MEDIA NOTE

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE

Office of the Spokesperson

For Immediate Release

May 22, 2018 

The United States is pleased to announce the start of negotiations with Canada to modernize the Columbia River Treaty regime on May 29-30, 2018, in Washington, D.C.  The 1964 Treaty’s flood risk and hydropower operations have provided substantial benefits to millions of people on both sides of the border.  The Treaty, a worldwide model for transboundary water cooperation, has also facilitated additional benefits such as supporting the river’s ecosystem, irrigation, municipal water use, industrial use, navigation, and recreation.  Modernizing the Treaty regime will ensure these benefits continue for years to come. 

As the United States enters these bilateral negotiations with our Canadian counterparts, our key objectives include continued, careful management of flood risk; ensuring a reliable and economical power supply; and better addressing ecosystem concerns.  Our objectives are guided by the U.S. Entity Regional Recommendation for the Future of the Columbia River Treaty after 2024, a consensus document published in 2013 after years of consultations among the Northwest’s Tribes, states, stakeholders, public, and federal agencies.

The U.S. negotiating team will be led by the U.S. Department of State and will include the Bonneville Power Administration and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Northwestern Division (which together comprise the “U.S. Entity” that implements the Treaty in the United States); the Department of the Interior; and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

As negotiations proceed, the U.S. government will continue to engage regional stakeholders, Tribes, state government officials, and other interested groups.  For more information regarding upcoming Town Halls open to the public, please contact iaRiverTreaty@state.gov">ColumbiaRiverTreaty@state.gov.  For press inquiries, please contact ess@state.gov">WHAPress@state.gov.

Aurora, Ore., May 22, 2018—Life Flight Network, the largest not-for-profit air medical transport service in the United States has released a new app called LFN Respond that allows hospitals and first responders to call for a life-saving air ambulance transport with the touch of a button. The tool, developed in partnership with dispatch software creator Flight Vector, saves valuable time when every second counts.

In emergency medicine, prompt medical attention can mean the difference between life and death.   The faster a patient gets to definitive care, the better their chance of survival. 

“With LFN Respond, approved hospital and emergency responders can instantly request a Life Flight Network aircraft by tapping the flight call button in the app, sending vital information and GPS location directly to dispatch personnel at our Communications Center,” said Life Flight Network CEO Michael Griffiths. “LFN Respond saves precious seconds and makes calling for air ambulance transport easier for hospitals and first responder teams working to save lives.”

The free app is designed for use by approved agencies to send activation requests to Life Flight Network. Those agencies include hospitals, first responders, fire departments, EMS, law enforcement, search and rescue, ski patrols, and other qualified agencies currently working with Life Flight Network. Life Flight Network’s service area covers Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Montana.

The LFN Respond app provides additional functions including a searchable hospital directory, a landing zone guide, access to Life Flight Network’s calendar of outreach education trainings, and push notifications from Life Flight Network on education and training events. Once a flight call has been made using the app, users can view a real-time progress tracker that shows the aircraft’s location while en route and when it’s expected to arrive. LFN Respond integrates seamlessly with Life Flight Network’s computer-aided dispatch and flight tracking software.

“Life Flight Network’s investment in this technology will help us work together better and more efficiently to get people the emergency care they need, as quickly as possible,” said South Lane County Fire & Rescue Fire Chief John Wooten. “Especially in rural parts of our state, air medical transport is critical to saving lives and being able to communicate with Life Flight Network through LFN Respond will improve the process.”

LFN Respond is available on the Apple app store or Google Play to approved hospital and emergency response personnel. The app is also web-based for utilization by computer. Life Flight Network is inviting hospitals and first responders in its service area to register and start using LFN Respond. Hospitals and emergency response agencies in Life Flight Network’s service area interested in LFN Respond should contact their Life Flight Network Customer Service Manager, or call (503) 678-4364.  

Life Flight Network offers memberships for a $65 annual fee. Members incur no out-of-pocket expense if flown for medically necessary emergent conditions by Life Flight Network or one of their reciprocal partners. To request more information about the membership program, or if organizations would like an in-person presentation, they should contact the Life Flight Network membership office at 800-982-9299.

ABOUT LIFE FLIGHT NETWORK

Life Flight Network, a not-for-profit air medical service, is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems (CAMTS) and the National Accreditation Alliance of Medical Transport Applications (NAAMTA). Life Flight Network has administrative offices in Aurora, Oregon and is owned by a consortium of Legacy Emanuel Medical Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center, and Providence Health System. Aviation services provided by: Life Flight Network and Jackson Jet Center, Inc. For more information about Life Flight Network or to become a member, visit www.lifeflight.org.

BENTON CITY, WA – The Kiona-Benton City School Board of Directors announce Peter Peterson as the new district superintendent, effective July 1, 2018.

Mr. Peterson was one of four finalists identified by the Board of Directors for their superintendent position on May 8. The school district, with the aid of Educational Service District 123, began its search for a successor superintendent following the planned resignation of current Superintendent Wade Haun, effective June 30.

According to Julie Rheinschmidt, Kiona-Benton City School Board Chair, “Mr. Peterson's student centered vision and approachable caring nature are attributes our staff and community indicated they desired in our next superintendent. We are excited to welcome him to our KiBe family.”

Currently a Director of Assessment and Student Services for the Walla Walla School District, Mr. Peterson has 17 years of school administration experience.

“I believe that the Kiona-Benton City School District is the perfect place for my wife and me right now,” says Peterson. “As the next superintendent, I look forward to joining a community that supports its kids and schools tremendously, and that pride is evident anytime I speak to a community or staff member. In meeting with staff, there is a genuine excitement about the work to be done, and I am humbled and honored to be chosen to lead with them."

Kiona-Benton has utilized the services of Educational Service District 123 to conduct their superintendent search.  For more information, contact Mr. Darcy Weisner at 509.544.5785.

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About ESD 123:  Educational Service District 123, based in Pasco, WA, is one of nine ESDs in Washington. Dedicated to delivering collaborative solutions that promote learning, ESD 123 serves 23 school districts in seven counties of Southeastern Washington. Under Superintendent Darcy Weisner and its board of directors, this legislatively mandated, not-for-profit educational organization provides efficiency of educational systems and equity of learning opportunities for over 70,000 Washington students. For more information about ESD 123, please call 509-544-5700 or 888-547-8441 or visit www.esd123.org.

WASHINGTON — The Bureau of Land Management today announced the launch of the Wild Horse and Burro “Online Corral”—a new website focused on connecting the American public with wild horses and burros available for adoption or purchase.

The BLM also announced the 2018 wild horse and burro event schedule, featuring nearly 70 events nationwide that focus on placing wild horses and burros in good homes. To access the 2018 schedule visit the BLM wild horse and burro adoption events page at:  https://on.doi.gov/2wVItz0. The Online Corral can be accessed at:  https://wildhorsesonline.blm.gov/.

“Wild horses and burros make great companions that are superb at performing a wide variety of tasks,” said Brian Steed, BLM Deputy Director for Policy and Planning. “I urge everyone to attend a wild horse and burro event or visit the new Online Corral to learn how to bring one home,” continued Steed.

The new Online Corral is geared toward increasing the number of wild horses and burros placed into private care each year. The website, which replaces a 10-year-old system, features a modern, streamlined interface that enables users to more easily find their desired wild horse or burro.  It also includes new filtering features and an interactive web map. Users can now submit and track the status of their applications directly through the website. Approved applicants can browse available animals and participate in the competitive bid event that runs May 15 to22.  All animal bids start at $125.

Known for their intelligence, endurance and loyalty, wild horses, with the right training, are outstanding for ranching and trail riding and have successfully competed for awards in numerous fields from endurance riding to dressage.  Wild horses and burros have routinely been adopted for important tasks such as patrolling the border and local policing. Read stories from recent wild horse and burro adopters and purchasers on the BLM’s Flickr page.

Wild horses and burros can still be adopted or purchased in-person at one of the nearly 70 BLM-hosted events across the country this year or by visiting one of 17 wild horse and burro off-range corrals. Event locations and dates are subject to change.  Please contact the National Wild Horse and Burro Information Center at 866-468-7826 or se@blm.gov" target="_blank">wildhorse@blm.gov for the most up-to-date information.  Potential adopters and purchasers should visit the BLM website to learn more about the rules and requirements for adopting or purchasing a wild horse or burro. To get started visit the BLM wild horse and burro adoption and sales web pages at:  https://on.doi.gov/2fSrzJi.

Today’s announcements today are part of the BLM’s effort to confront a growing overpopulation of wild horses and burros on public rangelands and in taxpayer-funded off-range facilities. As of March 1, 2018, the wild horse and burro population on public lands was estimated at 82,000 animals, which is more than triple the number that public lands can support along with other legally mandated land uses.

“Finding good homes for horses and burros is a top priority for the BLM as we strive to protect the health of these animals," continued Steed.

BLM

The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 Western states, including Alaska.  The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation.  The agency'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.  Diverse activities authorized on these lands generated $75 billion in sales of goods and services throughout the American economy in fiscal year 2016 - more than any other agency in the Department of the Interior.  These activities supported more than 372,000 jobs.

Clarkston, WA - Clarkston School District.  This morning at approximately 10:30 a.m., a situation with a student at LMS escalated to a point that was cause for concern for student and staff safety.  The student ran away and returned to enter LMS to hide.  The school followed district protocol and went into a “lockout” immediately, as did neighboring school Heights Elementary.  Students and staff continued normal teaching and learning activities within the school building with a secure perimeter during the “lockout”. 

District surveillance video footage then confirmed that the individual exited the building and fled into the community.  Both schools remained in lockout due to safety concerns related to the possibility of the student’s return to the area.  Local law enforcement immediately began looking for the individual and did so for nearly four hours until finally apprehending the individual at approximately 2:10 p.m.  At that time, both schools lifted the lockout and resumed normal operations.

Thank you to our community and law enforcement for their outstanding collaboration during these events.