On a personal note, is anyone interested in a GoPro Hero 3+ silver edition, that I’ve used probably twice in the last 8-12 months I’ve had it?

It’s pretty nifty and all, but it’s just ended up being one of those things that haven’t left my camera bag.  I’ve got everything with it, including a couple extra mounts, like the suction cup one.

If so, e-mail me privately. We can talk.

Rounds, Thune Call on USDA to Provide Immediate Assistance in Fight Against Avian Flu Virus 

WASHINGTON—U.S. Sens. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and John Thune (R-S.D.) today sent a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Thomas Vilsack, requesting assistance to contain the deadly H5N2 bird flu virus affecting poultry farms in South Dakota.

“While not harmful to humans, the bird flu virus has the potential to devastate the entire U.S. poultry industry,” said Rounds. “Already, more than 300,000 South Dakota turkeys have been destroyed. Agriculture is our number one economy in South Dakota, and our poultry farmers rely on exports to foreign markets. It’s important to combat the virus and keep foreign and domestic markets open to poultry products from South Dakota. I urge USDA to utilize its resources to contain this devastating virus.”

“The avian influenza virus could significantly damage the growers and processors of South Dakota’s 4.3 million turkeys as well as other poultry producers and egg-laying facilities. USDA needs to keep continued vigilance focused on containing the virus as well as assuring our trading partners that U.S. poultry products continue to be safe for human consumption,” said Thune.

Full text of the letter follows:

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April 28, 2015

 

The Honorable Thomas J. Vilsack
Secretary
U.S. Department of Agriculture
1400 Independence Ave, SW
Washington, DC 20250

Dear Secretary Vilsack,

As you are aware, six confirmed cases of the H5N2 bird flu have been found on South Dakota farms and as a result, more than 300,000 turkeys in the state have been destroyed. H5N2 poses no risk to humans or to public health, but due to the potential devastating effects the H5N2 could have on the entire U.S. poultry industry we strongly urge the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to allocate all available personnel and resources to contain this deadly virus and to provide all assistance available to impacted states’ poultry industries.

Also, it is imperative that foreign export markets continue to be kept open, especially for turkey products. We strongly urge you to make certain that these markets remain open and that you redouble your efforts to ensure an uninterrupted flow of U.S. poultry products to foreign markets continues.

Agriculture is South Dakota’s number one industry and vital to South Dakota’s economy providing a $21.4 billion economic impact each year, directly or indirectly employing 122,000 South Dakotans, and generating 20 percent of the state’s economic activity.  South Dakota agriculture depends heavily on exports and the loss or reduction of foreign turkey product exports would be highly detrimental to that industry in our state.

As the USDA continues to take steps to contain this virus, please provide our offices with regular updates on the status of the outbreak and your efforts to contain and eradicate it.

Sincerely,

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So, how about that Democratic candidate for Congress that we were supposed to have a week or two ago?  Just like that new executive director for the Democrat party, we’re still waiting.

From KCCR News:

Legislators had the opportunity to vote on topics for the board to consider for study. The subjects they brought forward ranged from workforce development to the expansion of Medicaid.

The board ended up selecting the two most popular topics: a study of the functions, spending and financing of county government and a review of different aspects of the High School Activities Association such as its oversight, history and authority.

Read it here.

Thune Introduces Bill to Prevent Reckless Prescribed Burns on Federal Lands

“It is reasonable to require federal agencies to collaborate with state governments and local fire officials before setting prescribed burns under these conditions, and that is exactly what my bill would do.”

WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) last night introduced a bill that would require collaboration between federal and local officials before initiating a prescribed burn on federal lands when fire danger is high. Thune’s bill follows two prescribed burns in South Dakota in the past two years that have burned out-of-control, one set by the Forest Service (FS) in northwestern South Dakota known as the Pautre Fire and most recently one set by the National Park Service (NPS) on April 13, 2015, known as the Cold Brook Fire at Wind Cave National Park.

“Over the past two years, the federal government has twice exercised a complete disregard for imminent fire danger by starting prescribed burns under unsafe conditions in South Dakota,” said Thune. “The Pautre Fire caused extensive property losses and both fires required multiple firefighting units, equipment, and personnel to fight the out-of-control fires. It is reasonable to require federal agencies to collaborate with state governments and local fire officials before setting prescribed burns under these conditions, and that is exactly what my bill would do.”

Both prescribed burns in South Dakota were started under extremely dry conditions. Thune’s bill looks to address numerous issues that came about as a result of these fires. Under Thune’s bill, the Cold Brook Fire would not have been set due to the restrictions on prescribed burns during dry conditions unless state and local officials had consented. Additionally, if this bill had been enacted at the time of the Pautre Fire, individuals impacted by out-of-control burns would be reimbursed for their damages in a timely manner. Pautre fire victims still have not been reimbursed by the FS, nor has the FS accepted fault.

Thune’s bill, the Prescribed Burn Approval Act of 2015, would require the head of a federal agency to first collaborate and obtain approval from state government and local fire officials if the Grassland Fire Danger Index indicates a high, very high, or extreme fire danger or the FS has declared very high or extreme fire danger. Thune’s bill also stipulates that should a federal agency proceed with a prescribed burn that damages private property, it is liable for any damage to private property caused by the burn, with damages to be paid within 120 days of receipt of a substantiated claim.

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I know I’ve mentioned this every time I’ve written about it, but KELOland news is the first Mainstream Media source who is also noting that those cute chickens in your backyard who give you eggs could be bird-flu vectors:

Poultry producers across the country are losing their flocks to the bird flu. There are even two cases of backyard chickens getting bird flu in Montana.

Here in KELOLAND, urban chicken farming has been growing in popularity over the last few years.

Lisa Zandt raises chickens and turkeys just north of Sioux Falls at her home along the Big Sioux River.

“I feel it’s important to be as self-sustaining as possible and I like to know where my food comes from,” Zandt said.

But her food supply could be threatened by the bird flu.

Read it all here.