Category: Environment

MIL-OSI Global: Billions of cicadas are emerging, from Cape Cod to north Georgia – here’s how and why we map them

Source: The Conversation – USA – By Chris Simon, Senior Research Scientist of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Connecticut

Three cicadas in North Carolina during the 2003 Brood IX emergence Chris Simon, CC BY-ND

If they’re in your area, you’ll know it from their loud droning, chirping and buzzing sounds. Cicadas from Brood XIV – one of the largest groups of cicadas that emerge from underground on a 13-year or 17-year cycle – are surfacing in May and June 2025 across 12 states. This large-scale biological event reaches from northern Georgia up into Indiana and Ohio and eastward through the mid-Atlantic, extending as far north as Long Island, N.Y. and Massachusetts.

Through mid-June, wooded areas will ring with cicadas’ loud mating calls. After mating, each female will lay hundreds of eggs inside small tree branches. Then the adult cicadas will die. When the eggs hatch six weeks later, new cicada nymphs will fall from the trees and burrow back underground, starting the cycle again.

We are evolutionary ecologists who study periodical cicadas to understand questions about the natural history, genetics and geographic distribution of life. This work starts with mapping where they appear.

We’ve been doing this for decades, updating a process begun by entomologists in the mid-1800s. Our latest maps are published online and searchable.

Periodical cicadas emerge on 13- or 17-year cycles in enormous numbers, which increases their odds of finding mates and avoiding predators long enough to reproduce.

Mapping the presence of such a noisy species might seem straightforward, but it’s actually complex. And accuracy matters because there are seven species of periodical cicadas — four with 13-year life cycles and three with 17-year cycles. Different broods can share boundaries, and some cicadas that emerge this year may be members of broods other than XIV, coming out early or late.

A lot of work goes into verifying the data in our maps so that they show the status of these unique insects as accurately as possible. Here’s a look at the process, and at how you can contribute:

Refining past records

We first started creating our maps on paper by collecting all known specimen records of 13- and 17-year periodical cicadas from past scientific studies and museums large and small across the eastern U.S., where these broods are located. For centuries, museum specimens have been the gold standard for documenting the presence of a species.

But past standards for labeling specimens were different. Many old museum labels simply noted very approximate locations where specimens were collected. Sometimes they just recorded the city, county or state.

Today we collect our records along roads. We listen for species-specific songs and then record the cicada species identity on computers, with their GPS locations. Often we’ll stop to examine a patch of forest. If the cicadas are singing, we note whether the chorus is light, moderate, loud or distant.

If stormy weather damps down the cicada songs, we look for signs of emergence, such as cast-off skins, adult cicadas on plants, or egg scars on branches.

Dozens of small brown cicadas climb grass stems during a Brood VIII emergence in Rector, Pa.
Chris Simon, CC BY-ND

Connecting the data dots

In some regions, such as the U.S. Midwest, roads are arranged on a grid that reflects land survey lines. Networks like these can be ideal for mapping species distributions. Delineating an area that’s occupied by a specific cicada brood may be as simple as connecting the dots that represent our positive sightings.

In other places, such as Appalachia, roads often follow ridges or valleys and miss many areas. Here, it’s harder to infer where cicadas are present between data points, especially when those data points are located on different roads.

Drawing a boundary that contains every data point in a survey area usually will end up overstating the area where periodical cicadas are emerging. We intentionally design our maps to be conservative, so we display our information as point data and do not attempt to draw brood boundaries or generalize our data to counties.

It’s equally important to record absence points – places where no cicadas are present. Otherwise, an area might be blank either because a species is absent or simply because no one looked for cicadas there.

A cicada nymph from Brood X sheds its skin during an emergence in Herndon, Va.
Chris Simon, CC BY-ND

We have been verifying periodical cicada records and updating maps since the late 1980s. Our more recent maps include geographic information for data collection points.

Where our maps show the presence of cicadas, a senior member of our project has verified that cicadas were present at that place and date. The insects may have been just emerging, singing loudly, or on their way out.

Where our maps show the absence of cicadas, that means that one of us or a collaborator visited that location under appropriate conditions and verified that no cicadas were present. Where our maps show no records, we have no information on presence or absence.

Each color on this map represents a different periodical cicada brood. Brood XIV is the darker green extending from the Midwest to eastern Massachusetts.
University of Connecticut, used with permission., CC BY-ND

Crowdsourcing the emergence

In recent years, citizen scientists – members of the public collecting data for scientific research – have revolutionized mapping efforts, using apps and the internet. Apps such as iNaturalist and Cicada Safari allow users to submit geolocated photos, sounds and videos with a few clicks.

When we receive these records, our colleague Gene Kritsky, an emeritus entomologist at Mount St. Joseph University, vets them with his team. Then they are uploaded to a map on Cicada Safari.

Citizen science maps have different biases from those that are created by our expert teams. Members of the public tend to collect their data in areas where residents are familiar with cicadas, there is good internet connectivity and media stories have piqued volunteer reporters’ interest. These maps don’t show absence records or all localities, especially in sparsely populated areas.

Even records supported by sounds or photographs may not be accurate. They may capture “stragglers” from broods that are not part of the current year’s cycle but are emerging one to four years early or late.

This phenomenon may become more commonplace in response to changing climates. Warming temperatures create longer growing seasons, which can enable at least some fraction of a periodical cicada population to develop faster and be ready to emerge earlier.

For this reason, maps based on citizen science reports are most valuable if the same observers report back from the same locations repeatedly over several weeks. The longer-term presence of periodical cicadas indicates that what’s being tallied is a non-straggler population, or a straggler population on its way to permanently shifting the timing of its emergence.

An evolving story

Maps are valuable tools for understanding how species fit into their environment, how they interact with other species and how they respond to change. However, it is important to be aware of any map’s biases and limitations when interpreting it. Research requires dedication and repetition over many years.

Our research suggests that climate warming has resulted in more four-year-early straggling events that are increasingly dense, widespread and likely to leave offspring. The result is a mosaic of broods that makes the jigsaw puzzle of periodical cicada distribution more complicated, but more interesting. Understanding how these four-year shifts are encoded in cicadas’ genes is a mystery that remains to be solved.

Chris Simon has received funding from The National Science Foundation, The National Geographic Society, The Marsden Fund of New Zealand, and the University of Connecticut.

John Cooley has received funding in the past from NSF and National Geographic Society. There are no current grants funding this work.

– ref. Billions of cicadas are emerging, from Cape Cod to north Georgia – here’s how and why we map them – https://theconversation.com/billions-of-cicadas-are-emerging-from-cape-cod-to-north-georgia-heres-how-and-why-we-map-them-255461

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

May 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: Lifecycle of a research grant – behind the scenes of the system that funds science

Source: The Conversation – USA – By Kelly S. Mix, Associate Dean for Research, Innovation, and Partnerships in the College of Education, University of Maryland

Without grants for salaries, supplies and more, many research labs would be empty. Solskin/DigitalVision via Getty Images

Science funding is a hot topic these days and people have questions about how grants work. Who decides whether a researcher will receive funds? What’s the decision-making process? How is the money spent once a grant proposal has been approved?

As a veteran academic researcher, department chairperson and associate dean for research, I have seen this process play out from multiple perspectives – as a grant recipient, grant reviewer and university administrator.

Research organizations and major federal funders, including the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), all rely on careful systems of checks and balances to ensure high standards of scholarship and financial integrity at every stage of a grant’s lifecycle. Here’s how it all works.

The birth of a grant application

To receive research funding, scientists submit grant applications to specific programs. A cancer researcher might apply to the Bioengineering Research Grants program at NIH. Someone investigating sustainable fishing in freshwater habitats could seek funding from the Population and Community Ecology program at the NSF.

Applications must be responsive to the funding program’s specific request for proposals, or RFP. The RFP tells researchers what the agency wants to fund. For example, the NSF’s Education Core Research program currently only funds projects focused on STEM learning.

RFPs might have other application requirements, too, like explaining how a project will contribute to the public good, or supporting training for new scientists.

Grant applications have two main parts. First, the researcher presents an extensive literature review to explain why the new project is needed and what it will add to the existing knowledge base. Next, they write up a detailed description of the proposed research plan. This basic two-part structure ensures that funded research will yield important information that is both new and trustworthy.

Reviewers read the grant applications and compare them to the RFP. Applications that don’t address all the topics and research priorities listed there are unlikely to be funded. I once had a proposal rejected without further review because I left out a paragraph addressing one of the items in the agency’s new RFP. This initial review for RFP compliance is called “triage” and, believe me, nobody wants to see their hard work triaged out of the running.

A panel of anonymous content experts carefully reviews applications to see if they’re worth funding.
PeopleImages/iStock via Getty Images Plus

Merit review: How funding decisions are made

Federal funding decisions are made through rigorous merit review.

For each round of funding, agencies assemble a panel of anonymous content experts who will look for strengths and weaknesses in the proposals – anything from innovation in the question posed to logical flaws in the hypotheses or technical problems with the planned data analyses. With a group of experts looking for every possible weakness, having your grant reviewed is a bit like running a gauntlet.

This careful review might help explain why 70% to 80% of grant applications typically go unfunded at agencies like the NIH and the NSF. But this level of scrutiny is necessary to prevent funding poorly designed or low-impact research.

Several safeguards head off bias or unethical influences during merit review.

First, reviewers must disclose any conflicts of interest with the pool of applicants before they can access the applications. Conflicts of interest can include situations like the reviewer having been the student of an applicant, the applicant and reviewer being divorced, or the proposal coming from the reviewer’s current institution.

When conflicts are identified, the reviewer can remain on the panel, but they are completely excluded from decisions related to that application. They cannot even be in the room when it is discussed.

Second, reviewers usually attend a meeting, supervised by program staff from the funding agency, where everyone debates the proposal’s merits before they score it. Sometimes panel members disagree in their initial critiques and use the meeting to hash out their differences. Other times, a reviewer might raise an important concern that others missed.

Group discussion helps ensure a transparent and thorough review. It also stops any single reviewer from dictating the fate of a proposal because everyone hears the discussion and then scores the proposal individually. Whether a reviewer thinks an application is outstanding or fatally flawed, they must convince the rest of the experts in the room for the group’s overall scores to be greatly affected.

Third, these discussions, along with the applications themselves and any written critiques, are strictly confidential. Reviewers sign written confidentiality agreements under penalty of perjury. This practice stops panelists from scoring political points by telling an applicant they defended their proposal, or divulging trade secrets and proprietary information.

Following the meeting, final decisions are made by program staff using the reviewers’ evaluations. Some agencies adhere closely to the reviewers’ numeric scores – like a grade – when making these decisions. Others ask reviewers to sort applications into “fundable” or “non-fundable” piles; program staff then have some discretion on the final decision. But all decisions are rooted in the peer critiques.

Researchers and their institutions keep careful records of where every penny gets spent.
krisanapong detraphiphat/Moment

Spending the funds

Headlines about universities receiving large grants may leave the impression that such funds are simply added to the institution’s general coffers. But research funds are granted to support specific research projects, and agencies have strict rules about spending the money.

For example, if a researcher wants to present their findings at a conference, they can charge the grant for their travel costs, but they may not charge above a certain amount for their lodging or purchase business class airplane tickets. Similarly, if a researcher wants to have more time to devote to a funded project, they can use part of the money to pay their own salary in the summer, but there are precise limits on the amount of funding that can be used for this purpose.

It’s not up to the researcher alone to follow these rules. The organization that employs the researcher, usually a university, enforces the agency rules because it’s the employing organization that controls the grant accounts.

Returning to the conference travel example, a university researcher who wants to attend a conference must request permission and provide a budget for the trip before purchasing tickets. If the travel request is approved by their department chair, dean and the university travel office, they may go ahead with their reservations. However, if they don’t produce receipts when they return, they will not be allowed to charge the grant. The same process applies to buying new computers for the lab, ordering standardized tests for a study or purchasing gift cards for study participants.

Research organizations are highly motivated to enforce spending rules properly, because everyone in the organization is at risk of losing access to federal funds in the future if they let things slide. Funding agencies also require periodic reports and sometimes conduct audits to ensure compliance. These practices help guard against any misuse of funds.

The way agencies issue grants to researchers isn’t perfect. But processes like issuing detailed RFPs, conducting merit reviews and monitoring financial compliance go a long way toward protecting the integrity of the research funding process.

Kelly S. Mix currently receives research funding from the Institute of Education Sciences (U.S. Dept. of Education) and has previously received research funding from the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, and various foundations. The opinions and positions expressed in this article are the author’s and do not necessarily represent the opinions and positions of these funders. She has volunteered for the Democratic Party.

– ref. Lifecycle of a research grant – behind the scenes of the system that funds science – https://theconversation.com/lifecycle-of-a-research-grant-behind-the-scenes-of-the-system-that-funds-science-255163

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

May 27, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Dedication and professionalism of Armed Forces rewarded with above inflation pay rise
Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

Press release

Dedication and professionalism of Armed Forces rewarded with above inflation pay rise

Government recognises professionalism and dedication of the Armed Forces with 4.5% pay rise, which follows last year’s record pay deal for personnel.
Military personnel are to receive an above inflation pay rise of 4.5% (3.75% for senior officers), recognising their extraordinary professionalism and the sacrifices they make to keep the British people safe.  

The award forms part of the government’s efforts to fix recruitment and retention, while demonstrating how it is renewing the contract with those who serve.  

The pay rise maintains the MOD’s status as a National Living Wage employer, while recognising the important work of military personnel in keeping Britain secure at home and strong abroad – foundational to this government’s Plan for Change.

This pay award follows last year’s headline award of 6% (5% for senior officers) and a significant uplift for new recruits of approximately 35%, ensuring all full-time members of the Armed Forces were paid the National Living Wage for the first time. This means Armed Forces personnel have received a cumulative pay award of 10.5% (8.75% for senior officers) since July 2024.

Defence Secretary, John Healey MP said:

Our people are what make the UK Armed Forces’ reputation one of the best around the world. Our forces work tirelessly to keep Britain secure at home and strong abroad. 

Today’s above inflation pay award recognises their dedication and underlines this Government’s commitment to renew the nation’s contract with those who serve.

Chief of the Defence Staff, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin said:

This Armed Forces pay award continues to demonstrate our commitment to our people. It ensures that those who work so hard for our safety and security are supported.

To do what they do takes immense courage, determination and sacrifice and I’m pleased to see so much done to recognise their efforts.

Pay, accommodation and pension are key pieces of a bigger puzzle, and we will continue to put those pieces together to ensure the strength of our military for years to come.

Starting salaries for Other Ranks who have completed initial training will increase to approximately £26,334, benefiting around 7,800 of our most junior personnel.

Starting pay for junior officers will rise to around £34,676.

The package includes two new targeted retention payments for specific Royal Navy Catering Services personnel, addressing critical retention challenges in this specialist area.

A new Afloat Environmental Allowance will replace existing provisions, bringing coherence and clarity to recognise different conditions across naval platforms.

Medical specialists will benefit from an increased Medical Officers’ Golden Hello to enhance its attractiveness for consultants and registrars in specialisms with workforce capability gaps.

The Government has already taken decisive action to tackle recruitment and retention challenges by announcing new financial retention packages.

Around 5,000 eligible aircraft engineers across all three Services are eligible to receive £30,000 when they sign up for an additional three years of service. And a new £8,000 retention payment for around 4,000 eligible Army Privates and Lance Corporals each year for the next three years when they sign up for an additional three years of Service.

This announcement follows recent action taken by the department to improve the offer for our Armed Forces personnel. This includes improving living conditions through a new Consumer Charter to provide homes fit for the heroes who serve our nation, and are creating a new, independently-appointed, Armed Forces Commissioner who will have the power to investigate issues raised directly by serving personnel and their families.

Last year the Armed Forces saw a headline award of 6% (5% for senior officers) and a significant uplift for new recruits of approximately 35%. The Government has taken decisive action to tackle recruitment and retention challenges by announcing new financial retention packages.

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Published 22 May 2025
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
May 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: Anti-environmentalism is on the rise but it’s full of contradictions

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Alastair Bonnett, Professor of Geography, Newcastle University

Vadim Sadovski/Shutterstock

Anti-environmentalism is gaining ground. Attacks on the net zero goal and hostility to conservation measures and anti-pollution targets are becoming more common. And, as recent election results have shown, these tactics are reshaping politics in Britain and across the west.

Anti-environmentalism is a rejection of both environmental initiatives and activism. But despite its sudden rise and bold rhetoric, it is built on shaky foundations. The messages it offers are often contradictory and row against the tide of everyday experience.

Take the US president, Donald Trump. He dismantled many environmental protections in his last term of office, and is now removing those that are left – including support for research that even mentions the word climate. Yet he told a rally in Wisconsin in 2024: “I’m an environmentalist. I want clean air and clean water. Really clean water. Really clean air.”

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Some of the contradictions of anti-environmentalism reflect its departure from traditional conservatism. Although routinely identified as “conservative”, the populist anti-green politics of Republicans in the US and Reform in the UK, along with the AfD in Germany and National Rally in France, represent a radical challenge to the ideals of continuity and conservation that were once at the heart of conservatism.

The Conservative Environment Network is an organisation which pitches itself as an “independent forum for conservatives in the UK and around the world who support net zero, nature restoration and resource security”. Much of this network’s work involves reminding people that important environmental protections, from America’s national parks to controls on pollution and climate change in Britain and elsewhere, were introduced by conservatives.

But few on the right appear to be listening. A populist tide is washing this conservative tradition away, despite the fact that support for environmental protection remains very popular.

Polling indicates that 80% of people in the UK worry about climate change. Public backing for the work of the US Environmental Protection Agency is also overwhelming, including among Republican voters.

In part, this support reflects the fact that environmental damage is an everyday reality: unpredictable weather, the collapse of animal and insect populations, and a range of other challenges are not just on the TV, they are outside the window.

In my research for a forthcoming book on environmental nostalgia across the world, I keep bumping into an irony. In western nations, voices from the right say they want their country back, yet appear hostile to environmental policies that would protect their country and ensure its survival.

There are many reasons for this disconnect, including resentment against initiatives that require lifestyle and livelihood changes. However, the enmity and disengagement is more complicated than a simple rejection of nature.

Many people – including Trump himself – claim they are environmentalists even when the evidence suggests otherwise. The signs and symbols of environmental care are knitted into every aspect of our commercial and cultural life: if wildlife could sue for copyright, there would a lot of rich bears.

I argue that a distinction can be made between what I call “cold” and “hot” forms of environmentalism. The former values and mourns the loss of nature, but as a spectacle to be observed – a set of appealing images of flora and fauna – while the latter feels implicated and anxious.

The former position allows people to claim they love nature yet be indifferent or even hostile to initiatives to save it. However, the line between cold and hot, or between anti- and pro-environmentalist, is neither fixed nor hard.

Another quality of anti-environmentalism is that its beliefs are changeable, even quixotic. Climate change is an example.

Reform’s leaders have long flirted with climate change denial. “Climate change has happened for millions of years,” explained former Reform UK leader Richard Tice in 2024, adding that “the idea that you can stop the power of the Sun or volcanoes is simply ludicrous”. Tice has not changed his views but later the same year, the party’s new leader, Nigel Farage, told the BBC that he was “not arguing the science”.

Like other populist parties, Reform adopts a mobile position on the environment, moving between denying that climate change is happening or that humans are causing it, and the very different contention that anthropogenic climate change is real but that environmental targets are unreachable and unfair, given that other nations (China is often mentioned) supposedly do so little.

A post-western paradox

Researchers are only just starting to think about anti-environmentalism. One key analysis is environmental politics researcher John Hultgren’s The Smoke and the Spoils: Anti-Environmentalism and Class Struggle in the United States. This new book explains how Republicans managed to convince working-class voters that there is “zero-sum dichotomy between jobs and environmental protection, workers and environmentalists”.

This kind of binary has also been found by contributors to The Handbook of Anti-Environmentalism, who identify and critique the stereotyping of environmentalism as middle-class and elite in several western countries.

Yet the geographical focus of these pioneering works misses yet another of the paradoxes of anti-environmentalism: that although its rhetoric often accuses China and other non-western countries of doing little, there has been a significant environmental turn in both policy and public attitudes beyond Europe and the US.

Environmentalism is becoming post-western. This is partly because the realities of environmental damage are so stark across much of Asia and Africa.

Extreme temperatures and unpredictable rainfall are leading to food insecurity and community displacement. Environmentalism in the African Sahel and south Asia might better be called “survivalism”.

And despite its continuing reliance on fossil fuels, China’s state-led vision of a transition to a conservationist and decarbonised “ecological civilisation” is positioning it as a global environmental leader.

Stereotypes of environmentalism being primarily a western concern are crumbling. Because of this, along with the many contradictions that beset it, the rise of anti-environmentalism appears not only complex, but curious and unsustainable.

Don’t have time to read about climate change as much as you’d like?

Get a weekly roundup in your inbox instead. Every Wednesday, The Conversation’s environment editor writes Imagine, a short email that goes a little deeper into just one climate issue. Join the 45,000+ readers who’ve subscribed so far.

Alastair Bonnett 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. Anti-environmentalism is on the rise but it’s full of contradictions – https://theconversation.com/anti-environmentalism-is-on-the-rise-but-its-full-of-contradictions-256911

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

May 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: SAMOA TRAINS 30 ECO-GUARDIANS TO LEAD ENVIRONMENTAL CAMPAIGN

Source:

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[PRESS RELEASE 25 April 2025] – Conservation International (CI) and the Ministry of Education and Culture (MEC) co-hosted a comprehensive Training of Teachers (TOT) workshop at the Elisa Hotel Conference Room in Sogi from the 22 – 25 April. The event equipped 35 educators from Sagaga and Anoamaa districts and partners, for the next implementation sites for the Guardians Environmental Education Campaign, with innovative tools and strategies to promote environmental stewardship among students and communities.

The workshop focused on familiarizing participants with the Guardians Manual, experiential teaching techniques, and practical methods to deliver engaging environmental education programs. Key sessions included interactive modules on multiple learning styles, effective teaching practices, and trial runs of campaign themes such as Trash Star, Coral Champion, Wise Fisher, Tree Guardian, and Samoa Voyager. Participants collaborated to design activity plans, resource materials, and delivery methods tailored to their communities.

A dedicated session on social and environmental safeguards emphasized child protection, prevention of exploitation, and logistical best practices to ensure safety during campaign activities. The workshop concluded with certificate presentations, recognizing participants’ commitment to advancing environmental education.

“This workshop was very valuable and important and I appreciate the generous resources invested in us as educators to be able to support the Guardians Environmental Education modules” said Maria Fonofili from Sauano Primary School. “I am very grateful to the organizers for the past four days for all the informative sessions and knowledge shared which have greatly expanded our understanding for the benefit of teaching our children .”

The training and campaign ahead is made possible through foundational funding from the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) Manaaki Programme, with additional support from the Blackmore Foundation, Waitt Foundation and the Blue Nature Alliance. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE) and the Samoa Voyaging Society (SVS) were also able to support the facilitation of the programme modules and strengthening its impact. Conservation International and the Ministry of Education and Culture, extend their deepest gratitude to these partners for their commitment to environmental education and sustainable development in Samoa.

“We’re deeply grateful to our partners and donors for their continued support of the Guardians Programme,” says Le’ausalilo Leilani Duffy-Iosefa, Director of Conservation International. “Our goal is to ensure the programme leaves a lasting impact on Samoa’s children by helping protect their environmental and cultural heritage for generations to come”

The Guardians Campaign, now in its fifth year, continues to engage schools and communities in hands-on conservation efforts, building a generation of environmental Guardians, enhancing Samoa’s Ocean Strategy.

For more information about the Guardians programme, please contact Samantha Kwan on 21593.

END.

SOURCE – Conservation International Pacific Islands

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May 22, 2025

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

May 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: USP SAMOA CAMPUS AND MNRE FORESTRY DIVISION JOIN FORCES FOR THE 3 MILLION TREE PLANTING CAMPAIGN AT USP POP-UP MARKET

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[PRESS RELEASE 25 April 2025] – The University of the South Pacific (USP) Samoa Campus, in collaboration with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE) Forestry Division, is thrilled to announce a special event promoting environmental sustainability. On Saturday, April 26th, 2025, from 8 AM to 1 PM, the USP Samoa Campus will host a Pop-up Market dedicated to bringing the community together and supporting the MNRE’s 3 Million Tree Campaign.

This family-friendly event invites community members to bring the family to the campus and will have the opportunity to receive free tree seedlings as part of the campaign efforts to encourage tree planting across Samoa.

The USP Pop-up Market promises a vibrant atmosphere with an array of attractions including fresh vegetables, root plants, fresh flowers, kombucha drinks, BBQ food stalls, and handmade crafts by local artisans. Additionally, there will be fun activities for children like a bouncy castle and more.

Visitors can also look forward to a variety of delicious food from Vanuatu and Fiji, locally made and freshly baked goodies, fresh local produce, and an array of pre-loved clothing and household goods.

Event Details:

 Date: Saturday, April 26th, 2025

 Time: 8 AM – 1 PM

 Location: USP Samoa Campus Front Lawn

Join us at this special event where you can enjoy a delightful family day while contributing positively towards our environment by planting trees!

For further inquiries: Contact: Ronna Lee Email: ronna.lee@usp.ac.fj

END.

SOURCE – The University of the South Pacific – Samoa Campus, Apia and Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment Samoa

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May 22, 2025

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

May 23, 2025
MIL-OSI NGOs: Kenyan farmers, civil society, and advocates take seed fight to court in landmark case for food sovereignty

Source: Greenpeace Statement –

Soundbytes: Click here, Photos: Click here

In the quiet court corridors of Machakos, a storm has been brewing—one not about legal technicalities, but about seeds, sovereignty, and the survival of a farming culture.

On 20 May, fifteen smallholder farmers from across Kenya stepped into the High Court to challenge the constitutionality of Kenya’s Seed and Plant Varieties Act (Cap. 326), a law they say criminalises their very way of life. The case, supported by Greenpeace Africa, Seed Savers Network, and the Biodiversity and Biosafety Association of Kenya (BIBA), could redefine the country’s agricultural future.

At the centre of the petition is a clause that forbids the exchange, sale, or use of uncertified seeds, including traditional and indigenous varieties. Farmers argue that these laws, enforced with steep fines and even jail time, target the country’s poorest growers and sever ties to centuries-old seed practices.

“This law criminalises the legacy of our grandmothers,” said Justus Mwololo, one of the petitioners. “We’re not just defending seeds—we’re defending a whole history of resilience.”

The courtroom was packed with advocates and farmers alike, many in traditional attire, bearing placards that read: “Our grandmothers fed nations, now you call them criminals?” Outside, the air was charged with chants and song as a peaceful procession marched through Machakos town.

Inside, the arguments were precise and passionate.

“The Constitution guarantees the right to culture and food,” said Alvin Munandick, appearing on behalf of Greenpeace Africa. “Seed sharing is not a crime. It’s an ancestral practice.”

“What these provisions allow is shocking,” added Wambugu Wanjohi, representing the Law Society of Kenya. “Seed inspectors are empowered to raid farmers’ homes and seize property. This is a violation of privacy, property rights, and human dignity.”

The case has rallied broad support from civil society. According to Ann Maina, National Coordinator of BIBA, this legal battle is about much more than seeds.

“It’s about food security. About biodiversity. About resisting a top-down system that tries to put our food under lock and key,” she said.

Daniel Wanjama, from the Seed Savers Network, pointed out that over 80% of seeds used by Kenyan farmers come from informal, farmer-managed systems.

“To criminalise this is to criminalise the backbone of our food system,” he warned. “And it puts us all at risk of hunger.”

The government has yet to formally respond to the petitioners’ claims, but the stakes are already clear. If the court rules in favour of the farmers, it could upend a seed policy landscape long dominated by private agribusiness and shift the power back to communities.

“This case is a fight for the right to exist as a farmer,” said Penninah Ngahu, another petitioner. “If the government wants more seeds, why not invest in us? We’ve been growing food for generations.”

As the court adjourned, the date of judgment, 27 November 2025, was etched into the minds of everyone present. For the farmers, it marks not just a legal verdict but a test of Kenya’s constitutional commitment to cultural heritage, food rights, and ecological justice.

“Seed is life,” said Claire Nasike Akello, food scientist and food sovereignty advocate. “And life cannot be patented, regulated out of reach, or stolen from the hands that feed us.”

For further information, interviews, or media inquiries, please contact:

Ferdinand Omondi, Communication and Story Manager, Greenpeace Africa, Email: [email protected], Cell: 0722 505 233

MIL OSI NGO –

May 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CFS follows up on aquatic product imported from Japan suspected of breaching Food Safety Order

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (May 22) that an aquatic product from a regulated Japanese prefecture was suspected to be in breach of the relevant Food Safety Order when the CFS inspected food imported from Japan. The product concerned has been marked and sealed by the CFS and has not entered the market. The CFS is following up on the case.

A spokesman for the CFS said, “During an inspection of the consignment of food imported from Japan, the CFS found a pack of chilled scallops manufactured in Miyagi Prefecture after the Order was issued. The importer concerned is thus suspected of breaching the relevant Order.”

According to the Order, all aquatic products originating from the 10 metropolis/prefectures, namely Tokyo, Fukushima, Ibaraki, Miyagi, Chiba, Gunma, Tochigi, Niigata, Nagano and Saitama, are prohibited from being imported into and supplied in Hong Kong if they are harvested, manufactured, processed or packed on or after August 24, 2023, including all live, chilled, frozen, dried or otherwise preserved aquatic products, sea salt, and unprocessed or processed seaweed.

â€‹The CFS will continue to follow up on such incident and take appropriate action, including informing the Japanese authorities concerned of the incident. Prosecution will be instituted against the importer concerned should there be sufficient evidence. The investigation is ongoing.

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

May 23, 2025
MIL-OSI NGOs: Life of a firefly

Source: Greenpeace Statement –

When was the last time you saw a field full of fireflies? In Bill Angelo Bontigao’s “Life of a Firefly,” a poem written in his native Bicol, one of Greenpeace Philippines’ youngest activists ruminates on waning innocence, gradual loss, and how our neglect threatens to dim the little lights we take for granted.

[In Bicolano]

Buhay kan sarong Aninipot
ni: Bill Angelo Bontigao

Pag dulom an kalangitan,
Warang ilaw hale sa mga kaharungan,
Oras ko naman para magpahiling kan sakuyang kagayunan.
Talentong sakong ighahambog sa gabos na insektong naglalayog.

Hale sa kahoy na Mangga minsan sa dakulang kahoy na Naga.
Kasabay kan mga Duliduli nagkakanta,
Sakong iilawan ang lubot asin masayaw na maogma,
Sarabay kami kan sakong mga amiga asin amigo liwanag samong ibabalangibog.

Minasayaw nin pantomina, cha-cha asin minasabay sa tugtug kan gitara.
Nagsasabay sa taghoy kan paros bahala na kun saen man madara.
Pag na swetehan ko, sa kamot kan mga aki ako dadarakupon,
Ihihinghing sako ang mga tugon dangan ako papalayugon.

Dara ko ang mga kahilingan kan mga kasaradayan,
habang pasildang na ang aldaw sakuya ining iataman,
bago ako magkaturog sako ining ipangadyi sa kaitaasan,
bako man kaya ako ang matupad kundi ang kagurangnan.

Sa pagmuklat ko liwat kan sakong mga mata,
Dae ko na bistado ang dating lugar kun saen ako nag-oogma.
Dae ko na kayang makipagsabayan sa liwanag kan mga dalan,
Dae ko na namamati ang preskong paros na sakuyang pigduduyanan.

Dae na ako bistado kan mga kasaradayan,
Dae na sakong nag-aabang sa mga gilid kan dalan,
Maski sa mga kanta kan gamo-gamo nata bako na makukusog,
Nata wara na akong gitarang nadadangog.

Nata pagmati ko ako nagluluya,
Siguro oras na para ako maghale na,
Salamat sa mga oras na naging parte ako kan saimong pagdakula,
Sa saimong mga maku-apo, ako saimo na sanang iistorya,

Kun sana ako man makakapaghagad nin tugon saindo,
kun ako mawara aram ko may mga amigo pa ako,
Sana sinda atamanon nindo,
Dae nindo pagpabayaang magpundi ang ilaw nyamo.

[In Tagalog]

Buhay ng Isang Alitaptap
ni: Bill Angelo Bontigao
Isinalin ni: Karl Orit

Sa pagdilim ng kalangitan,
Wala nang ilaw sa mga tahanan,
Panahon ko na para ipamalas ang alindog kong tangan.
Ipinagmamalaki sa lahat ng insektong lumilipad ang aking kakayahan.

Minsan mula sa punòng Mangga, minsan sa punòng Nara.
Kasabay ng mga umaawit na kuliglig,
Pinaiilawan ko ang aking puwit at masayang nagsasasayaw,
Kasabay ng aking mga kaibigan nangungutitap upang magpakitang-gilas.

Sumasayaw ng pantomina, chacha, at sumasabay sa tugtog ng gitara.
Sumasabay sa pagsipol ng hangin, bahala na kung saan kami dalhin.
Kapag sinuwerte, sa kamay ng mga bata ako kukupkupin,
Makikiusap para sa kanilang pinapangarap bago ako pakawalan muli.

Bitbit ko ang kanilang mga hiling at ligayang lihim
Na lubos kong iingatan, hanggang ang araw ay sumilip.
Bago ako humimbing, magsusumamo ako sa langit,
Bahala na ang Diyos sa mga katuparang di ko na aabutan.

Sa aking muling pagdilat,
Hindi ko na makikilala ang lugar na lunan ng aking sayá.
Hindi ko na kakáyahing sumabay sa mga nagniningning sa daan,
Hindi ko na madarama ang maginhawang simoy sa aking pinapasyalan.

Kahit ang kabataan, hindi na ako kilala,
Wala nang naghihintay sa akin sa gilid ng lansangan.
Kahit ang awit ng mga kuliglig ay nawalan na ng sigla,
Wala na ring naririnig na tugtog ng gitara.

Nanghihina na yata ako,
Marahil ito na ang panahon upang mamaalam.
Salamat sa mga sandaling naging bahagi ako ng iyong paglaki,
Ikuwento mo sana ako sa iyong magiging mga anak at apóng mumunti.

At kung maaari, mag-iwan ako ng huling pakiusap sa inyo,
Kapag wala na ako, alam kong may mga kaibigan pa ako.
Alagaan din ninyo sana sila
At huwag ninyo hayaang ang liwanag namin ay tuluyang mapundi.

[In English]

The Life of a Firefly
by: Bill Angelo Bontigao
Translated by: Pocholo Goitia

When the sky turns dark,
And no light shines from nearby houses,
It is my time to show my beauty.
Flaunt it to all the other insects soaring through the night.

Sometimes I’m a glimmer from the Mango tree,
sometimes from the towering Narra.
Alongside the cicadas singing their gentle song,
I light up my tail and dance happily,
Together with my friends, we shine and show each other’s prowess.

We sway to pantomina, to cha-cha, to the strum of the guitar,
We follow the whistle of the wind—wherever it takes us.
If I’m lucky, a child’s hand might catch me and cradle,
Whisper to me their wishes before setting me free.

I carry their desires and secret joys,
I handle these with care until the slip of first light.
Before I sleep, I make my own pleas to heaven,
Not by my light, but by God’s grace, may they be granted.

When I open my eyes again,
I will no longer recognize the districts of my happiness.
I won’t be able to keep up with the city’s shining streets,
I won’t feel the cool breezes of my old gentle haunts.

The children don’t know who I am,
No one waits for me by the roadsides.
Even the cicada songs have lost vigor,
The sound of strumming guitars, gone.

I feel myself growing weak,
Perhaps it is time for me to leave.
Thank you for the moments when I was part of your growth,
Please tell your children and their children my story.

If I could make one final request:
I know friends who will remain, even after I go.
I hope you look after them, as you’ve looked after me,
Don’t let our light extinguish completely.

If we continue to allow habitat loss to climate change and pollution, fireflies and other species will fade to memory. By taking action, we can help stem the decline and ensure they remain a part of our world.

You might want to check out Greenpeace Philippines’ petition called Courage for Climate, a drive in support of real policy and legal solutions in the pursuit of climate justice.

Courage for Climate

The climate crisis may seem hopeless, but now is the time for courage, not despair. Join Filipino communities taking bold action for our planet.

Make an Act of Courage Today!

MIL OSI NGO –

May 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Dmitry Patrushev and Alexey Teksler discussed the development of the agro-industrial complex and environmental issues in the Chelyabinsk region

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

Dmitry Patrushev held a working meeting with the Governor of the Chelyabinsk Region Alexey Teksler

May 21, 2025

Dmitry Patrushev held a working meeting with the Governor of the Chelyabinsk Region Alexey Teksler

May 21, 2025

Governor of the Chelyabinsk region Alexey Teksler

May 21, 2025

Previous news Next news

Dmitry Patrushev held a working meeting with the Governor of the Chelyabinsk Region Alexey Teksler

Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Patrushev held a working meeting with the Governor of the Chelyabinsk Region Alexey Teksler. The main issues were the development of the region’s agro-industrial complex, as well as the implementation of national projects in the environmental sphere.

Alexey Teksler informed about the progress of the sowing campaign and plans for the harvest. This year, the region expects to harvest more than 2 million tons of grain. Farmers expect to produce approximately 260 thousand tons of oilseeds, as well as provide forage for livestock.

Dmitry Patrushev drew special attention to the importance of providing the region’s farmers with all material resources during the sowing campaign, including plant protection products and mineral fertilizers.

The head of the region reported on the implementation of major investment projects in the agro-industrial complex, noting the growth in the livestock industry, in particular the production of poultry meat and commercial eggs. In the Chelyabinsk region, construction of a first-order breeding reproducer for the development of the domestic cross of chickens “Smena 9” continues, cooperation has been established with an agricultural university and industrial partners to train specialists in the field of poultry farming.

Dmitry Patrushev and Aleksey Teksler also discussed the results of the implementation of the national project “Ecology” in the region. The Chelyabinsk region implemented projects to create solid municipal waste disposal facilities, eliminate landfills, reduce the volume of hazardous pollutant emissions into the atmosphere, clean water bodies and reforestation. Within the framework of the new national project “Ecological Well-Being”, which started this year, work in these areas will be continued.

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 –

May 23, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Partnering with Ape2o to reduce plastic waste

Source: City of Birmingham

ape2o has installed one of its water refill stations in Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park, in a bid help eliminate single-use plastics in the park.

This is the first installation of a “Big Ape” with Birmingham Council, underlining ape2o’s significant progress in fighting the war on plastic across the UK and emphasizing Birmingham’s commitment to reducing plastic waste and protecting the environment for its communities.

“Big Apes” don’t monkey around, they aren’t just any refill station, they are a sophisticated technology that gives people the choice of ultra-filtered chilled still or sparkling at a fraction of the cost of plastic bottled water. Consumers can just tap, choose, refill and go – encouraging people to use refillable bottles, instead of bottles that destroy the planet.

Cllr Majid Mahmood, cabinet member for environment and transport at Birmingham City Council, said: “We are really pleased to partner with ape2o to bring their innovative water refill stations to Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park.

“This initiative is part of our wider commitment to sustainability, aiming to reduce single-use plastic waste and encourage environmentally friendly practices across the council and city.”

ape2o is focused on their mission to convert more people to drink water without plastic.

There is no time to lose: less than 10% of single-use plastic bottles are recycled, the majority ending their journey in our oceans, landfills, or being incinerated, contributing to over a quarter of a million tonnes of CO2e emissions annually.

ape2o cofounder and CEO, Anthony Newman comments said: “We’re extremely proud to work with Birmingham City Council as our first official government council partnership. And the Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park is the perfect place to start. ape2o can help consumers across the city refill and ditch the plastic.”

And ape2o don’t just talk about it, they do it. 10% of all their sales go to ocean, freshwater, and marine life conservation and clean-up projects. The fewer plastic bottles bought, and the more refills done with Big Apes instead, the more these projects receive and the closer we get to a world without single use plastic. ape2o is water that gives back.

Partnering with Birmingham City Council is a huge achievement in ape2o’s journey to date, and they hope to install more locations around the city in the future to make it easier for all consumers to ditch the plastic bottle habit.

For more information, please contact bigapes@ape2o.com.

Notes to Editors

ape2o’s vision is to break the habit of single use plastic bottles by creating a more sustainable and affordable system: (1) easy public access to hygienic, trusted pure water refill machines, (2) the means to drink from them and, (3) the motivation to make the change and join the movement. They do this with their “Big Ape” vending network, their “Silverback” and “Turtle” plastic free stainless-steel bottles and their “10% Promise commitment to transparently donate 10% of turnover to ocean, beach and river clean-up and conservation initiatives.

ape2o is a certified B Corporation and was recognized in 2022 as a Top 5% “Best For The World” B Corp. This past February ape2o was the winner of the City of London’s Clean City Scheme Awards, 2024 Innovator Award.

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

May 23, 2025
MIL-OSI NGOs: Greenpeace response to refusal of North West Shelf reconsideration request

Source: Greenpeace Statement –

SYDNEY/PERTH, Thursday 22 May 2025 — In response to the refusal of Greenpeace’s reconsideration request for Woodside’s North West Shelf project extension, Geoff Bice, WA Campaign Lead at Greenpeace Australia Pacific, said:

“We are deeply disappointed the impacts to Scott Reef and the threatened species that call it home will not be considered by the Minister in regards to Woodside’s proposal to extend the lifespan of its North West Shelf project.

“The primary purpose of Woodside’s North West Shelf extension is to process gas from the Browse gas field underneath Scott Reef — the Minister should be looking at these gas mega projects as a whole, rather than broken into arbitrary pieces.

“The North West Shelf facility is one of Australia’s dirtiest and most polluting fossil fuel projects — the decision to refuse Greenpeace’s reconsideration request brings Woodside one step closer towards drilling for dirty gas at Scott Reef.

“If we are serious about tackling climate pollution and protecting nature, we should be closing down polluting fossil fuel facilities when they come to their end of life, not extending them to allow for new gas fields to open. Greenpeace and our supporters will continue fighting to protect Scott Reef from Woodside’s destructive plans.”

-ENDS-

For more information or interviews contact Kate O’Callaghan on 0406 231 892 or [email protected]

MIL OSI NGO –

May 22, 2025
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Budget to increase energy hardship

Source: Green Party

Budget 2025 delays our transition to a low emissions and low-cost energy network, this will put even more pressure on households, businesses and the climate.

“This Budget doesn’t leave enough to keep the lights on, let alone spark the transition towards a low-emissions and low-cost electricity network,” says the Green Party’s Spokesperson for Energy, Scott Willis.

“Stripping $56 million from the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority comes on top of last year’s vicious cut. This cut is effectively delivering energy hardship to those who are already struggling.

“Aotearoa can be a country where every home is powered with clean, green affordable energy that lowers our emissions and lowers costs on households. However, this will require action and ambition, something that is completely missing in this Budget.

“A meagre $2 million for households to counter energy hardship is a joke when we know there’s some 110,000 households doing it tough.

“Since the Government has come into power we have seen the preservation of an energy market that prioritises profit and fossil fuels over our communities and the climate. This Budget further cements that direction and opens the door wide open to more fossil fuelled climate disasters.

“A Green Government would separate the gentailers that are dominating the energy market and invest $4.8 billion in renewables over four years directly in new renewable energy and storage to benefit both people and planet in the long and short term. We can have cleaner, cheaper, smarter power with the right political will.

“Through a mix of grants and interest-free loans, our Green Budget would create a Clean Power Payment to help people cover the upfront cost of zero carbon upgrades and energy efficiency.

“It’s not inevitable that thousands of people have to choose between heating and eating. Our energy network needs to work for us, instead of serving shareholders.

“We can build a more sustainable and affordable energy network that puts people and planet before the profits of our gentailers,” says Scott Willis.

MIL OSI New Zealand News –

May 22, 2025
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Minister for the Environment missing in action in Budget 2025

Source: Green Party

Budget 2025 makes it crystal clear that this Government has no interest in protecting nature or securing a liveable future for our tamariki.

Budget 2025 makes it crystal clear that this Government has no interest in protecting nature or securing a liveable future for our tamariki.

“Our environment is in crisis. This Budget proves the Government simply does not care,” says the Green Party’s spokesperson for Environment, Lan Pham.

“They have no understanding that their so-called ‘laser-focus’ on the economy makes them blind to the indisputable fact that there is no economy without a functional environment.

“Not only is there no new funding in Budget 2025 for environmental protection, but they’ve taken cuts further than we even thought possible. They’ve raided the waste levy and initiatives which were designed to provide at least some basic level of protection for te taiao.

“While our communities are crying out for action, the Minister for the Environment is nowhere to be seen.

“We needed bold investment and courageous action today. Instead, we got cut after cut after cut.

“It doesn’t have to be this way. Our Green Budget, with our Green Jobs Guarantee and expanded Jobs for Nature package, would provide credible support for green infrastructure, oceans, native forests, conservation, and climate resilience, allowing nature to flourish and thrive.

“A better path was possible today. Instead, the Government chose to plunder our whenua and hand it to the highest bidder,” says Lan Pham.

MIL OSI New Zealand News –

May 22, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Zinke Strips Public Lands Sales out of House Budget Reconciliation Fully endorses “One Big Beautiful Bill Act

Source: US Congressman Ryan Zinke (Western Montana)

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) Today, after unrelenting effort from Congressman Ryan Zinke (MT-01), a provision selling more than 450,000 acres of public land has been stripped from the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” also known as the House budget reconciliation. The provision passed out of the House Natural Resources Committee on May 6th, and after continual negotiations led by Zinke, was removed by the Rules Committee this afternoon. The Rules Committee is the last step before the bill goes to the House floor for a vote. The change was supported by Representatives Tory Downing (MT-02), Mike Simpson (ID-02) and hundreds of other members on both sides of the aisle.

Congressman Zinke has been clear on his opposition to selling public lands, especially by lowering the threshold for scrutiny by including it as part of the reconciliation process:

“This was my San Juan Hill; I do not support the widespread sale or transfer of public lands. Once the land is sold, we will never get it back. God isn’t creating more land,” said Zinke. “Public access, sportsmanship, grazing, tourism… our entire Montanan way of life is connected to our public lands. I don’t yield to pressure; I only yield to higher principle. There is a process to making sure that our lands are being used for the best benefit of the people.”

Zinke continued: “I’d like to thank Speaker Johnson for his leadership and listening to the concerns of the people of Montana and all Americans who love our public lands. I appreciate him working with me to get this done. I look forward to voting for the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ which delivers historic tax cuts for every American, makes Medicaid and SNAP stronger for American Citizens while removing illegal aliens from the rolls, and provides needed regulatory relief to get our economy back on track.”

“The TRCP is encouraged to see provisions removed from the House budget reconciliation bill that would sell off public lands. Hunters and anglers stepped into the arena to make their voices heard, and members of Congress listened—thank you,” said Joel Pedersen, president and CEO of the Missoula based Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. “In particular, we thank Congressman Zinke for his strident advocacy on behalf of America’s hunters, anglers, and outdoor recreationists. We look forward to working with lawmakers to resolve challenges with public lands management, including housing affordability.”

“Hunters and anglers across America appreciate the efforts of Congressman Zinke and members of the House leadership to keep public lands in public hands,” said Chris Wood, President and CEO of Trout Unlimited. “Public lands are the backyard of the little guy, and we appreciate the House keeping it that way.”

“As a Montanan, a lifelong outdoorsman, NA board chair for BHA, and director of conservation for MeatEater, a business that was founded on the virtues of public lands, I’m proud and grateful that Congressman Zinke has the gumption to stand up for his constituents,” said Ryan Callaghan, Director of Conservation at MeatEater. “The Congressman is showing the type of leadership we need right now, huge thank you from all of us public landowners.”

“Congressman Zinke’s leadership was instrumental in removing a public lands sell-off proposal from the budget reconciliation process,” said Jessica Turner, President, Outdoor Recreation Roundtable. “At a time when gateway communities and outdoor recreation businesses need certainty and access, Congressman Zinke stood up for the economic, health, and cultural value of keeping our public lands public. Outdoor Recreation Roundtable and the $1.2 trillion outdoor recreation industry applaud his work to safeguard these shared spaces, and we look forward to continuing to work with him to ensure public lands remain a cornerstone of America’s economy and way of life.”

###

MIL OSI USA News –

May 22, 2025
MIL-OSI NGOs: UN Ocean Conference draft declaration fails to address the ocean crisis
Source: Greenpeace Statement –

Paris, France, 22 May 2025 – Greenpeace International is alarmed by the state of the UN Ocean Conference draft declaration which falls far short of expectations, with less than three weeks to the start in Nice, France. Rather than establishing the ambition shown by states to protect the oceans,the current text – set to be published as the final text of the upcoming conference – lacks the necessary ambition to address the crisis facing the oceans.

The third, and supposedly final, draft declaration fails to include the key measures needed to ensure the ocean recovers from decades of abuse and can withstand the impacts of global climate change.

Megan Randles, UNOC Head of Delegation for Greenpeace International, said: “We’re shocked after all the fine words from the organisers of this conference to find a declaration text that lacks the ambition needed to protect the oceans. The UN Ocean Conference was supposed to be the moment when governments turned the tide and showcased genuine progress. Instead, we are handed a weak political declaration with glaring omissions and weak language.

“The current text makes clear governments once again aren’t serious about protecting the oceans, and are satisfied to say fine words but not deliver real change at sea. It also fails to recognise the rights and leadership of coastal communities and Indigenous Peoples, who are on the frontlines of ocean stewardship. Unless this Declaration is drastically improved, the UN Ocean Conference will become a meaningless talking shop.”

The glaring omissions or regressions from earlier draft texts are:
- Pitifully weak language on deep sea mining, with no reference to a moratorium on this dangerous industry, and the removal of any reference to applying the precautionary principle, which appeared in early drafts. [1]
- The lack of any urgency on the Global Ocean Treaty ratification, or reflection that the governmental self-set deadline to reach 60 ratifications by this Conference is set to be missed. [2]
- Failure to recognise that the Global Ocean Treaty is fundamental to deliver on the 30 by 30 target agreed under the Convention on Biological Diversity, as the Global Ocean Treaty is the only legal tool that can deliver this universally agreed and binding UN target on the high seas, which make ⅔ of the world’s ocean. [3]
- The absence of a clear reference to the need to reduce plastic production. While there is a brief mention in the text on the development of an internationally binding instrument on plastic, it makes no mention of the need to reduce production.[4]
- No mention of key issues such as addressing labour and human rights abuses in distant water fishing fleets or ensuring the protection of vulnerable marine ecosystems from the impact of destructive fishing practices – crucial issues that are fundamental to global marine conservation.
- The removal of a “human rights-based” approach to protecting the oceans which undermines accountability in ocean governance. Otherwise, there is no guarantee that policies will protect the rights of those most dependent on — and essential to — ocean stewardship. This weakens the foundation for just, inclusive, and effective marine protection, and must be urgently addressed.[5]
- No concrete commitments to additional financial resources.
From aboard the Rainbow Warrior in the Tasman Sea, Georgia Whitaker, Senior Oceans Campaigner at Greenpeace Australia Pacific, said: “The Australian government has the opportunity to step up and showcase true global leadership on ocean protection at the UN Oceans Conference. The eyes of the world are now on the re-elected Albanese government that signed the Global Ocean Treaty in 2023, but has been dragging its feet, yet to bring its promise into law. We are calling on the Australian government to ratify the Global Ocean Treaty in the first 100 days of government, and propose ocean sanctuaries in the Lord Howe Rise and South Tasman Sea between Australia and Aotearoa-New Zealand, to help protect precious marine life being decimated by brutal industrial fishing.”

A new analysis released this week by Greenpeace Australia Pacific has revealed the shocking extent of ocean destruction and shark bycatch in the Pacific Ocean in lieu of protection possible under the treaty.

“Australia’s approach to deep sea mining will be watched closely by the rest of the world. The Albanese government must join the 33 other countries, including some of our Pacific neighbours, and back a moratorium on deep sea mining to protect our precious blue backyard,” Whitaker added.

The UN Ocean Conference follows the world’s first deep sea mining application for the international seabed, recently submitted by The Metals Company to the US government, as opposed to the UN regulator, amid high political controversy. This unilateral action undermines the UN, potentially is in violation of international law, and should be condemned by all States at the UN Ocean Conference.

As of today, 21 countries have ratified the Global Ocean Treaty, and 33 countries support a moratorium on deep sea mining.

The United Nations Oceans Conference will be held in Nice, France from 9 – 13 June.

— ENDS —

Media contact:

Magali Rubino, Greenpeace France: +33 7 78 41 78 78 / [email protected] (CET)

Kimberley Bernard, Greenpeace Australia Pacific: +61 407 581 404 / [email protected] (AEST) (WhatsApp best)

Notes for editors:

The draft political declaration is available upon request.

Greenpeace Australia Pacific spokespeople will be available from Nice, Australia and from the Rainbow Warrior in the Tasman Sea.

[1] The Zero Draft of the Political Declaration “emphasized the importance of a precautionary approach” in relation to seabed mining. The reference has been deleted from the final draft.

[2] The Treaty will only enter into force 120 days after 60 countries have ratified. The UN Secretary-General is required to convene the first meeting of the COP to the Agreement no later than one year after its entry into force. France had targeted for the Global Ocean Treaty to enter into force by the conference.

[3] Paragraph 21 of the Zero Draft of the Political Declaration stated “We recognise the important role the Agreement will play in achieving 30×30.” That reference has been removed from the final draft.

[4] The final version of the Political Declaration deletes critical mentions to the urgency of addressing plastics pollution or its human health impacts, which were present in earlier drafts. Astrid Puentes Riaño, Special Rapporteur on the human right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment, stated on May 20th that “Human rights must be the core of ocean governance and of every ocean pledge”

[5] Paragraph 2 of the second version of the Draft Political Declaration stated that “We must act with urgency to face this challenge with bold, ambitious, human rights-based, just and transformative action.” The reference to human-right based actions has been removed.
MIL OSI NGO –
May 22, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: ER Report: A Roundup of Significant Articles on EveningReport.nz for May 22, 2025

ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on May 22, 2025.

Indonesian military operations spark concerns over displaced indigenous Papuans
By Caleb Fotheringham, RNZ Pacific journalist A West Papua independence leader says escalating violence is forcing indigenous Papuans to flee their ancestral lands. It comes as the Indonesian military claims 18 members of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) were killed in an hour-long operation in Intan Jaya on May 14. In a statement,

Compression tights and tops: do they actually benefit you during (or after) exercise?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ben Singh, Research Fellow, Allied Health & Human Performance, University of South Australia Olena Yakobchuk/Shutterstock You’ve seen them in every gym: tight black leggings, neon sleeves and even knee-length socks. Compression gear is everywhere, worn by weekend joggers, elite athletes and influencers striking poses mid-squat. But do

Australia’s knowledge of Russia is dwindling. We need to start training our future experts now
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jon Richardson, Visiting Fellow, Centre for European Studies, Australian National University Shutterstock Russia’s possible interest in basing long-range aircraft at an Indonesian airbase not far from Australian shores shook up a relatively staid election campaign last month. The news, which Jakarta immediately dismissed, caught many by surprise

‘Perfect bodies and perfect lives’: how selfie-editing tools are distorting how young people see themselves
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Julia Coffey, Associate Professor in Sociology, University of Newcastle Olena Yakobchuk/Shutterstock Like many of her peers, Abigail (21) takes a lot of selfies, tweaks them with purpose-made apps, and posts them on social media. But, she says, the selfie-editing apps do more than they were designed for:

NZ Budget 2025: tax cuts and reduced revenues mean the government is banking on business growth
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Sawyer, Professor of Taxation, University of Canterbury Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images Not a lot is known about the government’s plans for taxes in the 2025 budget. Few tax policies have been announced so far, and what has been revealed involves targeted tax cuts for business interests. This

Evidence shows AI systems are already too much like humans. Will that be a problem?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sandra Peter, Director of Sydney Executive Plus, University of Sydney Studiostoks / Shutterstock What if we could design a machine that could read your emotions and intentions, write thoughtful, empathetic, perfectly timed responses — and seemingly know exactly what you need to hear? A machine so seductive,

Playing the crime card: do law and order campaigns win votes in Australia?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Chloe Keel, Lecturer in Criminology and Criminal Justice, Griffith University Crime and public safety are usually the domain of state politics. But the Coalition tried to elevate them as key issues for voters in the recent federal election. Claiming crime had been “allowed to fester” under Labor,

Labor now has the political clout to reset Australia’s refugee policy. Here’s where to start
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mary Anne Kenny, Associate Professor, School of Law, Murdoch University Australia’s policy towards refugees and asylum seekers stands at a critical juncture. Global displacement is at record highs and many countries are retreating from their responsibilities. At this moment, Australia can lead by example. As Australia’s prime

Please don’t tape your mouth at night, whatever TikTok says. A new study shows why this viral trend can be risky
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Moira Junge, Adjunct Clincal Associate Professor (Psychologist), Monash University K.IvanS/Shutterstock You might have heard of people using tape to literally keep their mouths shut while they sleep. Mouth taping has become a popular trend on social media, with many fans claiming it helps improve sleep and overall

E-bikes for everyone: 3 NZ trials show people will make the switch – with the right support
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Caroline Shaw, Associate Professor in Public Health, University of Otago Getty Images Anyone who uses city roads will know e-bikes have become increasingly popular in Aotearoa New Zealand. But we also know rising e-bike sales have been predominantly driven by financially well-off households. The question now is,

Drivers of SUVs and pick-ups should pay more to be on our roads. Here’s how to make the system fairer
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Milad Haghani, Associate Professor & Principal Fellow in Urban Risk & Resilience, The University of Melbourne In the year 2000, almost 70% of all new cars sold in Australia were small passenger vehicles – mainly sedans and hatchbacks. But over 25 years, their share has dropped dramatically

Australia’s Wong condemns ‘abhorrent, outrageous’ Israeli comments over blocked aid
Asia Pacific Report Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong has released a statement saying “the Israeli government cannot allow the suffering to continue” after the UN’s aid chief said thousands of babies were at risk of dying if they did not receive food immediately. “Australia joins international partners in calling on Israel to allow a full

The West v China: Fight for the Pacific – Episode 1: The Battlefield
Al Jazeera How global power struggles are impacting in local communities, culture and sovereignty in Kanaky, New Caledonia, the Solomon Islands and Samoa. In episode one, The Battlefield, tensions between the United States and China over the Pacific escalate, affecting the lives of Pacific Islanders. Key figures like former Malaita Premier Daniel Suidani and tour

Windows are the No. 1 human threat to birds – an ecologist shares some simple steps to reduce collisions
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jason Hoeksema, Professor of Ecology, University of Mississippi Birds are drawn to the mirror effect of windows. That can turn deadly when they think they see trees. CCahill/iStock/Getty Images Plus When wood thrushes arrive in northern Mississippi on their spring migration and begin to serenade my neighborhood

Politics with Michelle Grattan: Jim Chalmers on keeping Australia out of recession amid the ‘dark shadow’ of global instability
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra This week, the Reserve Bank delivered welcome news for mortgage holders, with another 25 basis points rate cut. With this cut, some are hoping that the cost-of-living pain will start to finally ease. Economists, however, are still wary of celebrating

40 years on – reflecting on Rainbow Warrior’s legacy, fight against nuclear colonialism
Report by Dr David Robie – Café Pacific. – A forthcoming new edition of David Robie’s Eyes of Fire honours the ship’s final mission and the resilience of those affected by decades of radioactive fallout. PACIFIC MORNINGS: By Aui’a Vaimaila Leatinu’u The Greenpeace flagship Rainbow Warrior III ship returns to Aotearoa this July, 40 years

Gordon Campbell: NZ’s silence over Gaza genocide, ethnic cleansing
COMMENTARY: By Gordon Campbell Since last Thursday, intensified Israeli air strikes on Gaza have killed more than 500 Palestinians, and a prolonged Israeli aid blockade has led to widespread starvation among the territory’s two million residents. Belatedly, Israel is letting in a token amount of food aid that UN Under-Secretary Tom Fletcher has called a

View from The Hill: Coalition split puts Victorian and NSW Nationals Senate seats at high risk
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra The Victorian and NSW Nationals senators due to face the voters at the 2028 election will struggle to hold their seats if the former partners do not re-form the Coalition before then. Under usual Coalition arrangements, Bridget McKenzie, from Victoria,

New Caledonia, French Polynesia at UN decolonisation seminar in Dili
By Patrick Decloitre, RNZ Pacific correspondent French Pacific desk New Caledonia and French Polynesia have sent strong delegations this week to the United Nations Pacific regional seminar on the implementation of the Fourth International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism in Timor-Leste. The seminar opened in Dili today and ends on Friday. As French Pacific

NSW is copping rain and flooding while parts of Australia are in drought. What’s going on?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrew King, Associate Professor in Climate Science, ARC Centre of Excellence for 21st Century Weather, The University of Melbourne Emergency crews were scrambling to rescue residents trapped by floodwaters on Wednesday as heavy rain pummelled the Mid North Coast of New South Wales. In some areas, more

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

May 22, 2025
MIL-OSI New Zealand: People Power: Celebrating Te Wiki Tūao ā-Motu – National Volunteer Week

Source: Secondary teachers question rationale for changes to relationship education guidelines

Auckland Council is proud to once again celebrate National Volunteer Week, 15 – 21 June, acknowledging the tireless contributions of thousands of volunteers who help make Tāmaki Makaurau a stronger, more connected, and more sustainable region.

The Auckland Council whānau would like to thank all our volunteers for their mahi and dedication to making our city greater and helping with conservation efforts to protect Auckland’s precious natural environment.

Over the past year, volunteers have made an extraordinary impact—helping to plant trees, clean up litter, welcome visitors, feed those in need, and care for our natural spaces.

Volunteering is one of the most rewarding ways to get involved in your community with projects big and small, meet new people, and make a difference. Here are some of the ways you can take part:

Auckland Botanic Gardens

Volunteering at the Gardens is a great way to get involved in New Zealand’s largest botanic garden and enjoy the company of people with similar interests.

You don’t have to be a gardener to volunteer, a range of talents are welcomed to support us in providing visitors with a quality experience. From administrative, front of house, guiding, gardening, basic asset maintenance, holiday programmes and events we can provide you with volunteering opportunities that you will love.

Auckland’s parks

Connecting with nature is great for our wellbeing, and with so many beautiful parks across Auckland there is sure to be a local or regional park where you can volunteer.

Join a regular or one-off working bee, a beach clean-up, or help with pest control. Winter is the perfect time of year for planting and extra help is always appreciated in our parks.

There are many ways to help treasure and protect Auckland’s biodiversity and environment. By being one of many hands, you can help make a big and important task a little lighter.

Check out Tiaki Tāmaki Makaurau | Conservation Auckland to learn more about the ways you can support our mission or sign up for a volunteer activity at one of 4000 parks in Auckland with your whānau, friends or work mates.

Auckland Zoo

Are you a people person who loves to help others, or a practical person who’s happy to get stuck into more physical tasks?

Auckland Zoo’s outstanding volunteer programme offers a fun and enriching way to make a positive difference to Zoo visitors, the animals, and the dedicated and passionate kaimahi who care for them.

Get in touch with us to apply for Visitor Assistant, Zoo Guide, Keeper Assistant, and Zoo Crew roles- we’d love to have you join our whānau.

Waste Nothing

Hop on the Zero Waste train and join your local Community Recycling Centres or one of the great waste-focused community organisations doing amazing work across Tāmaki Makaurau.

From saving food from going into the bin to education around illegal dumping, check out Waste Nothing to find the community partners putting in the mahi to make Auckland more sustainable and discover how you can get involved.

Or reach out to your closest Community Recycling Centre to find out how you can lend a hand to repurpose and reuse everyday items and reduce waste.

Getting involved at an Anamata Resource Recovery workshop.

Auckland Response Teams

Join one of three Auckland Response Teams and help support our communities before, during, and after emergencies.

Whether it’s gathering information, assisting with evacuations, providing first aid, or rescuing those in need — you’ll receive the training required to make a real difference when it matters most.

No prior experience needed — just enthusiasm, a good level of fitness, and a commitment to helping others. You must be 18 or older to join.

Find out more about Auckland Response Teams and see if emergency response is right for you.

New Zealand Maritime Museum

Share your passion for Aotearoa New Zealand’s stories of the sea with local and international visitors, guide groups through the galleries, crew our heritage vessels, or craft exquisite replica models for display.

The museum is always accepting volunteer applications, and we’d love to have you onboard. Join us today!

Volunteering Auckland

Have you made it to the end of this article and still haven’t found the perfect volunteer opportunity?

Check out Volunteering Auckland! This amazing non-profit, funded in part by Auckland Council’s Ngā Hapori Momoho / Thriving Communities Grant, connects people with all kinds of volunteering roles.

Whether you’re flying solo or bringing your entire rugby team, there’s a role waiting for you.

MIL OSI New Zealand News –

May 22, 2025
MIL-OSI China: UN recognizes 3 new Chinese sites as globally important agricultural heritage systems

Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

Aerial photo taken on March 14, 2021 shows a farmer working in a pearl-cultivation area in Deqing County of Huzhou City, east China’s Zhejiang Province. [Photo/Xinhua]

Three new sites in China were officially recognized by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) as Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) on Wednesday.

The newly-designated sites are the Deqing Freshwater Pearl Mussels Composite Fishery System in Zhejiang Province, the Fuding White Tea Culture System in Fujian Province, and the Gaolan Shichuan Ancient Pear Orchard System in Gansu Province. With the latest inclusions, China continues to lead globally in the number of GIAHS sites, now totaling 25

The 800-year-old Deqing system, which is focused on shelled pearl mussel cultivation, integrates aquaculture, agriculture, and traditional craftsmanship. It produces pearls, rice, silk, and other goods. This circular system offers valuable global insights into sustainable farming, ecological balance, and rural development, the FAO said.

An aerial drone photo taken on May 7, 2024 shows workers picking tea leaves at a tea garden in Xingcun Town in Wuyishan City, southeast China’s Fujian Province. [Photo/Xinhua]

Meanwhile, the centuries-old Fuding White Tea Culture System combines ecological knowledge with artisanal practices. It integrates tea gardens with forests and crops, preserving 18 varieties of tea trees. In addition to tea, the system also supports more than 120 other agricultural species, contributing to biodiversity and food system resilience.

The Gaolan Shichuan Ancient Pear Orchard System, located along the Yellow River in the arid Loess Plateau, has a 600-year history of dryland agroforestry. It showcases techniques adapted to water scarcity and erosion-prone soils, supporting agrobiodiversity, food security, and rural livelihoods. The system produces over 2 million kg of pears annually, which are used to produce local specialities such as dried pears.

Photo taken on April 13, 2020 shows blooming pear trees in Shichuan Township of Gaolan County, northwest China’s Gansu Province. [Photo/Xinhua]

“Agricultural heritage systems are living examples of harmony between people and nature that have thrived and evolved through generations and have much to teach us as we adapt to an uncertain future,” said Kaveh Zahedi, director of the Office of Climate Change, Biodiversity and Environment at FAO.

Other newly-recognized GIAHS sites beyond China include the shade-grown erva mate system in Parana, Brazil; the metepantle ancestral agricultural system in Tlaxcala, Mexico; and the agricultural systems in jable and volcanic sands on Spain’s Lanzarote Island.

With the latest additions, the FAO’s global agricultural heritage network now comprises 95 systems across 28 countries.

MIL OSI China News –

May 22, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: “All Bets Are Off:” Padilla Blasts Senate Republicans for Going Nuclear on Senate Rules to Revoke California’s Clean Air Act Waivers
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.)

“All Bets Are Off:” Padilla Blasts Senate Republicans for Going Nuclear on Senate Rules to Revoke California’s Clean Air Act Waivers
WATCH: Padilla warns of the dangerous precedent Republicans would set if they ignore Senate Parliamentarian to bypass filibuster

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration and a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, blasted Senate Republicans for their attempt to go nuclear on the Senate rules and overrule the nonpartisan Senate Parliamentarian in order to bypass a filibuster and rescind California’s clean air waivers.

This afternoon’s floor speech was the first of multiple speeches Senator Padilla will deliver if Senate Republicans proceed with their attacks on the public health, air quality, and environment for millions of Americans.

“While it’s not too late to turn back at this moment, I think it’s important for all of my colleagues to know that I will be back here again and again and again throughout this process to make sure that everyone knows what these votes mean not just for the precedent and procedures of the United States Senate, but for the health of my constituents in California. And about the real threat to human life that comes when California is denied the ability to control toxic air and greenhouse gas emissions,” said Senator Padilla.

Padilla spoke on the floor as Senate Republicans prepared to move forward with their cynical attempt to rescind California’s Clean Air Act waivers with a 50-vote threshold under the Congressional Review Act (CRA), bypassing the filibuster and its 60-vote requirement by overruling the Senate Parliamentarian. He called out Republicans’ hypocrisy after they staunchly defended the filibuster in 2022, and cited Majority Leader John Thune’s (R-S.D.) recent comments that overriding the Senate Parliamentarian is “totally akin to killing the filibuster.”

Padilla made clear that “all bets are off” in the next Democratic Administration, where Democrats can go after agency actions they disagree with — from mining permits, to fossil fuel project approvals, to liquified natural gas export licenses, and more — if Republicans set this dangerous precedent. He also highlighted non-rule actions the Trump Administration could try to reverse, including vaccine approvals, broadcast licenses, and merger approvals when they don’t match their political agenda.

Excerpts from Senator Padilla’s remarks, as prepared for delivery, are available below. Video of his remarks is available here.

Key Excerpts:

As I said here yesterday, it’s not just why Republicans are willing to endanger the health of Californians. It’s how they’re doing it.

Republicans are trying to pass these bills to gut California’s Clean Air Act authority on a 50-vote threshold. They are plotting to overturn the Senate Parliamentarian’s decision. Plain and simple.

It’s a total 180-degree reversal from the majority. But in one way, they’re right. No, this isn’t the same as killing the filibuster. This actually goes way, way beyond that. First, they are doing more than going nuclear on the Parliamentarian. They are going nuclear on the Congressional Review Act itself.

Under this logic, the Trump Administration could send an endless stream of non-rule actions to Congress, going back to 1996. … Do we want to spend our days voting on every vaccine approval because Secretary Kennedy decides to send them to Congress?

And what about the next Democratic Administration? All bets are off. … Every agency action that Democrats don’t like — whether it’s a rule or not, and no matter how much time has passed — will be fair game if Republicans go through with this.

By voting to go nuclear on the CRA, they are ignoring the law – not just Senate rules but the text of the law. By voting to overrule the Parliamentarian, they are saying the rules are whatever Republicans say they are. The majority can tell themselves whatever they want. They can twist themselves into pretzels to try and justify their reckless actions. But despite their smoke and mirrors approach to confuse people, we are all going to see it today with our own eyes.

If this happens under a Republican majority, it will be pretty ironic. The party that claims to be the staunch defender of the filibuster threw the rules aside as soon as it was convenient. I have been honest in my views on the filibuster. I think it needs to change overall going forwards. But it was my colleagues on the other side of the aisle who fought so hard to keep it.

We’re in the minority today. But Democrats will be in the majority again one day. We will not forget what happened here. History won’t forget. And Mr. President, California won’t forget what’s at stake today, either. I yield, but I will be back.

Senator Padilla has been outspoken in pushing back against Republican attacks on California’s Clean Air Act waivers. He has spoken on the Senate floor multiple times to sound the alarm on Senate Republicans’ consideration of moving forward with their plan to revoke California’s Clean Air Act waivers. Yesterday, Padilla placed a hold on the four pending Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) nominees until Republicans stop their reckless attempts to overrule the Senate Parliamentarian. Padilla, along with Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) also led Democratic Ranking Members in strongly warning Majority Leader Thune and Majority Whip John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) of the dangerous and irreparable consequences if Senate Republicans overrule the Senate Parliamentarian’s decision on California’s waivers.

Last month, Padilla, Whitehouse, and Schiff welcomed the Senate Parliamentarian’s decision that the waivers are not subject to the CRA. Padilla also joined Whitehouse and Schiff in blasting Trump and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin’s weaponization of the EPA after the Government Accountability Office’s (GAO) similar finding. Padilla and Schiff previously slammed the Trump Administration’s intent to roll back dozens of the EPA’s regulations that protect California’s air and water.

Padilla’s full remarks, as prepared for delivery, are available below.

Mr. President,

Today on the Senate floor, we are expecting to see some outrageous attacks on California and the historic Clean Air Act.

And while it’s not too late to turn back now, I want my colleagues to know: I will be back here again and again to make sure that everyone knows what those votes mean for the health of my constituents, and about the real threat to human life that happens when California is denied the ability to control our toxic air and greenhouse gas emissions.

But before I do, I want Senators and the American people to fully understand what we are about to witness on the Senate floor. Put aside all the procedural back and forth. I’ll get to that in a few minutes. But overall, it’s very simple: Senate Republicans are preparing to vote to overrule the Parliamentarian.

They want to do that in order bypass the filibuster, and gut the Clean Air Act. Now, as I stand here right now, those joint resolutions are subject to Rule 22 and the 60-vote filibuster threshold. They are subject to debate and amendments.

In this moment, they are regular legislation, and are subject to the legislative filibuster. But after the majority is done with their power play, the status of these same bills, maybe later this evening, will be very, very different. All of a sudden they may be subject to expedited procedures! No amendments allowed! Limited debate!

Again, as I said here yesterday, it’s not just why Republicans are willing to endanger the health of Californians. It’s how they’re doing it.

In 1967, the Clean Air Act passed this body under regular order by a vote of 88 to 12. In 1990, the landmark Clean Air Act Amendments passed the Senate 89-11.

But today, Republicans are trying to pass these bills to gut California’s Clean Air Act authority on a 50-vote threshold. They are plotting to overturn the Senate Parliamentarian’s decision. Plain and simple.

Why is that significant? Well, the Majority Leader said it himself at the very start of this Congress, that when it comes to overriding the Parliamentarian: “That’s totally akin to killing the filibuster. We can’t go there. People need to understand that.”

Fast forward to this week, and we’ve heard all sorts of excuses about why, all of a sudden, overturning the Parliamentarian isn’t akin to killing the filibuster. It’s a total 180-degree reversal from the majority. But in one way, they’re right! No, this isn’t the same as killing the filibuster. This actually goes way, way beyond that.

First, they are doing more than going nuclear on the Parliamentarian. They are going nuclear on the Congressional Review Act itself.

It’s true that the Parliamentarian does not make law. Under the Constitution, the House and the Senate set their own procedures, limited by the requirements set in the Constitution.

For the good of order, and a functioning democracy, we have all come to rely on the Parliamentarian to call balls and strikes and set the rules of the road.

But the Congressional Review Act is a law. And it says that all points of order are waived during a CRA resolution. And that’s what we are debating right now. An actual CRA resolution relating to hydrogen fuel.

Now, I oppose this resolution, but at least it is following the law and Senate procedure. But what is about to happen is going to be against the law. And against Senate procedure.

As I understand it, we are going to go nuclear twice. First we are going to go nuclear and overturn the rule on points of order during a CRA. Which is in the law!

Then Republicans plan to go nuclear a second time, to throw out the rulebook and use the CRA against any agency action that an agency submits. No questions asked.

So like I said, this goes way beyond the filibuster. And let’s play this out a bit.

Under this logic, the Trump Administration could send an endless stream of non-rule actions to Congress, going back to 1996, including: vaccine approvals, broadcast licenses, merger approvals, and any number of government decisions that apply to President Trump’s long list of enemies.

All it would take is a minority of 30 Senators to introduce related bills, and the Senate would be bogged down voting on agency grocery lists all day.

Do we want to spend our days voting on every vaccine approval because Secretary Kennedy decides to send them to Congress?

And what about the next Democratic Administration? All bets are off. Mining permits. Fossil fuel project approvals. LNG export licenses or offshore leases. IRS tax policies. Foreign policy. Every Project 2025 or DOGE disruption.

Every agency action that Democrats don’t like — whether it’s a rule or not, and no matter how much time has passed — will be fair game if Republicans go through with this.

So, let’s step back. Republicans are admitting that they don’t have the votes to pass these California resolutions under the Senate Rules that the Parliamentarian says apply — so why not throw out the rule book altogether!

By voting to go nuclear on the CRA, they are ignoring the law – not just Senate rules but the text of the law. By voting to overrule the parliamentarian, they are saying the rules are whatever Republicans say they are.

The majority can tell themselves whatever they want. They can twist themselves into pretzels to try and justify their reckless actions. But despite their smoke and mirrors approach to confuse people, we are all going to see it today with our own eyes.

The majority is going to go nuclear to bypass the filibuster rule and pass a bill – for the first time in Senate history. It has happened for nominations before. It has happened on few procedural questions before. But it has never happened to pass a bill – or three bills. Never.

If this happens under a Republican majority, it will be pretty ironic. The party that claims to be the staunch defender of the filibuster threw the rules aside as soon as it was convenient.

I have been honest in my views on the filibuster. I think it needs to change overall going forwards. But it was my colleagues on the other side of the aisle who fought so hard to keep it.

Well, there is about to be a new precedent in the record, unless we step back at the last minute. And it will stand as a guidepost going forward.

We’re in the minority today. But Democrats will be in the majority again one day. We will not forget what happened here. History won’t forget.

And Mr. President, California won’t forget what’s at stake today, either. I yield, but I will be back.
MIL OSI USA News –
May 22, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: Indonesian military operations spark concerns over displaced indigenous Papuans

By Caleb Fotheringham, RNZ Pacific journalist

A West Papua independence leader says escalating violence is forcing indigenous Papuans to flee their ancestral lands.

It comes as the Indonesian military claims 18 members of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) were killed in an hour-long operation in Intan Jaya on May 14.

In a statement, reported by Kompas, Indonesia’s military claimed its presence was “not to intimidate the people” but to protect them from violence.

“We will not allow the people of Papua to live in fear in their own land,” it said.

Indonesia’s military said it seized firearms, ammunition, bows and arrows. They also took Morning Star flags — used as a symbol for West Papuan independence — and communication equipment.

The United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) interim president Benny Wenda, who lives in exile in the United Kingdom, told RNZ Pacific that seven villages in Ilaga, Puncak Regency in Central Papua were now being attacked.

“The current military escalation in West Papua has now been building for months. Initially targeting Intan Jaya, the Indonesian military have since broadened their attacks into other highlands regencies, including Puncak,” he said.

Women, children forced to leave
Wenda said women and children were being forced to leave their villages because of escalating conflict, often from drone attacks or airstrikes.

ULMWP interim president Benny Wenda . . . “Indonesians look at us as primitive and they look at us as subhuman.” Image: RNZ Pacific/Kelvin Anthony

Earlier this month, ULMWP claimed one civilian and another was seriously injured after being shot at from a helicopter.

Last week, ULMWP shared a video of a group of indigenous Papuans walking through mountains holding an Indonesian flag, which Wenda said was a symbol of surrender.

“They look at us as primitive and they look at us as subhuman,” Wenda said.

He said the increased military presence was driven by resources.

President Prabowo Subianto’s administration has a goal to be able to feed Indonesia’s population without imports as early as 2028.

Video rejects Indnesian plan
A video statement from tribes in Mappi regency in South Papua from about a month ago, translated to English, said they rejected Indonesia’s food project and asked companies to leave.

In the video, about a dozen Papuans stood while one said the clans in the region had existed on customary land for generations and that companies had surveyed land without consent.

“We firmly ask the local government, the regent, Mappi Regency to immediately review the permits and revoke the company’s permits,” the speaker said.

Wenda said the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) had also grown.

But he said many of the TPNPB were using bow and arrows against modern weapons.

“I call them home guard because there’s nowhere to go.”

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

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

May 22, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Murray Slams Secretary Burgum’s Plans to Fire National Park Staff, Sell Off Public Lands, & Slash Funding for Tribes

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray
Murray: “Our public lands are not for sale. Protecting our wilderness, living up to our tribal obligations, keeping our communities safe—it’s just not negotiable. It’s actually a core reason your Department does exist—and these have been places with strong, bipartisan support.”
NEW REPORT: President Trump’s Attacks on National Park Service are Hurting Communities Across Washington State
***WATCH: Senator Murray’s remarks and questioning***
Washington, D.C. — Today, at a Senate Appropriations Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Subcommittee hearing on the fiscal year 2026 budget request for the Department of Interior (DOI), U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, slammed Secretary Doug Burgum’s efforts to fire staff across the Department, sell off our public lands and abandon the National Park Service’s conservation mission, and betray the United States’ obligation to Tribes with devastating proposed funding cuts. Also today, Senator Murray released a new report on how President Trump’s attacks on the National Park Service are hurting communities in Washington state.
In opening comments, Vice Chair Murray said:
“Washington state is home to a number of pristine public lands—people travel from all over the world to experience my state, and Oregon.
“Secretary Burgum, our public lands are not for sale. Protecting our wilderness, living up to our tribal obligations, keeping our communities safe—it’s just not negotiable. It’s actually a core reason your Department does exist—and these have been places with strong, bipartisan support.
“So, I’m really concerned that one of the first things you did was make deep, painful cuts at our national parks, and start talking about our public lands kind of like they are a piggy bank.
“I do not want to tell future generations: ‘See that that river of sludge—it used to be clear, it used to have salmon. See that charred mountainside—it used to be a forest with campgrounds and trails. See that smokestack? That used to be a National Park.’
“I worry because it feels to me like your vision could lead to that with your budget cuts, and mass firings, and reorganization.
“And I’m deeply concerned about the proposed cuts to programs and funding that our Tribes rely on, the mass firing of park rangers—they’re the people who help visitors, they clear trails, they clean the bathrooms, and they respond to emergencies.
“As I watch this and hear from folks, and see what’s happening, on top of gutting bedrock environmental protections, I just don’t see how your Department can execute the law without staff in place.”
[HURRICANE RIDGE REBUILD]
Senator Murray began by her questioning by discussing the rebuild of Hurricane Ridge Day Lodge in Washington State: “I wanted to start by touching briefly on Hurricane Ridge, a place that as you know is very special to people in my home state of Washington and visitors who come from all over the world. I know that you visited Olympic National Park last week—and you saw how scenic it is, and a hint of how brutal the weather can be. It’s called Hurricane Ridge for a reason. The Hurricane Ridge Day Lodge burned down in a tragic fire two years ago. Congress delivered the emergency funding necessary to rebuild it last year. In the execution report that you delivered to the Committee in February—the disaster funding spend plan—you included the money for Olympic National Park, which I understand is for Hurricane Ridge. Do you have any updates on the next steps for that project?”
Secretary Burgum said, “No, but I did have an opportunity with a park superintendent and some of the lead people who actually work at hurricane ridge and thankfully there was not 70 mile-per-hour wind, it was beautiful, sunny, calm, gorgeous. But I got to see the site where the fire had happened and was able to meet with them regarding the plans they have. It looks like a great project.”
“Good, and can you just keep my staff and me updated on that project as it moves forward, it’s really important to all of us,” Senator Murray replied.
[SWEEPING STAFF CUTS AT NATIONAL PARKS]
Senator Murray turned her questioning to the sweeping staffing reductions taking place under Secretary Burgum’s leadership at DOI, “In your short tenure, you have overseen significant staffing reductions—over 10 percent—and reorganization efforts across the Department of the Interior, with I understand more firings to come. The National Park Service has lost 18 percent of its staff. You managed to fire the only plumber at Mount Rainier National Park. There is just nothing efficient about that kind of management. You’ve also decided that what few staff remain at our National Parks will focus solely on visitor services—that really abandons the conservation mission, which no doubt will lead to the degradation of our natural resources and our parks. On May 8th, five former NPS directors—from Republican and Democratic administrations alike—raised really grave concerns about these decisions. They wrote that the National Park Service’s founding statute requires conservation at our parks so they will be ‘unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations.’ We need trail guides and biologists. We need EMTs and geologists. We need snow plow drivers and historians. Mr. Secretary, do you acknowledge that you have a statutory obligation to conserve our national parks? A simple yes or no here please.”
Secretary Burgum responded, “Yes.”
“Well, it just feels to me watching this that you are abandoning that obligation with your staffing cuts. Your job is to carry out the laws that Congress has passed, not as you wish they were written. Let me ask you, how many people do you plan to fire from the National Park Service?” Senator Murray pressed.
“Let me respond by saying I’m going to repeat myself, that there is an opportunity to have more people working in our parks in all the positions that you described, Senator, and to have less people working for the National Park Service. We just have to accept that this math, that if you have a situation where slightly less than 50% of the people actually work in the park, that everything you said, I can increase the number of people in the park but still decrease the number of people on payroll at the National Park Service because we are eliminating overhead back office, IT, and HR roles,” answered Secretary Burgum in part.
Senator Murray pushed back, “It’s huge cuts. The people you’re talking about are actually the support staff, and when you cut support staff, that’s not efficient. How does someone drive a snowplow if you don’t have a staffer that makes sure that the government gets the best deal to buy that snowplow? There is many, many detailed people that you are talking about that actually make sure that the spending is efficient, that the people are efficient. We all know how important staff is, you can’t survive without them. Those are the people that you are letting go. We can’t be efficient if they are not there.”
Secretary Burgum tried to change the subject, “Are you suggesting that the National Park Service today is operating at peak efficiency?”
“I would suggest that I welcome any suggestions to us about how to be efficient, but just mass across-the-board cuts and firing is really going to not increase efficiency at our parks. And that, I think, we all should be very concerned about,” Senator Murray responded, emphasizing that mass firings are not the answer.
“But if the goal is for us to have more people working in the parks, you’re comfortable if I could get to a spot where I have more people working—” Secretary Burgum again avoided the question.
Senator Murray said, “You show me what employees you are leaving behind that don’t support someone that makes sure that they have the equipment that they need that is up to date, it is running. Those kinds of things, you can’t just cut those people and expect people to be out in the national park without somebody who is making sure that their equipment is safe, that their hours are maintained, all the things that it takes to run a place. Our national parks are huge. They take a lot of people to run.”
Secretary Burgum again dodged, failing to state the number of employees he expects to lose at NPS.
Senator Murray then followed up to state: “One thing that I’m really concerned about, and everyone should be, is our national wildland firefighting efforts and countless staff who provide the necessary support there. For example, firefighters put their lives at risk. Without the support they need in many different roles, it just gets more dangerous. Those are the kinds of people I’m extremely concerned about, that without thought or really smart moves, that we are going to be putting our parks at risk.”
[DEVASTATING PROPOSED FUNDING CUTS FOR TRIBES]
Senator Murray then asked about proposed budget cuts at DOI, such as cuts of $617 million from core programs at the Bureau of Indian Affairs, $107 million from the BIA’s law enforcement office, and $187 million—nearly eliminating—funds to build Tribal schools, “You have a role in fulfilling the Federal Government’s trust and treaty responsibilities to our Tribes. I see numerous cuts across the budget that defunds Tribal police, the Bureau of Indian Affairs. How many Tribes have you personally consulted with on your budget request?”
“I’ve been meeting with tribes every week since I’ve been here. I’ve got a deep understanding of our challenges and shortage in law enforcement,” replied Secretary Burgum.
“There’s 574 Tribe—which ones have you consulted or met with?” Senator Murray asked again.
Secretary Burgum said, in part: “I’m happy to provide you a list, but I just recently had the Interior Secretary Tribal Advisory Committee, we had 24 representatives from tribes from across the country actually meeting in my office just a couple weeks ago.”
Senator Murray and Secretary Burgum discussed the funding, and Murray concluded: “I just want to say that my tribes in Washington state are deeply concerned, they’re telling us that these layoffs will eliminate natural resource management, basic social services and they are horrified. So, I hope that in your list you will provide me, that I see some of their names.”
[NEW MURRAY REPORT ON NATIONAL PARK SERVICE]
Also today, Senator Murray released a new report on how the Trump administration’s cuts and planned cuts of National Park staff will reduce access to our public lands, harm Washington state’s gateway communities, jeopardize natural resources, and make National Parks less safe for visitors.
The full report is available HERE and below:
Report: President Trump’s Attacks on National Park Service are Hurting Communities Across Washington State
This report is part of a series detailing the harm President Trump and Elon Musk’s reckless and devastating attacks on the federal workforce are causing on the ground in Washington state. The Trump administration’s mass firings and harmful actions have real consequences for Washington state residents and their communities.
This report focuses on how the Trump administration’s cuts and planned cuts of National Park staff will reduce access to our public lands, harm Washington’s gateway communities, jeopardize natural resources, and make National Parks less safe for visitors.
National Park Service is Critical to Ensuring All Americans Can Safely Visit Our Most Iconic Public Lands This Summer and Beyond
Across the country, National Park Service rangers work hard to keep visitors safe, protect natural resources, and create an inspiring and educational experience for visitors. For over a decade, the National Park Service has had to operate at low staffing levels, despite significant increases in visitation.[1] Yet, under the Trump Administration, the National Park Service has frozen hiring, rescinded seasonal employment offers, pushed employees to resign, and laid off 1,000 permanent employees.[2] The National Park Service has also been ordered to submit a restructuring plan, and the Department of the Interior plans “additional massive layoffs” in the coming months. Without sufficient staff, visitor centers and campgrounds may close, bathrooms will not be properly maintained, emergency response times will drop, and important ranger services from interpretation to providing safety advice will be unavailable.
Layoffs at the National Park Service Will Reduce Access to Washington’s National Parks.
The National Park Service has a significant footprint in Washington, home of the iconic Mount Rainier, Olympic, and North Cascades National Parks, along with historically significant sites across the state—like Fort Vancouver, the Manhattan Project National Historical Park, the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial, and more. At the Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area, Sam Peterson was one of the National Park Service staff fired on February 14, after accepting a promotion to become a park ranger just three months prior.
“Americans aren’t getting what they’ve paid for—they’re not operating under a new budget. The Park Service is supposed to have a park ranger in my position at Lake Roosevelt, so there’s going to be fewer visitors who get important safety messaging, fewer visitors who can have their questions answered, and fewer kids that can go on a field trip led by a ranger. There may be safety impacts during the busy season, if we aren’t able to get out safety messaging as effectively. There’s supposed to be a team of nine interpreters at Lake Roosevelt—now there are only three,” said Peterson.
In response to court orders, the National Park Service offered many fired employees, including Peterson, their positions back.[3]
“I want to return to the Park Service someday, but right now, it doesn’t feel stable for either myself or my family, because we just don’t know what the next couple of months—and certainly the next couple of years—will bring. I turned down my job when it was offered back to me, because I was living in government housing at the time of my termination—I was given 60 days to leave. I signed a new lease and started a new job six hours away just before I was offered my job back. Even though it was tempting to accept my job back, I couldn’t do it,” said Peterson.
Washington state’s outdoor recreation community has a front row seat to the local impacts of cutting staff at the National Park Service. Last year, the Mountaineers—an outdoor recreation group—led 727 trips, activities, and courses in Washington’s National Parks, serving 3,456 students.
“We got word that the only plumber at Mount Rainier National Park was fired. That’s the kind of thing that you don’t see when you’re visiting the parks. But if a wastewater system goes down then they’re going to have to close bathrooms, that’s a public safety issue. You can’t have people visiting our parks if there are no sanitary facilities,” said Betsy Robblee, Conservation and Advocacy Director for the Mountaineers.
“We’re also concerned about campgrounds opening up. There’s a lot of staff that are needed to open campgrounds, whether that’s removing hazardous trees from areas near campsites or opening up and testing the water system. If you don’t have staff to do that, that’s going to either delay or maybe prevent many campsites from opening. Hurricane Ridge, in Olympic National Park, lost one of their road crew members as part of the firing of probationary employees. If you don’t have enough road crew members to clear the road up to Hurricane Ridge, that area just can’t open,” said Robblee.
In addition to the critical work conducted by National Park Service staff, Washington state has a uniquely strong volunteer community. The Washington Trails Association contributes thousands of volunteer hours to critical trail maintenance projects in places like Mount Rainier National Park.
“We have had a decades-long relationship with Mount Rainier, but it’s built on working with National Park Service staff to plan projects so that we can leverage volunteers and bring them to the Park to help steward those places. The fear is that the public side of that public-private partnership is being eroded. We won’t be able to complete our mission to take care of these places without the Park Service being there as our partner,” said Michael DeCramer, Policy and Planning Manager for the Washington Trails Association.
DeCramer is keenly aware of how reduced staffing will impact visitor experience.
“There are just enough people at Mount Rainier National Park in the winter to keep the roads open and if somebody calls out sick, the gate doesn’t open,” said DeCramer, highlighting how vital staff are for providing access to our public lands.
Following public outcry, the National Park Service proposed expanding their hiring of seasonal workers to meet the needs of increased visitation during the high season.
“While that’s great in theory, a lot of parks haven’t been allowed to repost seasonal job postings, so they’re having to use the candidate pool from when the job was posted in October or November of last year. That’s now almost six months ago—a lot of the people who applied have already moved on,” said Peterson.
“Seasonal employees do great work, and they’re absolutely necessary, but you also need stability year-over-year through permanent employees to train those seasonal employees and maintain institutional integrity, especially in the off season. Even though we think of parks as places we go to in the summer, staff are still needed for visitors during the off season and shoulder season. The off season is also when a lot of maintenance and repair work takes place, so that parks are ready for their high season. It’s not efficient to just say, ‘oh, we will fire all of these people and then hire a bunch of part time workers instead,’” said Peterson.
Reduced Park Access Will Hurt Local Economies in Washington’s Gateway Communities
In 2023, outdoor recreation contributed $22.5 billion to Washington’s economy and made up 3.2% of the state’s total jobs.[4] This economic impact is particularly important for gateway communities—those located closest to Washington’s National Parks.
The American Alpine Institute is a mountain climbing school and guide service with 60 employees and a significant presence in Washington state. Executive Director Jason Martin is also a mountain rescue volunteer, a former president of the Bellingham Mountain Rescue Council, and has worked extensively with the American Mountain Guides Association. After the initial round of layoffs, he reached out to people working in the National Park Service to try to understand how the layoffs may impact outdoor recreation.
“Throughout the outdoor industry—which I represent in a couple of different ways: as a commercial operator, as a volunteer rescuer, and as an outdoor recreationalist—in many cases, we just don’t know what’s going on right now. We don’t know who to talk to. We don’t know who to ask about things,” said Martin.
The Mount Rainier Business Alliance is a coalition of local business owners in Ashford, Elbe, Alder, and Mineral, Washington, whose members deeply understand the economic impacts of staffing cuts to the National Park Service.
“In Ashford, which is the main town right outside of Mount Rainier National Park, everything is closely tied to the National Park—from our economy to our safety. So these cuts, while perhaps just seen as being cuts to the National Park, in some ways are really cuts to our community,” said Nickolas Neville, President of the Mount Rainier Business Alliance.
For small business owners near Mount Rainier National Park, reductions in staffing at the National Park Service could make it impossible for them to keep their doors open.
“This whole part of our county relies entirely on the people that decide to make the trip out to Mount Rainier. Making that more difficult, especially with how challenging access to the mountain has been because of lack of staffing—I could see causing businesses to shut down, businesses that are already struggling. I could see it impacting how often we get tourists here renting out properties and short-term rentals. This part of Pierce County is already on life support,” said Cat Larrow, head of the Community Advocacy Committee of the Mount Rainier Business Alliance.
Layoffs at the National Park Service Will Reduce Emergency Services at Washington’s National Parks
In addition to maintaining the parks and educating visitors, park rangers ensure that visitors are safe and serve as first responders when emergencies arise.
“The Golden West Visitor Center at North Cascades National Park on Lake Chelan has struggled to stay open because they just haven’t had the staff they need to operate. That’s a key entry point for the Steven Mather Wilderness and the southern end of North Cascades National Park. My fear is that there’s just no slack at the Park Service. These folks are already doing everything they can. And you’re still going to have people wanting to visit the parks, but services are going to suffer,” said Michael DeCramer, Policy and Planning Manager for the Washington Trails Association.
“If there is a search and rescue operation needed, they might not be able to provide the staff for the level of service that we expect. Things might have to close if there’s a wildfire in the Park. We may not have the staff with the skills needed to respond in the way that we’re used to. And I see a lot of potential risk to the public. Not to be dire, but these cuts will be felt both in terms of loss of services but also decreased safety for the public, because park rangers are first responders,” said DeCramer.
In addition to search and rescue and wildfire response, park rangers provide valuable safety information to visitors to prevent emergencies from happening in the first place.
“Even just the rangers who sit at Artist Point handing out information to people about mountain rescues are important. I’ve done dozens and dozens of rescues in that area, mostly people who have broken bones. But if there’s nobody sitting there to warn someone that they’re actually walking into the wilderness. There’s a lot of concern,” said Jason Martin, the Executive Director of the American Alpine Institute, and a mountain rescue volunteer.
Across Washington’s Parks, decreased staff creates safety concerns for visitors.
“We are a very outdoor engaged state and people just go up to visit the woods constantly. I love that people are engaged, but the Park Service is putting people at risk on any given day by not having enough staff to maintain these parks,” said David Beard, Director of Policy & Government Affairs for the Children & Nature Network.
Layoffs at the National Park Service Will Harm Washington’s Natural Resources for Future Generations
Washington’s National Parks contain some of America’s most precious natural resources and iconic landscapes. When people visit these special places, it often has a lasting impact.
“We all have memories of a visit to our National Parks. My three kids have more than 50 Junior Ranger badges they have earned over the years. Are there going to be people there to raise their hand and swear in the six-year-old to be a Junior Ranger? All those things are likely going to be in question,” said Tom Uniack, Executive Director for Washington Wild.
“If people aren’t able to visit our Parks, or they have negative experiences, then we’re losing out on those amazing connections that people have to the natural world that can change their lives. They develop a stewardship ethic. They want to care for these places, and they want to advocate to protect these places. And looking towards future generations, if this continues, future generations may not get to have the same experiences in these places as we are fortunate to have today,” said Betsy Robblee, Conservation and Advocacy Director for the Mountaineers.
“Washington is a beautiful state. I was born and raised here. My dad was a climber. I really worry that whether it’s the National Park Service or the Forest Service or the Bureau of Land Management, not having the funding and staff to clean bathrooms, keep the gates open, and haul out trash. Garbage piling up can have lasting impacts on wildlife like bears and ravens and mountain lions,” said Jonathan Spitzer, Director of Operations for Alpine Ascents.
As the summer season approaches, cuts to the National Park Service will be acutely felt across Washington state—from small businesses in gateway communities to the safety and quality of visitor experiences in Olympic, North Cascades, and Mount Rainier National Parks. Washingtonians understand that these iconic public lands belong to the public, and that it takes a strong National Park Service to steward them for visitors today and tomorrow.

MIL OSI USA News –

May 22, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Durbin Warns Republicans Against Their Plan To Overrule The Senate Parliamentarian

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin

May 21, 2025

Durbin: “Should my Senate Republican colleagues overrule the Parliamentarian, it will have major long-term impacts for the Senate and the legislative filibuster.”

WASHINGTON – In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today cautioned his Senate Republican colleagues from overruling a decision by the Senate Parliamentarian and the Government Accountability Office (GAO), which would eliminate longstanding guardrails and pave the way for a future Senate majority to overrule the Parliamentarian to achieve its partisan goals.

Last month, the Senate Parliamentarian, after analyzing the GAO’s opinion, ruled that Senate Republicans cannot use the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to overturn a waiver granted to California by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to regulate its own vehicle emissions. Republicans are attempting to block a California law requiring all new cars sold in the State by 2035 to be zero-emission vehicles.

“That’s right—despite claims of being the party of states’ rights, Republicans want to end this state-level regulation in the state of California. And get this: Elon Musk, the un-elected advisor to the President, previously wrote to the EPA in favor of California’s waiver. Now, he has joined the Republican majority to try to gut the rule,” Durbin said. “The Parliamentarian’s decision was not one of party loyalty. It followed decades of precedent showing that California’s Clean Air Act waivers are not subject to the Congressional Review Act. Despite the Parliamentarian’s decision, my Senate Republican colleagues want to override the GAO and the Senate Parliamentarian to advance the fossil-fuel agenda. It’s ‘burn, baby, burn,’ ‘drill, baby, drill.’”

Durbin continued, “Now, I understand that using the CRA might be faster than agency rulemaking or even considering legislation… In fact, President Trump, in his first term, took administrative action to rescind California’s Clean Air Act waivers and could take that path again. But what Republicans are pursuing today is a procedural nuclear option—a dramatic break from Senate precedent with a profound consequence. Let me repeat: Should my Senate Republican colleagues overrule the Senate Parliamentarian, it will have a major long-term impact for the Senate and the legislative filibuster.”

Durbin noted that this move by Senate Republicans is unprecedented—the Senate has never overruled the Parliamentarian regarding the CRA.

“And before, when the tables were turned and the Senate Democrats were in the majority, my Republican colleagues were singing a very different tune about never breaking from the Parliamentarian,” Durbin said. “Leader Thune himself acknowledged in January of this year that overruling the Parliamentarian is ‘totally akin to killing the filibuster. We can’t go there. People need to understand that.’”

Durbin concluded, “If Senate Republicans disregard the Parliamentarian’s decision, they would set a new precedent in the Senate: eliminating longstanding guardrails and paving the way for a future Senate majority to overrule the Parliamentarian to achieve its partisan goals. I caution my Senate Republican colleagues from toeing this line and setting the wrong precedent. And as I’ve said time and time again—there cannot be one set of rules for Republicans of the Senate and another set of rules for the Democrats. I hope my Republican colleagues will heed my warning and make the right choice—the only choice—accept the GAO and the Senate Parliamentarian’s decision.”

Video of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here.

Audio of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here.

Footage of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here for TV Stations.

-30-

MIL OSI USA News –

May 22, 2025

MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Investing in community regeneration

Source: Scottish Government

Projects to unlock economic growth and tackle poverty.

Projects across Scotland will benefit from Scottish Government investment to help regenerate communities and drive economic growth.

More than £21.5 million from two Scottish Government funds will bring 24 disused or derelict sites and buildings into use, creating more than 160 jobs and support nearly 900 training opportunities.

Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes confirmed the 2025-26 allocations from the Regeneration Capital Grant Fund (RCGF) and Vacant and Derelict Land Investment Programme (VDLIP) during a visit to Powderhall in north Edinburgh.

City of Edinburgh Council will receive £1.4 million for remedial works at the former waste disposal site, paving the way for a housing-led regeneration project that will provide 259 homes, including affordable housing.

Other initiatives being supported include:

reviving a slate quarry in Cullipool owned and operated by the Isle of Luing Community Trust
converting a former tram depot in Dundee into a new transport museum
redeveloping a former derelict school into energy efficient housing units in Borrodale on the Isle of Skye
creating film production suites and a training centre at a former glue factory in Glasgow
extending Lochvale House community centre in Dumfries to include a café and soft play area

The announcement coincides with a call for expressions of interest in 2026-27 funding to support regeneration projects in disadvantaged communities. As set out in the 2025 Programme for Government, future Scottish Government support for regeneration projects will be channelled through one national fund – the Regeneration Capital Grant Fund – to streamline the application and delivery process.

The Deputy First Minister said:

“This funding will help to transform derelict sites the length and breadth of Scotland, creating homes, jobs and facilities that drive economic growth, tackle poverty and help support and growing thriving communities.

“This funding forms part of a wider £62.15 million investment by the Scottish Government towards regeneration projects in 2025-26. This will help to revitalise green spaces, town centres and derelict sites to benefit people across Scotland.

“The 2025 Programme for Government stets out our renewed commitment to supporting regeneration projects across the country with one streamlined fund delivering this vision from next year.”

The RCGF is delivered in partnership with COSLA.

COSLA’s Spokesperson for Environment and Economy, Councillor Gail Macgregor, said:

“Today’s announcement sees the return of invaluable tools and resources for local authorities to help deliver on the regeneration aspirations of the communities which they represent.

“The diversity of successful projects on show demonstrates how localised approaches can deliver benefits across the country and showcase the best of partnership between local authorities and our communities to deliver economic and social renewal.

“We look forward to continuing to work with Scottish Government on regeneration in the months to come.”

City of Edinburgh Council’s Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener Lezley Marion Cameron said:

“Our development plans at Powderhall are breathing new life into an excellently located, long unused industrial site, and are set to deliver hundreds of much-needed new homes and work and community spaces too.

“The transformation of Powderhall is already well underway with the restoration of the former stable block, which retains unique heritage features of the site’s former use.

“Regenerating a historic, brownfield site like Powderhall is complex, challenging, and costly therefore I warmly welcome this Scottish Government investment.”

Background

Regeneration Projects supported through the RCGF and VDLIP fund in 2025/2026:

Fund	Organisation	Project	Award
RCGF	Angus Council	Arbroath Courthouse Community Trust	£2,138,985
RCGF	Argyll & Bute Council	Fyne Futures Local Food Production and Training Centre	£250,000
RCGF	Argyll & Bute Council	Isle of Luing Community Owned Slate Quarry	£1,747,936
RCGF	City of Edinburgh Council	Spartans Youth Work and Education Building
RCGF	Clyde Gateway	Baltic Street Play	£850,000
RCGF	Dumfries and Galloway Council	Let’s Get Sporty – Lochvale House	£1,572,370
RCGF	Dundee City Council	Dundee Museum of Transport – A Catalyst for Regeneration of Stobswell	£1,001,430
RCGF	Fife Council	Together Cowdenbeath People’s Centre	£1,000,000
RCGF	Glasgow City Council	SEC Possilpark	£600,000
RCGF	Glasgow City Council	Glue Factory	£398,169
RCGF	Highland Council	Glen Urquhart Public Hall	£602,500
RCGF	Inverclyde Council	Bank St. Community Hub	£515,000
RCGF	South Lanarkshire Council	Cathcart Road Net Zero Industrial Units	£963,000
VDLIP	City of Edinburgh Council	Powderhall Housing-Led Regeneration	£1,400,000
VDLIP	Clyde Gateway	Cuningar Loop Woodland Park Completion	£500,000
VDLIP	Dumfries and Galloway Council	Annan Harbour Regeneration – Phase 1	£1,343,683
VDLIP	Dundee City Council	Placemaking Lochee	£695,000
VDLIP	East Dunbartonshire Council	Lennoxtown Community Greenspace Project	£472,952
VDLIP	Glasgow City Council	Milton Discovery Wood	£655,200
VDLIP	Glasgow City Council	Tureen Street School Conversion	£1,978,441
VDLIP	Highland Council	Borrodale School Renovation Project	£450,000
VDLIP	North Ayrshire Council	Kyle Road Phase 2 Development	£892,990
VDLIP	North Lanarkshire Council	Cumbernauld Village Green-Blue Space	£735,770
VDLIP	Renfrewshire Council	Ferguslie Green Line – Belltrees	£650,436

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

May 22, 2025

MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Brad Sherman welcomes the completion of Metro’s Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) for the Sepulveda Pass Transit Corridor Project

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Brad Sherman (D-CA)

SHERMAN OAKS, CA – Today, Congressman Brad Sherman (CA-32) welcomed the completion of Metro’s Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) for the Sepulveda Pass Transit Corridor Project.

“Providing rail service through the Sepulveda Pass is Metro’s most important infrastructure project and the best way to decrease traffic on the 405 freeway and in L.A. County,” said Congressman Sherman.

Congressman Sherman has been fighting for rail through the Sepulveda Pass since coming to Congress. In 1998, Sherman helped to secure federal funding to study how best to alleviate the extreme congestion through the Sepulveda Pass, inviting the then-U.S. Secretary of Transportation to stand at the top of what is now the Courtyard Marriott Hotel at the 101/405 interchange to see first-hand the critical need for alternative transit options. Congressman Sherman has testified before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee seeking federal funds for mass transit through the Sepulveda Pass, securing $10,000,000 for the project in the 2021 Surface Transportation Bill.

Today’s report provides new details on the five remaining transit alignments (alternative #2 was withdrawn last year) under consideration by the Metro Board, including projections of their relative costs and timetables for construction.

Congressman Sherman has pledged to fight for the significant additional federal funding this critical transportation project will require, regardless of which alternative is selected by the Metro Board.

For the next sixty days, Metro will be soliciting feedback from the community before selecting an alignment in early 2026.

The five alternatives under Metro’s consideration are as follows:

Alternative 1: Automated Monorail – Entirely aerial along the 405.

Preliminary Cost Estimate: $15.4 billion

Preliminary Project Timetable: 12 years

Forecasted Boardings: 64,798 boardings

Travel Time (from Van Nuys Metrolink to E Line): 28 min

Alternative 3: Automated Monorail – Aerial along the 405 with an underground segment between Wilshire and Getty Center.

Preliminary Cost Estimate: $20.8 billion

Preliminary Project Timetable: 14 years

Forecasted Boardings: 86,013 boardings

Travel Time (from Van Nuys Metrolink to E Line): 32 min

Alternative 4: Heavy Rail – Underground south of Ventura Blvd and aerial along Sepulveda Blvd in the San Fernando Valley.

Preliminary Cost Estimate: $20 billion

Preliminary Project Timetable: 14 years

Forecasted Boardings: 120,546 boardings

Travel Time (from Van Nuys Metrolink to E Line): 20 min

Alternative 5: Heavy Rail – Underground along Sepulveda Boulevard with an aerial stretch along the Metrolink tracks in the San Fernando Valley.

Preliminary Cost Estimate: $24.2 billion

Preliminary Project Timetable: 14 years

Forecasted Boardings: 121,624 boardings

Travel Time (from Van Nuys Metrolink to E Line): 19 min

Alternative 6: Heavy Rail – Entirely underground along Van Nuys Blvd in the San Fernando Valley.

Preliminary Cost Estimate: $24.4 Billion

Preliminary Project Timetable: 15 Years

Forecasted Boardings: 107,096 boardings

Travel Time (from Van Nuys Metrolink to E Line): 18 min

###

MIL OSI USA News –

May 22, 2025
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Rural waste workshop coming to Canterbury
Source: PISA results continue to show more to be done for equity in education
Date: 22 May 2025
About the speaker

Trish has over 20 years of national and international teaching experience combined with 15 years of dairy farming. Over the last 10 years, she has completed:

PG Cert in Circular Economy, Business and Innovation,

Diploma in Agribusiness

Kellogg Rural Leader Project on Reducing Farm Waste.

Event details

Trish Rankin – Rural leader and dairy farmer

RSVP: Register via our

online form or email us at events@ecan.govt.nz by Monday 16 June.
Environment Canterbury © 2025
Retrieved: 10:49am, Thu 22 May 2025
ecan.govt.nz/get-involved/news-and-events/2025/rural-waste-workshop-coming-to-canterbury/

MIL OSI New Zealand News –
May 22, 2025
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Stay warmer for cheaper this winter

Source: PISA results continue to show more to be done for equity in education

Date: 22 May 2025

Burn good, dry wood

Good quality, dry wood will get and keep your fire roaring. However, not all woods are equal. Some burn hotter and produce less smoke. Plantation pine, Douglas fir and blue gum are the best locally available timbers, while old man pine can be smoky, and is best suited for kindling or mixed with other woods.

A great way to get your firewood is to buy from one of our Trusted Good Wood Merchants. We audit these Waitaha/Canterbury firewood sellers regularly to ensure they’re selling good, dry wood; moisture testing is part of our audit process. 

Plantation pine, Douglas fir and blue gum are quicker-drying woods.

Check your burning technique

Using good wood burning technique makes a big difference. Many of us were taught to build a fire in a pyramid shape, with kindling on the bottom and big logs on the top. But the upside-down method (also known as the Swiss method), with big logs on the bottom and kindling on top, lasts longer and is more efficient. Check out this step by step guide to learn how to burn better.

A well-maintained burner

If you keep your wood burner well maintained and the flue/chimney clean you will decrease your chances of a smoky chimney. Do not burn treated timber, driftwood or rubbish, as these can clog your chimney and increase pollution in the air. A buildup of chimney soot can also be a fire risk (the kind of fire you don’t want!) and reduce the burner’s efficiency. Check out this handy burner maintenance checklist for more good advice. 

Financial assistance

We know it’s a tough time out there for many people, and, if you meet the criteria, you may be eligible for financial assistance towards the cost of a new heat pump, ultra-low emission burner, or insulation upgrades.

If you have any questions or want to find out more, phone us on 0800 324 636.

Environment Canterbury © 2025
Retrieved: 10:49am, Thu 22 May 2025
ecan.govt.nz/get-involved/news-and-events/2025/stay-warmer-for-cheaper-this-winter/

MIL OSI New Zealand News –

May 22, 2025

MIL-OSI: New Bitcoin–Dogecoin Dual Mining Guide Highlights PBK Miner as a Passive Income Powerhouse

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

Carshalton, UK, May 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — In a market where miners are constantly seeking greater efficiency and returns, a new guide has emerged spotlighting how dual mining of Bitcoin (BTC) and Dogecoin (DOGE) can offer higher hash-rate performance and increased daily earnings—with cloud platform PBK Miner leading the charge.

Cryptocurrency mining, once dominated by DIY hardware setups, is now more accessible than ever thanks to cloud solutions that eliminate complexity and reduce costs. PBK Miner stands at the forefront of this trend.

Why PBK Miner?

PBK Miner is designed for users of all experience levels, offering a streamlined interface and automated cloud infrastructure. Key features include:

✅ Over 100 global mining farms powered by renewable energy
✅ More than 500,000 machines operating across the network
✅ 8+ million users worldwide
✅ Instant $10 sign-up bonus and $0.60 daily check-in rewards
✅ Support for 10+ cryptocurrencies, including BTC, DOGE, ETH, XRP, USDT, BCH, and more

Security & Sustainability

PBK Miner places strong emphasis on:

User security: McAfee® and Cloudflare® protection, 100% uptime, and 24/7 support
Environmental responsibility: Carbon-neutral mining with renewable energy

This commitment to ethical and secure operations enhances long-term viability and investor trust.

Getting Started in 2 Simple Steps

Step 1: Register an Account

Visit pbkminer.com and sign up using just your email. No hardware or software setup is required.

Step 2: Choose a Mining Contract

Pick from a range of investment contracts with varying levels of return:

Contract Name	Investment	Total Return
Experience Contract	$100	$107
Bitcoin Miner S21 Imm	$500	$531.75
Bitcoin Miner S19 XP+ Hyd	$1,000	$1,130
Litecoin Miner L7	$5,000	$7,250
WhatsMiner M63S+	$8,000	$12,960
On-rack Filecoin Miner	$30,000	$55,500

Profits start being credited as soon as the next day. Once your balance reaches $100, you can withdraw or reinvest.

Affiliate Program: Earn Without Investing

PBK Miner also offers a lucrative referral program:

Earn up to $30,000/month by referring new users
No investment required to participate
No cap on referrals — unlimited earning potential

In summary:

If you are looking for ways to increase your passive income, cloud mining is a great option. If used properly, these opportunities can help you grow your cryptocurrency wealth in “autopilot” mode with minimal time investment. At the very least, they should be more time-efficient than any type of active trading. Passive income is the goal of every investor and trader, and with PBK Miner, maximizing your passive income potential is easier than ever.

Learn More

Disclaimer: The information provided in this press release does not constitute an investment solicitation, nor does it constitute investment advice, financial advice, or trading recommendations. Cryptocurrency mining and staking involve risks and the possibility of losing funds. It is strongly recommended that you perform due diligence before investing or trading in cryptocurrencies and securities, including consulting a professional financial advisor.

The MIL Network –

May 22, 2025

MIL-OSI USA: Chairman Capito Opening Statement at Hearing on EPA’s Proposed FY26 Budget with Administrator Zeldin

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Shelley Moore Capito

[embedded content]
To watch Chairman Capito’s opening statement, click here or the image above.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, led a hearing on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2026 with EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin.
In her opening remarks, Chairman Capito applauded Administrator Zeldin for his leadership in returning EPA to its core mission, reversing the federal overreach of the previous administration, and focusing the agency on issues important to West Virginia and the country. Additionally, Chairman Capito highlighted ways EPA’s proposed budget benefits hardworking Americans and areas it can be improved.
Below is the opening statement of Chairman Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) as delivered.
“Welcome to Administrator Zeldin, it is good to see you again. I understand you’ve had several hearings over the past few days, so I know you’ve been busy. I believe you are doing an excellent job in implementing your vision to return the EPA to its core mission of protecting our country’s air, our land, and water, while eliminating wasteful spending.
“To start, I applaud your aggressive efforts to undo the previous administration’s regulatory overreach. Your leadership will put us on the path to energy dominance with sound environmental procedures.
“Your efforts, like rescinding the Biden Clean Power Plan 2.0 rule…that was part of a comprehensive strategy intended to shut down all fossil-fuel electric generation, will unleash our economy and help onshore American jobs.
“President Trump and his team are also putting West Virginia first, by announcing an agency-wide PFAS strategy and providing West Virginia with the authority to permit wells to sequester carbon dioxide. I appreciate the structural changes that you, Administrator Zeldin, are bringing to the EPA.
“Several weeks ago, the EPA announced that it would move more than 130 experts to assist with reviews of new chemicals and pesticides. In 2016, the Congress told the EPA to accelerate the new chemical approval process, but the Agency has done little to comply with that direction. Reviews currently take months, if not years, stifling innovation and leaving companies reliant on outdated chemicals.
“Addressing the pace of this process is crucial to maintaining our competitiveness in a global market, expanding our key industries, and onshoring critical supply chains. I appreciate that you, Administrator Zeldin, are taking into account my previous calls to provide more resources to address this issue.
“This leads us to why we are here today, the EPA’s budget. I first want to thank the Administrator for acting on his pledge to prioritize being a good steward of tax-payer dollars.
“EPA has restored accountability to grant programs enacted through the partisan Inflation Reduction Act. For example, in February, the EPA canceled a $50 million grant made to the Climate Justice Alliance under the IRA’s environmental justice grant program.
“The Climate Justice Alliance is a non-profit organization that I investigated and found explicitly engaged in pro-Hamas, anti-Israel, anti-Semitic, anti-police, and anti-military activities. Some of these activities occurred while they were under consideration for an EPA grant awarded by the last administration.
“The EPA has taken immediate action to investigate and reclaim the $20 billion dollars awarded under the so-called ‘Green Bank’ program in the IRA. This money was rushed out the door before the end of the last administration under unprecedented, and I would say, suspicious terms.
“The EPA’s proposed Fiscal Year 2026 budget shows deep reductions for the agency. Some of these cuts reflect the best interests of hardworking Americans.
“For example, the budget proposes to cut $100 million from environmental justice programs that were added under the Biden Administration and have unnecessarily imposed requirements that are burdensome for small, regulated entities or grant awardees. This is a welcome start and it will reduce regulatory compliance burdens and allow tax dollars to beneficially impact more entities.
“However, there are bipartisan programs that would be impacted if the proposed budget is enacted, programs that have done much to help continuously clean up the air, water, and lands, as well as provide safe drinking water.
“For example, the proposed budget would reduce funding for the Brownfields program and includes an 89% cut to the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds.
“I and many of my colleagues have long been vocal about the importance of federal assistance for water infrastructure through the State Revolving Funds. In 2021, Congress made the largest bipartisan investment in the State Revolving Funds and water infrastructure in our nation’s history, delivering more than $50 billion for drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater programs.
“State revolving funds have helped many West Virginians, and many around the country, get connected with the water access and resources that they need. I hope that we can work together through the Appropriations process, as well as through the committee’s reauthorizations efforts, to make sure that adequate resources remain available to support our water systems.
“I look forward to building to that future with you, Mr. Administrator, over the next several years.”

MIL OSI USA News –

May 22, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: May 21st, 2025 Heinrich, Murray, Klobuchar, Merkley Slam USDA for Evasive Response on Wildfire Mitigation Projects, Workforce Cuts, and Funding Freezes
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for New Mexico Martin Heinrich

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, along with U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Committee; Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry; and U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Ranking Member of the Senate Interior-Environment Appropriations Subcommittee, is once again pressing the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for answers after receiving a deeply inadequate response to a February oversight letter regarding the Department’s unlawful halt of federal funds needed to mitigate and fight wildfires.

In a follow-up letter sent to USDA Deputy Under Secretary Kristin Sleeper, the lawmakers criticized the USDA’s April response for failing to answer the majority of their questions and demanded a comprehensive and transparent accounting of the agency’s actions under the Trump Administration.

“We write to address your recent response to the letter we sent on February 11, 2025, regarding the disbursement of funds for forest management and restoration projects and the universal hiring freeze under the Department of Agriculture. Our letter outlined ten specific questions, of which only two were addressed in your April 10 response,” the senators wrote.

“Your incomplete response left significant questions unanswered concerning which projects, grants, agreements, and staff have been affected by the Trump Administration’s recent actions. Although the Forest Service has lost approximately 5,000 employees through resignation and early retirement since February, we understand that additional reduction-in-force actions are still planned. Questions remain about the Department’s plan to carry out Congressional directives and, most importantly, protect American communities in danger as they face a daunting fire season,” the senators continued.

“Despite our clear and detailed inquiry, the Forest Service has only answered two of our ten questions,” the senators wrote. “This lack of transparency is unacceptable in the face of ongoing threats to public safety, wildfire resilience, and rural economies across the country.”

The senators requested a response to the questions they originally sent to the USDA, which went unanswered by the Department in their correspondence:
1. Please provide a full list of Forest Service programs for which disbursements were or currently are paused, including any paused under Executive Order 14154 or the now rescinded memorandum from the Office of Management and Budget.
1. Please provide a full list of individual projects, including the location and total award amount, for which funds were obligated but disbursements are now paused. Please include projects carried out by Departmental personnel as well as those carried out through grants, contracts, or agreements. If obligated funds have been paused, what is the legal basis for pausing the disbursement of already obligated funds?
1. Did the agency inform non-federal partners affected by the pause before halting their payments? Has the agency communicated with those same partners concerning the status of the affected projects since the pause was initiated? If so, please provide examples of any communications notifying applicants or current participants of the affected programs.
1. 4. What is the status of agency personnel that were hired under funds appropriated by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)? Are those personnel still being paid their salaries? How many of these personnel, if any, have been terminated, furloughed, put on administrative leave, or otherwise notified of future administrative leave?
1. How many Forest Service employees have been terminated, furloughed, put on administrative leave, or otherwise notified of future administrative leave since January 20, 2025? Please provide the job titles and duty stations for each category described above.
1. How many Forest Service employees accepted the deferred resignation offer being offered to federal employees by the Office of Personnel Management? Please provide data broken down by position, grade, and duty station.
1. Does the Department plan to reimburse contractors whose payments are paused but are continuing to act under the terms of their contract with the Department? What is the status of Departmental reviews of these paused projects?
1. Please provide the minimum amount of time the pause on funding could last.
The senators requested additional answers to the following new questions:
1. The spending plan provided by the Forest Service for Fiscal Year 2025 contains no information on agency activity beyond what Congress provided to each mission area. Please provide a thorough spending plan that details the expected changes to each program area for this fiscal year, at least at the level of detail provided in the Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Justification’s “Detail Tables.”
1. Please provide the years-to-date number of acres treated nationwide for hazardous fuels using funds provided through annual appropriations, IIJA, or IRA compared with the 10-year average.
1. Pursuant to existing law, a reduction-in-force plan must avoid undue interruption to the agency’s work. What is the Forest Service’s statutory authority for pursuing a reduction-in-force despite the loss of more than 15 percent of its total employees that has already resulted a significant decrease in the agency’s work?
1. The President’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget recommends moving Wildland Fire Management programs out of the Forest Service. Has the Administration conducted an analysis of how this proposal would impact the Forest Service’s management of National Forest System (NFS) lands, particularly the Forest Service’s efforts to reduce wildfire risk on NFS lands? For this proposal, did the Administration consult States, Tribes, private sector, and the Forest Service employees’ union?
1. If the President’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget, which proposes to cut NFS management funding, were enacted, how many Forest Service recreation sites, ranger stations, facilities, or services would be closed or limited in availability? Has the Forest Service analyzed how the current and additional proposed workforce reductions will impact its ability to maintain safe, sanitary recreation sites?
1. How many Forest Service employees who have left the Forest Service since January 20, 2025 were certified to respond to wildfires? How many Forest Service employees being considered in workforce reduction plans are certified to respond to wildfires?
The senators concluded their letter by underscoring how USDA is required by law to carry out its work as Congress intended, “The Forest Service provides a critical support function for communities across the country, from supporting the nation’s wood products sector to mitigating the threat of catastrophic wildfire. Continuing to carry out this work as Congress prescribed is not only required under the law but essential for our nation’s security.”

Full text of the letter is available here.
MIL OSI USA News –
May 22, 2025

Category: Environment

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“All Bets Are Off:” Padilla Blasts Senate Republicans for Going Nuclear on Senate Rules to Revoke California’s Clean Air Act Waivers

Durbin: “Should my Senate Republican colleagues overrule the Parliamentarian, it will have major long-term impacts for the Senate and the legislative filibuster.”

About the speaker

Event details

Burn good, dry wood

Check your burning technique

A well-maintained burner

Financial assistance