To the Oklahoma Department of Mines:  We, the undersigned, respectfully request that the Oklahoma Department of Mines refrain from taking any further action regarding the issuance of an operating permit for the Unisands LLC surface mine (non-coal Permit LE-2841) until the necessary studies have been completed. These studies are crucial to assess the potential impact of the proposed mine, which is located within the watershed for the City of Madill's drinking water supply and the reservoirs that provide water for Marshall County.  Specifically, we request the following studies be performed:  1. An environmental impact study to understand the effects of a 582-acre surface mine on the surrounding environment. 2. The impact on residents, communities, and the county if the mine lowers the flow of water from springs that feed the main reservoirs supplying water to the Marshall County Water Corporation and the cities of Madill and Kingston. 3. The long-term effect of dewatering the mine over its estimated lifespan (>100 years) on surrounding surface waters and water wells used for domestic purposes and irrigation. 4. Establishing limits on the depth of the mining operation to protect the main aquifers from contamination and intrusion. 5. The impact of fugitive dust and silica sand dust (less than 10 microns) generated by blasting, loading, conveying, processing, and transportation, on the health of residents and nearby communities. 6. The effects of fugitive dust from mining activities on local crops. 7. An endangered species study to identify any listed endangered species within the proposed mining area. 8. An assessment of the impact of increased truck traffic on Hwy 70 and Simpson Road. 9. The effects of blasting on residents in proximity to the mining operation. 10. An air monitoring study at existing mines to determine any potential public health dangers before permitting additional mines. Given that a proposed 200-acre lake in the same watershed less than one mile north of the proposed mining site requires numerous studies before approval, it is imperative that the State of Oklahoma apply the same level of scrutiny to a 582-acre surface mine. Therefore, we urge the Oklahoma Department of Mines to ensure these critical studies are completed before proceeding with any permitting actions.  

We, the undersigned members and supporters of the Salt Springs community, respectfully request the removal of the boat “The Mistie Dawn”, which is anchored 24/7 in front of Salt Springs. This boat, primarily used for rental purposes and often left empty, is causing significant concern among local residents for the following reasons: 1. Environmental Impact: The community is concerned about the potential environmental damage the boat may cause to the fragile ecosystem of Salt Springs. There are reports that solid waste may be dumped into the water, which threatens the water quality and the health of the environment. 2. Disruption to the Sanctuary: Salt Springs is a cherished natural sanctuary, valued for its serenity and beauty. The constant presence of a large, empty boat detracts from the natural landscape and disrupts the experience for both residents and visitors who come to enjoy the springs. 3. Impact on Wildlife: The boat’s continuous anchorage could negatively affect local wildlife, potentially disturbing habitats and breeding areas of native species. Protecting the natural habitat of Salt Springs is of utmost importance to our community. 4. Commercial Use in a Protected Area: The boat is being rented out, raising concerns about the commercialization of a protected area. This use does not align with the values of our community or the intended purpose of the springs as a natural sanctuary. 5. Community Discontent: The boat belongs to an individual who does not reside in our town, and its constant presence has caused widespread dissatisfaction among local residents. We believe that the boat’s anchorage in front of the springs is not in the best interest of our community or the natural environment. Proposed Solution: We believe that the boat should be relocated to the marina, where it can be properly anchored and managed without causing harm to Salt Springs or disturbing the community. The marina is a more appropriate location for the boat, as it is designed to accommodate such vessels and would minimize the environmental and visual impact on the springs. Given these concerns and the proposed solution, we urge the relevant authorities to take immediate action to relocate the boat to the marina and ensure that Salt Springs remains a protected and pristine natural area for all to enjoy. We appreciate your attention to this matter and look forward to your prompt response. Sincerely, Friends Of Salt Springs. friendsofsaltsprings.org [email protected]

MODERNIZATION OF PAROLE ACT An act relating to criminal justice; creating s. 921.007, Fla. Stat. creating the Modernization of Parole Act; providing for the provisions of chapter 947 parole to apply to state prisoners sentenced after June 1, 1983, except those sentenced to death. s. 921.007, Florida Statutes, Modernization of Parole Act. (1) The Legislature, in the exercise of its authority and responsibility to establish parole criteria, to provide for the imposition of rehabilitation, and to make the best use of finite state resources and prisons so that criminal offenders are appropriately monitored and rehabilitated. It is in the best interest of the state to develop, implement and revise parole policy by expanding the Corrections Transition Program to all major prison facilities throughout Florida. (2) The Commission On Offender Review shall release on parole any person confined in Florida state prison when in its opinion there is reasonable probability that the prisoner can be released without detriment to the prisoner or to the community. The prisoner shall be placed on parole only when a commissioner believes that the person is able and willing to fulfill the obligations of a law-abiding citizen, the conditions of parole, and the prisoner has served at least half of imposed prison terms or at least 15 years of terms exceeding 30 years. (a) Pursuant to this Act: 1. Chapter 947 parole shall apply to all State of Florida prisoners, except those sentenced to death. 2. The commission shall provide prisoners with a list of available programming to complete prior to release on parole within 24 months of enactment of this Act and within 12 months of inception into the Florida Department of Corrections thereafter. 3.The commission shall collaborate with victims and survivors of crime for their help in crafting transformative, in-prison programming for individuals convicted of sexual or violent crimes. 4. The commission in collaboration with the Department of Corrections shall expand the Corrections Transition Program to all major institutions. 5. The commission shall rely less on static factors or subjective criteria and shall establish parole guidelines and validated risk assessments in deciding release on parole. 6. The commission shall provide online public access of decisions including explanation of deviations fro outcomes recommended by parole guidelines and validated risk assessments.

Howdy! I’m Jenni, my partner, Crispy, and I have been residents of The Sage Community for over 4 years. We are proposing a small cannabis cultivation business in unincorporated Riverside County, California. I’m a dance teacher and singer-songwriter, Crispy is a Veteran and a chef. IsenGarden is our small family business, something we’ve been working towards for the last 5 years and dreaming of for even longer. We’re applying for a small cultivation license, less than 10,000 sqft, which is the maximum allowed here and will never be bigger than that. It will be a fully indoor facility that we will build in our back yard. Our change of zone is for Light Agricultural Use for our small farm, not commercial or industrial. Additionally we’ve applied for a type 13 distribution license which will enable us to drive our own products to retailers, keeping the traffic on the mountain to a minimum. We are NOT a retailer, we are cultivators ONLY. This facility is not open to the public. Our mission is to heal, educate, and elevate our community. The safety and well being of the people, wildlife, and natural habitat of Sage Community is of utmost importance to us. Since 2019 we have conducted multiple detailed studies to ensure we meet all qualifications set forth by the state and county. We live off Red Mountain road, and have been discussing our intentions openly with our neighbors for the last 4 years, we are grateful to have their friendship and support. Red Mountain is our home. We’re not some big business with an agenda. I’m just a teacher with a big dream :) In regards to the water, we will have a rainwater harvesting mechanism and a water filtration system that will recycle 97% of the irrigation water. We have mitigation measures for noxious odors that are required by the county that will scrub the air clean inside our building. Our public benefits will go directly to the sage community every year in the form of taxes for improvements and maintenance of the neighborhood. We’ve been working closely with riverside county to ensure we are in compliance with every request and regulation. If you support local, sustainably grown cannabis business in full compliance with the law, please sign this petition. We need all the support we can get!

THE PROBLEM: Every nuclear reactor vents and discharges manmade radiation into air and waterways during operations. Tritium, a known carcinogen, closely resembles water in structure and therefore isn't being filtered at all due to complexity and cost. Additional radionuclides, including cesium 134 and 137, are part of the industry's operational mix. The FDA needs to act on a 2013 Citizen Petition filed by alarmed parents and experts to better protect our food supply against cancer and chronic disease- causing toxins. The issue has been repeatedly brought to the attention of HHS and MAHA leaders and to date there has been no official response, as reported by Food Safety News. However, recent radioactive shrimp recalls involving as many as 35 states and multiple seafood brands underscores that the problem is being taken seriously at long last. The recalls have shined a laser beam on the issue and we must keep up the pressure to educate lawmakers, the food industry, the public and media. In 2023 the former ambassador to Japan, Raham Emanuel, announced that the U.S. military would begin purchasing Japanese seafood, particularly from the Fukushima Prefecture, to help offset the impact of China's ban on Japanese seafood imports following the release of treated radioactive water from the Fukushima nuclear plant. Food, including fruit and seafood from Japan's Fukushima Prefecture, has been sold at high-end department stores and at food fairs around the US.   THE POLICY: The allowable level of carcinogenic radioactive cesium in the U.S. is 1200 Bq/kg in food. Japan, which is still suffering a triple nuclear meltdown, has a limit of 50 Bq/kg for children and 100 Bq/kg for adults. Food that is legally unacceptable for consumers in Japan can be exported to the U.S., meanwhile there is still no end in sight to the crisis at Fukushima. Both of the limits are way too high to protect our children and their caregivers. We are asking that the limit be reduced to 5 Bq/kg for all food, nutritional supplements and pharmaceuticals--lower when technology allows-- and that we quickly and responsibly institute widespread, transparent testing to ensure this limit, particularly in the wake of Japan's catastrophic and ongoing radiation releases from Fukushima Daiichi's triple nuclear meltdowns. 

Senators are collaborating to prevent federal officials, including the President of the United States, from doing their job by: 1. Declaring there would not be a hearing of a nominee to fill Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia’s vacant seat, 2. Failure to confirm federal judges, 3. Failure to confirm more than a quarter of the administration’s most senior executive branch jobs.

On Monday a federal judge made it so school districts in Iowa can mandate masks, at least temporarily. For the good of our community, we need a universal mask mandate for our school district now. This is necessary to slow the spread of COVID-19. Let's do this for: -our healthcare workers -our students -our staff -our vulnerable community members. Although vaccinated people are generally not getting severely ill with Covid-19, they are still spreading it, causing severe illness in others. This is why everyone, including the vaccinated, should be masking up!

Urge Senators Schumer and Gillibrand to introduce legislation that provides a pathway to long-term residency to Temporary Protected Status recipients.

Return children back home, and allow their mother and father equal time with them.

Ban hydraulic fracturing in the state of Colorado, on all public and private lands.