Category Archives: National Government

North Kaibab Ranger District Christmas tree permit update

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FREDONIA — As a reminder, the North Kaibab Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest is currently selling over-the-counter Christmas tree tags at both the district office in Fredonia and the Kaibab Plateau Visitor Center in Jacob Lake, and all fourth graders are eligible for a free Christmas tree permit as part of the Every Kid in a Park (eKIP) initiative.

Specific dates and times for getting a Christmas tree permit for the North Kaibab Ranger District are as follows:

The Kaibab Plateau Visitor Center will be open Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Dec. 13 for tag sales. The visitor center is located at the intersection of highways 89 and 67 in Jacob Lake and can be reached at (928) 643-7298.

The North Kaibab District office will be open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding holidays, and on two Saturdays, Nov. 28 and Dec. 5, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. for tag sales. The office is located at 430 S. Main St. in Fredonia and can be reached at 928-643-7395.

To be eligible for a free Christmas tree permit from the North Kaibab Ranger District, all fourth graders must be accompanied by a parent or guardian and present their fourth grade pass. Additional information about the initiative and how to obtain a pass may be found at the official eKIP website.

For those not eligible for the fourth grade initiative, a $15 permit may be purchased.

All Christmas tree permit holders will be provided with a map showing their designated cutting area along with additional Christmas tree cutting instructions. North Kaibab Ranger District tag holders are authorized to cut a tree of any species that is less than 10 feet in height and within the designated cutting areas on the map provided. All sales are final, and no refunds will be made.
The Williams and Tusayan districts of the Kaibab National Forest also have Christmas tree tags available. For detailed information on those tags as well as additional information on North Kaibab Ranger District tags, visit the Kaibab National Forest website.

FDA Orders Recall under Consent Decree for all Custom Ultrasonics Automated Endoscope Reprocessors

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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today ordered Custom Ultrasonics to recall all of its automated endoscope reprocessors (AERs) from health care facilities due to the firm’s continued violations of federal law and a consent decree entered with the company in 2007. The identified violations could result in an increased risk of infection transmission. The FDA ordered this recall under the terms of the consent decree. The agency also issued a safety communication today recommending that health care facilities currently using Custom Ultrasonics AERs transition away from their use to alternative methods to reprocess flexible endoscopes as soon as possible.

These actions are part of the FDA’s commitment to patient safety and ongoing efforts to minimize the risk of patient infections associated with reprocessed endoscopes, including duodenoscopes and scope accessories. The FDA has been working with federal partners, manufacturers and other stakeholders to better understand the critical factors contributing to bacterial infections associated with duodenoscopes and how to best mitigate them.

An estimated 2,800 AERs manufactured by Custom Ultrasonics are currently in hospitals and outpatient clinics throughout the United States. The FDA’s recall order applies to all Custom Ultrasonics AERs, including the System 83 Plus, System 83 Plus 2 and System 83 Plus 9. Within seven business days after receiving the FDA’s recall order, Custom Ultrasonics must provide a written recall proposal to the FDA.

“We are taking action because Custom Ultrasonics failed to meet its legal and regulatory obligations,” said William Maisel, M.D., M.P.H., deputy director for science and chief scientist in the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health. “The FDA’s recall order stemmed from the company’s continued violations of federal law and the consent decree and is necessary to protect the public health.”

AERs are Class II medical devices that require 510(k) clearance and are used to wash and high-level disinfect endoscopes to decontaminate them between uses. AERs are designed to expose outside surfaces as well as interior channels of endoscopes to chemical solutions in order to kill microorganisms and prevent the spread of infection from these reusable medical devices. An endoscope must be thoroughly cleaned to remove any visible debris prior to placing it in an AER, which includes manually scrubbing the elevator mechanism and the recesses surrounding the elevator mechanism.
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SpaghettiOs Original 14.2oz Cans Recalled Due to Potential Choking Hazard

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640-472515Campbell Soup Company (NYSE:CPB) is voluntarily recalling 14.2 ounce cans of SpaghettiOs Original due to a potential choking hazard posed by pieces of red plastic found in a small number of cans. This plastic material is from parts of the can lining which may peel off.

The affected 14.2 ounce SpaghettiOs Original product has a date of February 22, 2017 which is stamped on the base of the can, and a UPC code of 51000 22432 printed under the bar code.

The issue was identified after the company received consumer complaints.

This recall affects 355,000 cans and is limited to the United States.

This product should not be eaten. People who have bought the affected product should return it to the store where it was purchased for an exchange or full refund. For more information call 1-866-535-3774 between 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. EST, Monday to Friday or visit Facebook/SpaghettiOs. Campbell Soup Company apologizes for the inconvenience.

Kaibab National Forest offers free Christmas tree permits to fourth graders

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WILLIAMS — The Kaibab National Forest is pleased to announce that all fourth graders are eligible for a free Christmas tree permit, while supplies last, through the Every Kid in a Park initiative.

Every Kid in a Park is a nationwide call to action to build the next generation of conservationists. All fourth graders are eligible to receive a fourth grade pass that allows free access to federal lands and waters across the country for a full year.

In support of this initiative, the Forest Service is making available a free Christmas tree permit to every interested fourth grader with a fourth grade pass. For additional information about the initiative and how to obtain a pass, visit www.everykidinapark.gov.

In order to receive a free Christmas tree permit from the Kaibab National Forest, the fourth grader must be present with the fourth grade pass.

Contact information for each ranger district is as follows:

North Kaibab Ranger District, 430 S. Main St., Fredonia, AZ 86022; (928) 643-7395.
Tusayan Ranger District, 176 Lincoln Log Loop, Grand Canyon, AZ 86023; (928) 638-2443.
Williams Ranger District, 742 S. Clover Rd., Williams, AZ 86046; (928) 635-5600.

Visit the Kaibab National Forest website for additional information on Christmas tree permits.

Kaibab National Forest accepting applications for fire positions

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Do you know someone who may be interested in a career in fire on the Kaibab? From Nov. 2 to Dec. 1, 2015, individuals can apply for fire positions on forests in the U.S. Forest Service Southwestern Region, including on the Kaibab!

The Kaibab National Forest currently has three vacant positions that will be filled during Fire Hire. However, more positions could become available.

For additional information and resources, visit the Kaibab National Forest website at http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/kaibab/home/?cid=FSEPRD478964 or follow us on Twitter by texting ‘follow kaibabnf’ to 40404. Detailed Fire Hire information for the entire Southwestern Region, which details all available positions and the process by which to apply to those positions, is available at http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd476214.pdf.

South Zone fire managers to treat piles during predicted snow

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WILLIAMS — Fire managers on both the Tusayan and Williams Ranger Districts will be completing pile burns across the two southern districts of the Kaibab National Forest. The pile burns help remove fuel sources from the forest, and can be conducted while snow is on the ground to help mitigate fire intensity.

Tusayan Ranger District: Fire crews will treat 122 acres of piles adjacent to Forest Road 311, near Russell Wash, to the east of Tusayan. There are no predicted smoke impacts to Tusayan.

Williams Ranger District: Fire crews will be treating 233 acres of piles near the intersection of Forest Road 141 and Forest Road 102, south of Sherwood Forest, near McDougal Flat. Smoke impacts to Sherwood Forest are expected to be minimal.

All prescribed burning on the Kaibab National Forest is subject to approval by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality and appropriate weather conditions. For additional information on the Smoke Management Division of the ADEQ and to view prescribed burns authorized on any given day, please visit www.azdeq.gov/environ/air/smoke/index.html.

Additional information, photos and maps are available through the following resources: InciWeb inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4112/ and inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4113/; Kaibab National Forest Fire Information Phone Line (928) 635-8311; Text Message – text ‘follow kaibabnf’ to 40404.

Invasive Plant Grant program for the Arizona State Forestry Department

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Arizona State Forestry with funding provided by the USDA Forest Service is soliciting proposals from $10,000 to $20,000 to treat invasive and noxious plant invasions that threaten forested or woodland areas.

  • Funds are awarded on a cost matching-basis, and this program requires 50% (1:1) match from a non-federal source.
  • Priority will be given to projects that demonstrate partnerships (especially with a Cooperative Weed Management Area) and projects adjacent to National Forest System (NFS) lands or that will compliment NFS projects.
  • Applications are due November 13, 2015.

Attached for your information, use and distribution are the grant Information and Guidelines, Q&A sheet and Application Form. The documents have also been posted on our website at https://azsf.az.gov/grants/forest-health/ipg.

This program is directed to units of local government, non-profit organizations 501(c)3, and public educational institutions. Individuals working in partnership with their neighborhood association may also apply if they work with one of the previously stated groups.

For questions regarding this grant program, please contact John Richardson at 602-771-1420.

Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration Grant Program – 2016 Request for Proposals is Open

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On November 3, 2015 the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) announced an RFP for this public-private partnership, funded in part by EPA’s Wetlands and Urban Waters Programs and the US Forest Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service and in conjunction with the Urban Waters Federal Partnership.

Approximately $2.1 million in combined total funding will be available to support projects such as stormwater management, addressing water scarcity, source water protection as well as wetlands, riparian, forest and water quality protection and restoration projects in local communities especially underserved communities across the country. In 2016, the Urban Waters Federal Partnership will give special consideration to projects which directly advance priorities of the 19 Urban Water Federal Partnership designated locations. For more information the priorities of the 19 designated locations, go to: http://www2.epa.gov/urbanwaterspartners/news-about-urban-waters#projectbackgrounds.

The geographic boundaries of the designated locations can be found in the RFP on the NFWF website.

NFWF will host a webinar for potential applicants on November 18, 2015. This RFP closes February 3, 2016.

For more information go to www.nfwf.org/fivestar.

Kaibab National Forest to offer Christmas tree permits

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WILLIAMS — The Kaibab National Forest will sell over-the-counter and through-the-mail Christmas tree tags on a first-come, first-served basis for each of its three ranger districts beginning Nov. 16 and continuing until they are sold out. While tags will start being sold Nov. 16, cutting of Christmas trees can’t begin until Nov. 20.

The $15 permit will allow the holder to cut a tree of a particular species that is not more than 10 feet in height within a designated area on the Kaibab National Forest from Nov. 20 through Dec. 24. No refunds will be made, even if weather conditions prevent access to cutting areas.

Individuals who purchase tags will be provided with a map showing their designated cutting area along with additional Christmas tree cutting instructions. The number of available tags and tree species, locations and hours for purchasing the permits, and contact information for each ranger district are as follows:

Christmas Tree-1 Individuals can also purchase a Christmas tree tag through the mail by sending information to the mailing address of the ranger district they plan to visit. It is advisable to call the desired ranger district office in advance to ensure tags are still available. Individuals desiring to purchase a Christmas tree tag through the mail should provide ample time for their permit to arrive. Expect a turnaround time of about 10 business days.

Please include the following with any request for a Christmas tree tag through the mail:

> A self-addressed, stamped envelope (Attn: Christmas Trees)
> A contact phone number
> A check payable to USDA Forest Service

David Trail Mix Sweet & Salty Voluntarily Recalled Due To Undeclared Dairy Allergen

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daves-1DAVID® Trail Mix Sweet & Salty flavor is being voluntarily recalled by ConAgra Foods of Omaha, Nebraska, due to the presence of an ingredient in the trail mix that contains milk protein, which is not declared on the packaging.

The finished product is made for ConAgra Foods by a third party supplier who is conducting a separate recall for similar, impacted products.

This food is a concern for people who are allergic to milk. People who have allergies to milk run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume the product. ConAgra Foods was made aware of this issue through a consumer contact. ConAgra Foods is aware of one consumer allergic reaction associated with consumption of this product.

ConAgra Foods is advising consumers who have purchased this item to discard it or return it to the store where originally purchased.

This recall includes the following DAVID Trail Mix Sweet & Salty products sold as part of multi variety packages that also contain DAVID Trail Mix Classic. DAVID Trail Mix Classic is not impacted by this recall.

The DAVID Trail Mix Sweet & Salty UPC is: 26200 23885, 5oz. bags/149g.

The product was shipped to retail food stores and distributors in the U.S. and Mexico. ConAgra Foods is working with retail customers and distributors to ensure the packages are removed from store shelves.

This recall is limited to DAVID Trail Mix Sweet & Salty flavor only and does not impact other flavors of DAVID Trail Mix or any DAVID Seeds products.

Consumers with questions should call our Consumer Affairs hotline at: (800) 881-3989, open 24 hours a day/7 days a week.