PORTLAND, Oregon, Aug. 16 -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issued the following news release: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District (Corps) is making the 90% draft Mid-Columbia River Regional Master Plan and Integrated Environmental Assessment (EA) available for public review. Master plans for the mid-Columbia River projects date back to the 1970s. A regional master plan is needed to integrate and update management and development planning for the mid-Columbia River projects i  more

PORTLAND, Oregon, Aug. 13 -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs issued the following news release: The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) and Conduent Commercial Solutions LLC - formerly CSG Xerox World - have entered into a conciliation agreement by which the federal contractor has agreed to pay $175,000 in back wages to resolve claims of systemic hiring discrimination at its Portland, Oregon facility. D  more

OLYMPIA, Washington, Aug. 12 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service - Northwest Regional Field Office issued the following news release: Based on August 1, 2019 conditions, production of winter wheat in Idaho is forecast at 58.5 million bushels, down 1 percent from the July 1 forecast and down 4 percent from last year. Harvested area, at 680,000 acres, is unchanged from 2018. Yield is expected to be 86.0 bushels per acre, down 4.0 bushels from 2018. Ore  more

OLYMPIA, Washington, Aug. 12 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service - Northwest Regional Field Office issued the following news release: Based on August 1, 2019 conditions, Oregon apple production is forecast at 145 million pounds, down 15 percent from 2018. At 68 percent of the U.S. apple production, Washington still ranks number one in apple production. Washington apple production is forecast at 7.20 billion pounds, up 7 percent from last year's produ  more

PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania, Aug. 16 -- The U.S. Department of Energy's National Energy Technology Laboratory issued the following news: Throughout the school year, NETL's K-12 STEM Education & Outreach team encourages positive attitudes surrounding science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) by bringing engaging hands-on, minds-on activities to children. During the summer when classrooms are empty, the team continues to provide STEM instruction at day camps, summer programs and other educati  more

SILVER SPRING, Maryland, Aug. 14 -- The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration issued the following story: * * * - Report highlights potential for restoration of these important habitats. * * * An unprecedented survey has revealed the loss of about 85 percent of historical tidal wetlands in California, Oregon, and Washington. The report, published today in PLOS ONE, also highlights forgotten estuary acreage that might now be targeted for restoration. Where West Coast rivers reach t  more

PORTLAND, Oregon, Aug. 13 -- The U.S. Department of Justice's Federal Bureau of Investigation Portland Field Office issued the following news release: Welcome to the Oregon FBI's Tech Tuesday segment. This week: building a digital defense against weight loss scams. We are in the heat of the summer, and you really want to head to the pool or the beach. Problem is that you just aren't happy with how you look in that swimsuit that looked cute in the store months ago. You've thought about diet and  more

MADRAS, Oregon, Aug. 16 -- The U.S. Department of the Interior's Bureau of Reclamation issued the following news release: The Bureau of Reclamation will temporarily close the North Shore Fishing Pier recreation area from September 9 through September 30 to perform road and parking lot paving improvements. The North Shore Fishing Pier recreation area, which is located at the Haystack Reservoir, is a free day-use area with an accessible fishing pier, parking and access to the reservoir. Haystack   more