Contact:
Billy Henry, Founder/Executive Director
Northwest Association for Blind Athletes
311 West Evergreen Blvd, Ste. 200
Vancouver, Washington 98660
Local Phone: 1-360-718-2826
Toll Free: 1-800-880-9837
http://www.nwaba.org
bhenry@nwaba.org

Northwest Association for Blind Athletes and Metro Parks Tacoma Adaptive Recreation partner to host the Fifth Annual South Sound Throw Down Goalball Tournament in Tacoma, WA

Vancouver, Washington--September 27th, 2016--Northwest Association for Blind Athletes (NWABA) announced today that it will be hosting the fifth annual South Sound Throw Down Goalball Tournament in Tacoma, Washington in conjunction with Metro Parks Tacoma Adaptive Recreation. The event is scheduled for October 8th and 9th at the MPT Star Center (3875 66th St. Tacoma, WA 98409). This tournament will host 8 teams from all across the Northwest and Canada. The public is welcome to attend the event. Games will begin at approximately 8:00am both days.

"We are extremely excited to be partnering with Metro Parks Tacoma again to provide this amazing opportunity for individuals with visual impairments in our region. This tournament provides an opportunity for teams to participate in this premier sport for people who are visually impaired at a competitive level." said Founder & Executive Director Billy Henry.

Goalball is a Paralympic sport played by individuals who are blind and visually impaired. Developed after WWII as a way to keep blinded veterans physically active, it has become the premiere team game for blind athletes. Goalball is a fast paced, physically challenging, strategic, and exciting game played competitively by men and women across the world.

About NWABA:
Northwest Association for Blind Athletes (NWABA) provides life-changing opportunities through sports and physical activity to individuals who are blind and visually impaired. Last year, the organization served 1,300 children, youth, adults and military veterans with visual impairments. NWABA was formed by a group of visually impaired students in 2007 to ensure that people who are blind were provided opportunities to participate in sports and physical activity.

For information: http://www.nwaba.org or
Contact: bhenry@nwaba.org
Phone: 1-360-718-2826

###

Puget Sound Educational Service District (PSESD) is celebrating the 2016 School of Distinction awards in our region. A total of 36 schools in 11 districts, including 25 repeat winners have earned the distinctive honor this year. Last week these districts and schools were notified of the recognition by the Center for Educational Effectiveness (CEE) and their partner organizations that have recognized schools all over the state for continuous and substantive and sustained improvement in English language arts and math over a five-year period.

John Welch, Puget Sound ESD Superintendent states, "We are pleased to be a partner in honoring schools within our region that set a high standard in realizing dramatic achievement gains for students. We applaud the students, families, educators, and communities for working together to make academic success a reality for every child. We are delighted now to help share in celebrating your successes and we thank you for setting a high bar for us all."

PSESD will be hosting a celebration for the School of Distinction award recipients in late October.

Specifics of the methodology used to determine 2016 winners are summarized below:

Now in its 9th year, the School of Distinction (SOD) awards were created in the summer of 2007 to recognize the highest improving schools in Washington State. The awards are not intended as a replacement for state and federal accountability measures of school performance, but rather as a supplemental measure to recognize and celebrate school staff, students, and leaders who improve performance for all students over a sustained period of time in reading/English language arts (ELA) and mathematics.

Details about this year's winners and more information about the process are available here: https://www.psesd.org/news/2016-schools-of-distinction/


Attached Media Files: 2016 List of Winners , 2016 SOD Methodology , 2016 SOD Banner

Save the Date: RealClearPolitics Analyst in SeaTac Oct. 12

SEATAC, WA. -- As your political coverage teams work to analyze and localize tonight's debate between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, save the date of October 12 for an opportunity to hear from one of the nation's leading political analysts.

Sean Trende, Senior Elections Analyst for RealClearPolitics will be in SeaTac to address hundreds of credit union leaders. At that point, the historic election will be less than four weeks out. Trende will break down the latest polling information and campaign headlines.

Trende is the author of "The Lost Majority: Why the Future of Government Is Up for Grabs and Who Will Take It."

Why are credit unions so interested in the outcome of this fall's election? As member-owned not-for-profit cooperatives, they protect the financial assets of more than 5.2 million Northwest consumers. Members want elected officials strong enough to help protect credit unions against Wall St. bank attacks, and to pass reasonable regulations to protect consumers.

The Northwest Credit Union Association's 2016 MAXX Convention unites over 150 credit unions, 500 movement leaders and 100 of their business partners-all under one roof October 11-13. Trende is among several relevant keynoters, and the Trade Show the mornings of Oct. 12 and 13 present an opportunity to see cutting edge financial technology. Learn more here: http://www.nwcua.org/professional-development/calendar/Annual-Convention-Annual-Business-Meeting-2016

WHAT:
Election Trends and Insights with Sean Trende
WHEN:
Wednesday, October 12, 8:30 a.m.
WHERE:
Double Tree by Hilton, SeaTac
18740 International Blvd. 98188
Northwest Ballroom


Attached Media Files: 2016-09/4992/97983/RealClearPolitics_Editor_In_Seattle_Oct._12.docx

Event Tomorrow:

FEPPP members, financial education champions, state and local officials gather in Yakima to recognize first step in financial education legislation being completed

OLYMPIA -- The Financial Education Public Private Partnership invites the public, educators, students, local and state elected officials to help celebrate the reaching of a milestone in Washington for financial education in K-12 classrooms: the development and approval of state financial education standards to be taught to in Washington schools.

"The standards represent a commitment that has been made by the people of this state to ensure that our children will be given the tools they need to help take control of their financial lives," Pam Whalley, Director of the Center for Economic and Financial Education, Western Washington University, said. "With the adoption of these standards, personal finance takes its place alongside the academic disciplines that we recognize as being necessary for our students to be career or college ready upon graduation."
The 2015 State Legislature passed SB 5202 requiring FEPPP to "work with the office of the superintendent to integrate financial education skills and content knowledge into the state learning standards." FEPPP has been working since the legislation was approved, in partnership with OSPI, to implement these standards.
In January 2016, 11 educators met to consider existing resources and student needs related to financial education. The group reviewed the essential components of financial education standards. Using Jump$tart National Standards as a foundation, work began in three grade-band teams: Elementary (K--5), Middle School (6--8), and High School (9--12). Through discussion and review of the national standards, recommendations were made for grade-level benchmarks. Feedback was pursued from Washington's Curriculum Advisory Review Committee (CARC) and from OSPI subject matter experts. (See more detail at http://www.k12.wa.us/CurriculumInstruct/FinancialEducation/default.aspx)
Superintendent Dorn is expected to sign formal adoption of these standards at the celebration in Yakima. Once signed, FEPPP will "continue work with educators and stakeholder to develop resources for linking standards and implementation models" as directed by the legislation.
Please join FEPPP members, state and local officials, and financial education champions in celebrating this great accomplishment. Appetizers and beverages will be served. This is a great opportunity to learn about financial education efforts in Yakima and make new partnerships to further the work of financial education.
Register for the free event at: https://fepppfinancialeducationcelebration.eventbrite.com
FEPPP Financial Education Community Celebration
Date: Tuesday, Sept. 27
Time: 4:15 to 6:00 pm
Place: Junior Achievement World, 650 University Park Way, Yakima, Washington
###

About FEPPP www.feppp.org ?-–? (360) 725-6260
The Financial Education Public Private Partnership, created to extend the efforts of the Financial Literacy Public Private Partnership, brings together members form the public and private sector to bring quality financial education to students of the public school districts.
In 2009 legislature passed SHB 1347, extending the efforts of Financial Literacy Public-Private Partnership (FLPPP) by creating the Financial Education Public-Private Partnership (FEPPP). The committee brings together individuals from both the public and private sector in an effort to provide quality financial education for students in the public school system. FEPPP will continue the work of:
Identifying strategies to increase the financial education of students;
Providing quality financial education information for school districts; and
Providing financial education instructional materials and professional development.

Effective October 1, 2016, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will implement an updated fee schedule to recover costs incurred in the processing of certain actions related to oil, gas, coal, and solid minerals activities on public lands. The updates to the existing fee schedule are based on inflation and follow the BLM cost recovery adjustment procedures established in 2005. The updated fee schedule appears in today's Federal Register and will be posted to the BLM website: http://www.blm.gov.

The updated fees cover costs for processing actions such as lease applications, name changes, corporate mergers, lease consolidations, and reinstatements. The BLM updates the fee schedule each year based on changes in the Implicit Price Deflator for Gross Domestic Product (IPD-GDP), as determined by the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Since the IPD-GDP reflected only a small increase this year, 30 of the 48 fees subject to annual adjustment remain unchanged. Of the remaining 18 fees, 15 will increase by only $5, one will increase by $0.01 per acre, and two will increase by $20 and $35, respectively. Specifically, the fee for adjudicating 10 or fewer mineral patent claims will increase $20, from $1,535 to $1,555. The fee for adjudicating more than 10 claims will increase $35, from $3,075 to $3,110.

The BLM is authorized to charge cost recovery fees under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA) and the 2005 Cost Recovery Rule. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has also directed Federal agencies to recover costs for their services. The BLM first implemented a cost recovery fee schedule for certain oil and gas activities in November 2005. The 2005 Cost Recovery Rule expressly contemplated that the BLM would annually adjust the fee schedule to account for inflation.


Attached Media Files: 2016-09/5514/97915/Mineral_Cost_RecoveryPressReleaseFINAL9222016.pdf

Portland, Ore. -- The Bonneville Power Administration has selected Janet Herrin as its next chief operating officer. Herrin will bring over 30 years of energy industry experience and leadership to BPA. She will replace Claudia Andrews, who is retiring from BPA this month after 26 years of federal service.

"I am very pleased to welcome Janet Herrin to BPA's senior leadership team," said Elliot Mainzer, BPA's administrator. "I have worked closely with Janet over the past few years and have been very impressed with her character, industry knowledge and passion for operational excellence. With her deep understanding of public power, hydroelectricity and the competing demands of managing a public service organization, Janet is exceptionally well positioned to serve as BPA's next chief operating officer. I look forward to working with her to further strengthen our culture and execute on our most important strategic objectives."

Herrin, born in Seattle, will start after the beginning of the calendar year. As COO, Herrin will be responsible for Power Services; Transmission Services; Environment, Fish and Wildlife; Customer Support Services and Information Technology. She will also oversee the new Business Transformation Office and play a critical role in BPA's heightened focus on disciplined program management and cost containment.

Herrin currently serves as a senior advisor to the secretary for the Department of Energy in Washington, D.C. In this role, Herrin provides strategic counsel on rapidly changing industry issues and has worked closely with BPA, including on its development of a best-in-class human resources organization.

"I am a public power person -- it's where I like to be and what excites me," said Herrin. "That passion for public power originally enticed me to join TVA, and then I ended up staying for a 35-year career because the work was so interesting. I am thrilled to be coming home to the Pacific Northwest and to work in public power once again."

Herrin served as the chief administrative officer at the Tennessee Valley Authority. She led efforts to strengthen the safety culture; improve employee engagement; recruit and maintain a talented and diverse workforce; and implement successful cost-management efforts. Herrin also comes to BPA with valuable knowledge of hydropower from over 32 years of work on the 650-mile Tennessee River system that serves 9 million people, culminating in an 11-year tenure as TVA's senior vice president of river operations and dam safety.

Herrin has a Master of Business Administration from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, a Master of Science in civil engineering from Colorado State University and a Bachelor of Arts in mathematics and physics from Willamette University. She was a registered professional engineer in Tennessee and plans to re-establish her engineering certification when she comes to BPA.


Attached Media Files: 2016-09/1236/97905/Janet-Herrin-BPA-chief-operating-officer.jpg

U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell and Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper today marked the one year anniversary of the historic decision not to list the greater sage-grouse under the Endangered Species Act by celebrating the ongoing unprecedented collaborative conservation effort to conserve the sagebrush ecosystem with stakeholders at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge.

The Administration, in partnership with the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (WAFWA), today also released a report highlighting recent actions to conserve the sagebrush ecosystem, including efforts to minimize further habitat disturbance, restore the health of fire-impacted landscapes, reduce invasive grasses and provide opportunities for landowners and ranchers to invest in conservation actions that benefit the greater sage-grouse and the success of their own operations.

The roundtable provided representatives from the federal family, ranchers, industry, conservation community and the states an opportunity to discuss continued success of on-going efforts, challenges and next steps as they work together to implement the landscape-scale, science-based, collaborative habitat conservation plans.

"One year later, there's a lot to celebrate," said Secretary Jewell. "We knew that the work didn't stop with the listing determination, and I'm pleased that we collectively continue to make great progress on addressing threats to the bird, conserving the sagebrush habitat and providing a path forward for sustainable economic development."

"The diversity of people here today is evidence that there continues to be a broad commitment to conservation of the Greater Sage-Grouse from more than just federal and state regulators," said Gov. Hickenlooper. "We'll need to maintain that broad level of support from landowners and others to ensure Bureau of Land Management's RMPs can be implemented as intended, which is to conserve the species as well as support economic sustainability."

"The Sage Grouse Initiative is an example of how when agriculture and conservation partner together, we can reach our common goals for the greater good," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. "More than 1,300 ranchers have conserved over 5 million acres of land as a part of this effort and USDA has invested more than $400 million to reach $760 million with our partners through 2018. Through the commitment of America's ranchers to improving habitats for other wildlife, we have achieved a historic outcome for the sage grouse, and shown that conservation can also benefit ranching operations and our rural economies."

The meeting marks the one-year anniversary of the Interior Department's U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) announcement that the greater sage-grouse does not warrant protection of the Endangered Species Act because of historic conservation and partnership efforts. The long-term decline of the greater sage-grouse and its sagebrush habitat sparked an unprecedented collaborative conservation effort across 11 western states that continues today.

The FWS reached the no-listing determination after evaluating the bird's population status, along with collective efforts by Interior's Bureau of Land Management (BLM), USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service and U.S. Forest Service (USFS), state agencies, private landowners and ranchers and other partners to conserve its habitat.

Earlier this month, the BLM issued internal guidance that clarifies how aspects of the agency's land use plans will be implemented as it relates to oil and gas leasing and development, grazing and the collection and use of land management data. Those land use plans, developed in cooperation among local, state and federal agencies as well as private landowners, were cited by the FWS as a key reason it found that the greater sage-grouse did not warrant protection under the Endangered Species Act.

The greater sage-grouse is an umbrella species, emblematic of the health of sagebrush habitat it shares with more than 350 other kinds of wildlife, including world-class populations of mule deer, elk, pronghorn and golden eagles. Roughly half of the sage-grouse's habitat is on federal lands, most of it managed by the BLM and USFS. These tend to be drier uplands where the birds mate, nest and spend fall and winter. While the federal plans that were developed to save the greater sage-grouse may differ in specifics to reflect local landscapes, threats and conservation approaches, their overall goal is to prevent further degradation of the best remaining sage-grouse habitat, minimize disturbance where possible and mitigate unavoidable impacts by protecting and improving similar habitat.

For more information about the greater sage-grouse, please visit www.doi.gov/sagegrouse.


Attached Media Files: DOI Sage Grouse Release 9-16

SEATAC, WA. -- Looking for some positive headlines about financial institutions that can be trusted to do the right thing for people? Washington credit unions have plenty of good news! As not-for-profit cooperatives, they are owned by their members, and exist only to serve them. There are no Wall St. stockholders to pay, so earnings are invested back into members and communities. For example:
Tukwila-based BECU awarded $170,000 to local non-profits, and $240,000 in scholarships to graduating high school students and undergraduate college students. Contact Todd Pietzsch (425) 750-5002 todd.pietzsch@becu.org.
Seattle Metropolitan is offering new citizen loans to help new Americans through the process of becoming citizens. Contact Jill Vicente (206) 398-5571 jill.vicente@smcu.com.
Yakima-based CALCOE Federal Credit Union is in its 5th year of a program called, "Skip-A-Pay for a Worthy Cause" which allows eligible members to skip a loan payment, and donate to a local charity. This year the program will benefit a local safe haven for children. Contact Ryanne Nesary (509) 654-7021 Ryanne@calcoefcu.com.
Seattle-based Verity Credit Union staff volunteered more than 2,400 hours of community service last year. A great opportunity for a volunteerism story arrives October 10 during the annual Verity Community Service Day. Contact Melina Young (206) 361-5394 melinay@veritycu.com.
Students at eight King County, Washington schools will get free, nationally acclaimed financial education, thanks to a partnership between Snoqualmie-based Sno Falls Credit Union and the Banzai organization. Contact Kaylee Harris (425) 831-3188 kayleeh@snofalls.com.
In the past month, Longview-based Fibre Federal Credit Union has contributed over $32,000 to local Hospice, Children's Hospitals and cancer research. Contact Heather Snyder (360) 414-4290 HSnyder@fibrecu.com.
Global Credit Union in Spokane is working not only to protect its members against fraud with safe technology, but is also invested in finding the cure for Type I Diabetes. Team Global will be front and center during the upcoming JDRF Walk Sept. 25. Contact Janet Durnford (509) 455-4700 janet.durnford@globalcu.org.

Members of not-for-profit cooperative credit unions can count on lower interest rates on their loans and credit cards and higher rates on their savings accounts. For example, Washington members collectively received $305 million in direct benefits last year-through the money they saved on new and used car loans, credit cards, home equity loans and higher interest savings accounts. Find out why nearly 50% of the people who call Washington their home, call credit unions their best financial partner! Visit www.asmarterchoice.org.
Source: Data analysis of bank and credit union interest rates, Informa Research Services, NCUA and CUNA, 12 months ending March 31, 2016.
.


Attached Media Files: 2016-09/4992/97840/Trust__Washingtom__Credit_Unions_to_Help_Consumers_Communities.docx

FEPPP HOSTS COMMUNITY CELEBRATION FOR OSPI APPROVAL OF WASHINGTON STATE FINANCIAL EDUCATION STANDARDS-Event Sept. 27

FEPPP members, financial education champions, state and local officials gather in Yakima to recognize first step in financial education legislation being completed

OLYMPIA -- The Financial Education Public Private Partnership invites the public, educators, students, local and state elected officials to help celebrate the reaching of a milestone in Washington for financial education in K-12 classrooms: the development and approval of state financial education standards to be taught to in Washington schools.

"The standards represent a commitment that has been made by the people of this state to ensure that our children will be given the tools they need to help take control of their financial lives," Pam Whalley, Director of the Center for Economic and Financial Education, Western Washington University, said. "With the adoption of these standards, personal finance takes its place alongside the academic disciplines that we recognize as being necessary for our students to be career or college ready upon graduation."
The 2015 State Legislature passed SB 5202 requiring FEPPP to "work with the office of the superintendent to integrate financial education skills and content knowledge into the state learning standards." FEPPP has been working since the legislation was approved, in partnership with OSPI, to implement these standards.
In January 2016, 11 educators met to consider existing resources and student needs related to financial education. The group reviewed the essential components of financial education standards. Using Jump$tart National Standards as a foundation, work began in three grade-band teams: Elementary (K--5), Middle School (6--8), and High School (9--12). Through discussion and review of the national standards, recommendations were made for grade-level benchmarks. Feedback was pursued from Washington's Curriculum Advisory Review Committee (CARC) and from OSPI subject matter experts. (See more detail at http://www.k12.wa.us/CurriculumInstruct/FinancialEducation/default.aspx)
Superintendent Dorn is expected to sign formal adoption of these standards at the celebration in Yakima. Once signed, FEPPP will "continue work with educators and stakeholder to develop resources for linking standards and implementation models" as directed by the legislation.
Please join FEPPP members, state and local officials, and financial education champions in celebrating this great accomplishment. Appetizers and beverages will be served. This is a great opportunity to learn about financial education efforts in Yakima and make new partnerships to further the work of financial education.
Register for the free event at: https://fepppfinancialeducationcelebration.eventbrite.com
FEPPP Financial Education Community Celebration
Date: Tuesday, Sept. 27
Time: 4:15 to 6:00 pm
Place: Junior Achievement World, 650 University Park Way, Yakima, Washington
###

About FEPPP www.feppp.org ?-–? (360) 725-6260
The Financial Education Public Private Partnership, created to extend the efforts of the Financial Literacy Public Private Partnership, brings together members form the public and private sector to bring quality financial education to students of the public school districts.
In 2009 legislature passed SHB 1347, extending the efforts of Financial Literacy Public-Private Partnership (FLPPP) by creating the Financial Education Public-Private Partnership (FEPPP). The committee brings together individuals from both the public and private sector in an effort to provide quality financial education for students in the public school system. FEPPP will continue the work of:
Identifying strategies to increase the financial education of students;
Providing quality financial education information for school districts; and
Providing financial education instructional materials and professional development.


Attached Media Files: 2016-09/4992/97822/FEPPP_Celebrates_Approval_of_Fin_Ed_Standards_in_WA.docx

Tacoma, Wash. -- Annie Wright Schools announced today that the Girls' Business and Entrepreneurship Program (GBEP), a signature program within the Upper School for girls in Grades 10-12, has been featured by The National Association of Independent Schools' Inspiration Lab.

The National Association of Independent Schools is a membership organization of more than 1,500 non-profit independent schools across the country. It created Inspiration Lab to highlight stories about exceptional and innovative programs.

The article highlights sophomore Minyi Jiang, who dreams of working on Wall Street. Jiang is enrolled in Annie Wright's GBEP, one of the school's new signature programs, which engages students' unique interests, while teaching the fundamentals of starting and building a business, International Baccalaureate business courses and business technology, while also providing work experience and travel opportunities.

Annie Wright's signature programs were developed in response to girls' desires to engage more deeply in certain subjects, specifically in areas where women are -- and historically have been -- underrepresented. Signature programs complement the Annie Wright Upper School curriculum, including IB classes and exams, college prep, and an all-girls environment.

"Through the Girls' Business and Entrepreneurship Program, girls can take business courses -- offered to all Upper School students -- complemented by a concentrated three-year program that includes mentorship, goal setting, securing an externship and developing a personal portfolio," said former Russell associate Sandra Forero Bush, Program Director at Annie Wright. "Students have the opportunity to interact with executives at the forefront of innovative thinking."

Founded in Tacoma in 1884, Annie Wright Schools are two schools on one campus. Annie Wright Day School serves boys and girls in Preschool through Grade 8, while Annie Wright Upper School offers all-girls day and boarding programs for Grades 9 through 12. Annie Wright is proud to be an International Baccalaureate World School. Learn more at www.aw.org.


Attached Media Files: PDF press release , GBEP students , GBEP students

VANCOUVER, Wash. -- September 13, 2016.

Addiction is a growing crisis in our community, and the Southwest Washington Recovery Coalition (SWWARC) is partnering with more than 20 local agencies this weekend to bring a message of hope to those battling addictions. The 15th annual Clark County Recover Forum begins with a free noon lunch at Gaiser Hall on the Clark College campus. During the event, people recovering successfully from addictions will share their inspirational stories of hope. Attendees will have the chance to win door prizes, and will also have the opportunity to interact with representatives from numerous community organizations that provide resources for addiction recovery. Several hundred people are anticipated to attend.

Over the last 15 years the need for addiction services has grown exponentially, with new sources of addiction moving to the forefront. "The opiate crisis is increasing at an alarming rate," said Joey Smith, Community Relations Coordinator at The Recovery Village - Ridgefield, one of the sponsors of this weekend's forum. "This event celebrates recovery. We will have speakers at the forum who will share their personal stories of success in battling their addictions, along with experts in all phases of addiction recovery. It's a perfect opportunity for people and families battling addiction issues to find the support they need."

Beyond opiates, the Recovery Forum will also address other powerful addictions including gambling, sex, internet, alcohol, and pornography. During the presentation, ten individuals will be honored for their contributions to recovery in our community. Lunch will be provided to all in attendance. Hamburgers and hot dogs will be served beginning at noon, with the presentation scheduled for 1pm. Interpreters will be on hand to provide service for the hard of hearing.

SWWARC is grateful to the contributors for donations to this year's event:
Breaking Free Ministries -- CVTV -- Clark College -- Clark County Community Services -- Lifeline Connections -- Kleen Street Café -- Recovery Village -- PeaceHealth -- New Life Friends/Lord's Gym.

Where: Gaiser Hall; 1933 Fort Vancouver Way, Vancouver WA
When: Saturday September 17th, 2016. Lunch at noon, presentation to begin at 1pm
For more information contact: Recovery Forum Chair Donnie Rychart at (360) 977-2902 or Joey S. Smith, Community Relations Coordinator at The Recovery Village - Ridgefield (650) 291-0916

Boise, Idaho -- The Bureau of Land Management today announced its Rangeland Stewardship Awards for 2016, given in recognition of the recipients' dedication to the health and productivity of public rangelands under BLM management.
"These awards honor excellence in management practices that benefit America's public rangelands," said BLM Deputy Director Steve Ellis in a statement issued from Washington, D.C. "Today the BLM proudly commends these public land stewards for their commitment to protecting rangeland resources for current and future generations."
The presentation of the four awards took place at the annual fall meeting of the rancher-based Public Lands Council. The awards were presented by Joe Tague, Chief of the BLM's Division for Forest, Rangeland, Riparian, and Plant Conservation.

The Rangeland Stewardship-Permittee Award went to the Mori Ranch in Tuscarora, Nevada, a family-owned operation with a BLM grazing permit that has demonstrated excellence in promoting native plant communities on the Mori allotment. The ranch's management, using a deferred rotation grazing system, has maintained perennial grass and shrub vegetation communities, minimizing cheatgrass invasion and production throughout the allotment, even in areas that have experienced recent fires.

The Rangeland Stewardship-Collaborative Planning Team Award went to the Shoesole Resource Management Group in Elko, Nevada, consisting of Federal and state agencies, organizations, and individuals, that has advised three Elko County family ranching operations on successful resource management practices for the past 20 years. The family operations are the Smith family's Cottonwood Ranch, the Boies family's ranch on the nearby Hubbard Vineyard allotment, and the Uhart family, which owns a ranching operation between the Cottonwood and Hubbard Vineyard allotments.

The Sage-Grouse Habitat Stewardship-Collaborative Group Award went to the West Box Elder County (Utah) Coordinated Resource Management Group, which the BLM commended as an ideal example of a community-based land stewardship organization that is committed, engaged, and active across land ownership boundaries.

The Sage-Grouse Habitat Stewardship-Permittee Award went to the Drewsey Ranch in Burns, Oregon, which the BLM honored for the operation's commitment to reducing invasive, wildfire-feeding annual grasses and improving sage-grouse habitat.

The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land, the most of any Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The BLM's mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America's public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. In Fiscal Year 2015, the BLM generated $4.1 billion in receipts from activities occurring on public lands.


Attached Media Files: Rangeland Stewardship Awards Release

Portland, Ore. - The Bonneville Power Administration continues to be recognized for its sustainability efforts. The Environmental Protection Agency awarded BPA a 2016 Federal Green Challenge Award for recycling and reducing its paper use. And the Association of Oregon Recyclers recently named BPA and property disposal officer Kevin Kertzman its Recycler of the Year for finding a home for hundreds of 30-year-old office cubicles.

"Finding more sustainable and cost-effective ways to operate is just another way we're being a responsible agency and a good neighbor in the Northwest communities we serve," said John Hairston, BPA's chief administrative officer.

EPA's Federal Green Challenge is a national effort that encourages federal agencies to lead by example in reducing their environmental impact in the areas of waste, energy, water, electronics, transportation and purchasing. In fiscal year 2015, BPA increased its recycling efforts by 71 percent through the recycling of 2,397 tons of metal, 312 tons of glass and ceramics, 167 tons of wood and 97 tons of e-waste. BPA also cut its paper purchases by 61 percent through a reduction of the number networked printers and the continued adoption of electronic documents and presentations. And it reduced the need for new purchases by returning $4.3 million worth of usable materials back into its inventory.

Notably, BPA diverted 80 tons of obsolete ceramic and glass insulators from the landfill to certified recycling centers in Portland, Oregon. Through its supply chain, it shipped the insulators from areas that didn't offer glass and ceramic recycling to its Investment Recovery Center facility in Vancouver, Washington, which oversees the auction, transfer or recycling of surplus or obsolete equipment. BPA was also able to recycle copper wire from the insulators, which more than covered the glass and ceramic recycling fees.

"It was a win-win," said Kevin Kertzman, property disposal officer. "Not only did we reduce our waste, but we were also able to reimburse BPA's general fund, in turn crediting our electric ratepayers."

In June, the Association of Oregon Recyclers named BPA and Kertzman its Recycler of the Year for finding a home for hundreds of 30-year-old office cubicles. After a remodel of BPA's headquarters in Portland, Kertzman faced the task of disposing of the surplus workstations. Early on, due to the age and condition of the furniture there weren't any takers. But after about a year of looking, and with storage costs piling up at about a thousand dollars a month, Kertzman learned that Providence Health & Services, a not-for-profit health and medical care organization, had offices throughout Washington and Oregon that needed that exact type of desks, panels and filing cabinets.

"It was a great outcome," Kertzman said. "We were able to support an important local not-for-profit agency, while eliminating waste and protecting the environment."

BPA has also partnered with the Oregon Department of Corrections to refurbish old, unwanted office furniture on more of a long-term basis. To date, BPA's partnership with ODOC's Reuse Center has saved thousands of pounds of materials from the landfill and scraps yards, and provided inmates meaningful work.

"This collaboration is a win all around," said Chad Naugle, ODOC's sustainability program manager. "It benefits the environment, uses intergovernmental resources, and provides vocational skills for adults in custody in recycling, repurposing and upcycling."

Through its regional partnerships for placing and refurbishing outdated office furniture, BPA estimates it has diverted 40 to 50 tons of material from the landfill and scrap yard, and saved an estimated $35,000 in storage fees.

In the past five years, BPA has reduced its total energy use by 6.6 percent; saved nearly 30 million gallons of water; cut its fossil fuel use by 285,127 gallons; and diverted 12,498 tons of waste from landfills.

Last year, BPA received a Federal Green Challenge Regional Award for waste reduction. In 2014, BPA was recognized by the Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency for outstanding efforts to improve air quality. In 2013, BPA was the first federal agency to be certified by the City of Portland's Sustainability at Work program. And in 2012, BPA received the top award in the EPA's Federal Electronics Challenge. For more about BPA's accomplishments in protecting the environment, read its fifth annual sustainability report (www.bpa.gov/news/pubs/GeneralPublications/gi-Sustainability-at-BPA-2015.pdf).


Attached Media Files: BPA recently donated surplus office desks, panels and filing cabinets to Providence Health & Services for its offices in Washington and Oregon. , BPA won the EPA's Federal Green Challenge Award for purchasing and waste. And the Association of Oregon Recyclers named BPA and property disposal officer Kevin Kertzman its recycler of the year for repurposing 30-year-old office cubicles.

The Bureau of Land Management today announced public input opportunities for six regional reviews that will analyze the existing energy corridors designated for oil, gas, and hydrogen pipelines and electricity transmission and distribution facilities on Western Federal lands under BLM or U.S. Forest Service management.

The BLM, Forest Service, and Department of Energy recently released a study of the effectiveness of these corridors (accessible at http://corridoreis.anl.gov/) that identified questions to be considered during subsequent regional reviews.

These reviews will analyze whether any additions, deletions, or changes are needed to the 6,000 miles of corridor that were designated by the BLM and Forest Service under Section 368 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005. The corridors were designated after the agencies completed a broad-scale Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement in 2008 (accessible at the Website listed above), titled "Designation of Energy Corridors on Federal land in the 11 contiguous Western states" (see Website above). The first of the regional reviews contemplated by the corridor study start this September. It will focus on corridors in southern California, southern Nevada, and western Arizona.

To facilitate participation, the three agencies have jointly developed abstracts for each energy corridor and will be seeking input from the public and stakeholders -- including Federal, Tribal, state, and local governments -- to ensure as complete and current a record of facts related to the corridors as possible, before the development of recommendations.

Webinar-based orientations to the Region 1 corridor abstracts will be offered on Sept. 7 and Sept. 29, 2016, at 9 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time at http://corridoreis.anl.gov/. Completion of the last review for the corridors is set for late 2019, depending on available funding.

Public meetings for Region 1 abstracts will be held on the following dates at the following sites:

September 20, 2016, in Phoenix, Arizona, at the BLM National Training Center (9828 N 31st Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85051) from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Arizona local time.

September 22, 2016, in Palm Springs, California, at the University of California Riverside - Palm Desert Center, Room B200 (75080 Frank Sinatra Drive, Palm Desert, CA 92211) from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. PDT

September 27, 2016, in Las Vegas, Nevada, at the Hampton Inn Tropicana (4975 S. Dean Martin Dr., Las Vegas, NV 89118) from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. PDT.

The public and stakeholders will also have the opportunity to review and comment on the Region 1 corridor recommendations before they are finalized and those Webinar and meeting dates will be publicized at least two weeks prior to the meetings.

The table below shows the full regional review sequence. Information on opportunities for engagement in Regions 2 through 6 will be provided as those reviews are initiated:

REGIONAL REVIEW SEQUENCE

ENERGY CORRIDOR REGION START PUBLIC INPUT ISSUE THE RECOMMENDATIONS
Region 1(CA, NV, AZ) September 2016 February 2017
Region 2(AZ, NM, CO) March 2017 September 2017
Region 3(CO, UT, NV) October 2017 March 2018
Region 4 (WY, MT) April 2018 October 2018
Region 5 (CA, NV) November 2018 April 2019
Region 6(MT, ID, OR, WA) May 2019 November 2019

The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land, the most of any Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The BLM's mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America's public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. In Fiscal Year 2015, the BLM generated $4.1 billion in receipts from activities occurring on public lands.

--BLM--


Attached Media Files: 2016-09/5514/97431/EngCorrPressRel_2Sept_Final.doc

WHAT: Thousands of fairgoers will learn how to eat healthier, be more active and decrease their risk for developing type 2 diabetes at a new event--American Diabetes Association Day at the Fair, presented by Coordinated Care. Take the Xtreme Ninja Challenge and try the "Ninja Warrior"-inspired obstacle course. Free flu shots will also be available to all participants.

Additional sponsors include Pacific Medical Centers, Premera Blue Cross, Walgreens, Jordan Hill Foundation, Swedish and the Washington State Fair.

WHEN: Sunday, September 4, 2016.The day starts at 8 a.m. with a short program and Step Out fundraising walk to benefit the American Diabetes Association.

WHERE: Washington State Fair. Fairgoers can visit seven wellness stations throughout the fairgrounds, and a Wellness Village located near the green gate.

WHY: Every year, an estimated 450,000 people in Washington are diagnosed with diabetes. Diabetes is a serious disease that can lead to horrific complications, including heart disease, blindness, kidney disease, stroke and amputation. Diabetes kills more Americans every year than AIDS and breast cancer combined. The American Diabetes Association works to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes.

WASHINGTON -- The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) today moved forward on its collaborative effort to conserve Greater Sage-Grouse and its habitat by issuing Instruction Memorandums (IMs) that clarify how aspects of the BLM's land use plans will be implemented. These seven IMs relate to oil and gas leasing and development, grazing, and the collection and use of land management data.

"Consistent with our unprecedented cooperation in developing the Greater Sage-Grouse plans, the implementation policies we are releasing today were developed in coordination with our partners in the states and interested stakeholders," BLM Director Neil Kornze said. "These Instruction Memorandums respond to state and stakeholder desires to see clear and consistent application of our management activities across the western Greater Sage-Grouse states while providing the flexibility needed to respond to local situations and concerns. Although each policy guides the specifics of a single issue in great detail, they all share the same goal of effectively conserving the West's sagebrush sea for the benefit of the people and animals who depend on it."

The seven IMs cover:

Oil and gas leasing and development: This IM provides guidance on how the BLM will prioritize oil and gas leasing and development in relation to habitat management areas, consistent with its sage-grouse conservation strategy and Greater Sage-Grouse land use plans.

Grazing permit review priorities: The BLM's land use plans commit the BLM to prioritize the review of grazing permits that are located within areas that were identified by a team of state and federal wildlife biologists as the highest quality habitat for breeding populations of sage-grouse. This policy provides further guidance on the considerations and process that should inform that prioritization.

Grazing management thresholds and responses: Under the Greater Sage-Grouse land use plans, the NEPA analysis for renewals or modification of grazing permits in priority habitat management areas must consider and may incorporate specific indicators of land health, as well as grazing management responses. This policy provides further guidance as to how and when thresholds and responses should be considered and implemented.

Adaptive management triggers: Most plans contain triggers developed with state wildlife agency experts that require the agency to take pre-defined management actions in response to changes in habitat or populations. This policy details how the BLM will proceed with notification and implementation of identified management actions if triggers have been exceeded.

Disturbance tracking: The land use plans commit the BLM to tracking disturbance and reclamation of sagebrush habitat. This policy guides the use of tracking tools to help ensure the consistent reporting of habitat disturbances and reclamation success across the Greater Sage-Grouse range.

Effectiveness monitoring: This policy explains how data gathered using the BLM's Assessment, Inventory and Monitoring (AIM) strategy will be pooled to assess how well the BLM is achieving its goals in the land use plans. These reports will use the data gathered under the AIM strategy and disturbance tracking policies and associated monitoring efforts.

Habitat assessment framework: Under this policy, the BLM will use Habitat Assessment Reports to gather information about the Greater Sage-Grouse and the health of its habitat into a single report that allows managers to make accurate assessments of habitat conditions at local, regional and range-wide scales.

The full text of each IM is available at www.blm.gov/sagegrouse in the Documents and Resources section. Detailed questions and answers on the IMs are available here.

On September 22, 2015, the Departments of the Interior and Agriculture finalized the Greater Sage-Grouse plans, which included amendments and revisions to 98 BLM and U.S. Forest Service land use plans across the West. The plans, which were developed in cooperation among local, state and federal agencies as well as private landowners, were cited by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as a key reason it found that the Greater Sage-Grouse did not warrant protection under the Endangered Species Act. Information on the plans can be found here.


The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land, the most of any federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The BLM's mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America's public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. In Fiscal Year 2015, the BLM generated $4.1 billion in receipts from activities occurring on public lands.

--BLM--


Attached Media Files: 2016-09/5514/97384/GrSG.PressRelease.9.1.2016.FINAL.pdf

VANCOUVER, Wash. -- Michael Dwyer has been named executive vice president of strategy and community health at PeaceHealth, a not-for-profit health system with 16,000 caregivers serving communities in Washington, Oregon and Alaska.

Dwyer joins PeaceHealth after 17 years at PricewaterhouseCoopers, where he was a managing director in the firm's healthcare practice in Los Angeles. As the first person to hold this newly created position, Dwyer joins a robust team of senior leaders and a newly designed senior leadership team under PeaceHealth President and CEO Liz Dunne. The senior leadership team is charged with building new structures that will help the 125-year health system deliver care and health improvement models in a new, forward-thinking way in the communities it serves in different access points.

In this role, Dwyer will oversee the system's strategy, business development, philanthropy, community benefit and health, and strategic joint alliances and health ventures departments. He will report directly to Dunne, who has called for a shift toward a more community-based model of care since joining the system last year.

"We created this position at PeaceHealth to address a very specific need and we're thrilled to have found someone whose experience and outlook fills that role so perfectly," Dunne said. "Michael brings 30 years of experience in healthcare strategy and operations. Having worked with various provider entities across the country, he also brings with him a fresh perspective and new insight that will allow PeaceHealth to pursue stronger, deeper and more meaningful relationships with the communities we are privileged to serve."

Dwyer has more than 30 years of experience in the healthcare industry. In his role at PricewaterhouseCoopers, he worked with major healthcare clients across the country, helping them grow and transform to meet the demands of a rapidly changing industry. Previously, Dwyer has held senior and executive level positions in academic and community-based healthcare provider systems.

"The challenges of caring for patients seamlessly across the continuum of care, be that care preventative, emergent, acute, chronic, rehabilitative or palliative, and in a continuum of settings and locations, will need to be met with creative, effective and quality value-added driven solutions and implementations," Dwyer said. "It's going to require innovation and forward thinking in order to keep up, and I am excited to be joining an organization that is so committed to embracing change for the sake of the communities it serves. I feel very blessed and humbled to be part of the future of PeaceHealth."

About PeaceHealth: PeaceHealth, based in Vancouver, Wash., is a not-for-profit Catholic health system offering care to communities in Washington, Oregon, and Alaska. PeaceHealth has approximately 16,000 caregivers, a group practice with about 900 providers, a laboratory system, and 10 medical centers. PeaceHealth was founded in 1890 by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace to fill a need for health care services in the Pacific Northwest. The Sisters shared financial and personnel resources to open new hospitals. They shared expertise and transferred wisdom from one medical center to another, always finding the best way to serve the unmet need for health care in their communities. Today, PeaceHealth is the legacy of the founding Sisters and continues with a spirit of collaboration and stewardship in fulfilling its mission. This is The Spirit of Health.


Attached Media Files: Michael Dwyer

The motorcyclists was southbound.
The truck and trailer were nortbound.

End Update

Previous Release:
On August 29, 2016 at about 10:30AM, OSP Troopers and emergency personnel responded to the report of a crash involving a motorcycle and commercial truck on Highway 395 near milepost 78 in northern Grant County.

Preliminary investigation revealed a 2016 Indian Scout motorcycle was traveling southbound on Highway 395 when it crossed the centerline while trying to negotiating a corner. The motorcyclist struck a nortbound lowboy trailer being towed by a 1998 Peterbilt truck.

The motorcyclist, Kelly L WORTMAN, age 45, of Puyallup, Washington was pronounced deceased on scene. The driver of the truck, Matthew A GILLILAND, age 47, of Pendleton, was not injured.

OSP was assisted by the Grant County Sheriff's Office and the Oregon Department of Transportation. No further information at this time.

WASHINGTON -- The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) today announced that it is implementing authority provided by Congress giving the agency the flexibility to conduct online lease sales. The move is a continuation of the BLM's ongoing efforts to modernize the oil and gas program by increasing program efficiency and generating savings for taxpayers.

The BLM is acting in response to authority provided by Congress as part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2015, which amended the Mineral Leasing Act to allow the BLM to conduct online lease sales. Prior to that amendment, the Mineral Leasing Act authorized Federal onshore oil and gas lease sales only by oral auctions. As result, the BLM's existing regulations referred only to oral auctions. Today's rule modifies those regulations to make clear that, as provided by the NDAA, either internet-based or oral auction procedures are permissible.

This final procedural rule and the legislative changes that preceded it are based on the results of a successful online auction pilot conducted by the BLM in Colorado in 2009. Based on the results of that pilot, the BLM estimates that internet-based auctions could increase aggregate lease sale revenues by about $2 million a year. The BLM believes that online sales have the potential to generate greater competition by making participation easier, which has the potential to increase bonus bids.

The BLM's Eastern States Office will hold the first auction under this new authority on Sept. 20, 2016, when it offers 14 parcels encompassing 4,398 acres of Federal mineral estate in Kentucky and Mississippi. The BLM is evaluating other opportunities to hold additional online sales.

Because today's rule relates solely to agency procedures (i.e., which auction process can be used) and simply restates the relevant statutory authority, it takes effect immediately upon publication in the Federal Register and is not subject to notice and comment requirements. The rule does not change the eligibility requirements to participate in a lease sale or the competitive auction style employed by the BLM. Leases will still be awarded to the highest bidder based on a sequential and ascending bid auction system.

--BLM--

The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land, the most of any Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The BLM's mission is to manage and conserve the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations under our mandate of multiple-use and sustained yield. In Fiscal Year 2015, the BLM generated $4.1 billion in receipts from activities occurring on public lands
.


Attached Media Files: BLM Takes Important Step Toward Online Oil & Gas Lease Sales