no conflicts of interest to declare in this case.”

    Dr Wakene Negassa “None”

    Prof Chris Collins “None”

    Dr Liz Rylott “no conflict of interest”

    For all other experts, no reply to our request for DOIs was received.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Local Water Infrastructure Projects Receive Over $175M

    Source: US State of New York

    overnor Kathy Hochul today announced the Environmental Facilities Corporation Board of Directors approved over $175 million in financial assistance for water infrastructure improvement projects across New York State. The Board’s approval authorizes municipal access to low-cost financing and previously announced grants to get shovels in the ground for critical water and sewer infrastructure projects. These investments help make projects more affordable, reducing the need for higher rate increases to fund improvements.

    “An investment in our state’s water systems is an investment in New Yorkers’ quality of life – from safeguarding our drinking water to protecting the rivers and lakes we use for recreation,” Governor Hochul said. “By ensuring communities have the resources they need to complete crucial water infrastructure projects, we can create good-paying jobs and boost local economies while working toward a healthy environment for all New Yorkers.”

    Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) Board approved grants and financing to local governments from the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds – a mix of federal and state dollars dedicated to financing community water infrastructure projects. State Revolving Fund interest rates are below market rate, and with long repayment periods, communities may save significantly on debt service compared to traditional financing.

    The Board also approved executing previously awarded grants from the state’s Water Infrastructure Improvement program. EFC Board approval is a critical step in the funding process and will allow communities to access these funds for project implementation. Leveraging federal funding with state investments maximizes the impact of each dollar spent, empowering local communities to make critical system improvements they need to keep their residents safe and ensure cost is not a barrier for project implementation.

    Environmental Facilities Corporation President & CEO Maureen A. Coleman said, “The Environmental Facilities Corporation is proud to support communities across New York State that invest in clean, safe, and reliable water infrastructure. These approvals are symbolic of Governor Hochul’s commitment to affordability, public health, environmental protection, and economic resilience. By making these investments affordable, we’re helping municipalities tackle urgent infrastructure needs while minimizing the financial impact of these projects on local ratepayers.”

    New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Acting Commissioner Amanda Lefton said, “Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, New York continues to make nation-leading investments in clean water and transformational infrastructure projects that protect water quality and maintain the health and safety of all New Yorkers. Communities of all sizes across New York, from Cheektowaga to Port Jervis, will benefit from these investments and the ability to undertake vital upgrades and projects to protect public health, quality of life, and the environment.”

    New York Secretary of State Walter T. Mosley said, “Clean drinking water is the number one priority for healthy communities around New York State. Governor Hochul’s proactive investments, including over $175 million to provide support for critical water infrastructure improvements, will equitably help create environmentally sound cities by building groundwork projects that will lead to a better quality of life for millions of New Yorkers for generations to come.”

    Senator Charles Schumer said, “Access to clean drinking water and modern water-sewer systems is fundamental. This major federal investment will ensure families from Sylvan Beach to Port Jervis have safe drinking water and our beautiful waterways stay clean, all while creating new good paying jobs. I am proud to deliver this major funding from our bipartisan Infrastructure & Jobs Law to help turn the tide on our state’s aging water infrastructure and keep our communities safe and healthy.”

    Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said, “Access to clean water is a critical component of public health and a right for all New Yorkers. These projects will improve drinking water quality, protect the environment, and boost local economies across our state, and I am proud to see federal dollars being used to support these efforts.”

    Representative Nick Langworthy said, “Helping our struggling municipalities upgrade their aging water and sewer infrastructure is vital to maintaining overall public health and economic viability, particularly in our rural communities. I’m pleased the Town of Erwin and the Village of Mayville will benefit from this announcement through grants for the construction of wastewater treatment plant improvements and the installation of new groundwater wells. These projects are critical to our region, and I look forward to working with the Governor to expand access so even more municipalities can benefit from this program.”

    Representative John Mannion said, “Long-term, interest-free financing means that the Village of Waterville in NY-22 and communities across New York can make critical upgrades without placing a heavy burden on ratepayers. I commend Governor Hochul and EFC for making these smart forward-looking investments that ensure clean water and strong infrastructure to support future growth while protecting local taxpayers and the environment.”

    Funding was approved for projects in the following regions:

    Central New York

    • Town of Mexico – $2.5 million state grant for the installation of approximately 60,000 linear feet of water main and associated appurtenances to serve the new water service area no. 6.

    Finger Lakes

    • Village of Naples – $22.2 million grant and interest-free financing package for the planning, design, and construction of new sanitary sewers and a wastewater treatment plant expansion.

    Mid-Hudson

    • City of Port Jervis – $20 million grant and interest-free financing package for the planning, design, and construction of water meter replacements and sanitary sewer rehabilitation.
    • Town of Thompson – funding for two projects:
      • $3.2 million grant and low-cost financing package for the planning, design, and construction of pump stations and force main improvements in the Emerald Green/Rock Hill Sewer District.
      • $2.2 million grant and interest-free financing package for the planning, design, and construction of the Sackett Lake Sewer District collection system improvement project.

    Mohawk Valley

    • Village of Sylvan Beach – $51.1 million grant and low-cost financing package for the planning, design, and construction of upgrades at the East Oneida Lake Water Pollution Control Plant.

    North Country

    • Town of Chazy – $6.9 million grant and low-cost financing package for the planning, design, and construction of wastewater treatment plant improvements
    • Village of Clayton – $8.2 million grant and low-cost financing package for the replacement of the aged raw drinking water intake and approximately 25,000 linear feet of aged water main and associated appurtenances.
    • Town of Diana – $5.1 million grant and low-cost financing package for improvements at existing Well Nos. 1 and 3, installation of an approximately 350,000-gallon drinking water storage tank and new water mains.
    • Village of Lyons Falls – $1.6 million grant and interest-free financing package for the planning, design, and construction of wastewater treatment plant improvements.
    • Village of Malone – $14 million grant and low-cost financing package for the installation of a third production well and 5,300 linear feet of transmission main to connect the new well to the existing drinking water treatment building; construction of a 20′ x 16′ building around the new production well and a 20,000-gallon concrete storage tank to provide raw water storage; and installation of upgraded instrumentation, controls, and flow meters.
    • City of Plattsburgh – $3.6 million in grants for the second phase of drinking water system improvements including construction of a new groundwater source and associated electrical supply, upgrades to the water filtration plant electrical system, and replacement of an asbestos-cement water main.

    Southern Tier

    • Town of Erwin – $10.8 million grant and low-cost financing package for the design and construction of wastewater treatment plant improvements and extension of sanitary sewers along Route 417.

    Western New York

    • Village of Mayville – $7.5 million grant and interest-free financing package for the installation of a new groundwater well and/or installation of treatment for the existing well that is currently contaminated with PFOA.

    Refinancing Completed Projects Will Achieve Long-Term Debt Service Savings

    The Board also took action to help ensure continued, long-term affordability of existing projects. EFC provides short-term financing for design and construction of projects. Once project construction is completed, the short-term financing is typically refinanced to long-term financing for up to 30 years. Based on current market conditions, these long-term interest-free financings are projected to save local ratepayers an estimated $23 million in interest payments over the life of the financings.

    The Board approved long-term financing for projects undertaken by communities in the following regions:

    Mohawk Valley

    • Village of Waterville – $2.6 million long-term interest-free financing for the planning, design, and construction of system improvements at the wastewater treatment plant.

    Western New York

    • Town of Cheektowaga – $14 million long-term interest-free financing for the planning, design, and construction of sanitary sewer rehabilitation to reduce sanitary sewer overflows.

    Project Impact Dashboard

    New Yorkers can track projects benefiting from EFC’s investments using the interactive project impact dashboard. The map can be filtered by funding type and shows a project’s stage of construction. Each project announced today will be included on the map once the community executes a funding agreement with EFC.

    New York State’s Commitment to Water Quality

    New York State continues to increase its nation-leading investments in water infrastructure, including more than $2.2 billion in financial assistance from EFC for local water infrastructure projects in State Fiscal Year 2024 alone. With an additional $500 million proposed for clean water infrastructure in Governor Hochul’s FY26 Executive Budget, New York will have invested a record $6 billion in water infrastructure since 2017.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division Secures Key Victories for Energy Infrastructure

    Source: US Justice – Antitrust Division

    Headline: Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division Secures Key Victories for Energy Infrastructure

    Unleashing American Energy was one of President Donald J. Trump’s first actions, and it includes infrastructure like pipelines and oil and gas export facilities. Recently, the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD) secured four wins in court that underpin the intentions of the president’s executive order.

    MIL OSI USA News –