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State Department: Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad Travels to Qatar and Afghanistan
WASHINGTON, Aug. 20 -- The U.S. Department of State issued the following news release:
Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad will depart on travel to Qatar and Afghanistan on August 20.
In Doha, Ambassador Khalilzad will resume talks with the Taliban as part of an overall effort to facilitate a peace process that ends the conflict in Afghanistan.
In Kabul, he will consult with the leadership of the Afghan government on the peace process and encourage full preparation for intra-Afghan negotiations. Additional travel has not been finalized.
For updates,
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WASHINGTON, Aug. 20 -- The U.S. Department of State issued the following news release:
Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad will depart on travel to Qatar and Afghanistan on August 20.
In Doha, Ambassador Khalilzad will resume talks with the Taliban as part of an overall effort to facilitate a peace process that ends the conflict in Afghanistan.
In Kabul, he will consult with the leadership of the Afghan government on the peace process and encourage full preparation for intra-Afghan negotiations. Additional travel has not been finalized.
For updates,please follow @US4AfghanPeace on Twitter.
Sextortion Warning From U.S. Attorney, Georgia's Internet Crimes Against Children Director
MACON, Georgia, Aug. 20 -- The U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia, Charles E. Peeler, issued the following news release:
As Georgia children begin a new school year and some take on new social media habits, the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia, Charles "Charlie" Peeler, and the Special Agent in Charge of Georgia's Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, Debbie Garner, are warning parents and educators about sextortion, a growing cyber-crime against children. Sextortion is when an adult predator coerces or entices a child to produce a sexually explicit
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MACON, Georgia, Aug. 20 -- The U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia, Charles E. Peeler, issued the following news release:
As Georgia children begin a new school year and some take on new social media habits, the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia, Charles "Charlie" Peeler, and the Special Agent in Charge of Georgia's Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, Debbie Garner, are warning parents and educators about sextortion, a growing cyber-crime against children. Sextortion is when an adult predator coerces or entices a child to produce a sexually explicitimage and send it over the internet. The predator will often use that image to extort the child to produce more sexually explicit images under threats of sending that image to friends and parents. The young victims often report feeling that there was no way out and that they were going to get into trouble.
In May, a convicted, registered sex offender living in Oregon was sentenced to 210-months in federal prison in the Middle District of Georgia for Coercion and Enticement of a Minor after posing as a teenager and sextorting a 15-year old girl living on Fort Benning, a military installation in Columbus, Georgia. The defendant, Colby Ray Cochran, 24, also admitted to interacting with other children online across the country, requesting nude photos from them and threatening to expose their nude images if they refused to send more. At the time of his offense, Mr. Cochran was on probation for a sex crime, was active on the sex offender registry and was prohibited from possessing and using internet-capable devices. You can read more about this case, and how the victim's mother discovered the threats against her child and reported it to law enforcement, by visiting https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdga/pr/210-months-prison-sentence-oregon-sex-offender-caught-luring-threatening-young-columbus.
"Sextortion is a rapidly growing, insidious cyber-crime targeting children. Parents are the first line of defense against these predators," said U.S. Attorney Charlie Peeler. "I promise that the U.S. Attorney's Office will do its part and prosecute child predators to the fullest extent of the law. But, we need parents and guardians to educate themselves and the children in their care about the threats online, take the proper precautions to protect their families, and report suspected crimes to the authorities. Sextortion causes grave and lasting harm to young victims. Together, we can protect vulnerable children from evil, manipulative predators."
"Those who sextort often manipulate and subsequently continually taunt vulnerable child victims, sometimes for years. It is one of the most disturbing and monstrous crimes we investigate," said Debbie Garner, the Special Agent in Charge of ICAC. "The actions of someone who sextorts a child can often trigger a range of negative outcomes for and emotions in that child including hopelessness, fear, and severe anxiety and depression. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Georgia Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force will continue to work aggressively to find and stop those that prey on our children in this manner."
The Georgia Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force suggests several best practices for parents when it comes to a child's online use and access:
1. Teach your child not to friend or follow anyone on social media they do not personally know.
2. Teach your child not to talk to anyone online that they do not personally know.
3. Know what your child is doing online and educate yourself. If your child has an Instagram or Snapchat account, then you, the parent, need an Instagram or Snapchat account and you must know how to use these accounts. Be educated about what your child is doing online, who they are following, and who they are talking to on social media.
If you suspect your child is in trouble online, talk to your child. Then, report inappropriate or illegal contact to local law enforcement. Parents can also contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) at http://www.missingkids.com or 1-800-THE-LOST. The Georgia-based incident reports will be directed to investigators with the Georgia Bureau of Investigations (GBI). There is no stereotypical predator. Many children are victimized be people they know, even online. Teach children to trust their instincts. Parents and guardians can learn more by visiting http://www.thorn.org/sextortion and http://www.netsmartz.org.
Child crime prosecutions in the Middle District of Georgia are part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide Department of Justice initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.
Questions can be directed to Pamela Lightsey, Public Information Officer, United States Attorney's Office, at (478) 621-2603 or Melissa Hodges, Public Affairs Director (Contractor), United States Attorney's Office, at (478) 765-2362.
President Trump Issues Memorandum on Launch of Spacecraft Containing Space Nuclear Systems
WASHINGTON, Aug. 20 -- The White House issued the following memorandum:
Memorandum For: The Secretary of State; The Secretary of Defense; The Secretary of Transportation; The Secretary of Energy; The Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency; The Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration; The Chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission; The Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs; The Assistant to the President for Science and Technology and Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy
Subject: Launch of Spacecraft Containing Space
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WASHINGTON, Aug. 20 -- The White House issued the following memorandum:
Memorandum For: The Secretary of State; The Secretary of Defense; The Secretary of Transportation; The Secretary of Energy; The Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency; The Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration; The Chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission; The Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs; The Assistant to the President for Science and Technology and Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy
Subject: Launch of Spacecraft Containing SpaceNuclear Systems
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, I hereby direct the following:
Section 1. Purpose. This memorandum updates the process for launches of spacecraft containing space nuclear systems. Space nuclear systems include radioisotope power systems (RPSs), such as radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs) and radioisotope heater units (RHUs), and fission reactors used for power and propulsion.
The ability to use space nuclear systems safely and sustainably is vital to maintaining and advancing United States dominance and strategic leadership in space. For United States launches of space nuclear systems, the Federal Government must ensure a rigorous, risk informed safety analysis and launch authorization process. This memorandum establishes processes for Federal Government launches and launches for which the Department of Transportation (DOT) has statutory authority to license as commercial space launch activities (commercial launches). These processes include transparent safety guidelines and are forward-looking and amenable to effective use of space nuclear systems for heating, power, and propulsion.
Sec. 2. Policy. The United States shall develop and use space nuclear systems when such systems safely enable or enhance space exploration or operational capabilities. The Secretary of Energy shall maintain, on a full cost recovery basis, the capability and infrastructure to develop, furnish, and conduct safety analyses for space nuclear systems for use in United States Government space systems. Executive departments and agencies (agencies) shall seek to ensure that safe application of space nuclear systems is a viable option for Federal Government and commercial space activities.
Sec. 3. Safety Guidelines. (a) All United States Government entities involved in the launch of spacecraft containing space nuclear systems (including in the licensing of non-Government launches) shall seek to ensure safe operation. For any mission that includes a space nuclear system, mission planners and launch authorization authorities should, as appropriate, seek to ensure that:
(i) normal operation of the space nuclear system is consistent with applicable Federal, State, and local requirements;
(ii) an accident resulting in exposure in excess of 25 millirem but less than 5 rem total effective dose (TED), as that term is defined in section 835.2 of title 10, Code of Federal Regulations, to any member of the public is unlikely, such that the probability of such an event does not exceed 1 in 100;
(iii) an accident resulting in exposure in the range of 5 rem to 25 rem TED to any member of the public is extremely unlikely, such that the probability of such an event does not exceed 1 in 10,000; and
(iv) the probability of an accident resulting in exposure in excess of 25 rem TED to any member of the public does not exceed 1 in 100,000.
(b) Additional safety guidelines may be appropriate for the non-terrestrial operation of nuclear fission systems. Within 1 year of the date of this memorandum, the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), in coordination with the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Energy, shall submit to the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) and the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs (APNSA) a report identifying guidelines for safe non-terrestrial operation of nuclear fission reactors, including orbital and planetary surface activities.
Sec. 4. Launch Authorization Processes. Authorization for launches of spacecraft containing space nuclear systems shall follow a three-tiered process based upon the characteristics of the system, the level of potential hazard, and national security considerations. "Federal Government missions," as the term is used in this section and section 5 of this memorandum, are non-commercial missions either conducted or sponsored by an agency. Consistent with chapter 509 of title 51, United States Code, the Secretary of Transportation, or the Secretary's designee, is the licensing authority for commercial launches of spacecraft containing space nuclear systems in all three tiers. Issuance of a launch authorization or license as described in this memorandum shall not relieve the mission sponsor or licensee of its obligations with respect to other applicable laws, regulations, policies, or agreements that may apply to its activities.
(a) Tier I shall apply to launches of spacecraft containing radioactive sources of total quantities up to and including 100,000 times the A2 value listed in Table 2 of the International Atomic Energy Agency's Specific Safety Requirements No. SSR-6 (Rev. 1), Regulations for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Material, 2018 Edition. For Federal Government missions in Tier I, the head of the sponsoring agency shall be the launch authorization authority.
(b) Tier II shall apply to:
(i) launches of spacecraft containing radioactive sources in excess of 100,000 times the A2 value referenced above;
(ii) any Tier I launches where the associated safety analyses determine that the probability of an accident during launch or subsequent operation resulting in an exposure in the range of 5 rem to 25 rem TED to any member of the public is equal to or greater than 1 in 1,000,000; and
(iii) any launches of spacecraft containing nuclear fission systems and other devices with a potential for criticality (defined as the condition in which a nuclear fission chain reaction becomes self-sustaining), when such systems utilize low-enriched uranium (less than 20 percent uranium-235 enrichment). For Federal Government missions in Tier II, the head of the sponsoring agency shall be the launch authorization authority. Tier II missions require additional safety review, as detailed in section 5 of this memorandum, and the launch authorization authority shall consider the resulting analysis and review results when making a launch authorization determination.
(c) Tier III shall apply to launches of any spacecraft containing a space nuclear system for which the associated safety analyses determine that the probability of an accident during launch or subsequent operation resulting in an exposure in excess of 25 rem TED to any member of the public is equal to or greater than 1 in 1,000,000.
Due to potential national security considerations associated with nuclear nonproliferation, Tier III shall also apply to launches of spacecraft containing nuclear fission systems and other devices with a potential for criticality when such systems utilize any nuclear fuel other than low-enriched uranium.
The President's authorization shall be required for Federal Government launches in Tier III. When the sponsoring agency is the Department of Defense or an element of the Intelligence Community, the head of the sponsoring agency shall request the President's authorization for the launch through the APNSA. In all other proposed Tier III Federal Government launches, the head of the sponsoring agency shall request the President's authorization for the launch through the Director of OSTP. The Director of OSTP may authorize such launches, unless the Director of OSTP considers it advisable to forward the matter to the President for a decision.
Sec. 5. Safety Analysis and Review. Nuclear safety analysis and review is a critical step before any launch of a space nuclear system. Safety analysis should include an assessment of potential consequences to a maximally exposed individual member of the public in accident scenarios. Safety analysis should address launch and any subsequent stages when accidents may result in radiological effects on the public or the environment, for instance, in an unplanned reentry from Earth orbit or during an Earth flyby. To the extent possible, safety analyses and reviews should incorporate previous mission and review experience.
(a) For Federal Government missions in all tiers, the head of the sponsoring agency shall be responsible for ensuring compliance with requirements under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq. As the licensing authority for commercial space launches, the Secretary of Transportation is responsible for ensuring compliance with NEPA for commercial launches.
(b) For Federal Government missions in all tiers, the head of the sponsoring agency shall ensure that a mission Safety Analysis Report (SAR) be prepared. For commercial launches of spacecraft containing space nuclear systems in all tiers, the Secretary of Transportation shall, if necessary, issue a notice of proposed rulemaking to require that a mission SAR is prepared to inform a launch determination, and to require review of the mission SAR in consultation with other agencies as appropriate. The mission SAR shall demonstrate that safety analysis incorporates technical peer review, and shall include a concise, high-level summary of key risk information. This summary should include: the likelihood of an accident resulting in an exposure in excess of 5 rem TED to any member of the public; the number of individuals who might receive such exposure in an accident scenario; and comparisons of potential exposure levels to other meaningful measures such as nuclear space launch safety guidelines, background radiation, average public exposure from natural and manmade sources, and other relevant public safety standards. When appropriate, a mission SAR may incorporate a system-specific SAR that establishes a safety basis for the space nuclear system. The safety basis provides a set of conditions (a safety basis envelope) under which safety analysis and hazard controls provide assurance of safe operation for the given system. In such cases, the mission SAR must either:
(i) demonstrate that the mission is within the safety basis envelope established in the system-specific SAR, in which case it is not necessary to repeat the analysis supporting the system-specific SAR; or
(ii) include supplemental safety analysis for any deviations that are outside of the established safety basis envelope and for which safety has therefore not yet been demonstrated.
Agencies responsible for system-specific SARs should review them annually and update them as necessary.
(c) Within 180 days of the date of this memorandum, the NASA Administrator shall establish an Interagency Nuclear Safety Review Board (INSRB). The INSRB shall consist of representatives from the Departments of State, Defense, Energy, and Transportation, the Environmental Protection Agency, NASA, and, as appropriate, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Each of these agencies shall designate technically qualified personnel to the INSRB. For Federal Government launches in Tier II and Tier III, the head of the sponsoring agency shall request of the NASA Administrator that the INSRB review the nuclear safety analysis, ultimately including the mission SAR, and report its findings, in the form of a Safety Evaluation Report, to the head of the sponsoring agency in order to inform the decision to proceed with launch and, for Tier III missions, inform any decision to request Presidential launch authorization. When necessary to protect national security, the head of the sponsoring agency, in consultation with the APNSA, may restrict INSRB member participation in any mission review. The INSRB shall evaluate the quality of the safety analysis and identify any significant gaps in analysis. The INSRB may recommend areas for additional analysis where it identifies gaps, but it is not tasked with repeating or conducting its own analysis. The INSRB shall engage early in the safety analysis process, after the conceptual design of the mission is generated, in order to identify gaps in time for mission planners to address them without creating unnecessary delays in the launch timeline. Before completion of the mission SAR, the INSRB shall advise the head of the sponsoring agency of any omissions or gaps that the INSRB has identified in analysis that is planned or underway, and may provide recommendations for corrective action. In licensing non-Federal Government launches in Tier II and Tier III, the Secretary of Transportation shall consult with the heads of any other agencies that the Secretary of Transportation deems appropriate to review the SAR in a similar manner, evaluate the quality of the safety analysis, and identify any significant gaps. At the request of the Secretary of Transportation, the INSRB shall review any nuclear safety analysis associated with a potential commercial launch of a space nuclear system under review by the Secretary of Transportation. The terms of any INSRB review, including the costs of such review, shall be agreed upon between the NASA Administrator and the head of the agency requesting INSRB review.
(d) Within 1 year of the date of this memorandum, the Secretary of Transportation shall issue public guidance for applicants seeking a license for a launch or reentry involving a space nuclear system. This guidance shall describe the process used to evaluate any such license application, including relevant safety standards, as appropriate and consistent with applicable law.
Sec. 6. Reporting Requirements. (a) On an annual basis, the recipients of this memorandum shall provide a report to the Director of OSTP listing all launches that the agency has sponsored or licensed in the past calendar year of spacecraft using radioactive sources containing total quantities in the range of 1,000 times to 100,000 times the A2 value listed in Table 2 of the International Atomic Energy Agency's Specific Safety Requirements No. SSR-6 (Rev. 1), Regulations for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Material, 2018 Edition, and listing all such launches planned for the coming calendar year.
(b) Any agency planning Tier II or Tier III launches shall provide an annual briefing to OSTP and the National Science and Technology Council on the status of safety analysis for any such planned missions. The Secretary of Transportation shall provide a similar briefing within 120 days of accepting an application for a license pertaining to a commercial mission that will involve the launch or reentry involving a space nuclear system.
Sec. 7. Effect on Prior Memoranda. This memorandum supersedes the section of the June 28, 2010, National Space Policy titled "Space Nuclear Power" and its corresponding section in Presidential Policy Directive-4. The following paragraph replaces the ninth numbered paragraph of National Security Council Presidential Directive-25 (NSC/PD-25) of December 14, 1977 (as modified May 17, 1995, and May 8, 1996):
"9. Launching nuclear systems requires a separate procedure established in National Security Presidential Memorandum-20 of August 20, 2019 (Launch of Spacecraft Containing Space Nuclear Systems)."
Sec. 8. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this memorandum shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:
(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or
(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
(b) This memorandum shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
(c) This memorandum is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.
DONALD J. TRUMP
NRC Receives Event Notification Involving Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre
WASHINGTON, Aug. 20 -- The Nuclear Regulatory Commission issued the following event notification (No. 54213) involving Robert Packer Hospital, Sayre, Pennsylvania:
AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - EQUIPMENT FAILURE DURING MEDICAL TREATMENT
The following report was received from the Pennsylvania Bureau of Radiation Protection (PA DEP) via facsimile:
"As a result of a Departmental [PA DEP] inspection the licensee reported an equipment failure event that occurred on February 21, 2019. The equipment was a Varian GammaMed Plus, Serial #641017, containing 6.518 Ci of lr-192. A patient was receiving her last
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WASHINGTON, Aug. 20 -- The Nuclear Regulatory Commission issued the following event notification (No. 54213) involving Robert Packer Hospital, Sayre, Pennsylvania:
AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - EQUIPMENT FAILURE DURING MEDICAL TREATMENT
The following report was received from the Pennsylvania Bureau of Radiation Protection (PA DEP) via facsimile:
"As a result of a Departmental [PA DEP] inspection the licensee reported an equipment failure event that occurred on February 21, 2019. The equipment was a Varian GammaMed Plus, Serial #641017, containing 6.518 Ci of lr-192. A patient was receiving her lastof three fractions of treatment with total treatment time for this fraction being 222.6 seconds divided through a total of eight positions. Twenty-five seconds into treatment the unit issued an inactive source error and retracted the source. The physicist entered the room to confirm that the source was retracted. The manufacturer was called. At the manufacturer's recommendation, the console key was powered off, then back on, and the remaining treatment was initiated to continue with the untreated area. This time at 25.8 seconds into the treatment the same error occurred. The remaining treatment plan was saved into the planning computer, and the patient had the applicator removed and was sent home. Varian sent a field service representative who successfully replaced the Geiger-Muller board and functionality was verified. The patient was then rescheduled. The continued treatment on February 25, 2019 accurately reflected the partial treatment and was appropriately scaled to reflect the source decay from the previous treatment. The final portion of the treatment was delivered without incident. There was no harm or overexposure to the patient. The patient was informed at the time. The attending physician has not been notified."
Event Report ID No.: PA190018
A Medical Event may indicate potential problems in a medical facility's use of radioactive materials. It does not necessarily result in harm to the patient.
Agreement State
Event Number: 54213
Rep Org: PA BUREAU OF RADIATION PROTECTION
Licensee: ROBERT PACKER HOSPITAL SAYRE, PA
Region: 1
City: SAYRE State: PA
County:
License #: PA-0012
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: JOHN CHIPPO
HQ OPS Officer: THOMAS KENDZIA Notification Date: 08/12/2019
Notification Time: 14:05 [ET]
Event Date: 02/21/2019
Event Time: 00:00 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 08/12/2019
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
Person (Organization):
JONATHAN GREIVES (R1DO)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICATION (EMAIL)
FEMA: PrepTalk Released - Daniel Homsey's 'Neighborfest - Building Resilience From the Block Up!'
WASHINGTON, Aug. 20 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency issued the following news release:
Today, FEMA and its emergency management partners released Daniel Homsey's PrepTalk "Neighborfest - Building Resilience from the Block Up." Homsey shares his tools for building resilient communities at the neighborhood level and why empowering neighbors to help themselves is the best way to prepare your community for any disaster.
Since 2008, Homsey has been the director of the Neighborhood Empowerment Network for the San Francisco City Administrator's Office.
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WASHINGTON, Aug. 20 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency issued the following news release:
Today, FEMA and its emergency management partners released Daniel Homsey's PrepTalk "Neighborfest - Building Resilience from the Block Up." Homsey shares his tools for building resilient communities at the neighborhood level and why empowering neighbors to help themselves is the best way to prepare your community for any disaster.
Since 2008, Homsey has been the director of the Neighborhood Empowerment Network for the San Francisco City Administrator's Office.Homsey has spent the past 25 years as a communications professional in both the private and public sectors. The Neighborhood Empowerment Network is a coalition of residents, faith-based, philanthropic and academic institutions, non-profits and private sector organizations and governmental agencies.
Homsey's PrepTalk video and additional resources are available at http://www.fema.gov/preptalks/homsey. Additional PrepTalks from the April 2019 symposium in Santa Rosa, Calif. will be released in the coming months.
PrepTalks are a partnership between FEMA, the International Association of Emergency Managers, the National Emergency Management Association, the National Homeland Security Consortium, and the Naval Postgraduate School Center for Homeland Defense and Security.
FEMA's mission is to help people before, during and after disasters.
Follow FEMA online at http://www.fema.gov/blog, http://www.twitter.com/fema, http://www.twitter.com/FEMAespanol, https://www.facebook.com/FEMA, http://www.facebook.com/FEMAespanol and http://www.youtube.com/fema. Also, follow Acting Administrator Pete Gaynor's activities @FEMA_Pete.
The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.
BLM Seeks Public Comment for Lease And/or Classification of Land for Church and K-12 School
LAS VEGAS, Nevada, Aug. 20 -- The U.S. Department of the Interior's Bureau of Land Management's Nevada State Office issued the following news release:
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Las Vegas Field Office is seeking public comment on a proposal to lease and/or convey 15 acres of public land to the Calvary Chapel for a church, K-12 school and related facilities. The proposed church and K-12 school is located along portions of Volunteer Boulevard, Welpman Way and Gilespie Street in the City of Henderson.
Calvary Chapel has filed an application to develop the site as a 16,000-square foot K-12
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LAS VEGAS, Nevada, Aug. 20 -- The U.S. Department of the Interior's Bureau of Land Management's Nevada State Office issued the following news release:
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Las Vegas Field Office is seeking public comment on a proposal to lease and/or convey 15 acres of public land to the Calvary Chapel for a church, K-12 school and related facilities. The proposed church and K-12 school is located along portions of Volunteer Boulevard, Welpman Way and Gilespie Street in the City of Henderson.
Calvary Chapel has filed an application to develop the site as a 16,000-square foot K-12school building to include classrooms, offices, nursery, kitchen, restrooms, utility/storage rooms and a lobby. A 20,000-square foot church building will include a worship center, offices, lobby, nursery, kitchen, restrooms and utility and storage rooms. Buildings will be modular, erected, or delivered on foundations prepared within the site.
Onsite improvements include lighted paved parking, access drives, sidewalks, landscaping, walk-ways, meditation path, landscaping, play/recreation areas and gathering/multi-use areas. Offsite improvements will be developed as required by governing agencies. The play area will support uses such as volleyball, basketball, recess activities and fair-weather gatherings. The meditation paths will provide a natural environment, enhanced by dispersed seating and desert landscape screening. This area may be used for outdoor education such as plant identification or interpretation. The play area and meditation paths are planned for day use activities.
"This proposed lease for the development of a church and educational facilities will support the local community now and as it grows," said Shonna Dooman, Las Vegas Field Manager.
The Notice of Realty Action for a Recreation and Public Purposes (R&PP) Act Classification was published in today's Federal Register. The 45-day public comment period will begin today and end October 4, 2019. Written comments about the R&PP classification for lease and/or conveyance (serialized N-95930) should be mailed to: BLM Las Vegas Field Office, Assistant Field Manager, Division of Lands, 4701 N. Torrey Pines Drive, Las Vegas, NV 89130 or faxed to 702-515-5010.
Before including your address, phone number, email, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment - including your personal identifying informaiton - may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarentee that we will be able to do so.
Fore more information about the proposed R&PP lease, please contact BLM Realty Specialist Shreyl May at 702-515-5196, or smay@blm.gov.
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. Diverse activities authorized on these lands generated $96 billion in sales of goods and services throughout the American economy in fiscal year 2017. These activities supported more than 468,000 jobs.
Altus Air Force Base: From Humvees to Horses - the Logistics Readiness Squadron Airman Behind the Cattle Drive
ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Oklahoma, Aug. 20 -- The U.S. Air Force (97th Air Mobility Wing) issued the following news:
By Breanna Klemm
U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Robert Black, the Vehicle Maintenance NCO in charge assigned to the 97th Logistics Readiness Squadron, has experienced country living his entire life. For the past 15 years, TSgt Black has committed himself to this lifestyle by helping kick-off one of Altus AFB's most distinctive events, the Cattle Drive.
Every year, Mobility's Hometown hosts the Cattle Drive, a unique opportunity allowing local and foreign ranchers to herd their longhorn
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ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Oklahoma, Aug. 20 -- The U.S. Air Force (97th Air Mobility Wing) issued the following news:
By Breanna Klemm
U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Robert Black, the Vehicle Maintenance NCO in charge assigned to the 97th Logistics Readiness Squadron, has experienced country living his entire life. For the past 15 years, TSgt Black has committed himself to this lifestyle by helping kick-off one of Altus AFB's most distinctive events, the Cattle Drive.
Every year, Mobility's Hometown hosts the Cattle Drive, a unique opportunity allowing local and foreign ranchers to herd their longhornsteers around base before kicking off rodeo week. This is an event that is special to Altus AFB and garners interest from many people. For those who admire the country life, the Rodeo Committee offers an opportunity for Airmen to become involved in events like the Cattle Drive, which has become an iconic event reflecting the strong partnership between the Altus and base communities.
"This is really something unique," said Black. "Being able to keep the 'hometown' atmosphere and the strong connection we have with the community through the rodeo committee is something truly great."
Black grew up on a farm in Waco, Texas, where he established his love for the country and the rodeo. For a period of time while growing up, Black picked up bull riding but shortly realized it was not what he wanted as a career. After considering his options, Black decided to join the Air Force, where he began his career in Vehicle Maintenance.
In August of 2004, Black was assigned to his first duty station right here at Altus AFB. Being so close to home, Black appreciated the southwestern atmosphere and after a few short years, Black realized Altus AFB had something that made him feel more at home every day. Black has spent his entire career at Altus AFB, making this his 15th year stationed here. In 2006, Black decided to join the Rodeo Committee, where he would be involved in making the Cattle Drive and rodeo happen.
"The cattle drive is a great way to help build strong relationships with the community," said Black. "The base supports the town in many ways, and creating something exciting like the cattle drive is something I think really brings us closer to the community."
Black originally joined the rodeo committee just to see what it was about and to get the opportunity to work with country animals he enjoys such as horses and cattle. He began his journey as the "little guy on the totem pole," said Black, but he slowly began to gain more interest. After a few years, he became the special event and parade coordinator responsible for setting up events on and off base. After three years, Black was nominated into the Military Affairs position, placing him in charge of the annual Cattle Drive.
"In all honesty, the rodeo committee itself has made a big impact on my life and helped my decision in staying here," said Black. "What I hear from other Airmen, Commanders and Chiefs, out of all the bases they have been to, they have never seen anything like this; it makes us one of a kind."
The annual Cattle Drive is a distinct event special to Altus AFB and its Warrior Airmen. The long standing relationship the 97 AMW has had with its community is because of these events that continue every year. As community members from around Altus continue to welcome Airmen and their families to local events, Mobility's Hometown gladly returns the favor. All of these things help build trust, strength and unique opportunities for the men and women of the Mighty 97th and the local community to experience together.
