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Category: Fisheries

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hurricane Helene update #10 from Congressman Edwards

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Chuck Edwards (NC-11)

    Dear enewsletter.salutation_for_merging.merge,

    Here’s to hope: 6,586 people have been rescued, evacuated or assisted by search and rescue teams since Hurricane Helene hit, including 39 survivors being rescued on Saturday, October 5, over eight full days into rescue efforts.

    More than 4,000 first responders, national guardsmen, and active-duty military are in Western North Carolina looking for your friends, your family, or if you’re still stranded waiting for help – they’re looking for you. And they won’t stop until every missing person is accounted for.

    I’m sure many of you have heard that there is a second hurricane brewing on the coast of Florida. It is not expected to hit Western North Carolina, but if it maintains it’s intensity as a Category 4 hurricane, it is expected to be catastrophic. I’m here to tell you that we will support Florida in any way we can, but I am also committed to making sure Western North Carolina does not get left behind in place of the newest natural disaster.

    The resources and help I have listed over the last nine days are here to stay.

    Today is update number 10 and includes details on where to find critical health care services including orthopedic care, dialysis treatments, and oxygen tanks, and an updated timeline on power restoration for individuals in the hardest hit areas. More information is to come in the following days.

    As always, please make sure to read everything and share it with your friends and family.

    • Supplying drinkable water remains a top priority for emergency crews.
      • 84 water systems are on a boil advisory.
      • 24 treatment plants have reported having no power and 33 systems are out of water.
        • Water restoration trends continue to move in a positive direction.
    • The Federal Emergency Management Agency has promised 120 truckloads a day of food and water with no specified end date.
      • FEMA has shipped 13 million meals and 13 million liters of water utilizing the $20 billion in funds that I helped to draft and pass for disaster relief just two days before Hurricane Helene hit.
        • Of the shipped food and water, more than 6 million liters of water and 4 million individual meals have already been delivered to Western NC communities.
    • Walmart is hosting activities at the following locations:
      • Hendersonville, NC Store 1242
        • 250 Highlands Square Dr., Hendersonville, NC 28792
          • Portable restrooms
          • Serving hot meals at 12:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. daily
      • Arden, NC Store 1179
        • 60 Airport Rd., Arden, NC 28704
          • Portable restrooms
          • Laundry
          • Showers
          • Wi-fi hotspot and charging stations
        • Buncombe County
          • Buncombe County has begun water distribution at multiple sites. Each will be available daily from 1:00 -7:00 p.m.:
            • Pack Square Park – you MUST bring your own container for this site
              • 80 Court Plz., Asheville, NC 28801
            • William W. Estes Elementary School
              • 275 Overlook Rd., Asheville, NC 28803
            • Sand Hill-Venable Elementary
              • 154 Sand Hill School Rd., Asheville, NC 28806
            • North Windy Ridge Intermediate School
              • 20 Doan Rd., Weaverville, NC 28787
            • Fairview Elementary
              • 1355 Charlotte Hwy., Fairview, NC 28730
          • The following major feeding site is available in Buncombe County, where citizens can access food, water and other basic necessities:
            • Biltmore Baptist Church
              • 35 Clayton Rd., Arden, NC 28704
                • Distribution and bulk pickup for volunteers looking to take bulk loads of supplies to in-need community members
                  • Saturday hours: 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
                • Community drive-thru for anyone in the community needing supplies
                  • Saturday hours: 3:00-6:00 p.m.
            • First Baptist Church – Weaverville
              • 63 N. Main St., Weaverville, NC 28787
                • Hot showers available from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
                • Unlimited clean drinking water is available, bring your own container.
                • Supplies and bottled water.
                • Hot lunch served at 1:30 p.m.
          • Food and drinking water are available from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. daily at the following locations:
            • Asheville Middle School
              • 211 S. French Broad Ave., Asheville, NC 28801
            • Ingles
              • 550 NC-9, Black Mountain, NC 28711
                • This location also has handwashing stations and portable restrooms
            • Linwood Crump Shiloh Community Center
              • 121 Shiloh Rd., Asheville, NC 28803
            • Lucy Herring Elementary
              • 98 Sulphur Springs Rd., Asheville, NC 28806
            • Oakley Elementary School
              • 753 Fairvew Rd., Asheville, NC 28803
        • Haywood County
          • The following locations are providing community members with essential resources such as but not limited to, food, water, cleaning products, baby formula, and pet food, Monday through Fridays:
            • Fines Creek Community Center
              • 190 Fines Creek Rd., Clyde, NC 28721
              • Open every day until 6:00 p.m.
            • Pigeon Community Center
              • 450 Pigeon St., Waynesville, NC 28786
                • Also offering hot meals every day at 2:00 p.m.
                • Daily Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
            • Cruso Community Center
              • 13186 Cruso Rd., Canton, NC 28716
                • Daily Hours: 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
            • First United Methodist Church
              • 566 S. Haywood St., Waynesville, NC 28786
                • Includes shower access.
                • Daily Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
            • Maggie Valley Pavilion
              • 3935 Soco Rd., Maggie Valley, NC 28751
                • Daily Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
            • Woodland Baptist Church
              • 545 Crabtree Rd., Waynesville, NC 28786
                • Daily Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
            • Bethel Elementary School
              • 4700 Old River Rd., Canton, NC 28716
                • Daily Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
            • Jonathan Valley Elementary School
              • 410 Hall Dr., Waynesville, NC 28786
                • Daily Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
                • Monday through Friday
            • St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church – in the Parish Hall
              • 234 Church St., Waynesville, NC 28786
                • Daily Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
                  • Monday to Friday
                • Hot food available from 4:00 p.m. to 7 :00 p.m. daily.
            • St. Barnabas Catholic Church
              • 109 Crescent Hill Rd., Arden, NC 28704
                • Daily Hours: 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
            • Reynolds Baptist Church – Family Life Center
              • 520 Rose Hill Rd., Asheville, NC 28803
                • Daily Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
                • This location also has potable water available to residents who bring their own vessels to fill.
          • The following location offers hot meals daily:
            • Maggie Valley Fire Department
              • 2901 Soco Rd., Maggie Valley, NC 28751
          • The following location offers showers daily from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.:
            • Calvary Baptist Church
              • 2701 Soco Rd., Maggie Valley, NC 28751
        • Henderson County
          • Henderson County has stood up Resource Hub locations for water distribution and other supplies as they become available.
          • Distribution will be taking place daily from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 6 at the following locations:
            • Etowah Elementary: 320 Etowah School Rd., Etowah, NC 28729
            • Rugby Middle School: 3345 Haywood Rd., Hendersonville, NC 28791
            • East Henderson High School: 150 Eagle Pride Dr., East Flat Rock, NC 28726
            • North Henderson High School: 35 Fruitland Rd., Hendersonville, NC 28792
            • Mills River Town Hall: 124 Town Center Dr., Mills River, NC 28759
            • Fletcher Town Hall: 300 Old Cane Creek Rd., Fletcher, NC 28732
          • Each family unit will be provided supplies for one day’s meal and water as available.
          • Individuals are asked to enter the drive-through and remain in your car unless otherwise instructed by volunteers to ensure an efficient process.
        • Jackson County
          • In partnership with the Red Cross, the following is available for citizens of Jackson County:
            • The Boys & Girls Club of the Plateau are providing shelf-stable meals at the following location:
              • 558 Frank Allen Rd., Cashiers, NC 28717
              • Hours of operation to come.
              • The Canada Fire Department is distributing emergency supplies at the following location:
                • 149 Charleys Creek Rd., Tuckasegee, NC 28783
                • Hours of operation to come.
        • Madison County
          • The following locations are offering food, water, and some supply distribution in Madison County:
            • Beech Glen Community Center
              • 2936 Beech Glen Rd., Mars Hill, 28754
              • Daily hours: Unable to locate daily hours at this time.
            • Center Community Center
              • 1300 Grapevine Rd., Marshall, NC 28753
              • Daily hours: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
            • Ebbs Chapel Community Center
              • 281 Laurel Valley Rd., Mars Hill, NC 28754
              • Daily hours: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
            • Enon Baptist Church
              • 174 Ammons Branch Rd., Marshall, NC 28753
              • Open Sunday 12:00-4:00 p.m.
            • Freedom Christian Church
              • 7350 US 25/70 Bypass, Marshall, NC 28753
              • Daily hours: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
              • This location offers additional resources such as hygiene products, blankets, clothes, cleaning supplies, diapers, pet food, etc.
            • Laurel Community Center – also has supplies
              • 4100 NC 212 Hwy., Marshall, NC 28753
              • Daily Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
            • Revere-Rice Community Center
              • 3980 Revere Rd., Marshall, NC 28753
              • Daily hours: 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. (Mon-Sat)
            • Spring Creek Community Center
              • 13075 NC 209 Hwy., Hot Springs, NC 28743
              • Daily hours: 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
              • This location also has additional resources such as pet food, livestock feed and hay.
            • Walnut Community Center – also has supplies
              • 46 School Rd., Marshall, NC 28753
              • Daily hours: Unable to locate daily hours at this time.
            • N.C. Cooperative Extension – Madison County Center
              • 258 Carolina Ln., Marshall, NC 28753
              • Daily hours: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
              • This location is offering drive-thru food distribution only.
        • McDowell County
          • McDowell County has established multiple points of distribution that are open daily from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 4:00-6:00 p.m., depending on supply levels.
          • Distribution takes place daily at the following locations:
            • Former TJ’s Discounts – North Cove
              • 8153 US 221 N., Marion, NC 28752
            • Old Fort Town Hall
              • 38 Catawba Ave., Old Fort, NC 28762
            • New Manna Baptist Church
              • 225 E. Court St., Marion, NC 28752
            • Solid Rock Free Will Baptist Church – Dysartsville 
              • 7860 NC 226 S., Nebo, NC 28761
            • Zion Hill Baptist Church
              • 1036 Zion Hill Rd., Marion, NC 28752
          • Hot meals are also being provided at the following location:
            • Grace Community Church
              • 5182 US 70 W., Marion, NC 28752
                • Lunch is served every day from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
                • Dinner is available from 4:00-5:30 p.m.
          • First Baptist Church of Marion is offering hot showers, air conditioning, and areas to charge devices.
            • Current hours: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 2:00-5:00 p.m., Monday-Saturday.
        • Polk County
          • The following locations are offering food and water distribution for residents in need from 1:00-5:00 p.m.:
            • Mill Spring/Green Creek Community
              • 25 International Blvd., Mill Spring, NC 28756
            • Columbus Community
              • 95 Walker St., Columbus, NC 28722
            • Saluda Community Bus Parking Lot
              • 214 E. Main St., Saluda, NC 28773
            • Tryon Community
              • 301 N. Trade St., Tryon, NC 28782
            • Sunny View
              • 86 Sunny View School Rd., Mill Spring, NC 28756
        • Rutherford County
          • The following locations are open from 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. for citizens to get food and emergency supplies:
            • Thomas Jefferson High School
              • 2527 US-221A Hwy., Mooresboro, NC 28114
            • Florence Baptist Church
              • 201 S. Broadway St., Forest City, NC 28043
            • Rutherford County Health Department
              • 221 Callahan Koon Rd., Spindale, NC 28160
            • Gilkey Church of God
              • 255 Oak Springs Rd., Rutherfordton, NC 28139
            • Parks, Recreation, & Lake Office
              • 658 Memorial Hwy., Lake Lure, NC 28746
            • Lake Lure Baptist Church
              • 6837 US-74 ALT, Lake Lure, NC 28746
            • Ingles at Lake Lure – meals only
              • 276 NC-9, Lake Lure, NC 28746
                • Offers hot meals at 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. and 4:30-6:30 p.m.
                • Also offers showers, restrooms, a mobile health van, a tool trailer, a charging station (please bring your own charging cord), and wi-fi.
            • Father’s Vineyard – also has shower and charging stations
              • 724 Oakland Rd., Spindale, NC 28160
            • Spencer Baptist Church – water distribution only
              • 187 N Oak St., Spindale, NC 28160
            • United Way of Rutherford County – water distribution and charging stations only
              • 668 Withrow Rd., Forest City, NC 28043
            • The Church at Sapphire – through October 10
              • 620 Whitewater Rd., Sapphire, NC 28774
              • Daily hours: 12:00 – 4:00 p.m.
            • Little River Baptist Church – through October 11
              • 51 Little River Church Rd., Penrose, NC 28766
              • Breakfast hours: 8:00-10:00 a.m.
              • Lunch hours: 12:30-2:00 p.m.
              • Dinner hours: 6:00-7:30 p.m.
        • Transylvania County
          • The following locations are providing hot meals to county residents:
            • The Church at Sapphire – through October 10
              • 620 Whitewater Rd., Sapphire, NC 28774
                • Daily hours: 12:00-4:00 p.m.
              • Little River Baptist Church – through October 11
                • 51 Little River Church Rd., Penrose, NC 28766
                  • Breakfast hours: 8:00-10:00 a.m.
                  • Lunch hours: 12:30-2:00 p.m.
                  • Dinner hours: 6:00-7:30 p.m.
              • Cedar Mountain Community Center
                • 10635 Greenville Hwy., Cedar Mountain, NC 28718
                  • Breakfast hours: 9:00-11:00 a.m.
                  • Lunch hours: 12:00-2:00 p.m.
                  • Dinner hours: 4:00-6:00 p.m.
              • Balsam Grove Community Center – daily until power is fully restored
                • 8732 Parkway Rd., Balsam Grove, NC 28708
                  • Daily hours: 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.Resource pick-up locations are listed below by county. As I learn more, I will keep you posted:
          • Bottled water is available daily at local fire departments and 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at Anchor Baptist Church located at:
            • 3232 Hendersonville Hwy., Pisgah Forest, NC 28768
          • Water filling stations can be found at the following locations:
            • City Sports Complex
              • 824 Ecusta Rd., Brevard, NC 28712
              • Daily hours: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
            • Cedar Mountain Outpost
              • 8431 Greenville Hwy., Brevard, NC 28712
              • No posted daily hours.
            • Territory Brevard
              • 43 S. Broad St, Brevard, NC 28712
              • No posted daily hours.
            • DD Bullwinkles
              • 60 E. Main St., Brevard, NC 28712
              • No posted daily hours.
            • First United Methodist Church
              • 325 N. Broad St., Brevard, NC 28712
              • Daily hours: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
            • Pisgah Forest Baptist Church
              • 494 Hendersonville Hwy., Pisgah Forest, NC 28768
              • Daily hours: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
            • Newfound Artisan
              • 22 W. Jordan St., Brevard, NC 28712
              • Through today, October 6.
              • Hours: 12:00-5:00 p.m.
          • Food, water, and other supplies such as hygiene products are being distributed at the following locations:
            • Anchor Baptist Church
              • 3232 Hendersonville Hwy., Pisgah Forest, NC 28768
              • Daily hours: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
            • The Church at Sapphire
              • 620 Whitewater Rd., Sapphire, NC 28774
              • Through October 10.
              • Daily hours: 12:00-4:00 p.m.
        • Yancey County
          • Yancey County has transitioned to one centralized distribution site for water, food and ice located at the following address:
            • Altec
              • 150 Altec Rd., Burnsville, NC 28714
          • Mobile laundry facilities are available in the GO Grocery parking lot located at the following address:
            • 631 W Hwy. 19E Bypass, Burnsville, NC 28714

    • Additionally, the following counties have resources for where to take debris waste.
      • Buncombe
        • Curbside collection will begin Monday for City of Asheville sanitation customers.
          • There will be no recycling pick up until the recycling plant is operational.
          • Residents can use both recycling and trash carts for household waste.
            • The following materials cannot be collected at this time: Mud, construction debris, concrete and other bulky or hazardous items.
          • Debris collection is estimated to start in mid-October.
        • The Town of Black Mountain Public Works Department has secured four 15-yard dumpsters located in two sites for Black Mountain residents to throw away household trash ONLY:
          • Tractor Supply: 125 Old US Hwy. 70 E., Black Mountain, NC 28711
          • Ingles: 550 NC-9, Black Mountain, NC 28711
          • Please Note: Yard waste, bulk item, separate recycling and debris collection are not available at this time. 
        • Waste Pro collection service will resume today, October 7, for regular Monday route customers.
          • Recycling services are currently suspending while repair work is underway at the recycling process facility.
      • Haywood
        • Household waste will be accepted at the Materials Recovery Facility at 247 Recycle Rd., Clyde and at Convenience Centers at Jonathan Creek, Beaverdam, Bethel, Hazelwood, Mauney Cove, Jones Cove and Highway 110.
        • White Oak Landfill has reopened.
      • Henderson
        • Henderson County Transfer Station is open and accepting storm debris with normal fees.
        • Henderson County has begun curbside storm debris removal to county residents as a free service.
          • The county will pick up storm debris for free if it is pushed to the right of way of a property.
        • Storm debris includes tree branches, leaves, logs, building materials, furniture, paint etc.
          • Please be patient.
          • The county will pick up storm debris for free as quickly as possible.
      • Madison
        • The Hot Springs collection center is operating on normal hours for household trash ONLY:
          • Monday: 7:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
          • Wednesday: 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
          • Friday: 7:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
          • Saturday: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
        • Hot Springs trash pickup is returning to Mondays like usual.
          • Please only use this pickup service if you cannot bring it to the collection center yourself.
          • The pickup service is being led by volunteers at this time.
      • Polk
        • The Polk County landfill is open Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. and Saturday 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
          • 322 Landfill Rd., Mill Spring, NC 28756
          • The service fee is waived through October 8.
          • Beginning on October 9, drop off of residential trash will be $10.
        • GFL trash services will continue on the regular schedule. However, certain areas may be inaccessible due to ongoing power outages from Hurricane Helene.
          • Two dumpsters are located on Gibson Street for immediate trash disposal due to road inaccessibility.
      • Transylvania
        • The City of Brevard has resumed regular trash pickup.
      • Yancey
        • The Riverside and East Yancey Recycling Centers were expected to resume operations by yesterday, October 5.
        • No update has been published, but I will keep you posted once I have received confirmation that the facilities have been reopened.

    • The North Carolina State Board of Elections has provided pertinent information and recommendations for voters in the Helene disaster area during the 2024 general election.
      • To review information on voting in the 2024 general election after Hurricane Helene, you can follow this link.
        • The site provides information on absentee voting, how to change your polling location, county board of elections, office closures and more.
        • For any additional questions on voting post-hurricane, please contact your county Board of Elections.
          • Please note: Your county Board of Elections is the best place to get any questions answered.
            • I have been permitted to share the above, nonpartisan information but am prohibited from answering any questions related to the 2024 general election.

    • USPS anticipates continued improvement of mail delivery operations with local recovery efforts, to include power, connectivity, and roads.
    • There are some facilities unable to provide full retail and mail delivery due to road closures and current conditions.
      • No drop shipments will be accepted at any of the locations listed below.
        • The following sites are closed with no retail or delivery:
          • Barnardsville – 28709
          • Cedar Mountain – 28718
          • Hot Springs – 28743
          • Rosman – 28772
          • Swannanoa – 28778
        • The following site is closed with no retail, but delivery is being attempted where it is safe to do so:
          • Newland – 28657
        • The following sites are closed with alternative facilities listed:
          • Alexander – 28701
          • Alternative location: 270 N. Main St., Weaverville, NC 28787
            • Daily hours M-F: 8:45 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
            • Open Saturdays: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
          • Bat Cave – 28710
            • Alternative location: 1800 Four Season Blvd., Ste. 11, Hendersonville, NC 28739
              • Daily hours M-F: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
              • Open Saturdays: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
          • Chimney Rock – 28720
            • Alternative location: 2432 Memorial Hwy., Lake Lure, NC 28746
            • Daily hours M-F: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., closed 12:00-1:00 p.m.
          • Edneyville – 28727
            • Alternative location: 1800 Four Seasons Blvd., Ste. 11, Hendersonville, NC 28739
              • Daily hours M-F: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
              • Open Saturdays: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
          • Gerton – 28735
            • Alternative location: 1352 Charlotte Hwy., Fairview, NC 28730
              • Daily Hours M-F: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
              • Open Saturdays: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
          • Green Mountain – 28740
            • Alternative location: 670 W. Main St., Burnsville, NC 28714
            • Daily hours M-F: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
            • Open Saturdays: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
          • Marshall – 28753
            • Alternative Location: 270 N. Main St., Weaverville, NC 28787
              • Daily hours M-F: 8:45 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
              • Open Saturdays: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
          • Micaville – 28755
            • Alternative location: 670 W. Main St., Burnsville, NC 28714
              • Daily hours M-F: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
              • Open Saturdays: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
          • Montreat – 28757
            • Alternative location: 2 Tucker Rd., Ridgecrest, NC 28770
              • Daily hours M-F: 12:30-4:30 p.m.
          • Penland – 28765
            • Alternative location: 899 Oak Ave., Spruce Pine, NC 28777
              • Daily hours M-F: 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
              • Open Saturdays: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
        • All remaining locations are attempting delivery where it is safe to do so.
        • Due to internet outages and connectivity issues, the following sites are providing retail services with cash only, PO Box only:
          • Dana – 28724
          • Enka – 28728
          • Flat Rock – 28731
          • Hendersonville MPO – 28739
          • Lake Lure (OIC) – 28746
          • Little Switzerland – 28749
          • Mountain Home – 28758
          • Naples – 28760
          • Pisgah Forest – 28768
          • Ridgecrest – 28770
          • Skyland – 28776
          • Zirconia – 28790
          • Bostic – 28018
      • Multiple United Parcel Service (UPS) sites continue to be affected by power, flooding, and downed trees/power and lines/storm related obstacles.
        • The Hendersonville and Asheville UPS buildings in North Carolina are currently operational and are being powered by portable generators.
        • Delivery of packages in these areas is increasing as road conditions improve daily.

    • The Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response under the Department of Health and Human Services has activated the Emergency Prescription Assistance Program (EPAP) for North Carolinians as of Friday, October 4.
      • The EPAP program helps uninsured residents replace prescription medication or certain medical equipment lost or damaged during Hurricane Helene.
      • Through the program, uninsured residents can:
        • Request a free 30-day supply of certain prescription medications at any EPAP-participating pharmacy which can be renewed every 30 days while the EPAP is active.
        • Replace certain medical equipment and supplies such as canes, crutches, walkers, wheelchairs, blood sugar meters and blood sugar test strips for diabetics.
          • Uninsured North Carolina residents affected by the recent hurricane can call the EPAP hotline, 855-793-7470, or visit the EPAP website to check their eligibility, determine if their medications or medical equipment are covered, or locate a participating pharmacy.
      • Prescription Pad is open from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and filling prescriptions for Yancey County residents at the following location:
        • 730 E. Main St., Burnsville, NC 28714
    • For individuals able to safely travel to fill a prescription, CVS at the following locations are actively open as of October 2:
      • 324 Long Shoals Rd., Arden, NC 28704
      • 505 Smokey Park Hwy., Asheville, NC 28806
      • 371 Asheville Hwy., Brevard, NC 28712
      • 3450 Hendersonville Rd., Fletcher, NC 28732
      • 1605 Four Seasons Blvd., Hendersonville, NC 28792
      • 2001 Spartanburg Hwy., Hendersonville, NC 28792
      • 111 S Main St., Rutherfordton, NC 28139
      • 773 Russ Ave., Waynesville, NC 28786
    • You can also use this link to locate non-CVS pharmacy locations open to the public by county.
    • How to Acquire a Prescription:
      • If a store is closed, you can still call the number and the pharmacy’s phone lines have been rerouted to a nearby CVS Pharmacy that is open to help patients access their prescriptions.
      • Patients can visit any CVS Pharmacy for assistance with immediate prescription needs.

    • There is a field hospital with physicians, nurses and paramedics who can treat patients at the Burnsville Fire Department. The address is as follows:
      • 305 Pineola St., Burnsville, NC 28714
    • The following urgent cares are open and accessible for community members with non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries:
      • Locations open between 8:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.:
        • Mercy Urgent Care Weaverville
          • 61 Weaver Blvd., Weaverville, NC 28787
        • Mercy Urgent Care West Asheville
          • 1201 Patton Ave., Asheville, NC 28806
        • Mercy Urgent Care Waynesville
          • 120 Frazier St., Ste. 6, Waynesville, NC 28786
      • Locations open between 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.:
        • Mercy Urgent Care Brevard
          • 22 Trust Ln., Brevard, NC 28712
      • Locations open between 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.:
        • Mercy Urgent Care Columbus
          • 140 West Mills St., Columbus, NC 28722
      • Locations open between 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.:
        • Mobile Urgent Care Clinic
          • 12 Florida Ave., Black Mountain, NC 28711
        • Mental Health & Basic Medical Support Center
          • 130 Montreat Rd., Black Mountain, NC 28711
        • Pardee Urgent Care
          • 45 Hendersonville Hwy., Ste. A, Pisgah Forest, NC 28768
      • Locations open from 12:00-5:00 p.m.
        • Hot Springs Elementary School – Art Room (mental health services only)
        • 63 N. Serpentine Ave., Hot Springs, NC 28743
      • The following emergency orthopedic offices are open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily:
        • 800 Fleming St., Hendersonville, NC 28791
        • 2585 Hendersonville Rd., Arden, NC 28704
        • 9 Haywood Office Park, Ste. 102 and 103, Waynesville, NC 28785
        • Please Note: Emergency orthopedic phone services are down so patients will be seen on a walk-in basis without appointment.

    • The following location is open and available for dialysis treatments in NC-11:
      • Pardee Hospital
        • 800 N. Justice St., Hendersonville, NC 28791
          • This location can dialyze 30 patients a day.
        • DaVita Kidney Care nurses are reaching out to their patients to coordinate treatment, but the following DaVita locations are available:
          • DaVita Greer South Dialysis
            • 3254 Brushy Greek Rd., Greer, SC 29650
            • Contact Number: (864) 801-2065
          • DaVita Saluda River Dialysis
            • 8080 Augusta Rd., Piedmont, SC 29673
            • Contact Number: (833) 378-2702
          • DaVita Wofford at Home
            • 8024 White Ave., Spartanburg, SC 29303
            • Contact Number: (864) 583-4788
          • DaVita Boiling Springs Dialysis
            • 196 Sloane Garden Rd., Boiling Springs, SC 29316
            • Contact Number: (833) 458-4809

    • Hendersonville High School
      • 1 Bearcat Blvd., Hendersonville, NC 28791
        • Must be assessed through Pardee Hospital.
      • Lincare is only serving established patients.
        • Patients must bring in empty tanks to one of the following locations:
          • Asheville Lincare
            • 103 Elk Park Dr., Asheville, NC 28804
            • Fax number: (866) 234-6698
          • Greenville Lincare
            • 355 Woodruff Rd., Ste. 204 and 205, Greenville, SC 29607
            • Fax Number: (864) 288-0339
      • The following locations are available for oxygen refills, but patients must bring their own oxygen equipment – fire departments are available 24/7:
        • Boiling Springs Fire Department
          • 186 Rainbow Lake Rd., Boiling Springs, SC 29316
        • Reidville Fire Department
          • 7450 Reidville Rd., Woodruff, SC 29388
        • Inman City Fire Department
          • 6 Humphrey St., Inman, SC 29349
        • First Presbyterian Church
          • 393 E. Main St., Spartanburg, SC 29302
          • Daily hours: 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
        • Greer Relief Indigo Hope Neighborhood Impact Center
          • 113C Berry Ave., Greer, SC 29651
          • Daily hours: 2:00-5:00 p.m.
        • Croft Fire Department
          • 370 Cedar Springs Rd., Spartanburg, SC 29302
        • Arkwright Fire Department
          • 1070 Southport Rd., Spartanburg, SC 29306
        • Roebuck Fire Department
          • 2639 Stone Station Rd., Roebuck, SC 29376
        • North Spartanburg Fire Department
          • 8767 Asheville Hwy., Spartanburg, SC 29316

    • Legionnaires, Sons of the American Legion members and Legion Posts that have been displaced from their primary residence due to damage sustained during Hurricane Helene may be eligible for financial assistance through the American Legion.
      • Legionnaires and Sons of the American Legion members may be eligible for up to $3,000.
      • Legion Posts may be eligible for up to $10,000.
        • To learn more or to request assistance, please use this link.
        • Applications must be submitted within 90 days of the disaster: Dec. 26, 2024.
    • The Charles George VA Medical Center in Asheville and Master Sergeant Jerry K. Crump VA Clinic in Forest City are open for essential and emergency services.
      • Veterans can:
        • Visit the Asheville VA Hospital pharmacy for medication refills or:
        • Call the Regional Clinical Contact Center at (855) 679-0074 and press 1 for pharmacy representatives.
      • Local pharmacies in the VA’s community care network will also fill written prescriptions, or prescriptions as they appear on an active VA prescription bottle that is not older than six months and has available refills, to provide a 30-day supply.
    • Hickory and Franklin outpatient VA clinics are now operating regularly.
      • Due to the damage and personal losses caused by Hurricane Helene to the staff of the VA, it will take some time to bring staffing to full capacity.
      • Please be patient as the VA works to rebuild their workforce.

    • The United States Department of Agriculture is beginning to put together a list of resources for farmers and other agricultural industry members.
      • If your agricultural operation has been impacted by Hurricane Helene, you can review this link, farmers.gov, for emergency and disaster assistance programs.

    • About 117,000 customers remain without power in Western North Carolina.
      • Customers whose properties are inaccessible or not able to receive power may be without electricity for an extended period of time as Duke Energy works to rebuild critical infrastructure.
    • Restoration of service for all other customers in the heavily impacted areas is anticipated within a week, by Sunday, October 13.
      • Crews are working around the clock to restore power as quickly as possible.
    • As work on substations conclude, Duke Energy is moving personnel to work on the power grid’s thousands of miles of lines and poles that serve individual homes and businesses.
      • This work can feel slower because the same amount of work restores fewer customers.
    • For more information on Duke Energy’s power restoration efforts, you can review the following links:

    • A “DO NOT DRIVE” message remains in place from the North Carolina Department of Transportation for most of Western North Carolina.
      • Unless it is an emergency, please do not travel to the hardest hit communities.
      • Cherokee, Graham, Clay and Swain counties ARE FULLY OPEN to people who can access them through safe routes.
        • Please DO NOT try to visit or travel through the areas hardest hit by the storm such as Henderson and Buncombe counties.
    • USDOT approved an initial $100 million in Emergency Repair funds to NCDOT.
      • Damage to our mountain roads exceeds $100 million but USDOT’s investment is a significant and most welcome start.
    • A total of 2,050 DOT employees are working to restore and repair road access in WNC.
      • NCDOT also has:
        • DOT also has:
          • 1,100 pieces of heavy equipment for debris clearance and road repairs in affected areas, including dump trucks, backhoes, loaders, graders, etc.
          • More than 50 personnel from neighboring states on the ground providing assistance.
    • NCDOT is reporting about 650 road closures, 106 of which are to primary routes.
      • Now that communications have been largely restored, NCDOT has a more comprehensive picture of debris blocking roadways, road damage, and necessary repairs in our mountains.
      • At least 100 bridges are irreparable and will require replacement.
    • All roadways in Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Caldwell, and Wilkes counties are accessible, although some are requiring four-wheel drive.
      • While none of the above-listed counties are in NC-11, they are a welcome sign of what’s to come.
    • Progress has been made on NCDOT and Tennessee DOT’s plans for reconstruction of I-40 in the Pigeon River Gorge.
      • Bids for stabilization of the westbound lanes of I-40 where the eastbound lanes no longer exist will be opening today, October 7.
      • A contract will be awarded shortly after the bid closes.
      • NCDOT is working to expedite the necessary repairs to restore mobility to the area as soon as possible.
    • Air traffic has sustained at 300 percent above pre-hurricane levels in Western NC.
      • NCDOT’s aviation division continue to work to make sure flight operations are safe coming into and out of airports, including by:
        • Scheduling landing/unloading times and aircraft parking so aircraft are spaced out and to reduce the risk of incidents.
        • Establishing a first of its kind “corridors in the sky” to separate civilian and military aircraft in the air.
        • Having search and rescue partners use short, time and location specific restrictions on air operations to enhance safety when multiple helicopters are engaged in search and rescue efforts.
      • The state of North Carolina is NOT turning away civil aviation support so long as it has been coordinated through the proper channels with NC Emergency Management.
        • If you or someone you know is interested in providing civil aviation support and don’t know where to coordinate your efforts, please call my office and we will help you get in touch with the right folks.
    • NCDOT has launched a detour map to show motorists how to get around closures on I-26 and I-40 at the Tennessee border.
      • You can access the map here.

    • Internet providers are working with local energy and cell providers to restore service for customers across Western North Carolina.
      • Restoration timelines are not available at this time.
    • Internet providers including Optimum and Spectrum are working around the clock to restore service for customers. However, part of the network’s infrastructure was destroyed by mudslides and collapsed bridges making restoration a lengthy process.
      • As a result, some impacted areas will require a rebuild of the network from scratch.
    • To mitigate the lack of service, Optimum, formerly Altice USA, has set up an Optimum Wi-Fi Trailer that is open from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the following locations:
      • 717 S. Grove St., Hendersonville, NC 28792
      • 1800 Four Seasons Blvd., Hendersonville, NC 28792
    • The following locations are offering free public wi-fi:
      • First Baptist Church – Weaverville
        • 63 N. Main St, Weaverville, NC 28787
      • Downtown Franklin
        • The Town of Franklin has free wi-fi on the town hill area in downtown.
      • Transylvania County Library – 24/7
        • 212 S. Gaston St., Brevard, NC 28712
      • Newfound Artison through today, October 6
        • High-speed internet and charging outlets
        • Available 12:00-5:00 p.m.
      • The Yard Brevard
        • 284 Railroad Ave., Brevard, NC 28712
      • Brevard Visitor Center
        • 175 E. Main St., Brevard, NC 28712
        • Available daily from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

    • Communications in the region are improving rapidly.
      • Cell service providers reported significant gains in service coverage on Sunday, October 6.
      • Roughly 80 percent of access to cell service has been restored in Western North Carolina.
      • More than 100 temporary network assets have been deployed across all service providers in NC-11 to assist with service quality.
    • Cell service providers have implemented disaster roaming for any phone located in Western North Carolina to maximize phone service for all users.
      • Disaster roaming allows users to connect to any mobile network during a disaster when other networks are down.
        • This allows users to access emergency services, such as 911, even when their own network is out.
      • If you have service one moment, but experience a reduction in service the next, try restarting your phone to jumpstart disaster roaming again.
    • UpCycle Tech in Transylvania County is offering free computers and phones for use at the following location:
      • 470 Asheville Hwy., Brevard, NC 28712
    • AT&T has deployed its Mobile Connectivity Center to the following location:
      • Sam’s Club: 645 Patton Ave., Asheville, NC 28806
        • The Mobile Connectivity Center is an air-conditioned mobile unit open to the public, equipped with laptops, charging stations and wi-fi.
        • The public can use the center for various needs including contacting your insurance company, filling out paperwork or connecting with loved ones.
    • Verizon has deployed Wireless Emergency Communication Centers to help hurricane survivors stay connected to their friends, family and other important contacts.
      • Wireless Emergency Communication Centers are generator-powered mobile units that have device charging and computer workstations, along with wireless phones, tablets, and other devices available for use.
      • Verizon’s Wireless Emergency Communication Centers have been set up at the following locations:
        • A-B Technical Community College
          • 340 Victoria Rd., Asheville, NC 28801
        • Asheville YMCA
          • 30 Woodfin St., Asheville, NC 28801
        • Family Justice Center
          • 35 Woodfin St., Asheville, NC 28801
        • Groce United Methodist Church
          • 954 Tunnel Rd., Asheville, NC 28805
      • Verizon also has charging stations at the following locations:
        • YMCA of Western North Carolina
          • 348 Grace Corpening Dr., Marion, NC 28752
            • Two charging stations at this location
        • WNC Agricultural Center
          • 761 Boylston Hwy., Fletcher, NC 28732
            • Three charging stations at this location
        • A-B Technical Community College
          • 340 Victoria Rd., Asheville, NC 28801
          • One charging station at this location
    • T-Mobile has set up satellite cellular on light trucks (SatCOLTs), providing cellular voice and data along with wi-fi and charging stations at the following locations:
      • Asheville Middle School
        • 211 S. French Broad Ave., Asheville, NC 28801
      • Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center
        • 285 Livingston St., Asheville, NC 28801
      • First Baptist Church
        • 130 Montreat Rd., Black Mountain, NC 28711
    • Additional T-Mobile satellite cell on trucks are located in Hendersonville and at a Tractor Supply Co. in Asheville, with others planned for Mission Hospital in Asheville, Cherokee County Emergency Operations Center in Murphy, and in Cherokee.

    • Almost 1,800 North Carolina National Guard soldiers and airmen have been deployed to provide support to Western North Carolina so far.
      • The total number of deployed guardsmen will continue to increase over the coming days.
    • The National Guard has more than 700 vehicles and 50 helicopters from six states and two active-duty units in Western NC for rescue and recovery, debris clearing, and other missions.
      • So far, the National Guard has:
        • Delivered more than 2,614 tons of commodities to affected areas
        • Cleared 1,052 obstacles
        • Rescued nearly 1,000 individuals
    • The Guard’s key tasks continue to be search and rescue of impacted civilian personnel, followed by:
      • Delivery of essential relief supplies to points of need
      • Clearing of routes to gain access to isolated communities
    • Although airspace is limited due to ongoing missions by the National Guard and Department of Defense, a process has been established for private pilots seeking to fly in humanitarian relief to coordinate with local authorities.
      • If you are looking to fly in resources and don’t know where to turn, call my office and we will get you in contact with the right coordinators.
    • On October 2, the Secretary of Defense authorized the movement of up to 1,000 active-duty soldiers, including soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division from Ft. Liberty (formerly Ft. Bragg).
      • Nearly all 1,000 of the authorized active-duty soldiers have been mobilized to support the residents and affect counties devastated by Hurricane Helene in Western NC.
      • These soldiers are providing additional manpower and logistics capabilities to reach the hardest hit areas as quickly as possible.
    • In addition to the 1,000 previously authorized soldiers, another 500 troops with advanced technological assets were approved for deployment to Western NC to provide greater situational awareness on the ground.
      • These troops are not yet in NC-11, but coordination is taking place for rapid deployment over the coming days.
      • The Department of Defense has also committed 22 helicopters to assist with search and rescue operations.
    • Here are a few key phone numbers from the NCNG:
      • HOTLINE: 888-892-1162
      • Emergency management watch: 919-733-3300
      • Donated goods: 919-825-2474
        • These lines have very high call volumes. If you do not get through the first try, keep calling.

    • Asheville Regional Airport closed mid-day on Friday, September 27, due to risk of flooding.
    • Commercial flights at Asheville Regional Airport have resumed.
    • If you parked your car in an Asheville Regional Airport lot and could not retrieve the vehicle due to the storm, great news – none of the airport’s lots flooded and all cars are fine.
      • Stay safe and pick up your car when you are able.
    • PLEASE NOTE:
      • No general aviation pilots are allowed to land at Asheville Regional Airport without prior clearance from FEMA to ensure the safety of aircraft and personnel.
        • Supply deliveries by civilian pilots ARE permitted to land at Asheville Regional Airport so long as they have prior clearance from FEMA.
        • FEMA is not turning away any pilot that has gone through the proper channels to coordinate delivery and ensure the safety of his fellow aircraft and personnel.

    Federal Nutrition Programs

      • SNAP
        • North Carolina was granted a waiver for the 10-day reporting requirement for the replacement of food purchased with SNAP benefits lost because of the hurricane.
        • This waiver provides additional time beyond the standard 10-day time frame for households to report food losses and receive replacement benefits for food that was destroyed and previously purchased with SNAP benefits.
      • Child Nutrition
        • The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction was approved for a waiver pertaining to the child nutrition programs.
          • Under the waiver approval, NCDPI’s local program operators may:
            • Serve meals in a non-congregate setting
            • Adjust the time of meal service
            • Allow parent pick-up
            • Allow service of meals at school sites
      • Food and Nutrition Services Program
        • People and families in North Carolina who are enrolled in the Food and Nutrition Services program can now use their EBT card to purchase hot food.
          • This flexibility will remain in effect until November 3.
      • Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, & Children (WIC)
        • Families participating in WIC who may have relocated to a new area can go to any NC WIC agency to:
          • Have a new eWIC card issued
          • Request replacement breastfeeding supplies or breast pumps
          • Request replacement food that was purchased with current WIC benefits and lost due to Hurricane Helene

    • If you own a medical practice in NC-11 and are experiencing financial hardship due to Hurricane Helene, the North Carolina Medical Society will be reactivating its Financial Recovery Program (FRP) to help you recover and open your doors again.
      • The FRP will be back online to provide much needed assistance soon.
      • More information to follow.
    • The Department of Health and Human Services through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has made available:
      • Accelerated payments to Medicare Part A providers affected by Hurricane Helene
      • Advance payments to Medicare Part B suppliers affected by Hurricane Helene

    • For county leaders: This is a reminder to make sure your Emergency Operation Center has submitted the request for gasoline, food, water, cell service deployables, etc. with North Carolina Emergency Management to have your request processed and resources delivered.
      • My office stands ready to assist with checking the status of your request if the county or municipality has not heard back from NC Emergency Management within 24 hours.

    North Carolina received a Major Disaster Declaration for the following counties: Buncombe, Clay, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Polk, Rutherford, Swain, Transylvania and Yancey counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

    People with damage to their homes or personal property who live in one of the above-listed counties should apply for Individual Assistance through FEMA, which may include upfront funds to help with essential items like food, water, baby formula and other emergency supplies.

    • Funds may also be available to repair storm-related damage to homes and personal property, as well as assistance to find a temporary place to stay.

    Individual Assistance provides financial aid and services to eligible individuals and households that have been affected by a disaster to assist with the recovery process. Individuals can officially begin applying for Individual Assistance online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, or by calling the application phone number at 1-800-621-3362 (TTY: 800-462-7585) between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. EST.

    • To date, FEMA has paid out more than $30 million in housing and other types of assistance and more than 96,000 Western North Carolinians have registered for Individual Assistance.

    • Residents trying to connect with family members may call NC 211 (or 1-888-892-1162 if calling from out-of-state) to report missing loved ones or request a welfare check.
    • People in the impacted areas can indicate that they are safe by reporting themselves safe through Red Cross Reunification by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
      • Please only use 911 for life-threatening emergencies so the lines remain open for critical situations.
    • If you are still trying to locate a friend or family member, please complete this form to notify local officials of their missing status.
      • The form was created by Buncombe County but information is being shared amongst all counties.
      • Regardless of which county your loved one was last known to be in, you can still submit the form.
        • Buncombe County will share the information with the appropriate officials to initiate search and rescue efforts.
      • United Way is also fielding missing person/welfare check requests.
        • Text PERSON to 40403 to add a loved one to search and rescue efforts or fill out this form.

    For information on the status of utilities, debris sites, etc., we want to share the following resources. As communications are restored and more information becomes available, these sites will continue to be updated.

      • Filing FEMA claims and appeals (a process which can be overwhelmingly bureaucratic and burdensome)
      • Replacement of lost or destroyed legal and government documents, including driver’s licenses and identification cards
      • Medical and insurance claims
      • Home repair contracts
      • Utility disputes related to restoration of services
      • Consumer protection issues like construction fraud, price-gouging on repairs and identity theft
      • Housing issues such as unlawful eviction and foreclosures
      • Bankruptcy
      • Probate and clearing title for survivors living in generational homes without a clear title
      • Family law cases and children in need of services (unfortunately, domestic violence tends to rise following a natural disaster)
    • If you need civil legal assistance, please contact Legal Aid of North Carolina via the following toll-free hotline:
      • (866) 219-LANC or (866) 219-5262
        • The hotline is available from:
          • 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Monday through Friday; and 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Monday and Thursdays.
        • Constituents can also apply online at legalaidnc.org/get-help/ between 1:00-4:30 p.m., Monday – Friday.

      • IRS has extended various filing deadlines for taxpayers in impacted areas, including 2024 individual/business returns, certain quarterly estimated income tax payments, and certain payroll/excise taxes.
      • Tax relief for qualified payments, disaster-related losses:
        • IRS released provided guidance to taxpayers on how to address disaster-related losses in their 2024 tax return, as well as providing guidance on how qualified disaster relief payments – like government assistance payments – are generally excluded from gross income.

    • For those unable to evacuate to a safe location or in need of a place to go, the following shelters are currently open and available as of October 5:
      • Buncombe
        • A-B Technical Community College
          • 340 Victoria Rd., Asheville, NC 28801
        • Gold’s Gym
          • 801 Fairview Rd, Asheville, NC 28803
        • WNC Agricultural Center
          • 1301 Fanning Bridge Rd., Fletcher, NC 28732
      • Haywood
        • Haywood County Government Armory
          • 285 Armory Dr., Clyde, NC 28781
      • Henderson
        • Edneyville Elementary School
          • 2875 Pace Rd., Hendersonville, NC 28792
        • Henderson County Recreation Center
          • 708 S. Grove St., Hendersonville, NC 28792
      • Madison
        • Madison Early College High School
          • 5374 US Hwy 25-70, Marshall, NC 28755
      •  McDowell
        • Glenwood Baptist Church
          • 1550 Glenwood Baptist Church Rd., Marion, NC 29640
        • YMCA of Western North Carolina
          • 348 Grace Corpening Dr., Marion, NC 28752
      • Polk
        • Polk County High School
          • 1681 NC 108 Hwy. E., Columbus, NC 28722
      • Rutherford
        • Rutherfordton/Spindale Central High School
          • 641 US 221 Hwy. N., Rutherfordton, NC 28139
      • Transylvania
        • Transylvania Parks & Rec
          • 1078 Ecusta Rd., Brevard, NC 28712
      • Yancey
        • Blue Ridge Elementary
          • 910 Cane River School Rd., Burnsville, NC 28714
        • Cane River Middle School
          • 1128 Cane River School Rd., Burnsville, NC 28714

    With my warmest regards,

    Chuck Edwards
    Member of Congress

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Jackson Introduces Legislation to Rename Post Office After Amarillo Legend Jerry H. Hodge

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Ronny Jackson (TX-13)

    WASHINGTON, DC — Last week, Representative Ronny Jackson (TX-13) introduced legislation to rename the U.S. Post Office in downtown Amarillo, Texas as the “Mayor Jerry H. Hodge Post Office Building” to honor the life and legacy of Jerry Hodge. Jerry Hodge was a businessman, rancher, and philanthropist who died peacefully in Amarillo, TX at the age of 81 on July 25, 2024.

    Jackson said: “Jerry Hodge’s legacy is a testament to his remarkable journey. His dedication and passion for Amarillo was unparalleled. From being elected as the youngest mayor in Amarillo’s history, to turning Maxor Drug into a national leader in pharmacy services, to playing a crucial role in bringing the Sod Poodles, the Texas Tech School of Pharmacy, and the Texas Tech School of Veterinary Medicine to Amarillo, Jerry Hodge’s leadership and vision left a permanent mark on the city. Beyond his professional achievements, Jerry cared deeply for his wife Margaret, his family, friends, and community, and I am proud to have called him a friend. His generosity and commitment to excellence were evident to all, which is why I am honored to introduce this legislation to rename the downtown post office as the “Mayor Jerry H. Hodge Post Office Building.”

    Tedd L. Mitchell, M.D., Chancellor of the Texas Tech University System said: “Jerry was an extraordinary leader, businessman, and philanthropist who made an incredible impact on the people of Amarillo and the surrounding area. A true trailblazer, he took risks and never hesitated to stand tall for the causes he believed in. Jerry and his wife, Margaret, have been instrumental supporters of the Texas Tech University System and our universities. Without the Hodges, Texas Tech University and Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center would not have such a crucial presence in Amarillo today. I want to thank Congressman Jackson for his efforts to recognize Jerry’s tremendous contributions to this community.”

    Vance Reed, Chairman of Reed Beverage said: “Jerry Hodge was a man of many facets – a lover of land and longhorns, an admirer of good horses, and above all, a person with sincere devotion to mankind. His legacy is etched not only in the businesses he built, but also in the lives he touched. The impact of Jerry and his wife Margaret’s generosity is visible across Amarillo and the states of Texas and Oklahoma, with numerous buildings bearing their names. In a fitting tribute, thanks to District 13 Congressman Ronny Jackson, there are plans to rename the Downtown Post Office in Jerry’s honor. This gesture will serve as a lasting reminder of Jerry Hodge’s contributions and his choice to call Amarillo, Texas his home.”

    Alex Fairly, Executive CEO of the Fairly Group said: “Jerry Hodge was an extraordinary human being. He loved his community and he shared his time, influence, and wealth in a passionate pursuit of improving it. Amarillo is better because of Jerry’s unselfish leadership and generosity, and Congressman Jackson is right to mark Jerry’s impact on our community with this honor so that we do not forget his example and impact.”

    Richard Ware, Chairman of Amarillo National Bank said: “Amarillo has been blessed and honored to have Jerry Hodge as our leading citizen since the inception of the town. Jerry has served successfully in more positions than anyone – each of these bringing growth and advancement to Amarillo. He was a man of his word and a true friend to many. The Post Office would be a fitting memorial to all that Jerry has done for Amarillo and West Texas.”

    The legislation can be found here. 

    Biography of Jerry H. Hodge: Jerry Hodge was born on September 7, 1942, in Carnegie, OK. His family moved to Amarillo in 1957 where he went on to graduate from Tascosa High School in 1960. He earned a pharmacy degree from Southwestern Oklahoma State University in 1965. At 23, he purchased Maxor Drug, over the next 49 years, he grew Maxor from a single downtown location in Amarillo to a nationwide producer of pharmacy services across the country. At 30, Jerry was elected to the Amarillo City Commission and served two terms. At 34, he was elected as the youngest Mayor of Amarillo in 1977 and later won re­election by one of the most substantial total votes in the history of the city.

    In 1991, Jerry met Margaret, the love of his life. Jerry persuaded Margaret to move to Texas following their marriage on July 29, 1994. With Margaret by his side for nearly 30 years, they were an unstoppable team positively influencing the City of Amarillo. Jerry’s passions also included ranching, owning High Card Ranch in Clarendon, TX and Dos Rios Ranch outside of Springer, NM. Jerry was involved in the Coors Ranch Rodeo since it first began in 1988, and the High Card Ranch competes in the Coors Ranch Rodeo to this day.

    After 49 years, Jerry retired as CEO of Maxor in 2016 but continued to serve on the board for an additional 7 years. In 2019, he fulfilled a longtime passion by leading the effort to bring minor league baseball to Amarillo, resulting in the creation of Hodgetown Stadium, named in his honor. In Amarillo, Jerry also played a key role in establishing the Jerry H. Hodge School of Pharmacy, which is named in his honor, as well as the Texas Tech School of Veterinary Medicine. Additionally, he published his memoir, You’re On, Cowboy, in which he shared life lessons both good and bad with honesty and humor.

    Jerry is survived by his wife, Margaret Hodge, stepmother, Dolores Hodge, his children Heath Hodge (Donna), Ryan Hodge (Kim), Sunny Hodge-Campbell (Michael Flowers), Angela Serio Harney (Seth), former son-in-law Andrew Campbell, grandchildren Jerry Heath, Jordan, and Jacob Hodge; Josh Hodge; Ellen Campbell; Imogene, Geneva, and Violet Harney, and great-grandchildren Hollis, Lawrence, Cecille, Lola, Jett, Jayton, and River. 

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Written Ministerial Statement – Legacy – Northern Ireland 

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, the Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP, has written to Parliament to confirm the appointment of Sir John Evans as Chair of the Robert Hamill Inquiry and to provide an initial response to the recent Court of Appeal judgment in Dillon and Others.

    Delivered on:

    I wish to provide an update to the House following the -regarding the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act (‘the Legacy Act’); and on the appointment of Sir John Evans as the Chair of the Robert Hamill Inquiry.

    The Government is absolutely committed to implementing mechanisms to address the legacy of the Troubles that fully comply with human rights. My previous Written Ministerial Statement, laid on 29 July 2024, confirmed that the Government, as part of its ongoing commitment to repeal and replace the Legacy Act, had formally abandoned all grounds of appeal against the section 4 Human Rights Act declarations of incompatibility made by the Northern Ireland High Court in relation to the Act. This included the immunity provisions, providing important clarity for families that the immunity scheme and other offending provisions would not take effect. I also confirmed the Government’s intention to propose measures to further strengthen the independence and powers of the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR). 

    On 20 September, the Court of Appeal handed down its judgment in Dillon and Others. The Court recognised “the wide powers of ICRIR and the benefit of having investigations placed within one body which is well-resourced” and further noted that the ICRIR has “unfettered access to all information, documents and materials as it reasonably requires in connection with a review”. The Court concluded that such powers “cannot be criticised, nor should they be underestimated”. 

    However, the Court of Appeal also made further declarations of incompatibility in relation to the Legacy Act to those made by the High Court. One of these was in relation to the current prohibition on civil proceedings – another policy pursued by the previous Government that this Government has already committed to reversing.  

    The other declarations of incompatibility relate to effective next of kin participation where an inquest was previously assigned in order to discharge the state’s Article 2 procedural obligations, and the role of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in relation to public disclosure of information.  

    The Government has already made clear its intention to propose measures that allow legacy inquests previously halted to proceed, should that be the preference of families. Notwithstanding this, the Government takes these further declarations of incompatibility  very seriously, and it remains my priority to ensure that the ICRIR can provide human rights compliant investigations in all relevant cases.

    The Court largely upheld the High Court’s findings in relation to Article 2 of the Windsor Framework, which as I noted in my statement to the House on 29 July, introduces legal uncertainty about what protections are afforded by Article 2, and how legislation applies across the United Kingdom. 

    This is a complex and wide-ranging judgment with significant implications. The Government is therefore carefully considering its findings to inform a decision on the way forward. I wish to make clear to the House that any such decision will be without prejudice to the Government’s absolute commitment to addressing legacy issues in a way that is fully human rights compliant, and to the fullest possible transparency within the framework that rightly exists to ensure that those who work to keep the citizens of the United Kingdom safe are themselves protected from harm.

    As set out in my statement of 29 July, the Government has begun preparations to lay in Parliament a draft remedial order under section 10 of the Human Rights Act 1998 to remedy the original declarations of incompatibility made by the High Court, including the immunity provisions. In light of the additional declarations of incompatibility made by the Court of Appeal, I am reviewing this process and will update the House in due course. 

    This Government takes its human rights obligations – and its responsibilities to victims and survivors of the Troubles – extremely seriously. As part of my commitment to repeal and replace the Legacy Act, I continue to undertake consultations with interested parties regarding a practical way forward that can command support across communities in Northern Ireland and beyond. I said previously that this process will involve difficult conversations, and that is proving to be the case in my engagements so far which have been sometimes challenging but always insightful. I am encouraged by the willingness of those I have met to date to engage constructively. I look forward to further discussions in the period ahead. 

    Separately, I am pleased to announce the appointment of Sir John Evans as Chair of the Robert Hamill Inquiry. A Chair of the Inquiry is required in order for the Inquiry Report to be formally passed to me for publication. Due to the passage of time since the report was completed in 2011, it was necessary for me to appoint a new Chair of the Inquiry, as the former Chair, Justice Sir Edwin Jowitt, is unfortunately unable to continue in the role. I wish to send him my very best wishes, and thank him for all he did in his time as Chair.

    Sir John was a panel member when the Inquiry was in operation, and worked closely with Sir Edwin on the report. Sir John brings a wealth of experience to the role as a former Chief Constable, and I know he will do everything in his power to ensure the Inquiry Report is published soon.

    I will remain in close contact with Sir John ahead of the Inquiry report being passed formally to me in order to arrange for the necessary legal and security checks to be completed. While I will do everything I can to ensure the report is published as soon as possible, due to the passage of time since the report was completed, it is imperative that these checks happen before publication. 

    I want to pay tribute to Robert Hamill’s family for their patience, and their dignity, as they awaited the conclusion of relevant criminal proceedings. I will make a further statement to Parliament when the report is published.

    Updates to this page

    Published 7 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: NJBiz’s Matthew Fazelpoor Sits Down With New Jersey Economic Development Authority’s CEO Tim Sullivan Ahead of the NJEDA’s 50th Anniversary

    Source: US State of New Jersey

    Sitting down with Sullivan

    With the anniversary in the backdrop, NJBIZ recently caught up with Sullivan to discuss how the agency has evolved, areas of focus under his leadership during the Murphy administration, what’s next and more.

    “Across the state, I think Gov. Murphy’s strategy of focusing on innovation, entrepreneurship, small businesses, and key sectors like film and television continues to pay huge dividends,” Sullivan told NJBIZ, noting the state’s third place ranking for VC capital dollars invested in the first six months of this year. “Largely through some of the success of sectors like AI, which Gov. Murphy has been really focused on, our teams are really focused on. Whether that’s continued momentum in film and television – you’re going to see a groundbreaking for the Lionsgate Studio in Newark. Netflix is making tons of progress – it’s sort of invisible – on their ambitions down in Monmouth County. You’re seeing the advancement in things like the 1888 Studios project in Bayonne. So – really good momentum across the board, while continuing to focus on things like our small businesses in our downtowns and the cannabis sector in places that are really core to our main street and our equity agenda.”

    Sullivan has led the NJEDA since 2018. He stressed how vital partnerships are to successful economic development. “It’s very rare, with regard to economic development, that you can pass a law or stand up a program – and just sort of leave it out on the stoop and hope something good happens,” he said. “You’ve got to really work closely with the private sector; with nonprofits; with academia; with investors – to structure transactions and bring them together.”

    He pointed to the recent groundbreaking of the New Jersey Performing Arts Center campus redevelopment project in Newark — a complicated deal that involves a number of stakeholders, partners and moving parts; as well as the recent topping of the New Jersey Health and Life Sciences Exchange (HELIX) in New Brunswick.

    Sullivan described both projects as a “big coalition of the willing.”

    “And that’s what usually brings these big, transformative projects together,” he explained. “In economic development, when it makes sense for us to act and be involved, and usually invest money, it’s because there’s either a market failure or because there is something where we are trying to sort of build or strengthen a competitive advantage for the state. And investment in real estate in our downtown communities, for example, is a good example of market failure – without tax credits, without some of the pretty highly structured stuff that the NJPAC project includes as does things like the HELIX and Loew’s Theater in Jersey City, and various other things.”

    He said that the NJEDA is trying to act on those opportunities, which requires coordination, collaboration and partnerships with a variety of entities. “And it’s not the kind of the thing where the government just waves a magic wand and sort of makes the economy better,” Sullivan said. “The economy is driven by the private sector. We know that. And that’s a critically important part of our approach.”

    Expanding the toolkit

    The CEO credited the governor and Legislature for the expansion of the resources and breadth of what the agency has been empowered to do. “Our toolkit was good – but it was a bit narrow in terms of who our typical partners were,” he explained. “And those are good partners to have. Those are large companies – big real estate developers. Those are important partners. But whether it’s looking at things like child care, food security, small business – broadly. The EDA has always had a small business effort – and that’s important. But we’ve put it on steroids and then some under Gov. Murphy’s leadership. We’re now supporting thousands of businesses, small businesses every year.”

    And whether the NJEDA and other state officials are in Paterson or Camden – or even Canada as was the sight of a recent Choose New Jersey-organized, Murphy-led economic trade mission – Sullivan stressed that the state’s toolkit is as good as any in the country for being able to solve whatever problem or opportunity might present itself.
    “Compared to 2018, we have custom-built tools – 10 or 12 – for small businesses, not just here’s a grant or here’s a loan,” he continued. “We’ve got different sorts of ways to intervene and be helpful. On innovation, we’ve probably got 20 to 25 programs that help companies at different stages of their life cycle. On real estate, we’ve got seven or eight really large-scale programs to support community development. We’ve got manufacturing tools. We’ve got child care supports. We’ve got food security interventions. And so, the range in depth and breadth of what Gov. Murphy and the Legislature have empowered the EDA to do – it’s pretty broad and it’s pretty striking.”

    In discussing the evolution of the agency, Sullivan stressed those efforts responding to the pandemic as well as some of the scrutiny agency faced a few years back, including audits, investigations and hearings into its tax incentive programs.

    “It forced us to get better and get our house in order,” he said. “In regard to how we do things like compliance and making sure that we know what bargain are we signing up for; what bargain is the applicant signing up for. In the comptroller’s audit, the very first sort of major critique of the EDA back in the early days, talked about that we didn’t have a good enough handle on – were the jobs that people said they were creating real, and could we really account for them?”

    That led to a strong technology partnership with the Department of Labor & Workforce Development to address that issue. Sullivan said that’s not only helped NJEDA as a whole, but especially during the pandemic when everything needed to be implemented at scale.

    “The work that was done and continues to happen every single day to make sure we are getting it right on the foundational elements of compliance and oversight and all that builds the foundation and gives us the ability to execute better on a bigger scale,” said Sullivan. “If you can’t do the foundational stuff right, you forfeit the right to do anything – but particularly, big, complicated things.”

    Another major recent development for the agency was moving the New Jersey Motion Picture & Television Commission under the NJEDA’s ambit and the hiring of Jon Crowley as its new executive director in March. The production industry has been growing here, with high-profile projects recently completed or in the works in the Garden State, including the “Happy Gilmore” sequel.

    “The film commission is a hugely important part of the strategy,” said Sullivan. “And the members of the commission are really great advisers to the governor and the state about the needs of the industry and the opportunities in film and TV industry.”

    He stressed that the state has done really well in the film and television industry over the last few years. “And the best is yet to come,” Sullivan said, noting how great it is for stars like Adam Sandler and others to be in New Jersey — and for crew and staff to be spending dollars here and frequenting local spots during production.

    “Because once Netflix, Lionsgate and 1888 are open, they’re going to work really hard to keep those things full – year-round, all-the-time, with permanent jobs. You’re going to have shows – hopefully filming multiple seasons in New Jersey, both inside the soundstage and also out in New Jersey’s locations. Unless you need to film a shot on the moon or in the Sahara, you can pretty much make New Jersey look like anywhere in the world. We’ve got main streets. We’ve got downtowns. We’ve got farms. We’ve mountains and hills. We’ve got the beach.”

    Sullivan, a New Jersey native, said that leading this organization during such a critical time has been a fun challenge to broaden and deepen what the NJEDA focuses on and how it approaches strategic challenges. He said it’s possible because of the governor’s focus and commitment to economic growth and development, especially from an equity standpoint.

    “We have the high-class challenge of more opportunities and more resources to accomplish them,” he said. “But we’re really fortunate to have a great team at the EDA. Some of those are folks that have been here a long time. Some are folks who have joined in the last few years. And we’re supported by a great board. We’ve got great leaders from the private sector and the public sector on our board. And it’s a challenge made possible – or made easier – by great colleagues and lots of support and resources from the governor.”

    Looking ahead

    As for the areas of focus, especially as the governor and his administration enter the final year in office, Sullivan said that Murphy intends to sprint through the tape. “And he means it – I promise. Because he’s working his butt off. And if anything, running harder and running faster in late ’24 than ever before,” Sullivan said. “We will continue to push forward and make sure we can get done and finish up – or kind of get to lift-speed a lot of the different initiatives. AI has been something that we have talked about in the last year or so. There’s a heck of a lot of work left to do on things like the Princeton AI Hub and getting that all buttoned up. Offshore wind will remain a major priority for Gov. Murphy and our team.”

    He said that the outcome of the election will affect the future of offshore wind one way or the other. Sullivan also cited issues like film and television production, child care, economic security, small businesses and more as other areas of focus in this stretch.

    “Making sure we deliver on all of the things we’ve said we were going to do will keep us more than busy for the next 15, 16 months for sure,” said Sullivan.

    He also addressed the agency’s continuing evolution. “I think as we look to the future, no matter who the governor is and no matter what party or ideology she or he might have – both the next governor and 10 to 15 governors to come – the economy’s always going to be incredibly important,” said Sullivan. “It’s the engine that fuels not just prosperity and quality of life in the state – but also the ability to pay for things. Go back to Gov. Murphy’s articulation of a stronger and fairer New Jersey. A stronger New Jersey begets a fairer New Jersey because you have more resources to pay for it – and ways to narrow those inequality gaps. I think that’s going to be a challenge and an opportunity for many, many governors to come.”

    He said the agency is trying to make sure it’s ready to deliver on whatever the strategy of the governor is at the time.

    The conversation closed with Sullivan reflecting on what it has meant to lead NJEDA in his native state during such a critical and notable time.

    “I’ve had the extraordinarily good fortune of a governor and a Legislature that wants to support what we’re doing – and not just in words, but with resources and with programs as well as the ability to work with some really great colleagues,” said Sullivan. “I’m really proud of the work we’ve done. Whether it’s the high-profile stuff or the behind-the-scenes, lower-profile stuff – that I think has just as big an impact as the high-profile stuff.”

    Sullivan said that he believes the Authority has made a huge difference – pointing to the addition of 250,000 jobs since the governor took office while turning the tide on a lot of longstanding challenges in the state economy.

    “But we have real work left to do. No one should expect to see a ‘mission accomplished’ sign on anything anytime soon,” Sullivan stressed. “The work of continuing to close yawning inequalities and disparities between folks who are doing great and folks who just need an opportunity to do great – that work goes on. It’ll take a lifetime of work. I’m really proud of the progress we’ve made – and very, very conscious of the work left to be done.”

    Getting small businesses through tough times

    NJEDA Chief Economic Transformation Officer Kathleen Coviello, who has served at the NJEDA since 2005 through the administrations of Govs. Codey (acting), Corzine, Christie, and Murphy, said that each governor puts their own on touch on things in terms of economic development.

    “And that’s the great thing about democracy. The people elect who the governor’s going to be. The governor sets the policy. The EDA administers the policy set by the governor,” Coviello told NJBIZ. “And have been fortunate to have a lot of governors that have entrusted quite a bit to the EDA. I think the pandemic was a real turning point for the organization.”

    She reflected on the agency working around the clock to step up and help small businesses during the throes of the pandemic.

    “And we’ve done that before as an organization. Superstorm Sandy – EDA was called upon to support those businesses,” she continued. “But it maybe was just starting to get us warmed up for what we saw during the pandemic. And I’m particularly proud of how the organization responded during that time. But what’s great is we now have a much broader view of what economic development is. We’ve really grown our scope.”

    Coviello said that when she joined the organization, it was primarily a lender.

    “Then, we started to get into venture and equity,” she said. “And then under Tim and Gov. Murphy, it’s really a holistic approach. They’ve secured a lot more federal funding. They’ve secured a lot more state funding, which has given us a considerable amount more flexibility.”

    Areas like workforce, child care and small business support, Coviello explained, require more than just a loan.

    “I think our vision has grown tremendously over the 50 years since the organization started,” said Coviello. “But no more so than in the last seven that I have seen.”

    High praise

    In a statement to NJBIZ, Murphy lauded Sullivan and the NJEDA team for their work throughout his administration.

    “Tim Sullivan’s record of achievement as CEO of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority ranks him as one of the finest leaders in the 50-year history of the Authority,” Murphy told NJBIZ. “Tim and his team have created good-paying jobs for New Jerseyans and have provided resources and created opportunities for small businesses to grow and thrive after the pandemic. Under Tim’s leadership, the State has also supported New Jersey’s innovators and attracted major film studios. The incentive programs created by Tim and his team have reignited a growing and expanding film and television industry.”

    “With Tim at the helm of NJEDA, New Jersey’s economic programs are a national model for sustainable and equitable growth,” the governor said.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Manufacturing Week Middlesex Student Feature

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    National Manufacturing Week runs from October 4–11, 2024.

    CT State Middlesex student Bethany Crum was born in Jackson, Michigan, but spent her high school years at Middletown High School. Focused on her future after graduation, Bethany chose to take a year off from school to work full-time and learn how to manage living independently.

    Bethany was inspired by her father’s advice about the stability of a career in CNC machining. Encouraged by her grandmother, Donna Crum, who is the program director of the radiology program at Middlesex—along with guidance counselors—Bethany enrolled in the college’s Machine Manufacturing Technology program.

    Juggling full-time work and part-time classes, Bethany excelled, especially in the Precision Machining class with professor Joseph Duhaine, whose hands-on teaching gave Bethany the foundational skills she needed.

    “I loved this course because it was my first time being able to get my hands on a machine and Joseph gave me the foundation that I needed to spend years cutting metal. He was very thorough in his education, making sure we could manually turn/mill down to tight tolerances, while also maintaining patience and understanding for those of us who had no prior experience,” said Bethany.

    After earning a Machine Manufacturing Technology Certificate from CT State Middlesex with honors in 2023, Bethany is pursuing an A.S. in Manufacturing Machine Technology and aiming for a four-year degree in mechanical engineering.

    Networking during college led her to a job at The Lee Company, where she manufactures microhydraulic components for aerospace applications.

    “My current title is CNC machinist IV, working for the Chek Valve group manufacturing microhydraulic components for aerospace applications. My responsibilities include the setup, loading and operation of two high-tech machines to perform operations that include drilling, milling, turning, grinding and facing. I work from blueprints with tolerances as tight as +/- 0.00025” and frequently have the need to read through and interpret G-Code. I perform weekly preventative maintenance on the machines to ensure that they are long lived,” Bethany explained.

    Looking to the future, Bethany plans to further her education and join The Lee Company’s engineering department, believing her practical experience would help improve processes.

    She advises prospective students to explore all of CT State Middlesex’s opportunities, emphasizing the support and resources available to help them succeed.

    “It’s a place with several opportunities for growth, and provides students with many assistance programs. I have been fortunate enough to not pay for my tuition the past few years because of scholarships from the Middlesex Community College Foundation,” Bethany added. “The school offers free semester rentals of Wi-Fi hotspots, computers and advanced calculators for students who are unable to acquire their own. The college even offers free tutoring for students who want to study more effectively. Middlesex is a place that will truly work to help students succeed so they can open more doors in their future.”

    October 2024

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Foreign Secretary Oral Statement on the Chagos Islands – 7 October 2024

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, provided an update to the House of Commons on the conclusion of negotiations on the exercise of sovereignty over the British Indian Ocean Territory.

    Location:
    House of Commons
    Delivered on:

    With permission, Mr Speaker, I will make a statement on the conclusion of negotiations on the exercise of sovereignty over the British Indian Ocean Territory. 

    On Thursday the third of October, my Right Honourable Friend the Prime Minister and Mauritian Prime Minister Jugnauth made an historic announcement.

    After two years of negotiations,…

    …and decades of disagreement,…

    …the UK and Mauritius have reached a political agreement on the future of the British Indian Ocean Territory.

    Mr Speaker, the treaty is neither signed nor ratified.

    But I wanted to update the House on the conclusion of formal negotiations at the earliest opportunity.

    Members will appreciate the context.

    Since its creation, the Territory and the joint UK-US military base on Diego Garcia has had a contested existence.

    In recent years, the threat has risen significantly.

    Coming into office, the status quo was clearly not sustainable.

    A binding judgement against the UK seemed inevitable.

    It was just a matter of time before our only choices would have been abandoning the base altogether.

    Or breaking international law.

    If you oppose the deal, which of these alternatives do you prefer?

    Doing this deal – on our terms – was the sole way to maintain the full and effective operations of the base into the future.

    Mr Speaker, this must be why, in November 2022, the then Foreign Secretary, the Right Honourable Member for Braintree, initiated sovereignty negotiations.

    It’s also why my immediate predecessor, Lord Cameron of Chipping Norton, ultimately continued with those talks.

    Under the previous Government there were eleven rounds of negotiations, the last one held just weeks before the General Election was called.

    So, in July, this Government inherited unfinished business.

    Where a threat was real, and inaction was not a strategy.

    Inaction posed several acute risks to the UK.

    First, it threatened the UK-US base.

    From countering malign Iranian activity in the Middle East to ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific, it is critical for our national security.

    Without surety of tenure, no base can operate effectively – nor truly deter our enemies.

    Critical investment decisions were already being delayed.

    Second, it impacted on our relationship with the US,…

    …who neither wanted nor welcomed the legal uncertainty,…

    …and strongly encouraged us to strike a deal.   

    I am a trans-Atlanticist.

    We had to protect this important relationship.

    And third, it undermined our international standing.

    We are showing that what we mean is what we say on international law and desire for partnerships with the Global South.

    This strengthens our arguments when it comes to issues like Ukraine or the South China Sea.

    Mr Speaker, further legal wrangling served nobody’s interests but our adversaries’.

    In a more volatile world,…

    …a deal benefited us all,…

    …the UK, US and Mauritius.

    This Government therefore made striking the best possible deal a priority.

    We appointed Jonathan Powell.

    As the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy for these negotiations, he has worked closely with a brilliant team of civil servants and lawyers.

    Their goal was a way forward which serves UK national interests,…

    …respects the interests of our partners,…

    …and upholds the international rule of law.

    This agreement fulfils these objectives.

    It is strongly supported by partners,…

    …with Present Biden going so far as to ‘applaud’ our achievement within minutes of the announcement!

    Secretary Blinken and Secretary Austin have also backed this ‘successful outcome’ which ‘reaffirms [our] special defence relationship’.

    And the agreement has been welcomed by the Indian government and commended by the UN Secretary-General.

    In return for agreeing to Mauritian sovereignty over the entire islands, including Diego Garcia,…

    …the UK-US base has an uncontested long-term future.  

    Base operations will remain under full UK control well into the next century.

    Mauritius will authorise us to exercise their sovereign rights and authorities in respect of Diego Garcia.

    This is initially for 99 years, but the UK has the right to extend this.

    And we have full Mauritian backing for robust security arrangements…

    …including preventing foreign armed forces from accessing or establishing themselves on the outer islands.

    The base’s long-term future is therefore more secure under this agreement than without it.

    If this were not the case, I doubt the White House, State Department or Pentagon would have praised the deal so effusively.

    This agreement will be underpinned by a financial settlement that is acceptable to both sides. 

    Members will be aware the Government does not normally reveal payments for our military bases overseas.

    And so it would be inappropriate to publicise further details of these arrangements at this stage.

    Mr Speaker, the agreement also recognises the rights and wrongs of the past.

    The whole House would agree that the manner in which Chagossians were forcibly removed in the 1960s was deeply wrong and regrettable.

    Mauritius is now free to implement a resettlement programme to islands other than Diego Garcia.

    The UK and Mauritius have also committed to support Chagossians’ welfare,…

    …establishing a new Trust Fund capitalised by the UK…

    …and providing additional Government support to Chagossians in the UK.

    And the UK will maintain the pathway for Chagossians to obtain British Citizenship.

    Furthermore, Mauritius and the UK will now establish a new programme of visits to the archipelago for Chagossians. 

    This agreement also ushers in a new era in our relations with Mauritius.

    A Commonwealth nation and Africa’s leading democracy.

    We have agreed to intensify cooperation on our shared priorities, including security, growth and the environment. 

    The agreement ensures continued protection of these islands’ unique environment, home to over two hundred species of coral and over eight hundred species of fish.

    Finally Mr Speaker, I want to reassure the House,…

    …and all members of the UK family worldwide,…

    …that this agreement does not signal any change in policy to Britain’s other Overseas Territories.

    British sovereignty of the Falkland Islands, Gibraltar and the Sovereign Base Areas is not up for negotiation.

    The situations are not comparable.

    This, Mr Speaker, has been acknowledged across our Overseas Territories.

    Fabian Picardo, Chief Minister of Gibraltar, vocally supported this agreement…

    …stating that there is “no possible read across” to Gibraltar on the issue of sovereignty.

    Similarly, the Governor of the Falklands has confirmed that the historic contexts of the Chagos Archipelago and Falklands are “very different”.

    The Government remains firmly committed to modern partnerships with our Overseas Territories based on mutual consent.

    After Mauritian elections, the Government will move towards treaty signature.

    And it is then our intention to pursue ratification in 2025,…

    …by submitting the Treaty and a Bill to this House for scrutiny.

    This is a historic moment, a victory for diplomacy.

    We have saved the base.

    We have secured Britain’s national interests for the long-term.

    I commend this statement to the House.

    Updates to this page

    Published 7 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Latta, Griffith op-ed: Congress must advance HALT Fentanyl Act to save lives

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green Ohio)

    Congressman Bob Latta (R-OH5) and Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA9) penned an op-ed in The Washington Times today outlining the importance of Congress advancing their HALT Fentanyl Act to help save lives. The bill was approved by the House Energy & Commerce Committee in March of 2023 and was passed by the U.S. House in May of 2023. 

    The HALT Fentanyl Act would permanently label fentanyl-related substances as a Schedule I narcotic, which is a scheduling change supported by the Biden administration. 

    Read an excerpt of the op-ed below, or click here to read the piece in its entirety.

    “As members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, we’ve met too many families who have told their stories of fentanyl poisonings that killed their loved ones. It’s excruciating to hear, but it’s nothing compared with what these families have gone through. 

    “It’s why we rolled up our sleeves and crafted the HALT Fentanyl Act, a bill to help put an end to the fentanyl crisis by permanently labeling fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I narcotics…”

    “This important legislation advanced last year through the House Energy and Commerce Committee and was passed by the full House, where it received wide bipartisan support.

    “However, it is stalled in the Senate. Bill Cassidy, the Louisiana Republican who is leading the Senate version of the HALT Fentanyl Act, moved to pass the bill earlier this year. Unfortunately, the Democrats objected, and the bill didn’t move.

    “What is stopping Senate Democrats from advancing this bill? Our bill has widespread bipartisan support. Both the DEA and Customs and Border Protection have listed this legislation as a top priority in the fight against fentanyl. Even President Biden last year signaled he would sign our bill if it came to his desk.

    “There should be no excuse for this bill not to move through the Senate.

    “It did come as a surprise to us, though, that the Biden administration announced a “new” proposal to designate fentanyl-related substances as a Schedule I narcotic — which is exactly what our bill does, but without a research component.

    “While we appreciate the attention to this issue, we agree that the administration’s efforts would be best placed in asking Senate leaders to take up the House-passed HALT Fentanyl Act, where it has been sitting and collecting dust for 16 months.

    “As members of Congress who care deeply about the state of our country and the health and well-being of the American people, we will continue to call on the Senate to bring forward the HALT Fentanyl Act for a vote.

    “We have the chance to help remedy the fentanyl crisis and save lives. Let’s get this done.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Perseverance Matters

    Source: NASA

    2 min read

    Close-up view of Cheyava Falls natural surface on Mars where chunks of olivine (pale green) in the straight veins and leopard spots in the center are seen.
    NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS

    In January 2024, the SHERLOC instrument aboard NASA’s Mars 2020 Perseverance rover encountered a significant issue. A  fault in the instrument’s motor caused the dust cover and autofocus mechanism to become inoperative, putting the rover’s SHERLOC Raman spectroscopy capability at risk.

    Although Mars had posed an unexpected challenge, members of the SHERLOC operations team working together with the rover engineers refused to give up.

    Fortunately, a motion of the arm on Sol 1077, almost exactly two months after the original issue occurred, resulted in the dust cover moving to a nearly fully open position. As a result, the team began to look for ways to focus the optics and operate SHERLOC with the dust cover in this open position. These efforts involved many trials and errors, several rounds of diagnostic examinations, analyses, and troubleshooting around the clock.

    And as they say, “It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop”.

    After much hard work and persistence, the team successfully brought the SHERLOC instrument back online in June 2024 with a successful observation of the rock target Walhalla Glades. It was just the start of an exciting summer for SHERLOC.

    In July 2024, SHERLOC’s Raman capability, whose destiny was uncertain a month ago, performed multiple calibrations, scans, and observations on a rock named “Cheyava Falls” and the team was thrilled to discover the mission’s most compelling evidence for organics in the Jezero crater. Organic compounds can be formed through biological or non-biological processes and the organics that SHERLOC observed in Cheyava Falls would need to be studied in laboratories here on Earth for their origin to be determined. Regardless of how they formed, the Cheyava Falls organics could tell us a great deal about the Red Planet’s past and present carbon inventory, a possible early carbon cycle, and the precursor conditions to life as we know it.

    It is an important and exciting juncture in Mars exploration and astrobiology. This year, the SHERLOC instrument beat the odds and made one of the most exciting discoveries of the Mars 2020 mission. As the mission encounters and overcomes problems like that experienced by SHERLOC, we find that exploring Mars can also lead to discovering the team’s persistence and Perseverance.

    Written by Anushree Srivastava, Postdoctoral Fellow at Carnegie Institution. Member of Mars 2020 SHERLOC Science and Operations Team

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: On Oct. 7, Ernst Leads Senate Republicans in Standing with Israel, Condemning Iran-backed Hamas

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA)

    WASHINGTON – One year since the Oct. 7 terrorist attacks that killed dozens of Americans, U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), chair of the Republican Policy Committee, is leading all 48 of her Senate Republican colleagues in fully condemning Iran-backed Hamas for its actions, supporting the forever survival of Israel, and calling for the safe release of American hostages.
    The entire Senate Republican Conference stands united in opposing violent antisemitic protests and Iran-backed Hamas’ use of rape as a weapon of war. They also reiterate Israel’s right to defend itself and emphasize the importance of denying Hamas the ability to reconstitute in the region to ensure the horrific events of that day are never repeated.
    Click here to view the full resolution.
    “This time last year, I woke up in the Middle East to the unbearable news that Israel was under attack by Iran-backed terrorists and Americans were being killed and taken hostage,” said Ernst, a combat veteran. “I immediately traveled into Israel to show that our nation’s friendship is unwavering, in good times and bad. Regardless of whether I have been in Jerusalem, Washington, or Iowa, I have worked around the clock to hold the White House accountable to its ‘ironclad’ commitment, bring our hostages home, and cut off the source of terrorism in Tehran. One year since that day, as Israel remains under attack on all fronts, Senate Republicans stand united with our greatest ally in the Middle East.”
    “The United States stands with Israel, on this solemn anniversary and every day, as it defends itself against terrorist entities that seek to undermine peace and stability in the region. We must be unwavering in our support for our great friend and ally,” said Senate Republican Whip John Thune (R-S.D.).
    “The world watched in horror a year ago as Hamas slaughtered innocent men, women and children in Israel. Our nation must provide unwavering support to Israel’s mission to defend itself and defeat Hamas. We must unite and bring back peace through strength. Our resolution underscores how now more than ever, the American people need to stand with our ally Israel,” said Senate Republican Conference Chair John Barrasso (R-Wyo.).
    “One year ago today, Israel was brutally and indiscriminately attacked by Hamas terrorists in an act of sheer evil that resulted in more than one thousand innocent people viciously murdered by terrorists. I am particularly sickened by Hamas’s use of sexual violence on this dark day, an inexcusable and disgusting war crime that must be universally condemned and never again used as a weapon of war. One year after these terrorist attacks and more recent attacks against the Israeli state, I unequivocally stand with the Jewish people, including our communities in West Virginia,” said Vice Chair of the Republican Conference Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.).
    “The United States must stand with Israel. As we saw one year ago, Iran, the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism, helped Hamas fund and carry out the deadliest attack on the Jewish people since the Holocaust. Hamas murdered nearly 1,200 people, including Americans, and still holds many hostage. As we pause to remember the victims, the free world must stand in solidarity with Israel and support its fight against the evil Iranian regime,” said Senator Steve Daines (R-Mont.).
      
    “Today, people across the world are remembering those lives lost and the hostages who remain in captivity in Gaza. Unfortunately, a year later, Iran-backed groups continue to threaten the safety and security of the Israeli people. Hamas continues to hold innocent hostages in Gaza, while the Houthis in Yemen and Hezbollah in Lebanon fire rockets and missiles towards Israel. The United States can and should continue to do all it can to support our ally Israel and hold Iran and its proxies accountable for their brutal attacks. This resolution is an important message to the people of Israel that we remain committed to defending them,” said Senate Foreign Relations Committee Ranking Member Jim Risch (R-Idaho).
    “Hamas and its Iranian sponsors are intent on nothing less than the destruction of the Jewish state. On this anniversary, we remember the victims, demand freedom for the remaining hostages, and declare our strong and abiding support for our Israeli partners to ensure that these terrorist regimes are relegated to the dustbin of history,” said Senate Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Roger Wicker (R-Miss.).
    “For the past 12 months, the Israeli military has taken necessary actions to preserve its homeland and neutralize the threat of horrific Iran-backed Hamas terrorism. In the face of ongoing Iranian aggression and rising antisemitism, the United States remains unwavering in our resolve to stand with Israel – our strongest ally in the Middle East,” said Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa).
    “One year ago today, Hamas terrorists launched an unprovoked and deceitful series of terrorist acts inside Israel. The level of barbarism that we saw was nothing short of evil. These crimes against humanity were also visited upon American citizens as well. More than 40 were murdered by Hamas, and dozens were taken hostage. One year later, seven American citizens remain held by terrorists. We must continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with the State of Israel. We must provide them with everything they need to secure the safety of their nation, eliminate the threat of terrorism, and apply maximum pressure on Hamas to release the remaining hostages,” said Senator Ted Budd (R-N.C.).
    “October 7 left an indelible mark on the Jewish State of Israel. In the last year, we have seen Hamas for the pure evil it is. Today, we reaffirm our commitment to stand with Israel, reinforce our efforts to bring all the remaining hostages, including American citizens, home, and pledge to always stand up to antisemitism,” said Dr. Bill Cassidy (R-La.).
    “On October 7, 2023, Hamas terrorists murdered hundreds of Israeli people. This was truly Israel’s 9/11. As we reflect on the one-year anniversary of this terrible day, we reaffirm our support for Israel. America must continue to stand with our ally as they defend their nation,” said Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.).
    “The United States continues to stand with our ally Israel a year after Hamas’ brutal attacks. We will never forget the tragedy that occurred on October 7th and the subsequent attacks from Iranian-backed terrorist groups and the rise of antisemitism that has followed. As we recognize this anniversary, we also reaffirm Israel’s right to self-defense,” said Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.).
    “One year after the grievous terrorist attack on Israel, there are still hostages, including Americans, being held captive by Hamas. The United States must continue to support Israel’s efforts to bring every hostage home and ensure its security against Hamas and all Iran-backed terrorist groups,” said Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.).
    “There’s no excusing, no equivocating, no explaining the actions of Hamas, who brutally raped, tortured, and beheaded innocent civilians and filmed it all for the world to see. Just as they did one year ago, Israel deserves America’s full and unwavering support, and I stand with the people of Israel in solidarity,” said Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas).
    “One year after Hamas’ barbaric attack on Israel, we stand resolute in our unwavering support for the Jewish state and her right to defend herself. America must stand shoulder to shoulder with Israel – our great ally, friend, and partner – as she works to bring every single hostage home and permanently neutralize the threat of Hamas. Only through strength can we achieve peace — evil is powerless when the good are unafraid,” said Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.).
    “One year ago, Hamas’ senseless and unprovoked attacks on Israel killed thousands of innocent Israeli civilians and the bloodshed since the war began has been devastating. Now more than ever, we must do everything in our power to hold Hamas accountable for its continued acts of terror and reaffirm our commitment to Israel as they continue to protect themselves against Hamas’ reign of terror,” said Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.).
    “On October 7th, the world witnessed a heinous terror attack as Hamas murdered innocent women, men and children. We must remain vigilant and unwavering in our commitment to bringing Hamas terrorists to justice. To the people of Israel, we stand with you, we mourn with you, and we will continue to support you until every hostage is brought home and Hamas surrenders,” said Senator Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.).
    “On the one year anniversary of the attacks on Israel, we remain committed to standing with Israel in its efforts to fully defeat Hamas and stand up to its terrorist adversaries throughout the region. Israel is our strongest partner in the Middle East and this resolution reaffirms our support for this important ally,” said Senator John Hoeven (R-N.D.).
    “Israel is America’s closest ally in the Middle East and our partner for peace in the region. They have faced vicious attacks since their founding in 1948, but in the past year the attacks have reached a level never seen in the last half century of Israel. Terror attacks on the streets, rockets and missiles from all four directions and innocent hostages in Gaza have tested Israel’s strength. But, Israel still stands. The United States should stand with Israel in their battle for peace and existence, just as Israel has always stood with us in our battle against terrorism,” said Senator James Lankford (R-Okla.).
    “Just as the sun began to rise one year ago, barbaric Hamas terrorists stormed into Israel and launched a widescale attack on thousands of innocent Israeli citizens. Hamas kidnapped, tortured and brutally murdered thousands of innocent people, plunging the Middle East into turmoil once again. I continue to press for the release of the remaining hostages and to stand unwaveringly with our strongest ally in the Middle East and its right to defend itself from ongoing threats from Iran and Iranian-backed terrorists,” said Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho).
    “On this solemn anniversary, I stand firmly with Israel in condemning Hamas and their unspeakable acts of terror. We reaffirm our unwavering support for Israel’s right to defend itself, and we honor the resilience of her people. The United States must remain steadfast to stand with our ally in the fight against terrorism and the pursuit of lasting peace,” said Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.).
    “Hamas’ brutal attack on innocent victims will never be forgotten. As families still wait to be reunited with loved ones captured one year ago, our resolve is unwavering to bring these hostages home. The United States stands with Israel, one of our closest friends and allies, as it continues to defend itself and its people. I remain committed to supporting our partner in its fight against Iran-backed terrorists,” said Senator John Boozman (R-Ark.).
    “On October 7, 2023, the world witnessed a truly barbaric and deadly terrorist attack against the Jewish State of Israel. Hamas and other Islamist militants made it clear that their ultimate goal is the complete destruction of Israel, our strongest ally in the Middle East. The U.S. has a moral duty to defend our national security interests and to stand with the people of Israel. We will not waiver,” said Senator Marco Rubio (R-Fla.).
    “It has been one year since Iran-backed Hamas terrorists attacked Israel, murdered families, raped innocent women, beheaded babies, and took so many hostage—including Americans who we have still not seen to this day. It is a day that so many will never forget, and not a day goes by that their loved ones wouldn’t do anything to see them again. We must stand with all of those impacted by the heinous attack, continue to stand with their families and support Israel in their fight. We cannot stop fighting until we bring them all home,” said Senator Rick Scott (R-Fla.).
    “As hard as it is to believe, it was one year ago today that Hamas launched an attack with the sole purpose of eradicating Israel, kidnapping and slaughtering thousands of Israeli citizens and dozens of Americans in the process. Despite the reckless language of the left, we stand in support of Israel, unequivocally, our friend and our close ally. The United States must do everything we can to champion the continued existence and flourishing of Israel, and deny Hamas the opportunity to rebuild itself,” said Senator Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.).
    “Today, on October 7, it is important for us to pause and remember the barbaric attack that claimed the lives of more than 1,200 people in Israel one year ago today.  To this day, Hamas continues to hold innocent Israelis and Americans hostage, and the United States must unequivocally stand with our ally in its fight to rescue these individuals from captivity and defend itself against terrorism,” said Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.).
    “The vicious and barbaric October 7 attack against innocent men, women and children by the terrorist organization, Hamas – backed by Iran – will be remembered forever by all decent human beings. The civilized world should be resolved in standing with and eradicating those who want to create a second Holocaust. This attack was not just a heinous crime against the Jewish people, it was a crime against civilization itself,” said Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.).
    “One year ago today, the Iranian-backed terrorist group Hamas murdered 1,200 innocent individuals, abducted 240 hostages ranging from 10 months to 85 years old, and viciously raped and mutilated Israeli women. These despicable acts of violence, which resulted in the largest loss of Jewish life in a single day since the Holocaust, sadly continue with the brutal murder of six hostages just a few weeks ago and Iran’s recent missile attack. This resolution sends a strong message against all antisemitic acts and violence committed in support of such terrorist ideology. I urge my colleagues to join us as we stand with the Jewish community and with Israel, our closest ally in the Middle East,”  said Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine).
    “One year ago, the world witnessed Hamas commit an unprovoked barbaric attack against Israeli civilians. As we reflect on the anniversary of this horrific event, we must resolve to stand toe-to-toe against global aggressors and vow our unwavering support to defend Israel in their time of need. Showing that we are loyal to our allies and lethal to our adversaries is the only way to deter another tragedy like this from happening. The United States will always stand with Israel,” said Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.).
    “One year ago, Hamas terrorists launched an unprecedented attack on Israel, killing innocent Israelis and American citizens and taking hostages in acts of horrific violence. We will never forget those lost in the evil attacks and continue to pray for the safe return of those still held captive by Hamas. We must stand united against the forces of terror that seek to undermine democracy and spread chaos in the region and beyond,” said Senator Roger Marshall (R-Kan.).
    “Today marks the one year anniversary of the worst attack on the Jewish people since the Holocaust. As our resolution makes clear, we condemn Hamas for its brutal terrorist attack on Israel, reject the age-old sickness of antisemitism, and demand the safe release of remaining hostages from the Gaza Strip. The United States stands with Israel and supports its right to defend itself,” said Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.).
    “The October 7th attack on Israel was a horrifying act of terror that claimed 1,200 innocent lives, including U.S. citizens. This resolution rightly condemns those atrocities and the ongoing torture and killing of hostages. Israel has a right to exist and the United States will continue to stand firmly behind them in their fight against evil,” said Dr. Rand Paul (R-Ky.).

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Risch on Anniversary of October 7 Attack on Israel

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Idaho James E Risch
    BOISE, Idaho – U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today released the following statement ahead of the one-year anniversary of Hamas’ unprovoked and brutal attack on Israel on October 7:
    “It’s been a year since Hamas’ brutal October 7 attack on Israel. Today, people across the world are remembering those lives lost and the Israeli and American hostages who remain in captivity in Gaza. A year on, one would hope the free world would be united in condemning these horrific attacks, and in defense of the Israeli and Jewish people, but unfortunately that is not the case.
    “Iran and its proxies continue to threaten the safety and security of the Israeli people. Hamas continues to hold innocent hostages in Gaza, while Tehran, the Houthis, and Hezbollah fire rockets and missiles towards Israel. Israel has rightly reached the conclusion that a Gaza controlled by Hamas or a Lebanon under the heel of Hezbollah – both designated terrorist organizations – will endanger the lives of Israeli citizens.
    “Some undermine Israel by holding up arms sales, refusing to sanction the International Criminal Court’s politically-motivated prosecution of Israelis, dictating how Israel can conduct military operations, and calling for Prime Minister Netanyahu to be replaced. By doing so, they damage our longstanding alliance with Israel and empower Iran and its proxies to act with impunity. My Republican colleagues and I will continue to do all we can to support our ally Israel.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Wyden, Merkley Announce Federal Investment to Mitigate Water Loss

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore)

    October 07, 2024

    Funding will improve the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation’s irrigation systems on the Walla Walla River

    Washington D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced a federal investment of $350,000 for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation to make improvements that will reduce water losses in the Little Walla Walla Canal System. 

    “As we face an ever-deepening climate crisis, it’s vital to find efficient ways to conserve resources like water to help communities throughout Oregon thrive,” Wyden said. “I’m gratified that this investment from the Inflation Reduction Act will help the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla continue their long tradition of environmentally sound, sustainable farming.”  

    “Indigenous peoples in the Pacific Northwest have been caretakers of our waterways since time immemorial,” said Merkley. “As climate chaos fuels longer and more intense droughts in Oregon and across the American West, we must find ways to improve water efficiency while protecting our waterways and the ecosystems they support. It is great news to see these funds supporting the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla as they work with partners to improve the efficiency of the Little Walla Walla Canal System.” 

    This funding, from the Bureau of Reclamation’s Native American Affairs Technical Assistance Program, was provided through the Inflation Reduction Act to support Tribal efforts to develop, manage and protect water and related resources, and mitigate drought impacts and the loss of Tribal trust resources.  

    “Thanks to legislation recently passed in Oregon and Washington as part of the Walla Walla Water 2050 Plan, this water will be protected through Oregon, across the state line to the mouth of the Walla Walla River in Washington, and throughout the ceded lands of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, improving stream flows all the way to the Columbia River,” said  CTUIR Chairman Gary I. Burke. 

    “The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation are pleased to work collaboratively on this project with their partners at the Walla Walla River Irrigation District. By investing in aging infrastructure, this project will improve operations for the district, save water, and restore flows in the Walla Walla River for salmon and steelhead,” said Anton Chiono, CTUIR Department of Natural Resources Habitat Conservation Project Leader.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Whale sharks on collision course as warming seas may force them into shipping lanes – new study

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Freya Womersley, Postdoctoral Research Scientist, Marine Biological Association

    Global warming has the potential to reshuffle the spaces used by life on Earth, across all ecosystems. And our new research shows whale sharks – the world’s largest fish – could be at risk, as warming oceans may force them into busy human shipping lanes.

    More than 12,000 marine species are expected to redistribute in future as seas warm up. Those animals that are unable to move to remain within suitable environments risk being wiped out entirely.

    But things are different for larger and highly mobile animals that can move freely to find conditions that suit their needs. For them, changing ocean conditions may not be such a huge threat in isolation, as they can migrate to cooler seas. Rather, shifting conditions may force species into new and more dangerous areas where they come into contact with ship propellers and other direct human threats.

    We fear this will happen with whale sharks. These huge sharks can reach up to 18 metres – about four cars end to end – but despite their size and robust appearance, their numbers have already declined by over 50% in the last 75 years.

    Whale sharks are big and slow (and are sharks not whales).
    Sean Steininger / shutterstock

    In previous research we discovered this decline may be partly due to collisions with large ships. Whale sharks are particularly vulnerable as they cruise around feeding on plankton and other tiny organisms, rarely needing to swim faster than human walking pace. While spending long periods moving slowly near the surface, they’re often struck by ships and killed.

    Our new research builds on this previous work. We find that climate change will put these docile giants in even greater danger as their preferred habitats move in into new areas with heavy ship traffic.

    An uncertain future

    The research was carried out by an international team of over 50 scientists from 18 countries involved in the Global Shark Movement Project, using 15 years’ worth of satellite tracking data from almost 350 individually tagged whale sharks.

    Movement tracks were matched to temperature, salinity and other environmental conditions at the time to determine what sort of habitat the sharks preferred. These relationships were then projected forward in time based on climate models (powerful computer programmes that simulate the climate) to reveal which parts of the ocean may in future have similar conditions to those used by the species today.

    Our state-of-the-art approach uncovered totally new areas that may be able to support whale sharks in future, such as US waters in the Pacific in the region of the California bight, Japanese waters in the eastern China Sea and the Atlantic waters of many west African countries. We quickly realised that these regions are home to some of the world’s busiest sea ports and shipping highways, so we overlaid our maps of habitat preference with those of global shipping to determine sharks are expected to run into ships.

    The world’s main shipping lanes, with the busiest lanes coloured yellow. Areas C (US west coast), D (west Africa) and E (east Asia) are expected to become more suitable for whale sharks as the oceans warm.
    Womersley et al / Nature Climate Change, CC BY-SA

    Through this we project that co-occurrence between sharks and ships will be be 15,000 times greater by the end of this century if we continue to rely heavily on fossil fuels, compared to only 20 times greater if we follow a sustainable development scenario.

    This does not mean that collisions will increase by 15,000 times, or even by 20 times, as we can only predict where whale sharks will be in future and the precise number of ships will vary. However, if the sharks do move into these new areas and their busy shipping lanes, increased mortality is a very real possibility.

    We’ve already recorded shark-attached satellite tags abruptly stopping transmissions in shipping lanes, with depth-recording tags showing the sharks slowly sinking – likely dead – to the seafloor.

    Changing tack

    Our results are alarming but highlight that we do have the capacity to change the population trajectory for whale sharks. In this case, through mitigating climate change, we can also indirectly ensure that the ocean is a safer place for some of its largest residents.

    We already know which strategies to trial for limiting collisions between ships and sharks. In February 2024 a meeting of signatories to the UN’s convention on the conservation of migratory species put forward a series of recommendations with specific focus on whale sharks. These include slowing speeds and re-routing around key sites, and setting up a collision-reporting network. It is now up to individual governments to take action.

    It’s possible that other species will experience similar pressures as a result of climate change. For example, heat waves in the oceans may force other sharks into cooler surface waters which are being exploited by longline fisheries, or into deeper depths where there is less oxygen.

    It’s time to shift our focus on to these interacting stressors in future, so that we can start to quantify the mosaic of threats that marine animals must endure in the oceans of tomorrow and protect those most at risk.

    Freya Womersley receives funding from the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) through a University of Southampton INSPIRE DTP PhD Studentship. She is affiliated with the Marine Biological Association (MBA) in Plymouth, UK and the Global Shark Movement Project, which is based at the MBA.

    David Sims receives funding from the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), the European Research Council (ERC), and the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation. He is affiliated with the Marine Biological Association (MBA) in Plymouth, UK, and the Global Shark Movement Project, which is based at the MBA.

    – ref. Whale sharks on collision course as warming seas may force them into shipping lanes – new study – https://theconversation.com/whale-sharks-on-collision-course-as-warming-seas-may-force-them-into-shipping-lanes-new-study-240727

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Warren, Dean Press CocaCola, PepsiCo, and General Mills on “Shrinkflation” Price Gouging and Tax Dodging

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren
    October 07, 2024
    Text of Letters (PDF)
    Washington, D.C.  – U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Representative Madeleine Dean (D-Pa.) wrote to the CEOs of Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, and General Mills, pressing their executives on the companies’ pattern of profiteering off consumers, both through “shrinkflation” and dodging taxes on the profits they made from that price gouging.
    All three of these companies have shrunk the size of their packaging to squeeze profits out of their customers, and then paid a very slim federal income tax on their billions of dollars in profits. In other words, the companies are sticking the American people with the bill twice over, with American families (1) paying higher prices for smaller packages of food, and (2) paying their taxes while big corporations like PepsiCo avoid chipping in their fair share to run our country.
    It is clear that these big companies are engaging in shrinkflation. In fact, reporting indicates that one of the key reasons that General Mills’ profits continue to grow is because they’ve shrunk some of their packaging. For example, the “Family Size” box of Cocoa Puffs went from 19.3 ounces to 18.1 ounces while charging the same price, at least initially. Similarly, PepsiCo replaced its 32 oz Gatorade bottle with a 28 oz bottle for the same price. And Coca-Cola has openly told its shareholders that it had “earn[ed] the right” to hike prices for consumers because of their company’s market power.
    “Shrinking the size of a product in order to gouge consumers on the price per ounce is not innovation, it is exploitation,” wrote the lawmakers. “Unfortunately, this price gouging is a widespread problem, with corporate profits driving over half of inflation.”
    While these companies continue to profit off consumers, the company is also turning around and paying less of those profits in taxes than the families it price gouges. 
    According to a recent report by the Institute for Taxation and Economic Policy, from 2018 to 2022, Coca-Cola made $13.4 billion but paid an average effective tax rate of just 13.5 percent, General Mills made $12 billion but paid an average effective tax rate of just 14.8 percent, and PepsiCo made $22.4 billion but paid an average effective tax rate of just 15 percent. These tax rates are even lower than the corporate tax rate that was reduced from 35 to 21 percent by President Trump and Congressional Republicans in 2017.
    “We strongly oppose these corporate tax giveaways, and have fought to pass tax increases on big corporations, including the 15 percent minimum tax on billion-dollar corporations,” wrote the lawmakers. “No corporation should pay a lower tax rate than working Americans – especially when that same corporation turns around and gouges consumers on the other end through shrinkflation.”
    As a champion for American consumers and a secure and healthy economy, Senator Warren has engaged in oversight of corporations for unfairly increasing prices for consumers. She has also been calling for more competition and stronger enforcement of antitrust laws to bring down prices for families: 

    On February 15, 2024, Senators Warren, Baldwin, Casey, and U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) reintroduced the Price Gouging Prevention Act of 2024, which would protect consumers and prohibit corporate price gouging by authorizing the FTC and state attorneys general to enforce a federal ban against grossly excessive price increases. 

    In December 2023, Senator Warren urged the FTC to block the Kroger-Albertsons merger, which would give the five largest food retail companies control of 55 percent of all grocery sales, allowing them to further control and ultimately raise consumer prices, while also reducing job competition, decreasing wages, and decreasing the bargaining power of organized labor. 

    In November 2023, Senator Warren called out TransDigm for its refusal to provide cost and pricing information needed to prevent price gouging of taxpayers and the Department of Defense. 

    In November 2023, Senator Warren expressed disappointment at the FTC’s decision to allow pharmaceutical giant Amgen to move forward with its acquisition of Horizon Therapeutics (Horizon) given the potential impacts on the price of medicine.  

    In the past few years, Senator Warren has urged the Biden administration to closely scrutinize other potentially anticompetitive mergers that could lead to higher prices for consumers and accelerate industry consolidation. She has led letters about the proposed mergers of Frontier and Spirit airlines, JetBlue and Spirit Airlines, Sanderson-Wayne, WarnerMedia-Discovery, and Amazon-MGM.

    In March 2022, Senator Warren introduced the Prohibiting Anticompetitive Mergers Act to help stomp out rampant industry consolidation that allows companies to raise consumer prices and mistreat workers. The bill would ban the biggest, most anticompetitive mergers and give the Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission the teeth to reject deals in the first instance without court orders and to break up harmful mergers. 

    In February 2022, at a hearing, Senator Warren called out corporations for abusing their market power to raise consumer prices and boost profits. 

    That same month, Senator Warren requested the Department of Justice to take aggressive action against corporations violating antitrust laws to hike prices for consumers. 

    In January 2022, Senator Warren questioned Federal Reserve nominee Lael Brainard about market concentration and price gouging driving inflation.

    At a January 2022 hearing, Senator Warren pressed Fed Chair Jerome Powell on the role of corporate concentration in driving up prices for consumers during his renomination hearing to be Chair of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

    In a New York Times op-ed published in April 2020, Senator Warren urged Congress to focus on cracking down on price gouging in its ongoing effort to address the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. 

    In March 2020, Senator Warren joined her colleagues in urging the FTC to use its full authority to prevent abusive price gouging on consumer health products during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Clutha Police reminding locals to lock vehicles after young person arrested

    Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

    Attributable to Sergeant Tim Coudret, Clutha Police:

    Police are reminding motorists to be vigilant after a search warrant targeting an alleged thief, was executed in Milton yesterday morning, Monday 7 October.

    Enquiries began following a noted rise in thefts from vehicles over the last few week. Thanks to these enquiries and information from the community the person believed responsible was identified. 

    A young person was arrested and an assortment of items were recovered which Police will be looking to reunite with their rightful owners.  

    A 17-year-old is due to appear in the Dunedin Youth Court in due course.

    Unfortunately, there are people out there willing to benefit from crime, but yesterday’s work shows the commitment of Police to stopping those individuals.

    Police are urging all vehicle owners to take additional precautions to secure their vehicles, such as locking doors, removing valuables from sight, and parking in well-lit areas.

    We would like to ask the community to look out for each other and if you see any suspicious activity happening, please contact us on 111 immediately.

    To report a theft after it has occurred, please update us online now at 105.police.govt.nz, clicking “Update Report” or 105.

    Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111. 

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Attorney Lapointe Reminds the Public to be Aware of Scams in the Wake of Hurricane Helene and Other Natural Disasters

    Source: United States Department of Justice (National Center for Disaster Fraud)

    MIAMI – United States Attorney Markenzy Lapointe reminds the public to be vigilant of hurricane relief fraud in the wake of Hurricane Helene and other natural disasters.

    “Throughout hurricane season and in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, I urge the public to be wary of fraudsters looking to exploit victims of hurricanes and other natural disasters through identity theft schemes, solicitations for fake charities, or other types of fraud. Report suspected disaster fraud to the National Center for Disaster Fraud by calling (866) 720-5721 or by going online at http://www.justice.gov/DisasterComplaintForm,” said U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida.

    On Sept. 26, Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida’s Big Bend Region and quickly caused major devastation there and across states including Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, and others. As we have seen in the wake of previous national disasters, fraudsters will target victims of the storm along with citizens across the country who want to do what they can to assist individuals affected by the storm. Unfortunately, criminals exploit disasters for their own gain by sending fraudulent communications through email or social media and by creating deceiving websites designed to solicit contributions.

    The public should exercise diligence before giving contributions to anyone soliciting donations or individuals offering to assist those affected by Hurricane Helene. Solicitations can originate from phone calls, texts, social media, e-mail, door-to-door collections, flyers, mailings, and other similar methods. Before making a donation to benefit victims of Hurricane Helene, individuals should adhere to certain guidelines, including:

    • Make contributions directly to known organizations rather than relying on others to make the donation on your behalf.

    • Do not be pressured into making contributions as reputable charities do not use such tactics.

    • Do not respond to any unsolicited communications (e.g., e-mails and texts), and never click links contained within those messages because they may be targeting your personal information, to include bank and credit card account information, and other identifiers such as dates of birth and social security numbers.

    • Rather than clicking on a purported link to a charity, verify its legitimacy by utilizing various Internet-based resources that may assist in confirming whether the organization is a valid charity.

    • Beware of organizations with copy-cat names similar to but not exactly the same as those of reputable charities.

    • Avoid cash donations if possible. Pay by credit card or write a check directly to the charity. Do not make checks payable to individuals.

    • Know that legitimate charities do not normally solicit donations via money transfer services, and their website will normally end in .org rather than .com.

    • Be cautious of e-mails that claim to show pictures of the disaster areas in attached files because the files may contain viruses. Only open attachments from known senders.

    The U.S. Department of Justice established the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) in the wake of Hurricane Katrina to deter, investigate, and prosecute fraud in the wake of disasters. More than 50 federal, state, and local agencies participate in the NCDF, which reminds the public to be aware of and report any instances of alleged fraudulent activity related to relief operations and funding for victims. Complaints of fraud may be reported online at http://www.justice.gov/DisasterComplaintForm. Complaints may also be reported to the NCDF at (866) 720-5721, a hotline that is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: At a Glance – Fisheries management measures in the Mediterranean: Transposition into EU law – 07-10-2024

    Source: European Parliament

    All Member States bordering the Mediterranean and the Black Sea, together with the European Union, participate in the management of fisheries in this area, in cooperation with several third countries, in the framework of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM). As a contracting party to the GFCM, the EU is bound to adopt its decisions. The European Commission has therefore proposed to transpose a number of recently adopted GFCM measures into EU law.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Financial support for tourism businesses in disaster-stricken Magnesia – E-001908/2024

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001908/2024
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Yannis Maniatis (S&D)

    After storm Daniel hit in September 2023, extensive parts of the Region of Thessaly were ravaged by floods, which caused severe damage to infrastructure and businesses. On top of this, towards the end of August this year, thousands of dead fish washed up on the shores of the Pagasetic Gulf causing a major environmental disaster, which brought the area to its knees and drove tourists away. The tourism sector, a mainstay of the local economy, in particular Magnesia’s economy, now finds itself in a critical situation as businesses are unable to return to business as usual without direct financial support.

    Given how serious and urgent a matter this is, can the Commission answer the following:

    • 1.Will it deploy available financial instruments to provide direct support to tourism businesses in Magnesia that have been affected by Storm Daniel and the dead fish in the Pagasetic Gulf?
    • 2.Is it considering the possibility of giving priority funding from European programmes to activities focused on rebuilding and strengthening the tourism sector in the regional unit of Magnesia?
    • 3.What steps will it take to ensure the viability of tourism businesses in areas such as Magnesia that are affected by environmental disasters, bearing in mind the increasing risk posed by climate change?

    Submitted: 1.10.2024

    Last updated: 7 October 2024

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Bennet, Hickenlooper, Neguse, Crow, Pettersen, DeGette Announce Support for Colorado River District’s Application for Funding to Complete Shoshone Water Rights Purchase

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Colorado Michael Bennet
    Denver — Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper, and U.S. Representatives Joe Neguse, Jason Crow, Brittany Pettersen, and Diana DeGette, wrote to the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) in support of the Colorado River Water Conservation District’s (CRWCD) application for federal funding to purchase two of the oldest water rights on the Colorado River mainstem in Colorado, known as the Shoshone Permanency Project. The lawmakers offered their support as part of an ongoing BOR funding opportunity to provide environmental benefits in response to drought, which remains open for additional projects in Colorado and the rest of the Upper Colorado River Basin.
    “The Colorado River District’s mission is to promote the protection, conservation, use, and development of the water resources of the Colorado River water basin for the welfare of the state of Colorado,” wrote the lawmakers. “Preserving the Colorado River’s historical flow regime as intended by the Shoshone Permanency Project will benefit the Colorado River ecosystem every year, and especially in dry years.”
    The 1902 Senior and the 1929 Junior Shoshone Water Rights currently held by Xcel Energy are used to generate power at the Shoshone Power Plant and then return it to the river. Communities across Western Colorado have already committed over $55 million, and are applying to BOR for funding from the Upper Colorado River Basin Environmental Drought Mitigation program to help complete the purchase and create stability for communities, water and recreational users, and the environment. The Upper Colorado River Basin Environmental Drought Mitigation program funding opportunity is open for application through November 22, 2024, and the lawmakers welcome other applicants to contact their offices on the opportunity to provide support. 
    “This strong show of funding reflects the local recognition of the Shoshone Water Rights’ importance to the health of western Colorado’s environment and local economies,”continue the lawmakers. “We recognize the Shoshone Permanency Project’s complex nature and ongoing technical review, but believe the opportunity to protect historical Colorado River flows deserves your attention.”
    As part of the Shoshone Permanency Project, CRWCD will seek a change in these rights to include an alternate beneficial use and preserve the historical flow regime. The state process for changing these decreed water rights is distinct from any federal funding review or outcome, and will proceed separately. As acknowledged in the letter, data collection and analysis related to the Shoshone water rights’ historic use is ongoing and important to the state of Colorado’s formal review. 
    As the Chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee’s Subcommittee on Conservation, Climate, Forestry and Natural Resources, Bennet has consistently worked with his colleagues to help communities in Colorado and across the American West as they face the effects of climate change. In June 2022, as Subcommittee Chair, Bennet held the Senate’s very first hearing on Western drought. In June 2024, Bennet and Subcommittee Ranking Member U.S. Senator Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) held a field hearing in Burlington, Colorado, to hear from Western producers and agricultural leaders facing historic drought. 
    Bennet and Hickenlooper fought to include $8 billion for Western water infrastructure, $10 billion for forests, $19 billion for agricultural conservation, and $4 billion for drought in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. In September 2022, Bennet, Neguse, and Crow urged BOR to prioritize funding for long-term, permanent solutions to the Colorado River drought crisis as it worked to allocate the $4 billion for Western drought from the IRA. After calling on the Biden administration to make further investments to address long-term drought caused by climate change in April 2024, Bennet welcomed $400 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for investments at the irrigation district scale to address drought in August. The lawmakers will continue to work with communities and water users across the state to ensure as much of this funding as possible comes to the state of Colorado.
    The text of the letter is available HERE and below.
    Dear Commissioner Touton:
    We write in support of the Colorado River Water Conservation District’s (the River District) application to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation’s (USBR) Upper Colorado River Basin Environmental Drought Mitigation funding opportunity, referred to as Bucket 2E. As you know, the Inflation Reduction Act provided a historic $4 billion to address issues caused by drought, including activities to support environmental benefits, and ecosystem and habitat restoration. If selected, the River District will leverage Bucket 2E funding alongside significant state and local investment to purchase two of the oldest water rights on the Colorado River mainstem in the State of Colorado – the Shoshone Water Rights – to preserve their historical flow regime in perpetuity. 
    The River District was established in 1937 as a local governing entity to represent water users across 15 counties in Western Colorado – including the headwaters of the Yampa, White, Gunnison, and Colorado Rivers. The Colorado River District’s mission is to promote the protection, conservation, use, and development of the water resources of the Colorado River water basin for the welfare of the State of Colorado.
    Now, the River District is pursuing the Shoshone Permanency Project, which aims to preserve the historical Colorado River flow regime created by the 1902 Senior Shoshone Water Right and the 1929 Junior Shoshone Water Right (the “Shoshone Water Rights”). The River District has signed an agreement to purchase the Shoshone Water Rights from Xcel Energy, which currently holds the rights for its Shoshone hydropower plant. Today, the Shoshone Water Rights are decreed as non-consumptive water rights: the water is used to generate hydropower at the Shoshone Power Plant and is returned to the stream. The Shoshone Water Rights’ senior status “pulls” water to Glenwood Canyon, which ensures that water continues to flow and benefits the downstream environment. Preserving the Colorado River’s historical flow regime as intended by the Shoshone Permanency Project will benefit the Colorado River ecosystem every year, and especially in dry years.
    Data collection and analysis of Shoshone Water Rights’ historic use is not yet completed, and ongoing–a key step for understanding the historic flow regime on the Colorado River. The Shoshone Permanency Project seeks to change the water rights to include an alternate beneficial use for instream flow purposes, a legally recognized beneficial use in Colorado, to preserve the historical Shoshone flow regime. The proposed decree associated with these flows is still under technical review by the State of Colorado. The River District is actively discussing the proposal with other water users across the state. The Colorado Water Conservation Board and the State of Colorado Water Court will conduct a formal review in the coming months. Ongoing modeling will also help quantify the environmental benefits of the Shoshone Water Rights flows. One potential benefit is to the critical habitat of four fish in the Colorado River listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), known as the 15-Mile Reach, located near Palisade, Colorado.
    The State of Colorado and our water users are making their own significant investments to ensure that the historical Shoshone flows can continue in perpetuity. The Colorado River District has allocated $20 million, the State of Colorado has appropriated another $20 million for the acquisition, provided the State’s instream flow requirements are met, and a coalition of Western Slope water users and local governments have formally committed over $15 million. This strong show of funding reflects the local recognition of the Shoshone Water Rights’ importance to the health of western Colorado’s environment and local economies.
    We recognize the Shoshone Permanency Project’s complex nature and ongoing technical review, but believe the opportunity to protect historical Colorado River flows deserves your attention. We encourage you to give the River District’s proposal your full and fair consideration consistent with all applicable rules and regulations. Thank you for your review, and please notify our offices of any funds awarded.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: On One Year Anniversary of October 7, Graham, Senate Colleagues Stand With Israel, Condemn Hamas

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for South Carolina Lindsey Graham
    WASHINGTON – On the one year anniversary of the brutal October 7 attack on Israel, U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and 47 of their colleagues are condemning Iran-backed Hamas for its actions, supporting Israel’s right to exist and calling for the safe release of American hostages.
    The entire Senate Republican Conference stands united in opposing violent antisemitic protests and Iran-backed Hamas’ use of rape as a weapon of war. They are also reiterating Israel’s right to defend itself and emphasizing the importance of denying Hamas the ability to reconstitute in the region to ensure the horrific events of that day are never repeated.
    Click here to view the full resolution.
    “The vicious and barbaric October 7 attack against innocent men, women and children by the terrorist organization, Hamas – backed by Iran – will be remembered forever by all decent human beings. The civilized world should be resolved in standing with and eradicating those who want to create a second Holocaust. This attack was not just a heinous crime against the Jewish people, it was a crime against civilization itself,” said Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina).
    “This time last year, I woke up in the Middle East to the unbearable news that Israel was under attack by Iran-backed terrorists and Americans were being killed and taken hostage,” said Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa). “I immediately traveled into Israel to show that our nation’s friendship is unwavering, in good times and bad. Regardless of whether I have been in Jerusalem, Washington, or Iowa, I have worked around the clock to hold the White House accountable to its ‘ironclad’ commitment, bring our hostages home, and cut off the source of terrorism in Tehran. One year since that day, as Israel remains under attack on all fronts, Senate Republicans stand united with our greatest ally in the Middle East.”
    “The United States stands with Israel, on this solemn anniversary and every day, as it defends itself against terrorist entities that seek to undermine peace and stability in the region. We must be unwavering in our support for our great friend and ally,” said Senate Republican Whip John Thune (R-South Dakota).
    “The world watched in horror a year ago as Hamas slaughtered innocent men, women and children in Israel. Our nation must provide unwavering support to Israel’s mission to defend itself and defeat Hamas. We must unite and bring back peace through strength. Our resolution underscores how now more than ever, the American people need to stand with our ally Israel,” said Senate Republican Conference Chair John Barrasso (R-Wyoming).
    “One year ago today, Israel was brutally and indiscriminately attacked by Hamas terrorists in an act of sheer evil that resulted in more than one thousand innocent people viciously murdered by terrorists. I am particularly sickened by Hamas’s use of sexual violence on this dark day, an inexcusable and disgusting war crime that must be universally condemned and never again used as a weapon of war. One year after these terrorist attacks and more recent attacks against the Israeli state, I unequivocally stand with the Jewish people, including our communities in West Virginia,” said Vice Chair of the Republican Conference Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-West Virginia).
    “The United States must stand with Israel. As we saw one year ago, Iran, the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism, helped Hamas fund and carry out the deadliest attack on the Jewish people since the Holocaust. Hamas murdered nearly 1,200 people, including Americans, and still holds many hostage. As we pause to remember the victims, the free world must stand in solidarity with Israel and support its fight against the evil Iranian regime,” said Senator Steve Daines (R-Montana).
    “Today, people across the world are remembering those lives lost and the hostages who remain in captivity in Gaza. Unfortunately, a year later, Iran-backed groups continue to threaten the safety and security of the Israeli people. Hamas continues to hold innocent hostages in Gaza, while the Houthis in Yemen and Hezbollah in Lebanon fire rockets and missiles towards Israel. The United States can and should continue to do all it can to support our ally Israel and hold Iran and its proxies accountable for their brutal attacks. This resolution is an important message to the people of Israel that we remain committed to defending them,” said Senate Foreign Relations Committee Ranking Member Jim Risch (R-Idaho).
    “Hamas and its Iranian sponsors are intent on nothing less than the destruction of the Jewish state. On this anniversary, we remember the victims, demand freedom for the remaining hostages, and declare our strong and abiding support for our Israeli partners to ensure that these terrorist regimes are relegated to the dustbin of history,” said Senate Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Roger Wicker (R-Mississippi).
    “For the past 12 months, the Israeli military has taken necessary actions to preserve its homeland and neutralize the threat of horrific Iran-backed Hamas terrorism. In the face of ongoing Iranian aggression and rising antisemitism, the United States remains unwavering in our resolve to stand with Israel – our strongest ally in the Middle East,” said Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa).
    “One year ago today, Hamas terrorists launched an unprovoked and deceitful series of terrorist acts inside Israel. The level of barbarism that we saw was nothing short of evil. These crimes against humanity were also visited upon American citizens as well. More than 40 were murdered by Hamas, and dozens were taken hostage. One year later, seven American citizens remain held by terrorists. We must continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with the State of Israel. We must provide them with everything they need to secure the safety of their nation, eliminate the threat of terrorism, and apply maximum pressure on Hamas to release the remaining hostages,” said Senator Ted Budd (R-North Carolina).
    “October 7 left an indelible mark on the Jewish State of Israel. In the last year, we have seen Hamas for the pure evil it is. Today, we reaffirm our commitment to stand with Israel, reinforce our efforts to bring all the remaining hostages, including American citizens, home, and pledge to always stand up to antisemitism,” said Dr. Bill Cassidy (R-Louisiana). 
    “On October 7, 2023, Hamas terrorists murdered hundreds of Israeli people. This was truly Israel’s 9/11. As we reflect on the one-year anniversary of this terrible day, we reaffirm our support for Israel. America must continue to stand with our ally as they defend their nation,” said Senator Mike Rounds (R-South Dakota).
    “The United States continues to stand with our ally Israel a year after Hamas’ brutal attacks. We will never forget the tragedy that occurred on October 7th and the subsequent attacks from Iranian-backed terrorist groups and the rise of antisemitism that has followed. As we recognize this anniversary, we also reaffirm Israel’s right to self-defense,” said Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-Oklahoma).
    “One year after the grievous terrorist attack on Israel, there are still hostages, including Americans, being held captive by Hamas. The United States must continue to support Israel’s efforts to bring every hostage home and ensure its security against Hamas and all Iran-backed terrorist groups,” said Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kansas).
    “There’s no excusing, no equivocating, no explaining the actions of Hamas, who brutally raped, tortured, and beheaded innocent civilians and filmed it all for the world to see. Just as they did one year ago, Israel deserves America’s full and unwavering support, and I stand with the people of Israel in solidarity,” said Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas).
    “One year after Hamas’ barbaric attack on Israel, we stand resolute in our unwavering support for the Jewish state and her right to defend herself. America must stand shoulder to shoulder with Israel – our great ally, friend, and partner – as she works to bring every single hostage home and permanently neutralize the threat of Hamas. Only through strength can we achieve peace — evil is powerless when the good are unafraid,” said Senator Katie Britt (R-Alabama).
    “One year ago, Hamas’ senseless and unprovoked attacks on Israel killed thousands of innocent Israeli civilians and the bloodshed since the war began has been devastating. Now more than ever, we must do everything in our power to hold Hamas accountable for its continued acts of terror and reaffirm our commitment to Israel as they continue to protect themselves against Hamas’ reign of terror,” said Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyoming).
    “On October 7th, the world witnessed a heinous terror attack as Hamas murdered innocent women, men and children. We must remain vigilant and unwavering in our commitment to bringing Hamas terrorists to justice. To the people of Israel, we stand with you, we mourn with you, and we will continue to support you until every hostage is brought home and Hamas surrenders,” said Senator Pete Ricketts (R-Nebraska).
    “On the one year anniversary of the attacks on Israel, we remain committed to standing with Israel in its efforts to fully defeat Hamas and stand up to its terrorist adversaries throughout the region. Israel is our strongest partner in the Middle East and this resolution reaffirms our support for this important ally,” said Senator John Hoeven (R-North Dakota).
    “Israel is America’s closest ally in the Middle East and our partner for peace in the region. They have faced vicious attacks since their founding in 1948, but in the past year the attacks have reached a level never seen in the last half century of Israel. Terror attacks on the streets, rockets and missiles from all four directions and innocent hostages in Gaza have tested Israel’s strength. But, Israel still stands. The United States should stand with Israel in their battle for peace and existence, just as Israel has always stood with us in our battle against terrorism,” said Senator James Lankford (R-Oklahoma).
    “Just as the sun began to rise one year ago, barbaric Hamas terrorists stormed into Israel and launched a widescale attack on thousands of innocent Israeli citizens. Hamas kidnapped, tortured and brutally murdered thousands of innocent people, plunging the Middle East into turmoil once again. I continue to press for the release of the remaining hostages and to stand unwaveringly with our strongest ally in the Middle East and its right to defend itself from ongoing threats from Iran and Iranian-backed terrorists,” said Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho).
    “On this solemn anniversary, I stand firmly with Israel in condemning Hamas and their unspeakable acts of terror. We reaffirm our unwavering support for Israel’s right to defend itself, and we honor the resilience of her people. The United States must remain steadfast to stand with our ally in the fight against terrorism and the pursuit of lasting peace,” said Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Mississippi).
    “Hamas’ brutal attack on innocent victims will never be forgotten. As families still wait to be reunited with loved ones captured one year ago, our resolve is unwavering to bring these hostages home. The United States stands with Israel, one of our closest friends and allies, as it continues to defend itself and its people. I remain committed to supporting our partner in its fight against Iran-backed terrorists,” said Senator John Boozman (R-Arkansas).
    “On October 7, 2023, the world witnessed a truly barbaric and deadly terrorist attack against the Jewish State of Israel. Hamas and other Islamist militants made it clear that their ultimate goal is the complete destruction of Israel, our strongest ally in the Middle East. The U.S. has a moral duty to defend our national security interests and to stand with the people of Israel. We will not waiver,” said Senator Marco Rubio (R-Florida).
    “It has been one year since Iran-backed Hamas terrorists attacked Israel, murdered families, raped innocent women, beheaded babies, and took so many hostage—including Americans who we have still not seen to this day. It is a day that so many will never forget, and not a day goes by that their loved ones wouldn’t do anything to see them again. We must stand with all of those impacted by the heinous attack, continue to stand with their families and support Israel in their fight. We cannot stop fighting until we bring them all home,” said Senator Rick Scott (R-Florida).
    “As hard as it is to believe, it was one year ago today that Hamas launched an attack with the sole purpose of eradicating Israel, kidnapping and slaughtering thousands of Israeli citizens and dozens of Americans in the process. Despite the reckless language of the left, we stand in support of Israel, unequivocally, our friend and our close ally. The United States must do everything we can to champion the continued existence and flourishing of Israel, and deny Hamas the opportunity to rebuild itself,” said Senator Kevin Cramer (R-North Dakota).
    “Today, on October 7, it is important for us to pause and remember the barbaric attack that claimed the lives of more than 1,200 people in Israel one year ago today.  To this day, Hamas continues to hold innocent Israelis and Americans hostage, and the United States must unequivocally stand with our ally in its fight to rescue these individuals from captivity and defend itself against terrorism,” said Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee).
    “One year ago today, the Iranian-backed terrorist group Hamas murdered 1,200 innocent individuals, abducted 240 hostages ranging from 10 months to 85 years old, and viciously raped and mutilated Israeli women. These despicable acts of violence, which resulted in the largest loss of Jewish life in a single day since the Holocaust, sadly continue with the brutal murder of six hostages just a few weeks ago and Iran’s recent missile attack. This resolution sends a strong message against all antisemitic acts and violence committed in support of such terrorist ideology. I urge my colleagues to join us as we stand with the Jewish community and with Israel, our closest ally in the Middle East,” said Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine).
    “One year ago, the world witnessed Hamas commit an unprovoked barbaric attack against Israeli civilians. As we reflect on the anniversary of this horrific event, we must resolve to stand toe-to-toe against global aggressors and vow our unwavering support to defend Israel in their time of need. Showing that we are loyal to our allies and lethal to our adversaries is the only way to deter another tragedy like this from happening. The United States will always stand with Israel,” said Senator Tim Scott (R-South Carolina).
    “One year ago, Hamas terrorists launched an unprecedented attack on Israel, killing innocent Israelis and American citizens and taking hostages in acts of horrific violence. We will never forget those lost in the evil attacks and continue to pray for the safe return of those still held captive by Hamas. We must stand united against the forces of terror that seek to undermine democracy and spread chaos in the region and beyond,” said Senator Roger Marshall (R-Kansas).
    “Today marks the one year anniversary of the worst attack on the Jewish people since the Holocaust. As our resolution makes clear, we condemn Hamas for its brutal terrorist attack on Israel, reject the age-old sickness of antisemitism, and demand the safe release of remaining hostages from the Gaza Strip. The United States stands with Israel and supports its right to defend itself,” said Senator Todd Young (R-Indiana).
    “The October 7th attack on Israel was a horrifying act of terror that claimed 1,200 innocent lives, including U.S. citizens. This resolution rightly condemns those atrocities and the ongoing torture and killing of hostages. Israel has a right to exist and the United States will continue to stand firmly behind them in their fight against evil,” said Dr. Rand Paul (R-Kentucky).

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Ocean protection accounts for 10% of fish in the world’s coral reefs – but we could save so much more

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Joshua Cinner, Professor & ARC Laureate Fellow, Thriving Oceans Research Hub, School of Geosciences, University of Sydney

    Ocean fish populations have fallen dramatically in the past half-century, and climate change is expected to make the problem worse. Governments have designated “marine protected areas”, where where human activity is constrained to protect ocean life. But have these efforts worked?

    About 8% of Earth’s oceans are protected, including about 3% where fishing is banned altogether. Our new study of nearly 2,600 tropical coral reefs around the world is the first to examine whether these areas have helped fish populations.

    We found about one in ten kilograms of fish on coral reefs is the result of efforts such as marine protected areas and other restrictions on fishing. This is promising news. But our study also reveals great room for improvement.

    A video discussing how Earth’s fish stocks are declining.

    Getting to grips with marine protection

    Maintaining healthy fish populations is important. Many communities depend on fishing for their food and livelihoods. And fish play a vital role in ocean ecosystems.

    Marine protected areas are a key policy tool used to increase fish populations. They cover a range of ocean areas including lagoons, coastal waters, deep seabed waters and coral reefs.

    The areas go by several names, including marine parks and conservation zones. Some, where fishing is prohibited, are known as no-take zones.

    Governments often quote figures on the area of ocean protected when seeking to tout their conservation policies. For example in Australia, we are told the federal, state and territory governments have established marine parks covering 4.3 million square kilometres or 48% of our oceans.

    But the extent to which marine protected areas actually conserve marine life varies enormously from place to place. So simply counting up the protected ocean area doesn’t tell you much about what has actually been achieved.

    Measuring success

    We and our colleagues wanted to assess the extent to which marine protection efforts have increased the amount of fish on coral reefs.

    We developed a computer model based on about 2,600 reefs across the global tropics, which includes reefs in the Pacific, Indian, and Atlantic oceans. From that, we estimated the amount of fish currently on each reef – measured in the kilograms of fish per hectare, or “biomass”.

    The estimations were based on information such as:

    • environmental conditions such as ocean temperature and the type of habitat where the reef is located

    • the intensity of fishing activity, known as “fishing pressure”

    • how strong the protection is – for example whether it bans fishing, or just restricts it

    • the level of compliance with no-take zones.

    We then simulated what would happen if we changed the type of protection strategy in each location while keeping everything else the same.

    We ran a few scenarios:

    • no coral reef conservation existed anywhere and all reefs could be fished without constraint

    • sites currently fished without constraint (which amounted to over half of our sites) had restrictions in place

    • fishing was prohibited on 30% of all reefs.

    And the results?

    We found both marine protected areas and other fishing restrictions account for about 10% of the fish “biomass” on reefs. In other words, about one in ten kilograms of fish on coral reefs is due to protection efforts.

    No-take zones punch above their weight. Of the fish biomass attributable to protection efforts, about 20% comes from just 3% of sites in no-take zones. This proportion would be even higher if illegal fishing in no-take zones was stamped out.

    But we found any type of fishing restriction was useful. If everywhere currently fished without constraint was subject to some level of protection – such as banning nets or spear guns – the biomass of fish globally would be another 10.5% higher, our study found. This essentially matches all conservation efforts to date.

    Our modelling also showed fish on coral reefs could be increased by up to 28% globally if the area of no-take zones rose to 30%.

    But these reefs must be chosen strategically. That’s because protection strategies can lead to wildly different results, depending on local conditions. For example, sites with lower fishing pressure in the surrounding seascape got a bigger boost from protection than places surrounded by intensive fishing effort.

    This may be because at heavily fished locations, algae often overtakes coral as the dominant feature. Algae is less fish-friendly than coral, so fish populations may not bounce back quickly even when fishing pressure is reduced.

    Grounds for optimism

    Our study tested the mettle of global coral reef conservation. On one hand, we found conservation efforts have made a contribution to the amount of fish on global coral reefs, which provides grounds for cautious optimism.

    But on the other hand, this contribution is quite modest. Our study shows much greater gains could be made not only by expanding protected marine areas, but also by improving compliance in existing ones.

    Most nations have signed a global agreement to protect 30% of Earth’s land and waters by 2030. That means the amount of ocean in marine protected areas globally will increase nearly fourfold in just six years.

    As governments continue this task, we hope our results help identify ocean sites that will benefit most from protection.

    Joshua Cinner receives funding from the Australian Research Council and National Geographic Society. He is a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences in Australia and the International Coral Reef Society.

    Iain R. Caldwell is affiliated with the Wildlife Conservation Society

    – ref. Ocean protection accounts for 10% of fish in the world’s coral reefs – but we could save so much more – https://theconversation.com/ocean-protection-accounts-for-10-of-fish-in-the-worlds-coral-reefs-but-we-could-save-so-much-more-239188

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Casey, Fetterman, Reschenthaler, Deluzio, Lee Urge Army Corps to Respond to Navigation Concerns on Monongahela River, Help Mon Valley Economy

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Pennsylvania Bob Casey
    Army Corps is leading on lock and dam removal in broader effort to modernize Monongahela River, key for region’s economy
    Members: “We understand that the various agencies of the Commonwealth are already standing ready to support the needed work on the Mon River. The Corps must do the same, as quickly as possible”  
    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and John Fetterman (D-PA) and U.S. Representatives Guy Reschenthaler (R-PA-14), Chris Deluzio (D-PA-17), and Summer Lee (D-PA-12) continued to demand action on significant navigation issues on the Monongahela River and the ongoing impacts to the local economy. Due to significant changes in water levels, commercial barges continue to encounter shallow areas that damage equipment and impede regional commerce. The Members pressed the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to act swiftly to do all in its power to help alleviate the depth and navigational issues to keep the Mon—and Southwestern Pennsylvania’s economy—flowing.
    “We recognize that addressing shallow areas that hinder navigation is a shared priority for all stakeholders involved. Because the dam removal led to the current navigational challenges, we believe it is imperative that the Corps does everything in its power to assist in remedying the navigational issues on the Mon River,” the Members wrote.
    In the letter, the Members highlighted how the project will be extensive and require a multi-party effort to address and urged USACE to commit to assist in determining outstanding dredging needs with the U.S Coast Guard, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), and industry stakeholders.
    The Members continued, “We understand that the various agencies of the Commonwealth are already standing ready to support the needed work on the Mon River. The Corps must do the same, as quickly as possible.”
    The removal of the Elizabeth Locks and Dam is part of a broader effort to modernize the Monongahela River, a key waterway for Southwestern Pennsylvania’s economy. Earlier this summer, USACE began the dam removal project with help from the U.S. Coast Guard to keep the river safe and navigable during the project. Unfortunately, due to a resulting shallowness in the lock chamber, commercial barges could not initially navigate the Mon River at standard draft. The Members alerted the Corps to the ongoing issue and urged the Corps to do everything in its power to remedy the navigational challenges that continue to threaten the economy in Southwestern Pennsylvania.
    Senators Casey and Fetterman and Representatives Reschenthaler, Deluzio, and Lee have consistently pressed USACE to act swiftly to restore commercial barge navigability to normal. In August, the Members raised alarms to the Corps after learning that the water levels in the Elizabeth Locks were too shallow to accommodate traditional commercial vessels. In July, the Members urged USACE to prioritize the restoration of the nine-foot draft and provide ongoing updates about the project’s status. They also reminded USACE about the steep economic costs of delaying this project.  
    Read the letter HERE or below:
    Dear Lieutenant General Graham:
    We write to reiterate our ongoing concerns with the impact of the dam removal at Locks and Dam (LD) 3 on navigation traffic on the Monongahela River (“Mon River”) near Elizabeth, Pennsylvania. The project’s goal was to create one, continuous pool of water between Charleroi, PA and Braddock, PA, reducing travel times for commercial vessels and boosting the regional economy. While some overall reduction in water levels were expected, the drop observed after the initial demolition at Elizabeth has been unexpectedly detrimental to navigation. The resulting low water levels have created new navigational challenges on the river, that must be remedied to ensure that the benefits of the removal become a reality. 
    We recognize that addressing shallow areas that hinder navigation is a shared priority for all stakeholders involved. Because the dam removal led to the current navigational challenges, we believe it is imperative that the Corps does everything in its power to assist in remedying the navigational issues on the Mon River. We understand that the Corps’ support for this work could include, but is not limited to:
    Developing and sharing all relevant data, including all survey results that may be helpful to determining outstanding dredging needs with the Coast Guard, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), and industry stakeholders;
    Exploring potential beneficial uses of dredged materials produced as a result of Corps dredging and any supplementary dredging;
    Expediting permitting for dredge work on the Mon River;
    We appreciate the Corps’ ongoing work to respond as it can to the high points by using existing funding to quickly begin dredge work on problematic areas. However, the outstanding work required to return the river to its pre-demolition functionality is extensive and will require a multi-party effort to address. To facilitate that essential collaboration, we respectfully request answers to the following questions:
    Will USACE commit to taking all action possible to return the Mon to its pre-demolition functionality, including but not limited to sharing all relevant river survey results with the Coast Guard, PennDOT, and industry stakeholders, exploring potential beneficial uses of dredged material, and expediting permitting as possible and appropriate? 
    What is USACE’s plan for the remainder of the dam at the Elizabeth Locks and Dam? Will USACE and its contractors continue to detonate and remove the dam? If so, does USACE anticipate that this will have any impact on water levels?
    How is USACE prepared to work with other permitting agencies to expedite any needed permit adjustments?
    We understand that the various agencies of the Commonwealth are already standing ready to support the needed work on the Mon River. The Corps must do the same, as quickly as possible. We appreciate your prompt attention to the urgent needs on the Mon River and the questions above. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Civil Society Organizations Brief the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women on the Situation of Women in Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Saudi Arabia and New Zealand

    Source: United Nations – Geneva

    The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women was this afternoon briefed by representatives of civil society organizations on the situation of women’s rights in Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Saudi Arabia and New Zealand, whose reports the Committee will review this week.

    In relation to Lao People’s Democratic Republic, speakers raised concerns regarding gender-based violence, human trafficking, and the experiences of Hmong women and girls. 

    Non-governmental organizations speaking on Saudi Arabia raised topics on the imprisonment of women human rights defenders, women on death row, and the treatment of female domestic workers. 

    On New Zealand, speakers addressed the situation of Māori women and girls, the treatment of transgender and intersex persons, and the gender pay gap.

    The following non-governmental organizations spoke on Lao People’s Democratic Republic: Association for Development of Women and Legal Education; Gender Development Association; the Alliance for Democracy in Laos; Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization in affiliation with its member the Congress of World Hmong People; and Hawai’i Centre for Human Rights Research and Action and on behalf of the Advocates for Human Rights, the World Coalition against the Death Penalty, and Harm Reduction International.

    The following non-governmental organizations spoke on Saudi Arabia: Amnesty International; MENA Rights Group and ALQST; the Advocates for Human Rights, the World Coalition against the Death Penalty, and the European Saudi Organization for Human Rights; Migrants Rights and Global Detention Project; and Sema Nami, Global Alliance against Traffic in Women, Solidarity Centre, IZWI Domestic Worker Alliance, and Africa End Sexual Harassment Initiative. 

    The New Zealand Human Rights Commission spoke on New Zealand, as did the following non-governmental organizations: Te Whare Tiaki Wahine Refuge, Homeless Women’s Coalition and Maori Women’s Welfare League; Pacific Allied Council (of women) Inspires Faith Ideals Concerning All; Shakti; Pacific Women’s Watch; and the National Council of Women.

    The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women’s eighty-ninth session is being held from 7 October to 25 October. All documents relating to the Committee’s work, including reports submitted by States parties, can be found on the session’s webpage.  Meeting summary releases can be found here.  The webcast of the Committee’s public meetings can be accessed via the UN Web TV webpage.

    The Committee will next meet in public at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, 8 October to consider the tenth periodic report of Lao People’s Democratic Republic (CEDAW/C/LAO/10).

    Opening Remarks by the Committee Chair

    ANA PELÁEZ NARVÁEZ, Committee Chairperson, said this was the first opportunity during the session for non-governmental organizations to provide information on States parties that were having their reports reviewed during the first week, namely Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Saudi Arabia and New Zealand.  A second meeting would be held on Monday, 14 October, where civil society would provide information on the countries under consideration in the second week of the session.

    Statements by Non-Governmental Organizations from Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Saudi Arabia and New Zealand

    Lao People’s Democratic Republic

    On Lao People’s Democratic Republic, speakers, among other things, said the percentage of women and girls who experienced gender-based violence was high.  Authorities had misconceptions about what violence against women looked like. It was recommended that the Government develop an appropriate platform to raise awareness and expand shelter services, to ensure women and girls had access to protection and legal mechanisms. There were also limitations for women’s access to the justice system, especially in the context of violence against women.  Customary law was often applied to violence against women cases, without women representatives.  It was recommended that the Government enhance the capacity of law enforcement and mediation units, and review relevant laws for ensuring the full protection of women and girls. 

    There was a great difference in the rates of young births between the rural and urban areas; 23.5 per cent of girls aged 15 to 19 were married or in a relationship.  It was recommended that the Government develop communication tools for ethnic women and provide community hospitals and resources. Around 32 per cent of young females between 15 and 17 years of age did not go to school, primarily due to financial reasons.  It was recommended that the Government enhance the monitoring and data collection system.  Many young women and girls were often offered for sale to men in China on the internet. The internet trade continued unabated, and perpetrators roamed free.  Many women human rights defenders were murdered or disappeared.  The Government had announced that it would do everything to improve the situation, but there were many laws which only existed on paper and had not truly been implemented. 

    The systemic discrimination faced by the Hmong had been underlined but was not present in the list of issues. The Hmong were the third largest ethnic group in the country, and their women and girls endured poverty, deprivation and a lack of health care services.  The Hmong were targeted for extrajudicial killings.  Women and girls were strategically targeted when searching for food, particularly for trafficking, sex slavery and rape.  Lao People’s Democratic Republic must address gender-based violence against this group.  It was strongly requested that the Committee raise these concerns with the State party.  Women faced greater oppression when standing up for those who had been disappeared. Many people were waiting for their loved ones bodies to be returned or for more information on their whereabouts. Women often received unfair trials with mandatory death sentences, particularly when it came to drug-related crimes.  There should be a moratorium on the death penalty. 

    Saudi Arabia

    Concerning Saudi Arabia, speakers acknowledged some positive reforms on the male guardianship system since the last review.  However, authorities had pursued a ruthless crackdown on human rights defenders, unfairly trialling women human rights defenders and subjecting them to torture and imprisonment.  The family law, which entered into force in 2022, showed that newly enacted legislation entrenched a system of discrimination in all aspects of family life and did not adequately protect women from domestic violence or rape. 

    The Government was called on to release all women rights activists in prison and repeal discriminatory legislation. Many women human rights activists were placed under illegal travel bans and were being subjected to arbitrary arrests for being vocal about human rights issues.  The authorities used anti-terrorism laws to target women human rights defenders, who were often placed in secret detention centres and denied contact with their families.  Saudi Arabia needed to ensure women human rights defenders were protected and included in shaping society. 

    Between 2020 and 2024, at least 11 women were executed for drug-related crimes, all of whom were migrant women. Several women had been convicted without legal counsel.  Increased transparency was needed in the judicial process, particularly for women on death row.  There needed to be a moratorium on the death penalty. 

    Speakers highlighted the plight of domestic and migrant workers within the country, and said Saudi Arabia should improve its treatment of migrant women and their families during the immigration process.  Saudi Arabia should rescind its regime which punished women seeking to escape exploitation. Immigration detention for women who became pregnant at their place of work should be ended.  Saudi Arabia should ratify International Labour Organization Convention 198 and incorporate domestic workers into their labour legislation. Domestic workers in Saudi Arabia were subjected to lower pay and forced to live in inhumane conditions which diminished their dignity.  Some were subject to extreme abuse, including physical violence, starvation and sexual harassment.  Justice remained out of reach for most of these women. 

    New Zealand

    Among other things, speakers urged the New Zealand Government to focus on gender equality.  Too many indigenous women were unhoused and unsafe.  The New Zealand Government was a serial perpetrator of colonial violence.  Māori women and girls were profiled as a minority group and were othered.  They were in urgent need of a global, indigenous women’s forum and needed the Government to develop a national action plan on their behalf.  The Committee had the power to recommend that the Government affirm its commitment to the Convention.  The New Zealand Government should endorse and recognise Pacific women’s leadership and aspirations. 

    The issue of forced marriage remained unequally addressed despite recommendations by the Committee.  Women on non-permanent residence visas faced immense barriers in accessing justice and social security.  Religious abuse was unrecognised; women were kept in limbo about their marital status in the name of religion.  The Committee should call for stronger reforms for migrant women living in an increasingly ethnically diverse New Zealand. 

    The Government should adhere to its commitments to establish stalking as a criminal act.  The Government should evaluate legal and court processes to ensure victims were not prohibited from seeking justice.  The Government ought to establish an enquiry into non-consensual surgeries on intersex persons and provide redress.  Transgender and intersex persons needed to be protected. In rural areas, internet coverage was limited, which impacted outcomes for rural families.  The Government should invest in mobile communications and infrastructure for these communities.  Pay gaps for women, including Māori women, needed to be closed. The State was urged to implement national machinery which ensured disaggregated data was available to inform policy. 

    Questions by Committee Experts

    A Committee Expert asked what the Government of New Zealand should do to release women from religious marriages? What should be done to combat forced marriage? 

    Another Expert asked if there were situations of statelessness among Māori women and girls in New Zealand? Were there issues relating to women, nationality and citizenship? 

    An Expert asked about the internet trade in Lao People’s Democratic Republic which saw young girls being trafficked.  Did the Government recognise this as a great problem?  What was the view on increasing family violence?

    A Committee Expert said given the Government of New Zealand had established an intersex clinical reference group, were there any positive recommendations or movements coming out?

    Another Expert asked New Zealand if there were any specific challenges affecting education?  What could be done to address these challenges? 

    An Expert asked about the situation of education in Lao People’s Democratic Republic? 

    A Committee Expert said information provided claimed that there was a genuine change in Saudi Arabia; women could obtain drivers’ license and travel with their own passport, among other things. Could more information on these reforms be provided?  How many women human rights defenders were in jail? 

    An Expert asked about data sovereignty in New Zealand?  There had been an important climate case decided in New Zealand, regarding the extractive industry being sued for alleged contribution to climate change. Could more information on this be shared with the Committee? 

    A Committee Expert asked non-governmental organizations from Saudi Arabia what were the main issues when it came to the limitations of legislation on trafficking? 

    Responses by Non-Governmental Organizations

    Lao People’s Democratic Republic

    Responding to questions, speakers said the Government did not take any effective actions against human trafficking, especially for young girls.  Internet control for criminals was not effective in Lao People’s Democratic Republic. People in the country were very poor and their income was very low.  Around 30 per cent of young people did not have any employment. 

    Saudi Arabia

    Answering questions on Saudi Arabia, speakers said since 2018, Saudi Arabia had implemented reforms to its male guardianship system, including allowing women to obtain passports and be legal heads of households, among others.  However, there were still issues under the Personal Status Code, including that women needed permission from males to marry, and that women were considered as custodians of their children rather than guardians.  There was also a disobedience law still in place. Families feared speaking about women in prison so there were no official statistics.  There were dozens of cases of women who had been jailed for expressing their views on women’s rights in Saudi Arabia, but without open and fair trials, there were no exact numbers. 

    New Zealand

    Speakers answering questions on New Zealand said women’s connection to culture empowered them to navigate diverse environments.  It was essential that the Government recognised this to empower women and communities.  The reference group had been established in New Zealand for intersex persons which sought to establish medical guidelines.  As this was quite recent, it was hard to say its impact.  Even if it was successful, it would not help those who had already been through the system.  Further answers would be provided in writing. 

    Statement by the National Human Rights Institution of New Zealand

    SAUNOAMAALI’I DR KARANINA SUMEO, Acting Chief Commissioner of the New Zealand Human Rights Commission, said Māori women’s rights in New Zealand were at serious risk due to a lack of constitutional protection and regressive policy and legislative measures.  Today, Māori women and girls continued to experience inequities across health, justice, state care, employment, income and housing.  Despite this, the Government was currently working through a reform programme that looked to further undermine Māori rights.  The programme included disestablishing the body created to advance Māori health equity and self-determination; introducing a bill to reinterpret treaty principles to omit reference to Māori self-determination and recognition of Māori as indigenous peoples; and reviewing the role of the Waitangi Tribunal, the primary avenue for Māori to raise claims regarding Crown breaches of Te Tiriti. 

    The Government had already overridden Māori rights recognised by the Tribunal and courts, and stopped all work to implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.  The Acting Chief Commissioner urged the Committee to recommend that the Government strengthen legal and constitutional protection of Te Tiriti; take meaningful action to implement the Declaration; and ensure all law and policy reforms met obligations under Te Tiriti and general recommendation 39. 

    New Zealand unfortunately had one of the highest rates of family and sexual violence.  Women were more at risk of sexual violence and family violence than men, particularly Māori, Pacific, ethnic and disabled women.  In 2022, the Government launched Te Aorerekura – the National Strategy and Action Plan to Eliminate Family Violence and Sexual Violence. However, there had been a recent reduction in funding to prevent and respond to sexual and gender-based violence, further impacting access to justice for women. 

    In September 2024, the report from the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State and Faith-based Care (2018-2024) was publicly released, revealing the grave extent of physical, psychological and sexual abuse that took place, in some cases amounting to torture.  Gender-based abuse of women and girls included regular intrusive genital exams and ‘health checks’ providing cover for abuse.  The Government had committed to designing a new redress system, but survivors still had no immediate prospect of full redress, including compensation and rehabilitation.  The Committee was urged to recommend that the Government develop and implement an updated Te Aorerekura action plan and mainstream gender-specific issues; resume the regulatory review of online services and platforms; and implement all the recommendations of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care.

    In 2019, the Welfare Expert Advisory Group made 42 recommendations to restore dignity to the social security system. Some recommendations were progressed but some had recently been reversed, which would disproportionately affect the incomes of women, particularly older, disabled, and Māori and Pacific women.  The social security system still did not allow people to retain their individual income if they were viewed to be in a relationship ‘in the nature marriage’.  This created risks for women, including social isolation, financial entrapment, and difficulties leaving violent or abusive relationships. 

    The previous Government had announced its intention to introduce mandatory gender and ethnic pay gap reporting. The current Government announced in July 2024 that it would not progress mandatory reporting but develop another voluntary tool.  This decision neglected the role factors, including racism, ableism and violence and harassment in the workplace, playing a role in affecting pay, progression, income security and preparation for a dignified life in retirement for women. The Committee was urged to recommend that the Government adjust income support rates to those recommended by the Welfare Expert Advisory Group adjusted for inflation; individualise income support entitlements; and introduce appropriate temporary special measures to ensure equal employment opportunity by gender, ethnicity and disability. 

    Questions by Committee Experts

    A Committee Expert said that at the last dialogue with New Zealand, the outlook for Māori women and girls had been positive; what was the reason behind the setback?

    Another Expert asked if there were specific references within the proposed framework which dealt with the rights of women and girls? 

    An Expert asked about the situation of abortion in rural areas? 

    A Committee Expert asked if there were cases where temporary special measures had a negative effect? 

    Responses by the National Human Rights Institution

    In response, Ms. Sumeo said New Zealand did not have a formal constitution which was one of their weak areas, leaving indigenous women vulnerable.  If there was a law which weakened women’s rights, it was difficult to push against targeted policy.  There was now a different Government, which was why there was a different view from the previously positive position.  The previous Government’s policies assumed everyone was equal to begin with, which was not the case now. 

    New Zealand was far away from having equal pay despite having an Equal Pay Act since 1972.  Many women were facing situations of homelessness.  Under the Human Rights Act, there was the ability for organizations to develop measures which ensured equality. Unfortunately, those measures were seen as somehow violating human rights and were seen as discriminatory in some parts of New Zealand.  The ability to address inequity had become more difficult under the current climate. It was difficult to address issues such as the gender-pay gap if there was a reluctance to use temporary special measures. 

    BRITTANY PECK, Legal Advisor, said the Government was not providing an adequate response to gender-based violence, including police attending fewer family-based callouts. These compounded the existing high rates of violence in New Zealand.  Because of this retrogression, it was expected this would be reflected in the cases of Māori women over time.  It was expected that over 90 per cent of sexual violence was not reported to police. New Zealand was experiencing a workforce health crisis and there was a gap in the availability of abortion services in rural areas. 

     

    Produced by the United Nations Information Service in Geneva for use of the media; 
    not an official record. English and French versions of our releases are different as they are the product of two separate coverage teams that work independently.

    CEDAW24.023E

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Study Finds Forever Chemicals Are More Toxic As Mixtures

    Source: US Department of Health and Human Services – 3

    research news

    UB PhD student Karla Ríos-Bonilla (left) and Diana Aga, director of the UB RENEW Institute, are authors on a study that assessed the mixture toxicity of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as forever chemicals. Photo: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki

    By TOM DINKI

    Published October 4, 2024

    A first-of-its-kind study has measured the toxicity of several types of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), better known as “forever chemicals,” when mixed together in the environment and in the human body.

    The good news: Most of the tested chemicals’ individual cytotoxicity and neurotoxicity levels were relatively low. 

    The bad news: The chemicals acted together to make the entire mixture toxic.

    “Though they are structurally similar, not all forever chemicals are made equal — some are more potent, others less. When mixed, all components contributed to the mixture’s cytotoxicity and neurotoxicity,” says the study’s first-author, Karla Ríos-Bonilla, a UB chemistry PhD student.

    “In the laboratory assays we used in this study, most of the types of PFAS that we tested did not appear to be very toxic when measured individually. However, when you measure an entire sample with multiple PFAS, you see the toxicity,” adds study co-author Diana Aga, SUNY Distinguished Professor, director of the RENEW Institute and Henry M. Woodburn Chair in the Department of Chemistry.

    This research was conducted in collaboration with Beate Escher of the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ), Leipzig, Germany, where Ríos-Bonilla did the in vitro toxicity experiments in the high-throughput screening facility CITEPro. It was published Sept. 11 in Environmental Science and Technology, a journal of the American Chemical Society.

    The study is novel in that it assesses mixture toxicity of PFAS. These synthetic compounds have been widely used in consumer products — from nonstick pans to makeup — for decades, and they can take hundreds to thousands of years to break down, if ever. They are estimated to be in at least 45% of the nation’s drinking water and in the blood of practically every American, and they have been linked to cancer and neurodevelopmental disorders.

    Earlier this year, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued the first-ever drinking water standards for six kinds of PFAS. However, it is estimated that there are over 15,000 varieties present in the environment. Only a handful of these chemicals have standards and are regulated. 

    “There are six PFAS that can be regulated because we know a lot about them and their toxicity. Unfortunately, we cannot regulate other forms of PFAS until their toxicities are known,” says Aga, who is principal investigator of the EPA STAR grant that funded the research. “We need to set maximum contamination levels for each PFAS that is proportional to their toxicity. To regulate contaminants, it is crucial to know their relative potencies when they occur as mixtures in the environment, along with their predicted environmental concentrations.” 

    Other co-authors from UB are G. Ekin Atilla-Gokcumen, Dr. Marjorie E. Winkler Distinguished Professor and associate chair of the Department of Chemistry, and Judith Cristobal, senior research scientist.

    Ríos-Bonilla is also supported by a graduate fellowship from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). 

    PFOA, PFOS major contributors to mixture toxicity

    To conduct the study, researchers created their own PFAS mixtures, one that is representative of an average American’s blood serum, and the other of surface water samples found in the U.S. Ríos-Bonilla used data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and from the U.S. Geological Survey to determine the average concentration ratios of PFAS in human blood and in surface water, respectively. 

    They then tested these mixtures’ effects on two cell lines: one that tests for mitochondrial toxicity and oxidative stress, and the other for neurotoxicity.

    Of the 12 PFAS spiked in the water mixture, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) — commonly used in nonstick pans and firefighting foam — was the most cytotoxic, making up to 42% of the mixture’s cytotoxicity.

    On the other hand, both PFOA and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) contributed roughly the same cytotoxicity (25%) to the neurotoxicity assay, despite both contributing only 10 and 15% to the mixture in terms of concentration, respectively. 

    The blood mixture had four PFAS present, but PFOA again was the most cytotoxic to both cell lines. Despite its molar contribution being only 29%, PFOA triggered 68% of the cytotoxicity in the cytotoxicity assay, and 38% in the neurotoxicity assay.

    Interestingly, when researchers analyzed the toxicity of the extracts from real biosolid samples collected from a municipal wastewater treatment plant, very high toxicities were observed, despite the measured low concentrations of PFOA and other PFAS in the sample. 

    “This means that there are many more PFAS and other chemicals in the biosolids, which have not been identified, that contribute to the toxicity of the extracts observed,” Aga says.

    Synergistically versus additive

    One of researchers’ goals was to determine if PFAS acts synergistically. This is when two or more chemicals’ combined effect is greater than the sum effect of the individual chemicals. However, their findings indicate that the effect of PFAS is concentration-additive: meaning that an established mixture toxicity prediction model can be used to predict the combined effect of mixtures. 

    “As up to 12 PFAS in the mixtures acted concentration-additive for cytotoxicity and specific neurotoxicity, it is likely that the thousands of other PFAS that are in commerce and use are also acting in the same manner,” Escher says. “Mixtures pose more of a risk than individual PFAS. As they act and occur in mixtures, they ought to be regulated as mixtures.”

    Researchers say the results of this study will also be very useful in assessing effectiveness of remediation efforts. Breaking down PFAS can sometimes create harmful byproducts that cannot be detected by chemical analysis, so measuring the toxicity of a sample after treatment may be the only way to judge whether a remediation technology is effective.

    “Toxicity assays can be a complimentary tool when analytical chemistry doesn’t give you all the answers, especially when the identities of contaminants in the mixture are unknown, which is the case in many polluted sites,” Aga says.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Risch, Crapo, Ernst and Senate Republicans Stand with Israel, Condemning Iran-backed Hamas

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Idaho James E Risch

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho) ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, joined Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), and every Senate Republican, one year since the Oct. 7 terrorist attacks that killed dozens of Americans, in a resolution fully condemning Iran-backed Hamas for its actions, supporting the forever survival of Israel, and calling for the safe release of American hostages.

    The entire Senate Republican Conference stands united in opposing violent anti-Semitic protests and Iran-backed Hamas’ use of rape as a weapon of war. They also reiterate Israel’s right to defend itself and emphasize the importance of denying Hamas the ability to reconstitute in the region to ensure the horrific events of that day are never repeated.

    “Today, people across the world are remembering those lives lost and the hostages who remain in captivity in Gaza. Unfortunately, a year later, Iran-backed groups continue to threaten the safety and security of the Israeli people. Hamas continues to hold innocent hostages in Gaza, while the Houthis in Yemen and Hezbollah in Lebanon fire rockets and missiles towards Israel,” said Risch. “The United States can and should continue to do all it can to support our ally Israel and hold Iran and its proxies accountable for their brutal attacks. This resolution is an important message to the people of Israel that we remain committed to defending them.”

    “Just as the sun began to rise one year ago, barbaric Hamas terrorists stormed into Israel and launched a widescale attack on thousands of innocent Israeli citizens. Hamas kidnapped, tortured and brutally murdered thousands of innocent people, plunging the Middle East into turmoil once again. I continue to press for the release of the remaining hostages and to stand unwaveringly with our strongest ally in the Middle East and its right to defend itself from ongoing threats from Iran and Iranian-backed terrorists,” said Crapo.

    “This time last year, I woke up in the Middle East to the unbearable news that Israel was under attack by Iran-backed terrorists and Americans were being killed and taken hostage,” said Ernst. “I immediately traveled into Israel to show that our nation’s friendship is unwavering, in good times and bad. Regardless of whether I have been in Jerusalem, Washington, or Iowa, I have worked around the clock to hold the White House accountable to its ‘ironclad’ commitment, bring our hostages home, and cut off the source of terrorism in Tehran. One year since that day, as Israel remains under attack on all fronts, Senate Republicans stand united with our greatest ally in the Middle East.”

    Text of this resolution can be found here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Somerset County Man Sentenced to 64 Months’ Incarceration for Concealing Material Support to Hamas

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (c)

    TRENTON, N.J. – A Somerset County, New Jersey, man was sentenced today to time served – 64 months – for concealing his attempts to provide material support to Hamas, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger,  Assistant Attorney General Matt Olsen of the U.S. Department of Justice’s National Security Division, FBI-Newark Acting Special Agent in Charge Nelson I. Delgado Jr., and FBI Assistant Director for Counterterrorism David J. Scott announced. 

    Jonathan Xie, 25, of Basking Ridge, New Jersey, previously pleaded guilty by videoconference before U.S. District Judge Michael A. Shipp to an information charging him with one count of concealing attempts to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization. Judge Shipp imposed the sentence today in Trenton federal court. 

    “Jonathan Xie not only admitted sending money that he hoped would be used by the terrorist organization Hamas to fund violent acts against civilians in Israel, he professed his desire to travel to Gaza to join them. Brandishing a gun and holding a Hamas flag, he also posted that he was going to shoot everybody at a pro-Israel march and  ruminated how one could go on a rampage by ramming  pro-Israel demonstrators with a car. This supporter of Hamas learned the true cost of supporting terrorists.”

    U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger

    “Xie is an unfortunate example of an emerging and extremely dangerous threat the FBI Newark Joint Terrorism Task Force is seeing with much more frequency,” Newark FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge Nelson I. Delgado said. “The average age of the international and domestic terrorism subjects we investigate is under 21 years old, and they’re being radicalized in only a few months. Xie was a teenager when he decided to send money in support of a terrorism organization and then threaten to carry out a plan to kill pro-Israeli people. We need this case to serve as a warning to parents and guardians – pay attention to what your teenagers are doing online.”

    According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court: 

    Xie knowingly concealed and disguised the nature, location, source, ownership and control of  his  attempt to provide material support and resources to Harakat alMuqawamah al-Islamiyya and the Islamic Resistance Movement, an organization that is commonly referred to as Hamas. Xie admitted that he knew Hamas was a designated foreign terrorist organization and has engaged in terrorist activities. He said he attempted to conceal his attempted support believing it would be used to commit or assist in the commission of a violent act. 

    In December 2018, Xie sent $100 via Moneygram to an individual in Gaza who Xie believed to be a member of the Al-Qassam Brigades – a faction of Hamas that has conducted attacks, to include suicide bombings against civilian targets inside Israel. At approximately the same time that Xie sent the money, he posted on his Instagram account “Just donated $100 to Hamas. Pretty sure it was illegal but I don’t give a damn.” 

    In April 2019, Xie appeared in an Instagram Live video wearing a black ski mask and stated that he was against Zionism and the neo-liberal establishment. When asked by another participant in the video if he would go to Gaza and join Hamas, Xie stated “yes, If I could find a way.” Later in the video, Xie displayed a Hamas flag and retrieved a handgun. He then stated “I’m gonna go to the [expletive] pro-Israel march and I’m going to shoot everybody.” In subsequent Instagram posts, Xie stated, “I want to shoot the pro-israel demonstrators . . .  you can get a gun and shoot your way through or use a vehicle and ram people . . . all you need is a gun or vehicle to go on a rampage . . . I do not care if security forces come after me, they will have to put a bullet in my head to stop me.”

    In April 2019, Xie sent a link to a website for the Al-Qassam Brigades to an FBI employee who was acting online in an undercover capacity. Xie described the website as a “Hamas” website and stated he had previously sent a donation to the group. Xie then sent screenshots of the website to the undercover employee and demonstrated how to use a new feature on the website that allows donations to be sent via Bitcoin. On April 18, 2019, when the undercover employee asked whether Bitcoin was anonymous, Xie responded: “yah… i think thats why hamas is using it now because money transfer is not that anonymous.”   

    In addition to the prison term, Judge Shipp sentenced Xie to 20 years of supervise release, including six months of home detention with location monitoring for the first six months. 

    U.S. Attorney Sellinger and Assistant Attorney General Olsen credited special agents of the FBI and task force officers of the Joint Terrorism Task Force, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Nelson I. Delgado; and the U.S. Department of Defense, Army Counterintelligence, 902d Military Intelligence Group, with the investigation leading to the sentencing. He also thanks the U.S. Secret Service for its assistance. 

    The government is represented by Joyce M. Malliet, Chief of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s National Security Unit and Trial Attorney Taryn Meeks of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Counterterrorism Section of the National Security Division (currently detailed to the Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section).

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: USAID Announces Additional Support to Pacific Island Countries

    Source: USAID

    Today in Suva, Fiji, Deputy Administrator Isobel Coleman, as head of an interagency U.S. delegation to the Pacific, announced that USAID intends to provide more than $4 million in additional support to strengthen inclusive and sustainable economic growth in the Pacific and increase efforts to help Pacific Island countries withstand the effects of climate change. 

    Mobilizing Public-Private Partnerships for Sustainable Tuna Fisheries

    USAID is investing $3 million under its EDGE Fund to unleash private sector-led solutions to global development challenges. This funding will accelerate the pace and scale of investments, including public-private sector partnerships, in the fisheries sector so that Pacific Island countries can more directly benefit from the global tuna value chain. Inspired by Pacific Island Tuna (PIT), a cooperative of Pacific Island Nations and The Nature Conservancy that supplies sustainably sourced tuna, this funding will support efforts to sustainably catch and manage tuna to protect the long-term health of this critical resource. Additionally, the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), in partnership with USAID and the Australia Infrastructure Finance Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP), intends to announce a new private sector investment in the fishery sector in the Republic of the Marshall Islands in the coming months.

    To complement this effort, USAID is launching a series of comprehensive roundtable discussions to convene public, private, and civil society stakeholders to advance the Pacific Island countries’ goals of increased monitoring and dockside offloading in order to more actively and equitably participate in the tuna value chain. 

    Supporting disaster preparedness and climate adaptation in Fiji

    To build locally-led disaster risk reduction, USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance is providing nearly $1.2 million to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to work closely with its implementing partner, Fiji Red Cross, on an innovative disaster resilience program in Fiji. This initiative will empower 15 remote, high-risk communities through smart climate adaptation activities. The IFRC and Fiji Red Cross will develop community action plans, implement early warning systems, conduct disaster simulations, provide first aid training, and address protection issues with a focus on gender equality. This program aims to create a lasting impact, empowering Fijians to lead their own disaster risk reduction efforts for years to come.

    Continuing Support for Climate Resilience and Women’s Economic Empowerment

    Since launching the up to $50 million Microfinance Facility for micro, small-, and medium-enterprises across the Pacific Islands during the US-Pacific Island Forum Summit in 2023, DFC and USAID have now identified four target institutions to receive support to advance climate resilience and women’s economic empowerment across the region.

    Unlocking Sustainable Economic Growth

    In 2025, USAID will launch a program to support public financial management and domestic resource mobilization; facilitate greater trade and private investment; support local small- and medium-enterprises; and improve business resiliency in the Pacific Islands region. This effort will follow through on USAID commitments made at the 2023 Pacific Islands Forum-U.S. Summit.

    Signing the Bilateral Framework Agreement Between USAID and the Government of Fiji

    Deputy Administrator Coleman also witnessed the signing of the bilateral framework agreement between USAID and the Government of Fiji. This Agreement demonstrates the United States’ commitment to the Pacific and further solidifies our Pacific Islands regional mission’s presence in Suva, Fiji. USAID Pacific Islands oversees programs in nine Pacific Island countries: Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, and Palau.

    These announcements reflect USAID’s enduring commitment to listen, partner, and deliver – together with Pacific Island countries. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: New Laws Range from Renaming Northern Snakeheads to Raising Some SNAP Benefits

    Source: US National Invasive Species Information Center

    Undocumented migrants could get access to health care on the state’s insurance marketplace, those 60 and older could get a few more dollars in food stamp benefits and the northern snakehead will get what officials hope is a more palatable name – literally.

    Those are just some of the more than 400 new laws that took effect Tuesday, a fraction of the more than 1,000 enacted by the legislature this year.

    The quirkiest of the bunch may be the snakehead bill, which would christen the toothy, invasive species, nicknamed “frankenfish,” as the Chesapeake Channa. The hope is that people who would turn their noses up at a meal of snakehead might take a chance on channa and thus rein in the species, on the theory that if you can’t beat ‘em, eat ‘em.

    Most of the bills, however, dealt with weightier public policy issues, like the Access to Care Act, which brings the state one step closer to letting undocumented migrants buy individual private health care plans on the state’s insurance marketplace.

    House Bill 728 and Senate Bill 705 direct the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange to apply for a federal waiver that would let residents buy insurance on the state’s marketplace regardless of their documentation status. If approved, it could open the door for thousands of undocumented and uninsured state residents who are currently barred from using the marketplace to go there for affordable health care plans.

    Even though the law only took effect Tuesday, the exchange has already submitted a waiver request to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and is awaiting its response. CMS already approved a similar waiver for Washington.

    It could still take months after approval before undocumented residents can use the exchange, with state documents saying the program would be operational “as early as calendar 2026.”

    Another health-related will shield health care providers in Maryland from liability if they help out-of-state patients obtain gender-affirming care, so long as the services provided are legal in Maryland. SB 119 also protects those who seek gender-affirming care in Maryland from being surrendered back to a state where the treatment is prohibited.

    Gender-affirming care refers to a multitude of procedures and treatments to support and affirm an individual’s gender identity, including hormone therapy, voice training, surgery and other medical services. The group Trans Rights Advocacy Coalition posted to social media that it is “proud Maryland is a safe state that protects gender affirming care.”

    “But, we look forward to a day when shielding laws aren’t necessary. No one should be criminalized for receiving or providing gender-affirming care,” the post says.

    In the area of social services, SB 35 and HB 666 will mean a few extra dollars a month for older Marylanders getting federal food assistance. The state currently gives an extra $40 a month toi those aged 62 and above in the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or food stamps. The new law lowers the eligibility age to 60 and boosts the monthly benefit to $50 to help pay for groceries.

    Renters’ rights and affordable housing

    Affordable housing and renter’s rights were central topics of the 2024 legislative session, and could be again next year as renters work to boost legislation that did not make it past the finish line this year. But those that passed and took effect Tuesday included one of Gov. Wes Moore’s proposed three-pronged housing package.

    HB 693 is known as the Renters’ Rights and Stabilization Act. It creates a state Office of Tenants and Landlord Affairs that will help tenants know their protections and legal recourse under Maryland law. It also raises certain fees in the eviction process to reduce the number of unnecessary evictions.

    The other pieces of Moore’s housing package included a bill creating a state investment agency called Maryland Community Investment Corp., that took effect earlier this summer; and HB 538, which aims to incentivize developers to add affordable housing in future developments by allowing them to exceed typical density limits if the project includes a certain percentage of affordable housing units. That bill passed this year but will not take effect until Jan. 1, 2025.

    Renter advocates are celebrating another law that they hope will help hold landlords accountable if they do not adequately address life-threatening repairs. HB 1117, known as the Tenant Safety Act, will enable multiple tenants to jointly file a complaint with the local district court and collectively put rent payments in escrow while the complaint is adjudicated.

    “The Tenant Safety Act marks a powerful new chapter for tenants in Maryland, especially for seniors like me. No longer will we face neglect from landlords alone,” said Sharon Little John, a housing advocate with CASA, in a written statement Monday. “Together, we demand safe, dignified living conditions for all. Every tenant’s well-being is essential, and every landlord must ensure it.”

    Public health approach

    Tuesday also saw the creation of the Center for Firearm Violence Prevention and Intervention, which will take a data-driven, public health approach to gun violence prevention in the last legislature. The center, housed in the state Department of Health, will be geared toward collaboration between state and local government agencies, hospitals and community-based violence intervention programs.

    Maryland joins several states and jurisdictions with similar centers modeled after the White House’s Office of Gun Violence Prevention, including North Carolina, California and Washington, D.C.

    “I’m glad to know we are on the right side of being proactive as best as we can,” said Del. Sandy Bartlett (D-Anne Arundel), vice chair of the House Judiciary Committee. “Until we truly look at it as a public health issue with folks who solve public health crises for a living, we’re kind of just circling the wagons.”

    The fiscal note with SB 475/HB 583 said it will cost about $2.2 million to hire an executive director, an epidemiologist and a program manager for the center in fiscal 2025, and $10 million to operate it in later years.

    The center will work with various state and local agencies “to ensure a multi-departmental approach to reducing firearm violence.” It must solicit and consider input from communities disproportionately impacted by gun violence, public health experts, organizations with expertise in firearm safety and training and “any other experts, groups or organizations as the executive director determines appropriate and necessary.”

    “It’s a great opportunity for us,” said Del. Luke Clippinger (D-Baltimore City), chair of the House Judiciary Committee. “It’s building upon programming that we have across the state that is seeking to address these issues.”

    SB 652, sponsored by Sen. Cory McCray (D-Baltimore City), requires the Department of Juvenile Services to report how many juveniles in its care were shot or shot someone else, along with their ages and county of residence. That report, due by Dec. 1 every year, must describe actions taken by the agency after each incident.

    The report must be submitted to the General Assembly and the Commission on Juvenile Justice Reform and Emerging and Best Practices – a panel created in a June 1 law as  part of a comprehensive juvenile justice reform package. So far, four of the 26 commission members have been named  – Bartlett and Del. N. Scott Phillips (D-Baltimore County) and Sens. William C. Smith Jr. (D-Montgomery), chair of the Judicial Proceedings Committee, and Nick Charles (D-Prince George’s), and Bartlett. The remaining 22 members have yet to be appointed by the governor.

    Other laws taking effect include:

    • Future convictions for first-degree rape will not be eligible for a decrease in prison time for good behavior under SB 1098. It was sponsored by Smith in honor of Pava LaPere, a 26-year-old entrepreneur found dead on the rooftop of her Baltimore apartment last year. Jason Dean Billingsley, the man charged with her murder, is a convicted sex offender who had been released from prison early due to good behavior credits.
    • The “Kids Code” laws — HB 603 and SB 571 — will require default privacy settings and safety measures for children using online platforms. The law limits the collection of data,  including geolocation data, from minors by social media and other companies, as well as sale of that data, among other requirements. A similar California law has been challenged in court, but not the Maryland law – so far.
    • Maryland’s treasurer is now among the list of state officials who cannot solicit or receive campaign donations during legislative sessions. HB 1503, sponsored by Del. Denise Roberts, (D-Prince George’s), was passed after Maryland Matters reported that Treasurer Dereck Davis (D), a former Prince George’s County delegate, was continuing to raise money – though not during session — and keeping his political options open. Davis testified “enthusiastically” in favor of the bill.
    • HB 19 and SB 207, the frankenfish rebranding. The northern snakehead, known for its frightening appearance and ability to live on land for several days, is known scientifically as the Channa argus. It will now be known, at least in Maryland, as the Chesapeake Channa. The invasive species has no natural predators in the U.S. and is a voracious eater, but Sen. Jack Bailey (R-Calvert and St. Mary’s) said it’s “delicious to eat” and hopes the name change will land the fish on tables and control the population, if not eat it out of existence in the state.
    • A rebranding of the Port of Baltimore nearly 20 years ago becomes official in state law. In 2006, then-Gov. Robert Ehrlich announced that the port would be known as the Helen Delich Bentley Port of Baltimore. Bentley covered maritime issues as a journalist and later served as chair of the federal Maritime Commission for six years, before serving for a decade in Congress as a Republican representing Maryland’s 2nd District. HB 375 and SB 156 make a technical change that adds Bentlely’s name to all references to the port in state law.
    • Minor league ballplayers in Maryland will be exempt from state wage and hour laws under HB 702 and SB 466. The players, who are already paid under union contracts, are exempt from federal minimum wage and overtime rules, and the law extends that to state law, too.
    • Retailers who sell products containing kratom cannot sell products not recognized by the Food and Drug Administration or that do not meet new labeling requirements, under HB 1229. They are also barred from marketing it to minors. Kratom, derived from an evergreen tree native to Southeast Asia, is considered a substitute for opium and can be a stimulant at low doses. At higher doses, the herbal extract can have euphoric or sedative effects.
    • Employers will prohibited from discriminating against a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. HB 602, sponsored by Clippinger, was one of five bills in House Speaker Adrienne Jones’ (D-Baltimore County) “decency agenda.”
    • The DRIVE Act — short for the Distributed Renewable Integration and Vehicle Electrification Act — sets guidelines for utilities to create robust charging programs for electric vehicles.
    • A measure long sought by public health and environmental advocates lays out how artificial turf should be removed, replaced and disposed of.
    • A law that sets greenhouse gas emissions limits for cement producers and manufacturers.
    • A law that updates the state’s Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Critical Area Protection Program to incorporate climate resilience, environmental justice, and equity measures. The bill also requires state and local governments to update maps of so-called critical areas at regular intervals.
    • A law that codifies the rights of citizens to sue individuals or entities that pollute local waterways. The legislation was a reaction to a 2023 U.S. Supreme Court decision that sought to limit what constitutes a navigable waterway, making it harder for polluters to be targeted in litigation.

    – This story was updated on Wednesday, Oct. 2, to correct the effective date for HB 538 to Jan. 1 and to add the Kids Code law.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Chesapeake Channa (Northern Snakehead) Could Spawn More than Once a Year in Upper Bay, Maryland DNR Study Finds

    Source: US National Invasive Species Information Center

    Chesapeake Channa captured at the Conowingo Dam fish lift. Maryland Department of Natural Resources photo.

    A study conducted by Maryland Department of Natural Resources Biologist Dr. Joseph Love illuminates one of the biological factors that could be contributing to Chesapeake Channa’s efficient spread through Maryland’s waters.

    The study, published in the July 2024 edition of Northeastern Naturalist, found that the majority of female Chesapeake Channa, also known as northern snakehead, collected from the upper Chesapeake Bay carried eggs in two distinct sizes, suggesting those fish could spawn twice a year.

    In 2002, Chesapeake Channa adults were released to a pond in Crofton, Maryland, thousands of miles from their native habitat in East Asia. The fish were thought to be eliminated, but additional illegal introductions of the species in Maryland occurred. In the following decades, their range expanded to an average of three new Chesapeake Bay waterways per year, according to a study by Love and Newhard in 2018. Today, this invasive species is established in all tidal and many non-tidal subwatersheds in Maryland. 

    Chesapeake Channa are prolific invasive predators, well adapted to spread in new environments, yet their reproductive traits have not been well studied. What separates an invasive species from a non-native species is its ability to flourish in the ecosystem to which it has been introduced and its aptitude to cause damage to native inhabitants in the process.

    “It is important to document life history traits of a species in different habitats because we know there is plasticity in the traits of fishes based on the environment,” said Love. “This study fills a gap in what we know about Chesapeake Channa reproduction in the upper Chesapeake Bay.”

    Invasive fish are caught by fish lifts at Conowingo Dam. Maryland Department of Natural Resources photo

    Biologists collected fish at Conowingo Dam from April to June 2021 and 2022. A fish lift at the dam assists migrating fish species, such as American shad, during their spawning run. It transports them above the dam into the upper Susquehanna River and their traditional spawning areas. Chesapeake Channa are also known to travel upstream in search of nesting grounds at this time and when they enter the fish lift, technicians remove them to stall the expansion of their range further up the river.

    Love weighed and measured 56 female Chesapeake Channa specimens before dissecting them to examine the quantity and size of the eggs stored in their ovaries. He used digital photos and computer software to measure the diameter of the eggs.

    The photos confirmed that the average number of eggs, known as fecundity, increased with the size (mass) of the female. The fish held an average of  63,569 eggs. For every additional gram of mass of the female’s body, they averaged 27 more eggs in their ovaries. Most significantly, more than half of the ovaries held a group of eggs in a distinctly smaller size.

    Maryland DNR photo.

    Dr. Love examined eggs from an additional July collection of fish to supplement the findings from the peak of the spawning season. The female fish in that collection had fewer eggs at larger sizes, which supports the theory that they can partially spawn in the spring and holdover eggs that continue to mature for spawning in late summer or fall.

    Chesapeake Channa are such an effective invasive fish because they have biological and behavioral traits such as broader water temperature tolerance, aggressive predatory behavior, high egg production, and parental guardianship. Those traits and this new evidence of multiple spawns underscore why they have become an environmental nuisance in Maryland and other parts of the United States. 

    Fisheries managers consider a species’ biology when they create strategies to control nuisance fish. The author suggests that it is crucial to focus Chesapeake Channa harvesting efforts on the largest fish in the period before they spawn.

    Fishing for Chesapeake Channa has become popular in Maryland and helps the state manage the population. They are also considered excellent table fare. There is no season or limit for harvesting, and Maryland DNR has many resources available on its website for anglers interested in targeting Chesapeake Channa.

    Article by Sinclair Boggs, marketing strategist for Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ Fishing and Boating Services.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Committee on Enforced Disappearances Closes Twenty-Seventh Session after Adopting Concluding Observations on Morocco, Norway and Ukraine

    Source: United Nations – Geneva

    The Committee on Enforced Disappearances this afternoon closed its twenty-seventh session after adopting its concluding observations on the reports of Morocco, Norway and Ukraine.

    Juan Pablo Albán Alencastro, Committee Rapporteur, said the Committee held constructive dialogues with Morocco, Norway and Ukraine, and adopted concluding observations on their reports, which would be published next Tuesday.  In addition, the Committee adopted lists of issues in the absence of a report for Lesotho and Seychelles, as well as lists of themes on additional information for Belgium and Serbia. 

    The Rapporteur recalled that at the opening of the session, the Committee paid tribute to the victims of enforced disappearance, and heard the testimony of Ms. Shui-Meng Ng, wife of Sombath Somphone, disappeared in Lao People’s Democratic Republic.  During the session, the Committee held productive meetings with States parties, civil society organizations and victims.  It also held discussions on its methods of work and adopted several amendments to its Rules of Procedure.  It adopted its report on the urgent action mechanism.

    The Committee also adopted the final draft of the joint statement on short-term enforced disappearances, drafted with the Working Group on Enforced and Involuntary Disappearances; made the decision to initiate the process for the future adoption of a general comment on women and enforced disappearances; and continued planning the World Forum on Enforced Disappearances, to be held on 15 and 16 January 2025.

    Milica Kolakovic-Bojovic, Committee Vice-Chair, presented the illustrated Spanish version of the general comment on enforced disappearances in the context of migration, which was available to be downloaded and would soon be printed and distributed. 

    The Committee also screened a short extract of a documentary on international adoptions which had their roots in enforced disappearance, which would soon be aired on television.

    Olivier de Frouville, Committee Chairperson, in concluding remarks, expressed thanks to all those who had contributed to the twenty-seventh session, which had been very intense.  The Committee had opened the session under the banner of the multiplication of armed conflicts, and unfortunately was closing it in a situation that had become even worse, particularly in the Middle East. 

    During the session, the Committee had held a constructive dialogue with Ukraine. Today, thousands of families in Ukraine were searching for their loved ones. 

    The dialogue with Morocco had made it possible to highlight the weight of the past.  While the work of the Equity and Reconciliation Commission established the State’s responsibility for enforced disappearances committed between 1956 and 1999, and clarified the fate of many disappeared persons, the issue remained a matter of concern in Moroccan society. 

    The question of the past was also present in the dialogue with Norway.  In the contemporary period, many countries like Norway had to face the challenges posed by the disappearances of migrants, but also revelations related to illegal international adoptions, which in some cases could be caused by enforced disappearances. 

    Mr. de Frouville said the Committee had adopted its report on the urgent action procedure, which showed an increase in cases of disappearances with a transnational dimension and involving several States.  The Committee was particularly concerned that several authors had indicated that they no longer wished to follow up on an urgent action initiated by them, for fear of reprisals, or because the State concerned did not provide them with access to the file.  It was crucial that all perpetrators of urgent actions, as well as all persons cooperating with the Committee, were protected from all forms of reprisals and were able to participate fully in the search for the disappeared. 

    The World Congress on Enforced Disappearances would take place on 15 and 16 January 2025. The Committee invited all interested States, civil society actors and organizations of victims of enforced disappearances to attend.  Registration for the Conference was available online as of today. 

    All documents relating to the Committee’s work, including reports submitted by States parties, can be found on the session’s webpage, where the concluding observations on the reports of Morocco, Norway and Ukraine will be available next Tuesday.  Summaries of the public meetings of the Committee can be found here, while webcasts of the public meetings can be found here.

    The Committee’s twenty-eighth session is scheduled to be held from 17 March to 4 April 2025, during which the Committee will examine the reports of the Central African Republic, Malta and Sri Lanka.   It will also review responses provided by Argentina and Peru to its request for additional information and hold the official launch of the joint statement on so-called short-term enforced disappearances. 

     

    Produced by the United Nations Information Service in Geneva for use of the media; 
    not an official record. English and French versions of our releases are different as they are the product of two separate coverage teams that work independently.

     

    CED24.011E

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congresswoman Escobar Leads Letter to DHS on Reproductive Healthcare Access for Migrants in Federal Custody

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16)

    Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16) led 30 of her colleagues in sending a letter to U.S Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, Acting Commissioner of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Troy Miller, and Acting Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Tae Johnson expressing concerns about access to abortion care in immigrant communities. 

    The lawmakers wrote: “In March 2023, we wrote to thank this Administration and this Department for revising the guidance to the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) to ensure continued access to abortion care for unaccompanied youth… Unfortunately, since we last wrote, the number of state abortion bans have only increased, leaving millions of people without access to necessary care. And for noncitizens who are in your care and custody or must risk immigration enforcement en route to a medical clinic, these state- level prohibitions present mounting dangers to their health and safety.” 

    “Abortion bans exacerbate the obstacles to obtaining an abortion for immigrants detained in these states,” they continued. “Approximately 41% of immigrants in ICE detention are being held in two states that ban abortion: Texas and Louisiana. Arriving immigrants held in CBP custody—often much longer than the 72-hour limit and in some cases, up to 30 days—have been unable to access medical care including abortion and emergency contraception… Emergency contraception is most effective within 24-72 hours to prevent pregnancy, but it is generally not available in these facilities, where people are now waiting longer to be processed and released to the community to access care. If someone becomes pregnant because they’ve been unable to access emergency contraception, they may seek access to abortion but many of CBP facilities are based in Texas where abortion is almost completely banned. Even for immigrants who are not detained, obtaining an abortion is incredibly difficult because U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) checkpoints in border communities make it all but impossible for undocumented immigrants to safely reach health care facilities located hundreds of miles away.” 

    “These permanent and temporary enforcement checkpoints, in addition to roving patrols, directly contribute to a chilling effect for people who must travel from the border region to other states for abortion care and restrict movement for both documented and undocumented immigrants; forcing some people to avoid traveling altogether and forgo the time-sensitive care they need,” the lawmakers added. “Moreover, should Texas’s anti-immigrant law SB4 go into effect, Texans will also have to worry about being stopped and questioned about their immigration status if they travel from Texas to an out-of-state abortion clinic, risking arrest, detention, and deportation. This is already a threat for Texans who live in or must drive through counties participating Operation Lone Star, where Texas troopers have stopped drivers of color and transferred immigrants to CBP custody.” 

    “Abortion is time-sensitive, essential health care, and no one should face the threat of being separated from their family and possibly deported for attempting to access it – but that is the reality for people in many parts of the country,” the lawmakers wrote before adding the following five actions: 

    1. Consistent with DHS’s protected areas guidance, DHS should ensure that people are able to safely reach those protected facilities without CBP checkpoints impeding their travel or exposing people to potential detention and deportation. Any policies must protect patients from violations of privacy by federal immigration enforcement personnel and guarantee confidentiality of medical information. 
    1. DHS should expand CBP’s November 2021 policy regarding the detention of pregnant, postpartum, and nursing people in CBP facilities to: 

    a.      Expedite processing to minimize the time that people who are pregnant, postpartum, and/or nursing, and their families, are in CBP custody to only the time period necessary to process them for release from CBP custody. In absolutely no case should custody exceed 12 hours from the time of initial apprehension. 

    b.      Ensure that, together with their families, people who are pregnant, postpartum, and/or nursing are released from CBP custody as soon as possible after any discharge from an offsite hospital and are not transferred back to CBP detention for any purposes, including processing. 

    1. We believe that medically vulnerable people, including those who are pregnant, should not be in detention. If pregnant persons are detained, there should be no barrier to abortion. DHS should therefore issue guidance to build on ICE’s current policy of ensuring abortion access: 

    a.      Any pregnant person in ICE/CBP custody who requests access to abortion and is in a state that bans or significantly restricts abortion shall be afforded an immediate transfer (with the option to be transferred back), unless the individual affirmatively asserts a preference to stay in the current placement or state after receiving appropriate advisals.  

    b.      Any pregnant person in ICE/CBP custody shall be promptly notified of the right to access abortion, regardless of state restrictions, in language that the individual can understand, in a comfortable and private venue in which they feel free to ask questions (such as non-directive medical counseling), and the delivery point of which information is standardized (e.g., always by an experienced medical professional). Pregnant persons in ICE/CBP custody who request access to abortion shall be afforded care as soon as they need it and shall be free to choose the abortion method that is best for them, including medication abortion, based on the options that are clinically appropriate. 

    c.       In instances where it is possible, pregnant people in ICE/CBP custody shall not be placed in a U.S. state that bans or significantly restricts abortion access (e.g., bans abortion at fifteen weeks or earlier).  

    d.      For people who are under Orders of Supervision that require ICE’s permission to travel out of state, DHS must require ICE to permit interstate travel for people who need abortion care. 

    1. DHS should make it absolutely clear that the department will not take any enforcement action against people who may be arrested for or convicted of abortion care-related crimes. DHS must also clarify that it will not consider these arrests or convictions, or the disclosure of having obtained abortion care, to bar any form of immigration relief, including in discretionary determinations. It should also issue guidance urging the use of prosecutorial discretion for individuals arrested at checkpoints while trying to access medical care, including abortion and other reproductive care. 
    1. CBP should provide timely access to, and information about, emergency contraception in all its detention facilities in a manner consistent with ICE’s policy on the provision of contraception. 

    They concluded, “A person’s immigration status must never be an additional obstacle to their access to essential, time-sensitive health care. We look forward to working with your agency to make this an integral part of the administration’s response to the growing crisis for abortion access and to close the existing, preventable gaps in coverage, particularly for people in your care and custody.” 

    Joining Congresswoman Escobar in this letter are representatives Jim McGovern (MA-2), Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), Elanor Holmes Norton (DC), Delia Ramirez, (IL-03), Yvette Clarke (NY-09), Greg Casar (TX-35), Barbara Lee (CA-12), Raul Grijalva   (AZ-07), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Melanie Stansbury (NM-1), Judy Chu (CA-28), Lloyd Doggett (TX-37), Linda Sanchez (CA-38), Frederica Wilson (FL-24), Hank Johnson (GA-04), Julia Brownley (CA-26), Jerry Nadler (NY-12), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10), Ayanna Pressley (MA-7), Grace Napolitano (CA-31), Betty McCollum (MN-04), Rob Menendez (NJ-08), Robert Garcia (CA-42), Terri Sewell (AL-07), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Nikema Williams (GA-5), Tony Cardenas (CA-29), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), and Nanette Diaz Barragan (CA-44). 

    The full text of the letter can be found here. 

    MIL OSI USA News –