Category Archives: National Government

Trump takes heat from Bergdahl lawyer for calling him a traitor

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Defense attorney for Bowe Bergdahl—Eugene Fidell—is publicly berating Donald Trump for remarks in which he calls Bergdahl a “…dirty, rotten traitor.”

According to a report in the Army Times, Fidell said that Bergdhal cannot respond to the comments because he is currently under an Article 32 investigation to determine if charges should be brought. Fidell said that Trump’s remarks threaten Bergdahl’s right to a fair trial.

The remarks were in response to a video released by the Wall Street Journal of a town hall meeting in which Trump said:

We get a traitor named Bergdahl, a dirty, rotten traitor, who, by the way, when he deserted, six young, beautiful people were killed trying to find him.

Trump has used this example on his campaign trail over the past few months. In July he quipped that he would send Bergdahl back even if they do not want him.

Bergdahl disappeared in Afghanistan on June 30, 2009 and spent five-years in alleged captivity as a prisoner of war. He was traded for five Taliban terrorists. Fidell said that no soldiers were killed searching for Berghdahl.
soldiers-killed1The six soldiers in question are Staff Sergeant Clayton Bowen, 29, Private 1st Class Morris Walker, 23, Staff Sergeant Kurt Curtiss, 27, 2nd Lieutenant Darryn Andrews, 34, Staff Sergeant Michael Murphrey, 25, Private 1st Class Matthew Martinek

Bergdahl is now assigned to a desk job at U.S. Army North at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, Texas while he awaits charges of once count of desertion with intent to shirk hazardous duty and one count of misbehavior before the enemy.

Workforce Flexibility act may give temporary DOI employees competitive edge

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500px-US-DeptOfTheInterior-Seal.svgWASHINGTON — The Land Management Workforce Flexibility act, H.R. 1531, has been signed into law. It is now Public Law No: 114-47. The bill was submitted by Representative Gerald Connolly [D-VA-11].

The Workforce Flexibility act makes an employee of specified land management agencies in the Department of the Interior serving under a time-limited, including a temporary, appointment in the competitive service eligible to compete for a permanent appointment in any land management agency or any other agency if:
(1) the original appointment was competitive,
(2) the employee has served under one or more time-limited appointments totaling more than 24 months without a break of two or more years, and
(3) the employee’s performance has been at an acceptable level.

It also provides that an individual appointed under the provisions of this Act becomes a career-conditional employee and acquires competitive status upon appointment.

The agency determining the eligibility of time-limited employees are required to waive age requirements for these employees unless age is essential to the performance of the duties of the position.

The law defines a former employee of a land management agency who served under a time-limited appointment and who otherwise meets applicable requirements to be a time-limited employee for purposes of this Act if:
(1) such employee applies for a position covered by this Act within two years after the most recent date of separation, and
(2) such employee’s most recent separation was for reasons other than misconduct or performance.

Persons interested in career positions in the Department of the Interior should check with Human Resources for more information.

Fire management actions wind down on Kaibab Plateau

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FREDONIA — Over the last six weeks, wildland firefighters worked to establish, reinforce and hold the line around the established 3,915-acre planning area on the Burnt Complex. On Aug. 5, they successfully achieved this management goal. Earlier this wildfire season, firefighters also successfully managed the Locust Fire, which consumed more than 3,227 acres of excess pine litter and dead-woody debris on the forest floor.

“Collectively, I can safely estimate both these wildfires removed approximately 5 to 10 tons-per-acre of excess fuels from the forest floor, making these portions of our forest healthier, more resilient to future wildfires and overall safer for those visiting the forest,” said North Zone Fuels Specialist Dave Robinson.

Objectives for a lightning-caused wildfire can call for full suppression, allowing the fire to take its natural course, or a combination thereof. This decision can be challenging because it includes a number of complexities that must be taken into account when planning such an operation. Such complexities can include but are not limited to landscape, terrain, and weather but also public health risk and values at risk, such as historic landmarks, power lines, communication towers, local businesses and privately-owned properties in or near the location of the wildfire, also referred to as the Wildland-Urban Interface or the transition zone between unoccupied land and human development.

When conditions are right and deemed appropriate to manage as identified by the Kaibab National Forest Land and Resources Management Plan (LRMP), management action objectives often include returning fire to a fire-adapted ecosystem, reducing accumulated fuels on the forest floor; recycling of nutrients into the soil; enhancing wildlife habitat and protecting the area from future high-intensity wildland fires.

Robinson adds that in addition to reducing fuel surface loads on the ground, it is also necessary to open the tree canopy and reduce understory tree densities in the planning area, resulting in a mosaic of patches and corridors of trees and diversity of distribution and abundance of different plant and animal communities and species within the area covered by the LRMP. On the Burnt Complex, this was accomplished by reducing the number of pole-sized trees, according to Robinson; a term used to describe trees 6 inches in diameter or less.

Robinson, who works for both the Kaibab National Forest and Grand Canyon National Park in fuels management, added that “wildfire is a commodity that we can’t afford to live without. So we do our best to manage these naturally-caused fires by manipulating the fire and keeping it at the low-and-slow intensity we want so nature can run its course. This natural disturbance process allows fire to reduce excess fuels, lessen the risk of future high-intensity wildfires, and allow fire to return to the ecosystem safely and effectively in an environment that needs fire to remain healthy.”

Both the Burnt Complex and the Locust Fire continue to be in monitor and patrol status, and fire managers are asking forest visitors to avoid entering the recently burned area as interior fuels may still be putting out heat and smoke.

“Successful management of these lightning-caused fires starts with communication and information. Firefighter and public safety is always the most important consideration as part of that process,” said North Zone Fire Management Officer Ed Hiatt. “We want our visitors to understand that even though a recently burned area may look like a safe place to explore, it isn’t. There may be fire-weakened tree hazards overhead or stump-hole hazards on the ground, which can cause serious injury, so it is always best to be aware of your surroundings, be on the lookout for such hazards and use extreme caution if hiking or camping in the vicinity.”

4FRI thinning project begins on Williams Ranger District

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WILLIAMS — Tree removal has begun on a 1,646-acre project on the Williams Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest associated with the Four Forest Restoration Initiative (4FRI).

The Pomeroy Task Order area is located in the vicinity of KA Hill just south of Scholz Lake and about 5 miles south of Interstate 40. Pomeroy is part of the 4FRI Phase One Stewardship Contract held by Good Earth Power AZ LLC.

As thinning work is implemented, residents and visitors can expect to see heavy equipment and workers in the project area and along haul routes. Log trucks may begin hauling as early as this week. The haul route will be from Forest Road 13 west to FR 109, north on FR 109 to FR 141, and then along FR 141 through McDougal Flat until reaching the Good Earth Power mill located near Bootlegger Crossing.

Members of the public are urged to use extreme caution near timber removal and hauling operations. Besides the presence of heavy equipment and log trucks, there will also be trees being felled and stacked into log decks, which can be unstable. Visitors to the area should not camp near nor climb on them, as they often shift and have the possibility of collapse.

A portion of the Overland Trail passes through the project area. Although the trail will not be closed, users can expect to see signs posted along the trail advising them of the work being completed. Safety signs have also been posted on roads in the area to inform members of the public about the operations.

Forest managers said they hoped at least 500 acres of thinning could be completed within the 1,646-acre project area before any snow falls.

The objectives of the thinning operations in the Pomeroy Task Order area are to reduce fuel loading and the potential for future high-intensity wildfires and to improve wildlife habitat and overall forest health.

The goal of the 4FRI is to accelerate the pace and scale of restoration within 2.4 million acres of ponderosa pine forest in northern Arizona to increase resilience and proper functioning. Restoring this fire-adapted ecosystem is accomplished with a suite of restoration activities – from watershed maintenance and habitat improvements to prescribed burning and thinning.

Rock Fire on Tusayan Ranger District growing due to dry conditions

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Overview of fire looking southeast. Photo taken Aug. 7, 2015, by Brandon Oberhardt. U.S. Forest Service, Southwestern Region, Kaibab National Forest.

Overview of fire looking southeast. Photo taken Aug. 7, 2015, by Brandon Oberhardt. U.S. Forest Service, Southwestern Region, Kaibab National Forest.

TUSAYAN — Dry conditions over the last few days have led to increasing activity on a lightning-caused wildfire on the Tusayan Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest. The 1,581-acre Rock Fire is growing within boundaries established for it and is being managed for multiple objectives including allowing natural fire to play its role as a disturbance factor in the ecosystem, enhancing wildlife habitat, improving forest health, and reducing the potential for future high-intensity wildfires. There are no closures associated with the Rock Fire.

The Rock Fire, which was started by lightning July 31, is located south of the Coconino Rim about 15 miles southeast of the Town of Tusayan and is burning at a low-to-moderate level of intensity through an area dominated by ponderosa pine trees.

Fire managers plan to allow the wildfire to take its natural course within predefined boundaries in order to help restore ecological balance across the landscape. Over the last few days, firefighters completed burn out operations along Forest Road 316 in anticipation of the wildfire’s growth in that direction. FR 316 serves as the eastern boundary of the planning area within which the Rock Fire will be held.

Today firefighters conducted burn out operations along FR 2762, which serves as the western boundary of the planning area, in advance of the fire’s natural spread. This will ensure fire managers are able to keep the Rock Fire within pre-determined perimeters over the next several days as dry conditions in the forecast indicate that the wildfire will be active. Firefighters also continue to prepare for the fire’s likely spread by lining archaeological sites, range fences, trick tanks, and any other potentially fire-sensitive resources near the fire area. This important work ensures that as the Rock Fire grows, it won’t negatively impact other values in the area.

Given dry conditions in the forecast for the next few days, the Rock Fire is expected to burn actively and produce smoke that is visible from Cameron, Tuba City, Valle and Highway 64.

Springs Fire travels south into Wild Horse Canyon

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640-2015_08_17-09.40.26.272-CDTWILLIAMS — The Spring Fire—which has grown over 6,000 acres despite monsoon conditions—has spread into Wild Horse Canyon and is expected to burn itself out there. The Summit Mountain Trail (#68) continues to be closed until Sept. 30 or until Closure Order 07-15-01-F is rescinded. The trail was closed on July 30 due to the Springs Fire activity.

Yesterday fire personnel continued to monitor the Springs Fire after fire activity increased, due to drier conditions, following a week of monsoon weather. Crews reinforced Forest Road 746, a designated perimeter road, with burn out operations. Fire managers expect the lightning-caused wildfire to reach its pre-established southeastern boundary within the next several days.

Today they will continue to monitor and reinforce Forest Road 57A and Forest Road 746, as the fire activity moves slowly towards the south around Wild Horse Canyon. As the wildfire reaches these designated perimeter roads, it is expected to burn out on its own, as fire managers have been planning since the discovery of the naturally-ignited Springs Fire in early July.

Smoke impacts to both Wild Horse and Sycamore canyons and father south are possible as the Springs Fire continues to slowly back through the area.

The Parks and Bellemont communities may also notice smoke over the next several days, as the wildfire burns through the remaining portion of the planning area established for its natural spread. As the wildfire reaches pre-determined perimeter roads in the coming days, fire activity and smoke production are expected to decrease significantly.

ADEQ: Update on Colorado Gold King Mine Spill

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animas-river-before-and-after-epa-toxic-waste-spillPHOENIX — Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) officials announced today it has examined data provided by states upstream of Lake Powell and closer to the Gold King Mine spill. ADEQ’s analysis of data released by the Utah Department of Environmental Quality of samples collected about 100 miles from Lake Powell (closest Utah sample) shows that water quality conditions in the San Juan River upstream of Lake Powell are generally consistent with pre-spill conditions. “Based on what we’re seeing with the water flowing into Lake Powell, we don’t expect there to be noticeable change in water quality in Arizona,” ADEQ Director Misael Cabrera said.

“To put this spill into perspective, the three million gallon estimated volume of the spill represents a miniscule fraction of a percent (0.000071 percent) of the total volume of water in Lake Powell (more than four trillion gallons as of July 29, 2015) Cabrera said, adding that ADEQ does not expect this spill to have short- or long-term negative impacts to Lake Powell and the downstream Colorado River.”

ADEQ has been and will continue coordinating with public health and environmental agencies in Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, as well as with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Navajo Nation officials to gather, analyze and share water quality data with each other and the public as it becomes available. Beginning August 14, these officials began lifting water use restrictions for the Animas and San Juan Rivers, because water quality conditions are returning to pre-spill conditions.

Last week ADEQ completed sampling to characterize baseline water quality in Lake Powell and the Colorado River at Lee’s Ferry and submitted these samples for analysis with the fastest possible turnaround time. ADEQ expects to receive lab results later today, Monday, August 17, which it will compare with Arizona surface water quality standards and historical data.

Cook Medical Issues Global Recall Of Beacon Tip Angiographic Catheter Products

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On July 2, 2015, Cook Medical initiated a lot-specific voluntary recall of 2,239 lots of Beacon Tip Angiographic Catheters. Globally, 95,167 devices are subject to this recall. The products include specific versions and lot numbers of the Torcon NB® Advantage Beacon® Tip Catheters (Catalog Prefix HNBR5.0), Royal Flush® Plus Beacon® Tip High-Flow Catheters (Catalog Prefix HNR4.0), and Slip-Cath® Beacon® Tip Catheters (Catalog Prefix SCBR5.0).

The Beacon Tip Angiographic Catheters have been found to exhibit tip splitting or separation, which has resulted in adverse events. Cook has received 26 complaints of catheter-tip splitting and/or separation. There have been 14 Medical Device Reports to date in which a tip split or separation occurred.

Tip splitting has the potential to lead to loss of device function. Tip separation may require medical intervention to retrieve a separated segment or may occlude blood flow to end organs.

The Beacon Tip Angiographic Catheters in this recall were distributed between June 2013 and June 2015. Product can be identified by the part number and lot number provided on the outer package product label. The lot numbers for products that are subject to this recall can be found on the following pages.

Cook Medical has notified its customers and distributors by recall notification letters. The letters requested that all customers and distributors quarantine and discontinue use of all potentially affected units and return the affected product to the company as soon as possible for credit.

FDA and other regulatory agencies around the world have been notified of this action.

The full list of recalled products can be found at the FDA web site.

Please watch your children while camping.

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jerold-williams-nWILLIAMS — Since last Thursday, the missing 5-year-old Jerold Williams caught the attention of a nation. Young Jerold was lost while walking with his mother near Jacobs Lake in the northern Kaibab Forest. Searchers from several agencies searched from the the time he was reported missing until they, unfortunately, found him deceased yesterday. This sad event underscores the necessity to watch your children closely while camping. Even an adult can become disoriented in unfamiliar territory. With hunting season approaching it become even more imperative that you keep children close to camp.

There are, also, wild animals that may attract attention of young children. Unfortunately this may include skunks which have been known to have contracted rabies. Deer and elk may seem tame to pet, but they can turn and attack without warning. Yes, we even have the more dangerous variety of animals; mountain lions and bears.

If you are coming to camp in any forest in northern Arizona, you must realize that it is heavily wooded. A child can easily become separated in the heavy brush. If you notice your child missing, please report it immediately. Particularly if you are not sure how long the child was missing.

Then, if you must, search carefully and watch for any clues that you can report to authorities. In the case of a missing child, use 911. Remember that cell phones may not work in remote camp sites. You may have to drive toward Williams before you can pick up a signal.

Our prayers are with the family that suffered this tragic loss.

Bill to allow certain temporary government employees to be eligible to compete for permanent positions in Senate.

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WASHINGTON — H.R.1531, the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act, would allow employees serving in the Department of the Interior on a lime-limited basis eligible to compete for permanent positions within the agency. The bill passed the House on July 7 and moved to the Senate on the 8th.

The House bill was submitted to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs without amendments or reports. It was placed on the Senate legislative calendar yesterday.

The measure would allow employees in certain positions of the Department of the Interior to compete for permanent positions if they have served in temporary competitive service in one or more time-limited appointment for more than 24-months without a break of two, or more, years and the employee performance has been acceptable.

Temporary employees who were separated not more than two years who otherwise meets the eligibility of this measure would be allowed to compete for permanent positions if their separation was not for misconduct or poor performance.

The bill would require the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) or other examining agency, in determining the eligibility of a time-limited employee to be examined for or appointed in the competitive service. The person would becomes a career-conditional employee and acquire competitive status upon appointment.

The bill would waive age requirements for appointees under this measure unless the age requirement is essential to the performance of the duties of a particular position.