Lands stripped from Utah monuments open to claims, leases

The window opened Friday for oil, gas, uranium and coal companies to make requests or stake claims to lands that were cut from two sprawling Utah national monuments by President Trump in December -but there doesn't appear to be a rush to seize the opportunities. For anyone interested in the uranium on the lands stripped from the Bears Ears National Monument, all they need to do is stake a few corner posts in the ground, pay a $212 initial fee and send paperwork to the federal government under a law first created in 1872 that harkens back to the days of the Wild West.

Serious Questions Surround BWMS Testing

Serious questions have been raised regarding the testing of ballast water management systems . In order for a BWMS manufacturer to sell its equipment for use on commercial vessels operating in U.S. waters, the equipment must be tested in accordance with U.S. Coast Guard and Environmental Protection Agency requirements and the equipment must then obtain a type approval certificate from the Coast Guard.

Pressed on Trump, Pruitt softens ’16 assessment

Environmental Protection Agency chief Scott Pruitt sought to distance himself Tuesday from his 2016 statements that then-presidential candidate Donald Trump is a bully who, if elected, would abuse the Constitution. Pruitt made the comments in February 2016 while appearing on a conservative talk radio program in Oklahoma, where he served as the state's Republican attorney general.

Wholesale market meeting rekindles partnership with USDA

From local food to food safety regulations, a lot of ground was covered in a meeting that brought together federal officials and wholesale market leaders. The Jan. 25 meeting at the U.S. Department of Agriculture offices in Washington, D.C., was organized by the National Association of Produce Market Managers and the United Fresh Produce Association.

5G trial balloon bursts into flames

But the fact that somebody in the president's National Security Council was at least thinking about it shows how seriously the administration is taking America's technological competition with China, and the immense potential of next-generation wireless technology. The teacup-sized tempest began Sunday night, when the online news service Axios published a startling report based on an NSC memo and PowerPoint presentation.

Beloved Organic Brands Make Unprecedented Protest: Stop Attacking Organic

WASHINGTON: The nation's organic food movement, representing dozens of brands, thousands of organic farmers and millions of organic consumers, as well as retailers, certifiers, and organizations, published an open letter in the Washington Post. The cosigners are demanding that the USDA stop interfering with the public process that has created clear standards for animal welfare in organic food production.

Florida observes Prescribed Fire Awareness Week

Florida's Prescribed Fire Awareness Week is being observed to call attention to the need for slow-moving, low-grade fire to decrease wildfire danger. "Following one of the most active wildfire seasons in recent history and a devastating hurricane season, forecasts predict an extremely dry spring," said Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam.

Regional Grape Program welcomes new specialist to its staff

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County's Lake Erie Regional Grape Program is pleased to announce the addition of Jackie Dresser as the viticulture extension specialist. Dresser is the newest member of a four-person extension team, which assists area grape growers with the implementation of research-based information, in the areas of Integrated Pest Management , Business Management and Viticultural Production Practices in their vineyard operations.

North/East metro news briefs: Washington County officials begin review of Valley library

A new and improved Washington County library is coming to residents in Lakeland and the Lower St. Croix Valley east of Woodbury, but its size and location will be explored throughout the spring. When the findings are ready in June, county officials will decide whether to remodel the current library or move to a larger building.

ND joins legal fight against California, Massachusetts egg, meat laws

North Dakota has joined 12 other states in asking the U.S. Supreme Court to block laws in California requiring any eggs sold there to be from hens with specific space requirements in their cages. The lawsuit, filed by Missouri Attorney General Josh Hawley, alleges that the California law violates the U.S. Constitution's interstate commerce clause and is pre-empted by federal law.

Ag Broadband Coalition Hails Precision Agriculture Connectivity Act

AG BROADBAND COALITION HAILS PRECISION AGRICULTURE CONNECTIVITY ACT Jan. 26, 2018 Source: Agricultural Broadband Coalition news release The Agricultural Broadband Coalition applauded bipartisan leaders in the House and Senate for introducing the Precision Agriculture Connectivity Act of 2018 on Thursday, a milestone piece of legislation that will help to revolutionize farming across the United States.

EPA ends clean air policy opposed by fossil fuel interests

The Trump administration announced Thursday it is doing away with a decades-old air emissions policy opposed by fossil fuel companies, a move that environmental groups say will result in more pollution. The Environmental Protection Agency said it was withdrawing the "once-in always-in" policy under the Clean Air Act, which dictated how major sources of hazardous air pollutants are regulated.

Trump Farm Bill Outline Emphasizes Work as a Food-Stamp Goal

The bill, whose cost has topped $100 billion in previous years, authorizes programs overseen by the Agriculture Department, including payments to growers of corn and soybeans and funds to prevent forest fires. A Trump administration outline for farm legislation calls for pushing some food-stamp recipients back to work, a GOP priority.

Perdue Foods LLC Recalls Chicken Products due to Misbranding and Undeclared Allergens

WASHINGTON, January 23, 2018 Perdue Foods LLC, a Monterey, Tenn. establishment, is recalling approximately 530 pounds of chicken products due to misbranding and undeclared allergens, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service announced today.