Public Policy
News releases, reports, statements and associated documents from public policy organizations whose goal it is to influence the debate Washington.
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The Regional Forest Agreement: a Manifest Failure
HOBART, Australia, Aug. 21 -- The Wilderness Society-Australia issued the following news release:
Objective analysis of the Regional Forest Agreement (RFA) demonstrates it has been a spectacular failure, raising questions over the value of its extension for a further 20 years, The Wilderness Society says.
The RFA has enshrined an exemption of logging from federal environment laws and failed on its stated objectives to give security to industry, as well as deliver sustainable forestry and a secure reserve system. Industry has collapsed, FSC certification is still unachievable and the Hodgman Government
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HOBART, Australia, Aug. 21 -- The Wilderness Society-Australia issued the following news release:
Objective analysis of the Regional Forest Agreement (RFA) demonstrates it has been a spectacular failure, raising questions over the value of its extension for a further 20 years, The Wilderness Society says.
The RFA has enshrined an exemption of logging from federal environment laws and failed on its stated objectives to give security to industry, as well as deliver sustainable forestry and a secure reserve system. Industry has collapsed, FSC certification is still unachievable and the Hodgman Governmentis proposing to log inside the Tasmanian Reserve Estate.
"The last 20 years under an RFA have been a spectacular failure with industry collapse, massive taxpayer subsidy, environmental damage and community and market conflict. Not addressing these issues and simply signing a new RFA would demonstrate that the governments are living in a parallel universe to the rest of the community," said Vica Bayley, spokesperson for The Wilderness Society.
"Enshrined in the last RFA was the protection of a Comprehensive, Adequate and Representative (CAR) Reserve Network, but the Hodgman Government is now proposing to log old growth and rainforests within many hundreds of thousands of hectares of this reserve network."
One of the most problematic features of the previous RFA was the exemption of the logging industry from federal environment laws. If this exemption is maintained, it will mean the Federal Government is unable to intervene--even when logging is threatening the survival of species like the swift parrot and giant freshwater lobster.
"The previous RFA's exemption from federal environment laws was a disgrace and a disaster," said Mr Bayley.
"If this new RFA maintains this exemption, its represents an abrogation of responsibility on the part of the Federal Government and will undermine the implementation of species' recovery plans, like the one released yesterday for the Giant Freshwater Lobster.
"Biodiversity, water and other environmental indicators continue to decline and logging is a significant contributor to this. State Governments have proven they cannot or will not address these issues and the RFA exemption from federal environment laws is a key reason why.
"Instead of fantasy agreements like the RFA--founded on the flawed belief that all is fine with the logging industry, its markets and environmental performance--Australia needs new environment laws that allow the Federal Government to act to protect species and other critical issues."
Reporters Committee Suing Justice Dept., FBI for Records of Documentary Filmmaker Impersonations
ARLINGTON, Va., Aug. 21 -- The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press issued the following news release:
On Monday, the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press filed a lawsuit against the Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation after the agency failed to act on a Freedom of Information request for records about the FBI's impersonation of documentary filmmakers.
The complaint stems from a request under the Freedom of Information Act filed in April for records of the FBI's policies and practices concerning the impersonation of documentary filmmakers and/or documentary
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ARLINGTON, Va., Aug. 21 -- The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press issued the following news release:
On Monday, the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press filed a lawsuit against the Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation after the agency failed to act on a Freedom of Information request for records about the FBI's impersonation of documentary filmmakers.
The complaint stems from a request under the Freedom of Information Act filed in April for records of the FBI's policies and practices concerning the impersonation of documentary filmmakers and/or documentaryfilm crews, including records of any changes to those policies and practices, and of particular instances of FBI impersonation of documentary filmmakers.
RCFP's request was made after it was revealed in court that, over the course of its investigation into an armed standoff between the Bureau of Land Management and supporters of cattle rancher Cliven Bundy, FBI agents posed as filmmakers in order to interview suspects and used "professional credentials, websites and business cards" to lend their fake documentary film company--Longbow Productions--the appearance of authenticity.
"The FBI's impersonation of journalists and documentary filmmakers undermines the credibility and independence of those who are trying to report on matters of importance to the public," said Katie Townsend, litigation director for the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press. "The public deserves to know more about the FBI's use of this tactic, and has a right to this information under the law, but the FBI seems determined to evade disclosure. We're asking the court to step in and compel the agency to release these records."
In 2014, it came to light that FBI agents had posed as an Associated Press journalist in connection with a 2007 investigation of a juvenile suspect in Washington. The Reporters Committee and AP sued the Department of Justice and the FBI for records related to that incident and its practice of impersonating members of the news media. That case is currently on appeal.
New Study Finds Soil Carbon Losses Nearly Equal to Total Emissions From Deforestation
FALMOUTH, Mass., Aug. 21 -- Woods Hole Research Center issued the following news release:
The first effort to spatially quantify global soil carbon loss revealed that agriculture has removed 133 billion tons of carbon from the top 2 meters of soil, with the rate of loss increasing dramatically in the past 200 years. Those soil carbon losses are nearly equal to total carbon emissions due to forest clearing.
The study was published this week in PNAS, and was led by Dr. Jonathan Sanderman of the Woods Hole Research Center and Tom Hengl of the soil data organization ISRIC.
"The spread of agriculture
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FALMOUTH, Mass., Aug. 21 -- Woods Hole Research Center issued the following news release:
The first effort to spatially quantify global soil carbon loss revealed that agriculture has removed 133 billion tons of carbon from the top 2 meters of soil, with the rate of loss increasing dramatically in the past 200 years. Those soil carbon losses are nearly equal to total carbon emissions due to forest clearing.
The study was published this week in PNAS, and was led by Dr. Jonathan Sanderman of the Woods Hole Research Center and Tom Hengl of the soil data organization ISRIC.
"The spread of agriculturehas created a large carbon debt in soils," Sanderman said. "It has been difficult to estimate the size and spatial distribution of soil organic carbon loss from land use and land cover change but that is a critical step in understanding whether soil carbon sequestration can be an effective climate mitigation strategy."
The large soil carbon debt can be thought of as the maximum potential for soils to remove carbon from the atmosphere and act as a natural climate solution. Even realizing only a fraction of this potential would be an important climate mitigation strategy, Sanderman said.
The study also showed that cropping causes more soil carbon loss on a particular parcel of land but because grazing covers so much land surface, total losses from cropping and grazing are nearly equal.
For the study, the scientists used a machine learning-based model, a global compilation of soil carbon data, and the History Database of the Global Environment (HYDE) land use data.
New SFI Board Members Come Together to Enhance Community, Brand Owner and Youth Engagement
WASHINGTON, Aug. 21 -- The Sustainable Forestry Initiative issued the following news release:
The Sustainable Forestry Initiative Inc. (SFI) welcomed two new officers and one new member to its Board of Directors: Mark Rodgers as Board Chair, Guy Gleysteen as Vice Chair, and Laura Downey as a new member in the social chamber. These new members will play a key role as SFI continues to enhance the sustainability of well-managed forests and the communities that depend on them across the U.S. and Canada.
"Mark brings experience as a community leader and builder, Guy works as a senior executive overseeing
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WASHINGTON, Aug. 21 -- The Sustainable Forestry Initiative issued the following news release:
The Sustainable Forestry Initiative Inc. (SFI) welcomed two new officers and one new member to its Board of Directors: Mark Rodgers as Board Chair, Guy Gleysteen as Vice Chair, and Laura Downey as a new member in the social chamber. These new members will play a key role as SFI continues to enhance the sustainability of well-managed forests and the communities that depend on them across the U.S. and Canada.
"Mark brings experience as a community leader and builder, Guy works as a senior executive overseeingglobal supply chains and Laura is known for her vision when it comes to youth environmental education. Their combined experience and skills will further SFI's reputation and impact as a sustainability organization," said Kathy Abusow, President and CEO of SFI Inc.
SFI's 18-member, multi-stakeholder board of directors comprises three chambers, representing environmental, economic and social interests equally. The Board's diversity and independence allows it to play a meaningful role at the intersection of well-managed forests and thriving communities.
Mark Rodgers, President and CEO, Habitat for Humanity Canada and SFI Chair
Rodgers, who originally joined the SFI Board in 2013, is the first SFI Chair to come from a community-building organization. To date, chairs have represented economic or conservation interests on the board. Rodgers has been involved with Habitat for Humanity since 2000. He created and implemented a national strategy for directing and supporting Habitat for Humanity's 58 affiliates in Canada. Mark has also been recognized with awards for civic and social leadership.
His new role speaks to the importance of SFI's relationship with Habitat for Humanity in Canada and the U.S. SFI's grassroots community network of SFI Implementation Committees includes SFI Program Participants who provide certified building materials and volunteer their time to build Habitat homes across Canada and the U.S. SFI has a partnership with Habitat for Humanity Canada's Indigenous Housing Program and SFI Implementation Committees that have supported Habitat builds from British Columbia, Maine, Manitoba, Minnesota, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec and Tennessee.
In his new role, Rodgers will also be welcoming delegates and driving the agenda at the 2017 SFI Annual Conference in Ottawa Sep. 27-29.
"I'm excited to build on our MOU and deepen the strong relationship that we have with SFI. This year is a big year for SFI, Habitat and Canada. The SFI annual conference will celebrate Canada's 150th birthday and I look forward to giving delegates an update on our 2017 Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project and how we're building 150 homes for Canada's 150th year," Rodgers said.
Guy Gleysteen, Senior Vice President, Time Inc. and SFI Vice Chair Time Inc. was one of the first companies to develop a procurement policy to encourage suppliers to source forest products that were certified. Gleysteen has also played a major role in founding the SFI Forest Partners(R) Program which help brandowners walk the talk and support responsible supply chains and support landowners in fulfilling their certification objectives. In 2012, four market leaders - Time Inc., the National Geographic Society, Macmillan Publishers and Pearson - stepped forward and became SFI Founding Forest Partners, investing in the future of our forests by making five-year commitments to increase the source of certified forest products.
Gleysteen became an SFI board member in 2015. In his role as Vice-Chair, Guy will continue to make a significant contribution to SFI's work to ensure we promote responsible forestry and provide customers in the supply chain with tools, information, data and stories they need to make responsible procurement decisions. Gleysteen is also the Chairman of the Board for GreenBlue, a non-profit organization dedicated to the use of sustainable materials in society. He has also served as Chairman of the IDEAlliance Board of Directors.
"More than a decade ago, Time Inc. was one of the first companies to make a public commitment to use 80% certified fiber. Progress beyond that goal had been hampered by the limited availability of adequate supply," Gleysteen said. "Today, 97% of our supply is chain of custody certified and we can point to the work that's been done to expand certification as a primary driver of that improvement. I'm excited about my new role as Vice Chair and what I can do to have a direct impact on the growth of forest certification and the responsible sourcing of forest products."
Laura Downey, Executive Director, Kansas Association for Conservation and Environmental Education, Project Learning Tree (PLT) Education Operating Committee Co-Chair and SFI board member representing the social chamber
PLT is an award-winning environmental education program that uses trees and forests as windows on the world to increase youth understanding of the environment and actions they can take to conserve it. PLT was recently incorporated into the SFI Program.
"Over the years, I have worked directly with PLT to help youth make a commitment to sustainability. I'm looking forward to using my new board member role to further both SFI's and PLT's ability to reach youth and help them become leaders who truly understand the value of well-managed forests," Downey said. "I'm also keen to connect even more closely with my fellow board members who have championed PLT's work in both the U.S. and Canada."
Downey serves as the Kansas PLT State Coordinator and sits on the steering committee for the Affiliate Network of the North American Association for Environmental Education.
PLT's integration into SFI provides an opportunity for the program to expand its reach and impact. SFI's role as a sustainability leader will be bolstered by Laura's PLT role and expertise in education, an increasing focus in SFI's community engagement work.
CAIR-Florida Condemns Racist Slur Painted on Home of Citrus County Family
MIAMI, Aug. 21 -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations issued the following news release:
The Council on American-Islamic Relations - Florida (CAIR-Florida), the state's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization, today condemned hate vandalism targeting the home of an African-American family in Citrus County, Fla.
Dayna and James White's home was vandalized with a spray-painted racist slur in large red letters that was discovered in the morning hours of Friday, August 19.
SEE: Racist slur painted on home of Citrus County family (http://www.abcactionnews.com/news/region-citrus-hernando/racist-slur-painted-on-home-of-citrus-county-family)
CAIR-Florida's
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MIAMI, Aug. 21 -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations issued the following news release:
The Council on American-Islamic Relations - Florida (CAIR-Florida), the state's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization, today condemned hate vandalism targeting the home of an African-American family in Citrus County, Fla.
Dayna and James White's home was vandalized with a spray-painted racist slur in large red letters that was discovered in the morning hours of Friday, August 19.
SEE: Racist slur painted on home of Citrus County family (http://www.abcactionnews.com/news/region-citrus-hernando/racist-slur-painted-on-home-of-citrus-county-family)
CAIR-Florida'sCommunications Director Wilfredo Amr Ruiz stated: "We condemn this hate vandalism. These type of crimes are not isolated, and unfortunately are fueled by very dangerous bigoted political rhetoric espoused by some public officials. We must all remember the recent violent display of hate that resulted in violence and death in Charlottesville."
The Citrus County Sheriff's Office is asking for the public's help in finding the person who committed this crime. If you have any information at all about this incident, please contact the Citrus County Sheriff's Office by calling 726-1121 or, to remain anonymous and be eligible for a cash reward, please visit http://www.crimestopperscitrus.com.
CAIR-Florida is the state's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties of all people, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.
Boston Residents Rally for Protection of Marine Monuments Threatened by Trump Administration
BOSTON, Aug. 21 -- The Sierra Club issued the following news release:
Today, Boston residents joined with multiple advocacy groups to stress threats to the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts National Marine Monument. The event came just days before Zinke's final monument recommendations--which is putting marine and public lands monuments on the chopping block. Recently, Zinke signaled threats to land and cultural sites in other states and is considering revamping a plan for oil extraction off of coasts. Today's attendees were a part of over 2.7 million who offered public comment on the review--98%
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BOSTON, Aug. 21 -- The Sierra Club issued the following news release:
Today, Boston residents joined with multiple advocacy groups to stress threats to the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts National Marine Monument. The event came just days before Zinke's final monument recommendations--which is putting marine and public lands monuments on the chopping block. Recently, Zinke signaled threats to land and cultural sites in other states and is considering revamping a plan for oil extraction off of coasts. Today's attendees were a part of over 2.7 million who offered public comment on the review--98%which supported keeping protections for public lands and marine monuments.
In response, Jacob Stern Organizer at Sierra Club Massachusetts Chapter issued the following statement:
"Once again, Boston residents urged Zinke to protect public lands and marine spaces, keeping them open for the public-- not closed for offshore drilling and other destructive activities.
"Northeast Canyons and Seamounts is the lifeline for a ton of ocean life and endangered sea corals but their protection is under threat twofold: proposed drilling off the East Coast and this unprecedented review and threat to erase this marine monument.
"This administration's efforts to remove critical land and wildlife protections is part of an extreme political agenda which is detrimental to our communities, this region's economy, and sealife."
ANSI Announces 2017 Legal Issues Forum: Patent Policies, Licensing Assurances
NEW YORK, Aug. 21 -- The American National Standards Institute issued the following news release:
The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) will hold its annual Legal Issues Forum with the 2017 theme Patent Policies and Licensing Assurances, from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 18, 2017, at the FHI 360 Conference Center, 1825 Connecticut Avenue, NW, in Washington, DC. The event is part of World Standards Week (WSW), a series of meetings and celebrations hosted annually by ANSI, coordinator of the U.S. voluntary standardization system.
The event will explore patent policies
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NEW YORK, Aug. 21 -- The American National Standards Institute issued the following news release:
The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) will hold its annual Legal Issues Forum with the 2017 theme Patent Policies and Licensing Assurances, from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 18, 2017, at the FHI 360 Conference Center, 1825 Connecticut Avenue, NW, in Washington, DC. The event is part of World Standards Week (WSW), a series of meetings and celebrations hosted annually by ANSI, coordinator of the U.S. voluntary standardization system.
The event will explore patent policiesand the licensing assurances received by standards developing organizations (SDOs). Because standards may include technology that is the subject of patents, many standards organizations adopt patent policies that seek to balance the rights of patent holders (to be fairly compensated for the use of their patented technology) with the rights of implementers of the standard (to reasonably access essential technology). For their part, SDOs must develop policies that ensure that the proper balance is struck.
While SDO patent policies vary widely, ANSI achieves a balance by requiring accredited SDOs to receive an assurance - sometimes called a Letter of Assurance (LoA) - from the holder of an essential patent claim that it will license its patent on reasonable and nondiscriminatory (RAND) terms to applicants desiring to utilize the license for the purpose of implementing the standard.
Panelists at the 2017 Legal Issues Forum will address how SDOs acquire LoAs, the essential elements of a LoA, how SDOs know if the LoA it has received complies with its own (or ANSI's) patent policy, and what an SDO does with a LoA once it is received.
Both forum segments will feature 7-minute opening statements from each panelist, followed by 75 minutes of moderated discussion, and audience Q&A. Henry Wixon, Chief Counsel, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), will moderate both sessions. The companies' perspectives panel - featuring speakers from Ericsson, Qualcomm, WilmerHale, and O'Donnell PLLC-- will address LoAs from the point of view of patent holders. The second panel, with panelists from Biddle Law, Dorsey and Whitney, Morgan Lewis, and Gesmer Updegrove, will provide SDO legal teams' perspectives.
The annual event is $249 for ANSI members and $350 for non-members. ANSI members and all interested stakeholders including those from government, industry, business, consumer groups, and academia are encouraged to attend and share their perspectives on these critical issues.
As with the 2016 Legal Issues Forum, ANSI has applied to offer Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credits for this conference. CLE is professional education for attorneys following their admission to the bar. Should ANSI be approved, the Institute will issue another announcement and advise all registrants, so that they may take advantage of the CLE credits as appropriate.
The draft agenda and registration details are available on the Legal Issues Forum event webpage. For more information on this event topic, see the ANSI Patent Policy, ANSI Patent Policy Guidelines, and ANSI Patent Letter of Assurance Database.
ANSI's World Standards Week, to be held this year from October 16-20, is an annual event where nearly 400 members of the standards and conformity assessment community come together in the spirit of cooperation and collaboration. For more information, including registration for other WSW events and details on all meetings and conferences, visit
About ANSI
The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) is a private non-profit organization whose mission is to enhance U.S. global competitiveness and the American quality of life by promoting, facilitating, and safeguarding the integrity of the voluntary standardization and conformity assessment system. Its membership is made up of businesses, professional societies and trade associations, standards developers, government agencies, and consumer and labor organizations. The Institute represents the diverse interests of more than 125,000 companies and organizations and 3.5 million professionals worldwide.
The Institute is the official U.S. representative to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and, via the U.S. National Committee, the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), and is a U.S. representative to the International Accreditation Forum (IAF).
