Resource Round-Up

Cesarean Delivery on Maternal Request
An Evidence Report/Technology Assessment prepared for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

Consultations in Medicare: Coding and Reimbursement
The objective of this Health and Human Services Inspector General report is "to determine if services billed to Medicare as consultations were coded correctly and documented adequately."

County-Level Estimates of Nutrient Inputs to the Land Surface of the Conterminous United States, 1982-2001
A USGS investigative report.

FDA's Accomplishments in 2005
The overview includes links to fact sheets in the areas of drugs, biologics, medical devices, foods, toxicology, and regulatory affairs.

Liber8
A new economic information portal created by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.

Prospective Plantings
"The Prospective Plantings report provides the first official estimates of U.S. farmers' planting intentions for 2006."

Red Book 2005
"The Red Book is a compendium of significant Office of Inspector General (OIG) costsaving recommendations that have not been fully implemented." Produced by the Health and Human Service Inspector General.

Report to Congress on the Large Truck Crash Causation Study
A report of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

Status and Needs of Forensic Science Service Providers: A Report to Congress
A National Institute of Justice (NIJ) report.

Teacher Qualifications, Instructional Practices, and Reading and Mathematics Gains of Kindergartners
A National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) report.

Voluntary Reporting of Greenhouse Gases 2004
An Energy Information Administration (EIA) summary.

Wheat Yearbook
An Economic Research Service (ERS) report.

Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Reports:

College enrollment of 2005 high school grads

Compensation and Working Conditions Online

National Compensation Survey -- Great Falls, MT

Productivity in the architectural services industry

Productivity in the engineering services industry

Recent high school graduates and the work force

Census Bureau Reports:

Annual Revision of Monthly Retail and Food Services: Sales and Inventories -- January 1992 Through February 2006

Annual Revision of Monthly Wholesale Distributors: Sales and Inventories -- January 1992 Through January 2006

The Asian Alone or in Combination Population in the United States: 2004 and 2003

The Black Alone or in Combination Population in the U.S.: 2004 and 2003

Dynamics of Economic Well-Being: Spells of Unemployment 2001-–2003

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (2002 Economic Census)

Congressional Research Service (CRS) Reports:

Afghanistan: Post-War Governance, Security, and U.S. Policy

Agriculture and Related Agencies: FY2006 Appropriations

AIDS in Africa

Appropriations Subcommittee Structure: History of Changes from 1920-2005

China, the United States and the IMF: Negotiating Exchange Rate Adjustment

China's Currency: A Summary of the Economic Issues

Civil Charges in Corporate Scandals

Estate Tax Legislation in the 109th Congress

Federal and Non-Federal Support of University Based Research

Federal Budget Process Reform: Analysis of Five Reform Issues

The Former Soviet Union and U.S. Foreign Assistance in 1992: The Role of Congress

Iraq: Elections, Government, and Constitution

Iraq: U.S. Regime Change Efforts and Post-Saddam Governance

Israel: Background and Relations with the United States

Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Programs: Selected References, 1998-Present

Lebanon

Material Support of Terrorists and Foreign
Terrorist Organizations: Sunset Amendments in Brief

National Security Letters in Foreign Intelligence Investigations: Legal Background and Recent Amendments

North Korean Counterfeiting of U.S. Currency

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas: Overview of Internal and External Challenges

Privacy: Key Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission

The Runaway and Homeless Youth Program: Administration, Funding, and Legislative Actions

Saudi Arabia: Current Issues and U.S. Relations

Science and Technology Policy: Issues for the 109th Congress

Short-Run Macroeconomic Effects of Fundamental Tax Reform

Syria: U.S. Relations and Bilateral Issues

Women in Iraq: Background and Issues for U.S. Policy

General Accountability Office (GAO) Reports:

Border Security: Investigators Successfully Transported Radioactive Sources Across Our Nation's Borders at Selected Locations

Border Security: Investigators Transported Radioactive Sources Across Our Nation's Borders at Two Locations

Cargo Container Inspections: Preliminary Observations on the Status of Efforts to Improve the Automated Targeting System

Combating Nuclear Smuggling: Challenges Facing U.S. Efforts to Deploy Radiation Detection Equipment in Other Countries and in the United States

Combating Nuclear Smuggling: Corruption, Maintenance, and Coordination Problems Challenge U.S. Efforts to Provide Radiation Detection Equipment to Other Countries

Combating Nuclear Smuggling: DHS Has Made Progress Deploying Radiation Detection Equipment at U.S. Ports-of-Entry, but Concerns Remain

Environmental Liabilities: Long-Term Fiscal Planning Hampered by Control Weaknesses and Uncertainties in the Federal Government's Estimates

Federal Rulemaking: Perspectives on 10 Years of Congressional Review Act Implementation

Food Assistance: FNS Could Take Additional Steps to Contain WIC Infant Formula Costs

Health Professions Education Programs

Homeland Security: Better Management Practices Could Enhance DHS's Ability to Allocate Investigative Resources

Homeland Security: Progress Continues, but Challenges Remain on Department's Management of Information Technology

Homeland Security: The Status of Strategic Planning in the National Capital Region

Hurricane Katrina: Status of the Health Care System in New Orleans and Difficult Decisions Related to Efforts to Rebuild It Approximately 6 Months After Hurricane Katrina

Indian Irrigation Projects: Numerous Issues Need to Be Addressed to Improve Project Management and Financial Sustainability

Medicaid Integrity: Implementation of New Program Provides Opportunities for Federal Leadership to Combat Fraud and Abuse

Military Disability System: Improved Oversight Needed to Ensure Consistent and Timely Outcomes for Reserve and Active Duty Service Members

Next Generation Air Transportation System: Preliminary Analysis of the Joint Planning and Development Office's Planning, Progress, and Challenges

Offshoring in Six Human Services Programs: Offshoring Occurs in Most States, Primarily in Customer Service and Software Development

Passenger Rail Security: Evaluating Foreign Security Practices and Risk Can Help Guide Security Efforts

Polar-Orbiting Operational Environmental Satellites: Cost Increases Trigger Review and Place Program's Direction on Hold

Rural Economic Development: More Assurance Is Needed That Grant Funding Information Is Accurately Reported

Social Security Administration: Improved Agency Coordination Needed for Social Security Card Enhancement Efforts

Social Security Numbers: More Could be Done to Protect SSNs

Undeclared Hazardous Materials: New DOT Efforts May Provide Additional Information on Undeclared Shipments

Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) Articles:

Diagnosis and Management of Tickborne Rickettsial Diseases: Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Ehrlichioses, and Anaplasmosis - United States: A Practical Guide for Physicians and Other Health-Care and Public Health Professionals

Racial and Socioeconomic Disparities in Breastfeeding - United States, 2004

Tuberculosis Control Activities After Hurricane Katrina - New Orleans, Louisiana, 2005

Strategic Studies Institute Monographs:

Iron Troikas: The New Threat from the East

Kim Jong Il and North Korea: The Leader and the System

Planning For and Applying Military Force: An Examination of Terms

United Nations Documents:

Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific 2006: Energizing the Global Economy

Global tuberculosis control: Surveillance, planning, financing

International Narcotics Control Board 2005 Report

Investing in the United Nations: for a stronger Organization worldwide: Report of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions

Narcotic Drugs 2005

Progress on Global Access to HIV AntiRetroviral Therapy: A Report on "3 by 5" and Beyond

Psychotropic Substances 2005

Trade and Environment Review 2006

Wildlife Watching and Tourism: A study on the benefits and risks of a fast growing tourism activity and its impacts on species

Lodgepole Coal Project

From the Missoulian: "A Canadian company hoping to mine coal just north of Glacier National Park has agreed to give concerned Montana officials more details about the project, the state water management chief said Thursday."

The Cline Mining Corporation site currently features a Lodgepole Coal Property technical report dated February 22, 2006.

Source: "Canadian company to release mining details." Missoulian March 31, 2006. B1.

Alternate Funding Proposal for "Secure Rural Schools"

From the Missoulian: "Two Democratic senators said Thursday they have found a way to pay for a program to fund rural schools without selling 300,000 acres of national forests, as the Bush administration has proposed.

"Sens. Max Baucus of Montana and Ron Wyden of Oregon said their plan would raise $2.6 billion over the next 10 years for the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act by closing a tax loophole they said allows some government contractors to avoid tax obligations."

Yesterday, Senator Baucus introduced S. 2485, "A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide a source for payments to States and counties under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000." You can track the status of the bill through THOMAS. The Senator has issued a press release on the new bill.

Source: Daly, Matthew. "Senators suggest land sale alternative: Baucus, Wyden would close tax loophole." Missoulian March 31, 2006. A1.

State-level Personal Income Estimates

From the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) press release: "Per capita personal income grew 4.6 percent in 2005, slightly less than the 5.0 percent growth in 2004 according to estimates released today by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. Growth rates in most states were tightly clustered about the national average; however, Louisiana's 9.1 percent decline was notably slower while Wyoming's 7.3 percent increase was notably higher."

Montana's growth rate was 6.3 percent. New state annual estimates for personal income are now available on the BEA website. The site includes links to the new data tables (Excel file) and long-term data (1929-2005).

Source: Christensen, Tyler. "Montana near the top for growth in income." Missoulian March 29, 2006. A1.

Immigration Reform

From the Washington Post: "A key Senate panel broke with the House's get-tough approach to illegal immigration yesterday and sent to the floor a broad revision of the nation's immigration laws that would provide lawful employment to millions of undocumented workers while offering work visas to hundreds of thousands of new immigrants every year."

The Senate Judiciary Committee reportedly marked up a new bill that is very similar to the bill introduced and supported by Senators John McCain and Edward Kennedy, S. 1033. Also related are two other bills: H.R. 4437 and S. 2454.

The White House has posted a page on immigration reform and a new fact sheet on the President's proposals.

Sources: Weisman, Jonathan. "Senators Back Guest Workers: Panel's Measure Sides With Bush." Washington Post March 28, 2006. A01.
"Immigration Reform Proposals." Washington Post March 27, 2006.

Rock Creek Project

From the Missoulian: "A proposed copper and silver mine beneath the Cabinet Mountains Wilderness in northwestern Montana is being blocked, again, by a court decision.

"The state water-quality permit for the Rock Creek Mine would allow it to send too much arsenic into groundwater, violating the Montana Constitution's guarantee of a clean and healthful environment, a state judge ruled in a decision dated Friday. The permit must be rewritten before the mine may move forward, District Judge Jeffrey Sherlock said."

Background information on the Rock Creek Mine is available from several sources. The Kootenai National Forest website has a page for the Rock Creek project.

The Clark Fork Coalition links to a report and other information on the project.

The Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) provides numerous reports through its site:

Final Environmental Impact Statement

Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement

Record of Decision

Air Quality Permit

Source: Gallagher, Susan. "Judge blocks permit for Rock Creek Mine." Missoulian March 28, 2006. B1.

Resource Round-up

Aviation Accident Statistics
2005 data now available from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

Central Foreign Policy Files
State Department telegrams and other records for 1973 and 1974 are now available through the National Archives.

Checklists for Pandemic Flu Planning
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Department of Education have developed checklists for child care and preschools, school districts (K-12), and colleges and universities.

EPA Technical Study on the Safety of Emission Controls for Nonroad Spark-Ignition Engines Below 50 Horsepower
An Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) study.

Fluoride in Drinking Water: A Scientific Review of EPA's Standards
A book published by the National Academies Press.

Follow Up Review of the Port Security Grant Program
A Department of Homeland Security Inspector General report.

The Global Economic and Financial Impact of an Avian Flu Pandemic and the Role of the IMF
An International Monetary Fund assessment.

Iraqi Perspectives Project: A View of Operation Iraqi Freedom from Saddam's Senior Leadership
A report from the military's Joint Center for Operational Analysis (part of Joint Forces Command).

Judicial Business 2005
Information on the work of the federal courts in fiscal year 2005.

Measuring Stability and Security in Iraq
The February report to Congress is now available.

Medicare Drug Plans: Restrictions on Access to Formulary Drugs
A report of the Special Investigations Division of the House Committee on Government Reform-Minority Staff.

Nanoparticle Information Library (NIL)
Information produced by the CDC.

National Military Strategy to Combat Weapons of Mass Destruction
A report of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

nowCOAST
"Web mapping portal to real-time coastal observations and NOAA forecasts"--newly updated.

The Palestinian Parliamentary Election and the rise of Hamas
A Research Paper from the British House of Commons.

Report of the Defense Science Board Task Force on Future Strategic Strike Skills
"The Task Force was asked by the Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Nuclear and Chemical and Biological Defense Programs (ATSD(NCB)) to examine the current adequacy and future needs of the specialized skills necessary to maintain, upgrade, and design replacement strategic nuclear and non-nuclear strike systems. The attached final report represents the complete work of the panel."

Status of Technology and Digitization in the Nation's Museums and Libraries
An Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) report.

Status of the Nation's Highways, Bridges, and Transit: 2004 Conditions and Performance
A Federal Highway Administration annual report.

Statutes at Large, 108th Congress
The Statutes at Large, "the permanent collection of all laws and resolutions enacted during each session of Congress," for 2003-2004 is now available.

Women, Minorities, and Persons with Disabilities in Science and Engineering
"This site provides data on the participation of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities in science and engineering education and employment. The data are organized by topic and are presented in tables, graphics, and spreadsheets for downloading."

Your Guide to Healthy Sleep
A "patient and public booklet" produced by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.

Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Reports:

College Enrollment and Work Activity of 2005 High School Graduates

Multifactor productivity, 1995-2004

New Service Industry Productivity Measures

Shifting to one-stop shopping

Census Bureau Reports:

County Population Estimates: 2005

Health Care and Social Assistance (2002 Economic Census)

Hispanic-Owned Firms: 2002

Information (2002 Economic Census)

Congressional Research Service (CRS) Reports:

Balancing Scientific Publication and National Security Concerns: Issues for Congress

Global Climate Change: Federal Research on Possible Human Health Effects

Homeland Security: Protecting Airliners from Terrorist Missiles

Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) in Iraq: Effects and Countermeasures

Iran: U.S. Concerns and Policy Responses

Jordan: U.S. Relations and Bilateral Issues

Lobbying and Related Reform Proposals: Consideration of Selected Measures, 109th Congress

The Middle East Peace Talks

National Emergency Powers

Nepal: Background and U.S. Relations

North Korea's Nuclear Weapons Program

Terrorism and National Security: Issues and Trends

Economic Research Service (ERS) Reports:

Administrative Costs in the Child and Adult Care Food Program: Results of an Exploratory Study of the Reimbursement System for Sponsors of Family Child Care Homes

Oil Crops Yearbook

General Accountability Office (GAO) Reports:

Agriculture Production: USDA Needs to Build on 2005 Experience to Minimize the Effects of Asian Soybean Rust in the Future

Defense Logistics: Several Factors Limited the Production and Installation of Army Truck Armor during Current Wartime Operations

Federal Bureau of Investigation: Weak Controls over Trilogy Project Led to Payment of Questionable Contractor Costs and Missing Assets

Information Security: Continued Progress Needed to Strengthen Controls at the Internal Revenue Service

VA and DOD Health Care: Opportunities to Maximize Resource Sharing Remain

Yucca Mountain: Quality Assurance at DOE's Planned Nuclear Waste Repository Needs Increased Management Attention

Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) Articles:

Emergence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis with Extensive Resistance to Second-Line Drugs - Worldwide, 2000-2004

Increased Use of Colorectal Cancer Tests - United States, 2002 and 2004

Preventing Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis Among Adolescents: Use of Tetanus Toxoid, Reduced Diphtheria Toxoid and Acellular Pertussis Vaccines: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)

Trends in Tuberculosis - United States, 2005

National Center for Educations Statistics Reports and Tools:

Characteristics of Schools, Districts, Teachers, Principals, and School Libraries in the United States: 2003-04 Schools and Staffing Survey

Fifth Grade: Findings from the Fifth-Grade Follow-Up of the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, Kindergarten Class of 1998-99

Finance Longitudinal Data Tool

United Nations Documents:

Challenges to International Waters: Regional Assessments in a Global Perspective

Economic Impact of Peacekeeping: Final Report

Global tuberculosis control - surveillance, planning, financing

Report of the Secretary-General pursuant to paragraph 6 of resolution 1644 (2005)

Water, a shared responsibility

Roads on Federal Lands

From the Department of Interior press release: "Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton today announced new guidelines to assist Interior land managers in implementing a recent court decision regarding roads across federally owned lands. The new guidelines implement the principles outlined in the 2005 Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance v. Bureau of Land Management (SUWA v. BLM) decision by the United States Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit. This decision and the new guidelines protect federal lands by clarifying that these roads cannot be expanded or significantly improved without consultation with federal land managers."

The Interior Department has posted the new guidelines on its website. There is also an "issues of interest" summary on the site. The 10th Circuit Court opinion on the SUWA v. BLM case is available online.

Source: Kohler, Judith. "Norton changes federal road policy." Missoulian March 24, 2006. A7

Frenchtown Face Ecosystem Restoration Project

From the Missoulian: "Final approval is in for a U.S. Forest Service project that aims to reduce fire risk by logging more than 3,600 acres along the so-called 'Frenchtown Face' from Frenchtown to Ninemile.

"The agency will also use low-intensity, prescribed burns on the logged acreage and another 6,500 acres to further reduce fire danger."

The Lolo National Forest has posted the final environmental impact statement and related maps for the Frenchtown Face Ecosystem Restoration Project on its website.

Source: Moore, Michael. "Fuel reduction project gets Forest Service OK." Missoulian March 23, 2006. B1.

Georgia v. Randolph

From the New York Times: "A Supreme Court decision on Wednesday in an uncelebrated criminal case did more than resolve a dispute over whether the police can search a home without a warrant when one occupant gives consent but another objects.

"More than any other case so far, the decision, which answered that question in the negative by a vote of 5 to 3, drew back the curtain to reveal the strains behind the surface placidity and collegiality of the young Roberts court."

Georgia v. Randolph
Docket 04-1067

Question presented

Supreme Court opinion

Transcript of oral arguments

Court briefs

FindLaw version of the Supreme Court opinion with hyperlinks

Sources: "Supreme Court limits police searches in split decision." Missoulian March 23, 2006. A7.
Greenhouse, Linda. "Roberts Dissent Reveals Strain Beneath Court's Placid Surface." New York Times March 23, 2006.

Resource Round-up

2004 International Traffic Data
A report from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The FCC released other documents last week on broadcast television indecency as well.

Asia-Pacific Economic Update 2005
An update from U.S. Pacific Command.


Characteristics of Private Schools in the United States: Results From the 2003-2004 Private School Universe Survey
A National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) report.

Confined Structure Fires
A report of the U.S. Fire Administration.

CU @ The FOB: How the Forward Operating Base is Changing the Life of Combat Soldiers
A report of the Strategic Studies Institute of the U.S. Army War College.

Drunk Driving
A report the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS).

Enrollment in Postsecondary Institutions, Fall 2004; Graduation Rates, 1998 & 2001 Cohorts; and Financial Statistics, Fiscal Year 2004
A National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) report.

Federal Computer Security Report Card - 2005
Grades for government computer security issued by the House Government Reform Committee.

Fingerprint Identification and Mobile Handheld Devices: An Overview and Implementation
A National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) overview report.

A Guide to the Montana Environmental Policy Act
Published by the Montana Legislative Environmental Policy Office.

Intelligence in the Civil War
A CIA publication.

Internal Revenue Service Data Book 2005
The report provides information on "the amount of revenue collected, the number of audits (examinations) conducted, and the number of refunds issued between October 1, 2004, and September 30, 2005."

Montana Index of Environmental Permits - 2006
A publication of the Montana Environmental Quality Council.

National Drug Threat Assessment 2006
Annual update from the National Drug Intelligence Center.

Operation Iraqi Freedom Documents
"Unclassified documents and media captured during Operation Iraqi Freedom" posted by the U.S. Army Foreign Military Studies Office.

Pocket Guide to Transportation 2006
Key transportation statistics.

Pseudo-secrets: A Freedom of Information Audit of the U.S. GovernmentÂ’s Policies on Sensitive Unclassified Information
An audit produced by the National Security Archive at George Washington University. "This is the first comprehensive Report to summarize the policies for protection of sensitive unclassified information from a wide range of federal agencies and departments and identify the significant security, budgetary, and government accountability risks attendant to unregulated and unmonitored secrecy programs."

Report on Activities to Combat Human Trafficking, Fiscal Years 2001-2005
A Justice Department report.

Reports From the Future of Iraq Project
State Department materials hosted by the Memory Hole.

School Election Handbook
"This School Election Handbook is intended to assist the election administrator of school elections in the administration and operation of school elections."

Strategic Theory for the 21st Century
A report of the Strategic Studies Institute of the U.S. Army War College.

Tracking Prisoners in Jail With Biometrics: An Experiment in a Navy Brig
An article from the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) Journal.

Water Rights in Montana
A guide produced by the Montana Legislative Environmental Policy Office.

Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Reports:

Annual hires, total separations, and quits rates, 2001-2005

CPI in February 2006

Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment: January 2006

Occupational Outlook Quarterly, Spring 2006

Census Bureau Reports:

Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (2002 Economic Census)

Facts for Features: Irish-American Heritage Month (March) and St. Patrick's Day (March 17)

Management of Companies and Enterprises (2002 Economic Census)

Real Estate and Rental and Leasing (2002 Economic Census)

Voting and Registration in the
Election of November 2004

Congressional Research Service (CRS) Reports:

Coverage of the TANF Population Under Medicaid and SCHIP

Homeland Security: Protecting Airliners from Terrorist Missiles

Iran: U.S. Concerns and Policy Responses

Military Aviation: Issues and Options for Combating Terrorism and Counterinsurgency

"Sensitive But Unclassified" Information and Other Controls: Policy and Options for Scientific and Technical Information

USA PATRIOT Act Additional Reauthorizing Amendments Act of 2006 (S. 2271)

Economic Research Service (ERS) Reports:

Better Targeting, Better Outcomes

Contrasting Working-Land and Land Retirement Programs

Greening Income Support and Supporting Green

Participant Bidding Enhances Cost Effectiveness

General Accountability Office (GAO) Reports:

Agency Management of Contractors Responding to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita

Corps of Engineers: Observations on Planning and Project Management Processes for the Civil Works Program

Economic Well-Being of Farm Households

Financial Management: Thousands of GSA Contractors Abuse the Federal Tax System

Gas Pipeline Safety: Preliminary Observations on the Integrity Management Program and 7-Year Reassessment Requirement

Growing Farm Size and the Distribution of Farm Payments

Health Information Technology: HHS is Continuing Efforts to Define a National Strategy

Information Security: Federal Agencies Show Mixed Progress in Implementing Statutory Requirements

Managing Sensitive Information: Departments of Energy and Defense Policies and Oversight Could Be Improved

Managing Sensitive Information: DOE and DOD Could Improve Their Policies and Oversight

Rewarding Farm Practices versus Environmental Performance

Telecommunications: Options for and Barriers to Spectrum Reform

Unemployment Insurance: Factors Associated with Benefit Receipt

Unemployment Insurance: Factors Associated with Benefit Receipt and Linkages with Reemployment Services for Claimants

Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) Articles:

Hypothermia-Related Deaths - United States, 1999-2002 and 2005

Methamphetamine Use and HIV Risk Behaviors Among Heterosexual Men - Preliminary Results from Five Northern California Counties, December 2001-November 2003

Primary and Secondary Syphilis - United States, 2003-2004

QuickStats: Cigarette Smoking Prevalence Among Adults Aged >18 Years Who Have Ever Spent >24 Hours on the Streets, in a Shelter, or in a Jail or Prison, by Sex - United States, 2004

United Nations Documents:

Draft Human Rights Council Resolution

Statement by the President of the United Nations General Assembly H.E. Mr. Jan Eliasson on the Draft Resolution on the Human Rights Council

UN Security Council Membership Database

United Nations Peace Operations Year in Review 2005

Burlington Northern - Livingston Cleanup

From the Missoulian: "Saying Montana 'is done lawyering,' Gov. Brian Schweitzer announced Thursday the state is going to clean up a languishing state Superfund site in Livingston dirtied by BNSF Railway - and send the company the bill.

"'What we've gotten for decades is delaying, delaying, delaying,' Schweitzer told a meeting of Montana's Rail Service Competition Council, where he unveiled the plan. 'Instead of lawyering, let's go get that diesel out of the ground. Let's clean up that aquifer, and we'll send them the bill.'"

A news release from the Governor's Office provides more information. The news release includes a link to a letter from the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to the Governor about proceeding with the cleanup of the Livingston site.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 8 website provides background information on the Burlington Northern - Livingston site. The Montana DEQ website links to the final Record of Decision.

Source: McKee, Jennifer. "State's bill for cleanup will go to railroad." Missoulian March 18, 2006. B1.

Ruling in U.S. v. Google

From the Google press release: "Google will not have to hand over any user's search queries to the government. That's what a federal judge ruled today when he decided to drastically limit a subpoena issued to Google by the Department of Justice."

Google has posted the judge's ruling and a copy of the original government subpoena.

Source: Liedtke, Michael. "Google avoids surrendering search requests to government." Missoulian March 18, 2006. A4.

Increased Public Debt Resolution

From the Washington Post: "Congress raised the limit on the federal government's borrowing by $781 billion yesterday, and then lawmakers voted to spend well over $100 billion on the war in Iraq, hurricane relief, education, health care, transportation and heating assistance for the poor without making offsetting budget cuts."

The Senate voted 52-48 to pass H.J.Res. 47, the Increased Public Debt resolution, raising the debt limit to $8.965 trillion. Other actions of Congress are summarized in the Congressional Record Daily Digest.

Source: Weisman, Jonathan, and Shailagh Murray. "Congress Raises Ceiling for Borrowing: $100 Billion Is Spent Without Offsetting Cuts." Washington Post March 17, 2006. A01.

National Forest Land Conveyance for Rural Communities Act

From the Missoulian: "The Bush administration asked Congress on Thursday to pass legislation giving the U.S. Forest Service authority to sell enough federal land to raise $800 million to help offset costs for payments to counties for rural schools and maintaining roads."

The text of the proposed legislation, the "National Forest Land Conveyance for Rural Communities Act," has been posted on the Forest Service website.

The Forest Service is taking comments on the proposed land sale. More information on the proposal is also available on the Forest Service site.

Source: Backus, Perry. "Land sale legislation moves to Congress." Missoulian March 17, 2006. A1.

New Baucus Internet Bill

From the Missoulian: "Montana Sen. Max Baucus and a fellow Democrat introduced legislation Thursday that would require all Web sites with pornographic content to use a new '.xxx' domain, making it easier for concerned parents and others to block the sites."

You can track the progress of bill S. 2426 using THOMAS. A press release on Senator Baucus' website provides a little more information.

Source: Straub, Noelle. "Baucus proposes legislation designating porn sites." Missoulian March 17, 2006. B3.

Supplements to the Katrina Report

From the Missoulian: "Michael Brown, former head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, deliberately ignored a new national disaster plan and circumvented his boss, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, in trying to manage the federal response to Hurricane Katrina directly with the White House, according to a new House report."

The new information is contained in supplements to the "Failure of Initiative" report. Six supplemental files and the deposition of Michael Brown can be found on the House Committee for Government Reform website:

Supplemental - Part I

Supplemental - Part II

Supplemental - Part III

Supplemental - Part IV

Supplemental - Part V

Supplemental - Part VI

The National Response Plan referenced in the report is available on the Department of Homeland Security website.

Source: "Report faults Brown for ignoring plan." Missoulian March 16, 2006. A3.

National Security Strategy

From the New York Times: "An updated version of the Bush administration's national security strategy, the first in more than three years, gives no ground on the decision to order a pre-emptive attack on Iraq in 2003, and identifies Iran as the country likely to present the single greatest future challenge to the United States."

The 2006 National Security Strategy is available on the White House website.

Source: Sanger, David E. "Report Backs Iraq Strike and Cites Iran Peril." New York Times March 16, 2006.

Preliminary Alternatives in Yellowstone Winter Use Planning

From the Helena Independent Record: "The National Park Service on Tuesday released six preliminary alternatives it considers on the table as it looks at the future of winter activities in Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks. The wide-ranging options included an all-out ban on snowmobiles and an increase in snowmobile numbers over what is allowed currently."

The preliminary alternatives appear in the latest Yellowstone Winter Use Newsletter. Additional information on winter use planning appears on the Yellowstone website.

Sources: Bohrer, Becky. "Park snowmobile-use options unveiled." Helena Independent Record March 15, 2006.
Bohrer, Becky. "Park Service seeks input on winter-use options." Helena Independent Record March 13, 2006.

Reclassification of Archival Information

On March 2, the Archivist of the United States announced "Steps in Response to Withdrawal of Declassified Records from Open Shelves at the National Archives."

On March 14, the House Government Reform Subcommittee on National Security, Emerging Threats and International Relations held a hearing on this issue: "Drowning in a Sea of Faux Secrets: Policies on Handling of Classified and Sensitive Information." The site for the hearing includes briefing statements and witness testimony.

Source: Lee, Christopher. "Hearing Set on Agencies' Withdrawal of Papers From Archives." Washington Post March 4, 2006. A03.

Hearing on Oil and Gas Industry Consolidation

From the Washington Post: "Senior executives from major oil companies underwent a grilling yesterday at a Senate hearing, where lawmakers from both parties blamed mergers for boosting energy prices and threatened to press ahead with legislation aimed at stiffening the antitrust rules governing the industry."

The "Consolidation in the Oil and Gas Industry: Raising Prices?" hearing was held by the Senate Judiciary Committee yesterday. Witness testimony is available online, and the transcript will be printed in several months.

The earlier hearing, on November 9, 2005, was held by the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation. Witness statements in the "Energy Pricing & Profits" hearing are on the committee website.

Source: Blustein, Paul. "Big Oil Defends Industry Mergers in Hearing: Senators See Correlation Between Rising Prices and Concentration of Firms; Executives Deny It." Washington Post March 15, 2006. D06.

End-of-Life Registry

From the Missoulian: "Required by a bill that passed the 2005 Legislature, the registry is an online database of so-called 'living wills.' It will allow doctors anywhere in the world to access information on the wishes of Montanans who are involved in an accident that prevents them from expressing their desires."

You can find the End-of-Life Registry on the state website. The bill that required the creation of this database was HB 742.

Source: McKee, Jennifer. "New online database for 'living wills' available." Missoulian March 15, 2006. B1.

Sunshine Sunday Resource Round-up

Sunshine Week emphasizes citizens' rights to open government, which includes the right to freely accessible government information. Depository librarians are committed to making information about the government readily available and discoverable year-round. To give you an idea of the scope of government information, below are some of the government reports issued in the past week.

2005 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices
An annual State Department report.

2006 Trade Policy Agenda and 2005 Annual Report
The agenda of the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR).

Allergen Immunotherapy for Medicare Beneficiaries
A report from the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services.

Aquaculture Outlook
This Economic Research Service (ERS) report "examines the U.S. aquaculture industry, including production, inventory, sales, prices, inputs, and trade of catfish, trout, tilapia, salmon, mollusks, crawfish, shrimp, ornamental fish and new species."

Arab Cultural Awareness: 58 Factsheets
A handbook from U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command (hosted by the Federation of American Scientists).

Enron Trial Exhibits and Releases
This site of legal documents from the United States v. Jeffrey K. Skilling and Kenneth L. Lay trial is frequently updated by the Justice Department.

Evaluating Benefit Guarantees in Social Security
A Congressional Budget Office (CBO) background paper.

Fact Sheets on Terrorist Attacks
Facts about biological, chemical, nuclear, and radiological attacks from the National Academy of Engineering.

Felony Defendants in Large Urban Counties, 2002
A Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) report.

Government Patenting and Technology Transfer
An Economic Research Service (ERS) report.

The Implementation of the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act
A redacted audit report from the Inspector General of the Department of Justice.

Instructional Focus in First Grade
A new National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) report on early childhood education.

Iran's Oil and Gas Wealth
A research report from the Congressional Joint Economic Committee.

Iraq Reconstruction: Lessons in Human Capital Management
A recently released report from the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction.

Medicare's Quality Improvement Organization Program: Maximizing Potential
A National Academies Press book that can be read online.

Multiple Origins, Uncertain Destinies: Hispanics and the American Future
A National Academies Press book.

Petrodollars and Global Imbalances
A Treasury Department Occasional Paper.

Performance Profiles of Major Energy Producers 2004
A report of the Energy Information Administration.

Social science to improve fuels management: a synthesis of research on aesthetics and fuels management
A Forest Service General Technical Report.

Survey of State Criminal History Information Systems, 2003
A new report from the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS).

Taking The Mystery Out Of Retirement Planning
A handbook from the Department of Labor.

Turning Bases Into Great Places: New Life for Closed Military Facilities
An Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) report.

Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Reports:

2004-2005 changes in State unemployment rates

Duration of major work stoppages beginning in 2005

States with highest unemployment rates in 2005

Trends in retirement plan coverage

Census Bureau Reports:

Annual Capital Expenditures: 2004

Information and Communication Technology: 2004

Manufacturing: Product Summary: 2002

Utilities: Miscellaneous Subjects: 2002

Congressional Research Service (CRS) Reports:

Agriculture-Based Renewable Energy Production

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): The Definition of Disability

Child Nutrition and WIC Legislation in the 108th and 109th Congresses

Congress and Program Evaluation: An Overview of Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) and Related Issues

Data Security: Protecting the Privacy of Phone Records

Federal Food Assistance in Disasters: Hurricanes Katrina and Rita

FY2006 Supplemental Appropriations: Iraq and Other International Activities; Additional Katrina Hurricane Relief

An Introduction to the Design of the Low Income Housing Tax Credit

The Link Between Medicaid and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA): Recent History and Current Issues

An Overview of the Administration's Strengthening America's Communities Initiative

Payment Limits for Farm Commodity Programs: Issues and Proposals

Securities Arbitration: Background and Questions of Fairness

Standardized Choices: Medigap Lessons for Medicare Part D

The Workforce Investment Act (WIA): Program-by-Program Overview and FY2007 Funding of Title I Training Programs

General Accountability Office (GAO) Reports:

AIDS: The Ryan White CARE Act

The Budget for Fiscal Year 2007

Children's Health Insurance: Recent HHS-OIG Reviews Inform the Congress on Improper Enrollment and Reductions in Low-Income, Uninsured Children

Defense Logistics: More Efficient Use of Active RFID Tags Could Potentially Avoid Millions in Unnecessary Purchases

Discretionary Grants: Further Tightening of Education's Procedures for Making Awards Could Improve Transparency and Accountability

Election Reform: Nine States' Experiences Implementing Federal Requirements for Computerized Statewide Voter Registration Lists

Environmental Protection Agency: Highlights of the President?s FY2007 Request

Hurricane Katrina: GAO's Preliminary Observations Regarding Preparedness, Response, and Recovery

Immigration Benefits: Additional Controls and a Sanctions Strategy Could Enhance DHS's Ability to Control Benefit Fraud

Minority Contracting and Affirmative Action for Disadvantaged Small Businesses: Legal Issues

Paperwork Reduction Act: New Approaches Can Strengthen Information Collection and Reduce Burden

The Streamlined Sales and Use Tax Agreement: A Brief Description

Survey on State Wireless E911 Funds

Taiwan's Political Status: Historical Background and Ongoing Implications

Tax Reform and Distributional Issues

Telecommunications: Challenges to Assessing and Improving Telecommunications for Native Americans on Tribal Lands

Telecommunications: States' Collection and Use of Funds for Wireless Enhanced 911 Services

Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) Articles:

Carbon Monoxide Poisonings After Two Major Hurricanes - Alabama and Texas, August-October 2005

Illness Surveillance and Rapid Needs Assessment Among Hurricane Katrina Evacuees - Colorado, September 1-23, 2005

Mortality Associated with Hurricane Katrina - Florida and Alabama, August-October 2005

Progress in Reducing Global Measles Deaths, 1999-2004

Public Health Response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita - United States, 2005

Rapid Assessment of Health Needs and Resettlement Plans Among Hurricane Katrina Evacuees - San Antonio, Texas, September 2005

Rapid Community Needs Assessment After Hurricane Katrina - Hancock County, Mississippi, September 14-15, 2005

Surveillance for Illness and Injury After Hurricane Katrina - Three Counties, Mississippi, September 5-October 11, 2005

United Nations Documents:

Documents for the thirty-seventh session of the Statistical Commission, New York, 7 to 10 March 2006

Implementation of the NPT Safeguards Agreement in the Islamic Republic of Iran

Information Management Resource Kit (IMARK)

Investing in the United Nations, For a Stronger Organization Worldwide

Report of the Secretary-General pursuant to paragraph 30 of resolution 1546 (2004) [Report on Iraq]

Latest Montana Vital Statistics Report now available

From the Montana Vital Statistics Report cover letter prepared by the staff of the Office of Vital Statistics:

"The first half of the report consists of analysis of some of the more important public health matters that are recorded on vital records (live births, deaths, fetal deaths, induced abortions, marriages and divorces). This analysis is illustrated with tables and graphs summarizing vital events. Reference tables make up the second half of the report"

Census Report on U.S. Aging

From the Census Bureau press release: "The face of aging in the United States is changing dramatically -- and rapidly, according to a new report from the U.S. Census Bureau. Today'’s older Americans are very different from their predecessors, living longer, having lower rates of disability, achieving higher levels of education and less often living in poverty. And the baby boomers, the first of whom celebrated their 60th birthdays in 2006, promise to redefine further what it means to grow older in America."

The new report, "65+ in the United States: 2005," is available on the Census website. The site also includes an appendix to the report, graphics, and related data.

New and Improved CGP

From the Government Printing Office (GPO) press release: "The Superintendent of Documents is pleased to announce the launch of the enhanced version of the Catalog of U.S. Government Publications (CGP) (http://catalog.gpo.gov/). This version of the CGP is the online public access catalog (OPAC) module of the Government Printing Office's (GPO) new integrated library system. With the availability of the new CGP Phase 1 of a larger modernization plan to replace older legacy systems is complete.

"The new and improved CGP currently offers more than 500,000 records to both historical and current Government publications. These records have been created or updated since July 1976. Plans are underway to include records for publications dating back to the late 1800s."

Try out the new Catalog of U.S. Government Publications (CGP). Records for all documents sent to libraries through the Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP) from 1976 through the present are included in the catalog.

Patriot Act Renewal

From the New York Times: "The House passed revisions to the broad antiterrorism law known as the USA Patriot Act on Tuesday, clearing the way for President Bush to sign legislation making permanent most of the major provisions of the original 2001 law.

"The bill passed, 280 to 138, with just two more votes than needed under special rules requiring a two-thirds majority. The vote was the last step in a tortuous journey through Congress. The House action approved amendments to a bill revising the original act; the revised bill passed the House last year and was adopted last week by the Senate after having been bottled up there for months."

The final versions of the USA PATRIOT Act Additional Reauthorizing Amendments Act of 2006 (S. 2271), which passed the House on March 7 and was sent to the President today, and the USA PATRIOT and Terrorism Prevention Reauthorization Act of 2005 (H.R. 3199), which passed the Senate on March 2, are available through THOMAS.

Source: Stolberg, Sheryl Gay. "Patriot Act Revisions Pass House, Sending Measure to President." New York Times March 8, 2006.

Design for Stage 1 Milltown Reservoir Mitigation

From the Missoulian: "Barring some unforeseen snafu, the first reservoir drawdown that will officially mark the beginning of Milltown Dam's removal could begin in June.

"Envirocon, the company hired to remove the dam, released its first preliminary design report last week, outlining the proposed 10-foot lowering of the reservoir level."

You can find the Preliminary Design Report for the Milltown Stage 1 reservoir drawdown and scour mitigation on the Clark Fork River Technical Assistance Committee (CFRTAC) website.

Source: Backus, Perry. "Report calls for first Milltown Reservoir drawdown in June." Missoulian March 8, 2006. A1.

Presidential Line Item Veto

From the Washington Post: "Seeking to reassert his party's scuffed reputation for fiscal conservatism, President Bush yesterday proposed a law giving him authority to veto individual items in legislation as a way to curb fast-growing federal spending."

The White House website features a Message to Congress, fact sheet, and transcript of the press conference about the line item veto. Senator Bill Frist introduced the President's Legislative Line Item Veto Act of 2006 (S. 2381) on March 7. The text of the bill appears in the Congressional Record beginning on page S1838. Senator John Kerry introduced a line item veto measure on March 6, and the text of that bill is also available on THOMAS.

Source: Fletcher, Michael A. "Bush Proposes Law to Give the President Line-Item Veto Power." Washington Post March 7, 2006. A04

Campus Recruiting Case

From the New York Times: "The Supreme Court upheld a law today that cuts federal funding from universities that do not give military recruiters the same access to students that other potential employers receive."

Rumsfeld v. Forum for Academic and Institutional Rights, Inc.
Docket 04-1152

Supreme Court opinion

Question presented

Transcript of oral arguments

Merits briefs

Appellate Court opinion

Source: "Supreme Court Upholds Law on College Military Recruiting." New York Times March 6, 2006.

Pesticides in the Nation's Streams and Ground Water, 1992-2001

From the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) press release: "Today, the U.S. Geological Survey released a report describing the occurrence of pesticides in streams and ground water during 1992-2001. The report concludes that pesticides are typically present throughout the year in most streams in urban and agricultural areas of the Nation, but are less common in ground water. The report also concludes that pesticides are seldom at concentrations likely to affect humans. However in many streams, particularly those draining urban and agricultural areas, pesticides were found at concentrations that may affect aquatic life or fish-eating wildlife."

The study examines 51 major river basins in the U.S., including two in Montana: the Northern Rockies Intermontane Basins and the Yellowstone River Basin. You can find the full report on the USGS website: "Pesticides in the Nation's Streams and Ground Water, 1992-–2001." The National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program website offers additional materials related to the study.

More information on water resources in Montana is also available.

Update on W.R. Grace Case

From the Missoulian: "In a lengthy ruling filed Friday afternoon, a federal judge denied a half-dozen motions to dismiss charges against W.R. Grace and Co., quashing the defense team's hope of thinning the indictment.

"However, Chief U.S. District Judge Donald Molloy granted a pair of motions filed by prosecutors in the case, and dismissed two counts alleging wire fraud."

You can read Judge Molloy's order on the U.S. District Court of the District of Montana website. Other documents related to the order are also available:

Attachment 1

Attachment 2

Attachment 3

Attachment 4
The entire U.S. vs W.R. Grace case file is available on the District Court website.

Source: Scott, Tristan. "Molloy rejects Grace's requests." Missoulian March 4, 2006. A1.

Guantanamo Bay Detainee Information Released

From the New York Times: "After four years of secrecy, the Pentagon released documents on Friday that have the names of detainees at the American military prison at Guantanamo Bay.

"The Bush administration had hidden the identities, home countries and other information about the men, who were accused of having links to the Taliban or Al Qaeda. But a federal judge rejected administration arguments that releasing the names would violate the detainees' privacy and could endanger them and their families. The release resulted from a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit filed by The Associated Press."

The testimony of detainees has been posted on the Department of Defense website. Combatant Status Review Board letters and other "detainee related documents" are linked through the Defense Department Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) webpage.

The Associated Press has a webpage on FOIA resources, including an interactive guide on making FOIA requests, that you may find interesting.

Source: Associated Press. "U.S. Reveals Identities of Detainees." New York Times March 4, 2006.

Friday Resource Round-up

2006 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR)
An annual report from the State Department.

Canadian Industry Statistics
The site has recently been updated with 2004 GDP data.

The Deadly Virus: The Influenza Epidemic of 1918
A new virtual exhibit from the National Archives.

A Decade Since Welfare Reform: 1996 Welfare Reforms Reduce Welfare Dependence
A Committee on Ways and Means, Subcommittee on Human Resources report.

December 2005 New Electronic Titles
The latest list of new electronic government publications cataloged by the Government Printing Office (GPO) is now available.

Federal Equal Opportunity Recruitment Program: FY 2005
An annual report to the Congress from the Office of Personnel Management.

Fertility, Family Planning, and Reproductive Health of U.S. Women: Data From the 2002 National Survey of Family Growth
A Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Vital and Health Statistics report.

Food Consumption (Per Capita) Data System
The USDA Economic Research Service (ERS) has added 2004 data to the system.

FY 2005 Report to Congress on Implementation of The E-Government Act of 2002
An Office of Management and Budget (OMB) assessment of the progress made in putting the E-government Act into practice.

Hamas and Fateh Neck and Neck As Palestinian Elections Near
A State Department Office of Research Opinion Analysis. Hosted by the Federation of American Scientists (FAS).

Health Status, Health Insurance, and Health Services Utilization: 2001
A Census Bureau report from the Household Economic Studies series.

Immigration Policy in the United States
A Congressional Budget Office (CBO) assessment.

Livestock Slaughter: 2005 Summary
A new report from the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).

National Fire Department Census Summary Data
Data from the U.S. Fire Administration.

Older Women Workers, ages 55 and over
A Department of Labor factsheet.

OPI Summary of OPI Activities for March
Summary of the Montana Office of Public Instruction (OPI) activities for the month.

Preliminary Analysis of the President's Budget Request for 2007
Analysis from the CBO.

Recognizing and Understanding Revolutionary Change in Warfare: The Sovereignty of Context
A new publication from Strategic Studies Institute of the U.S. Army War College.

Secretary General's report under Article 52 ECHR on the question of secret detention and transport of detainees suspected of terrorist acts, notably by or at the instigation of foreign agencies
A report from the Council of Europe on U.S. detention facilities within Europe. (Thanks to the UC-Boulder blog for the link.)

Structure Fire Response Times
Part of the Topical Fire Research Series issued by the U.S. Fire Administration/National Fire Data Center.

Tabulating Prisoners at Their "Permanent Home of Record" Address
A Census Bureau report on the procedures used to count prisoners during the Census.

The Uncertainty of Budget Projections: A Discussion of Data and Methods
A Congressional Budget Office (CBO) report.

United States Barriers to Trade and Investment: Report for 2005
A new report from the European Commission.

Women in the Labor Force in 2005
Quick facts from the Department of Labor.

Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Reports:

Employment Experience of Youths: Results from a Longitudinal Survey

Enlistment of youth in the Armed Forces

Long-term unemployment in recent recessions

Major Work Stoppages in 2005

Monthly Labor Review, February 2006

State and Regional Unemployment, 2005 Annual Averages

Congressional Research Service (CRS) Reports:

China: Suspected Acquisition of U.S. Nuclear Weapon Secrets

The Exon-Florio National Security Test for Foreign Investment

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Reports and Guidelines:

Emergency Response Plan: Food Emergency Template

Guidance for Industry: Clinical Data Needed to Support the Licensure of Pandemic Influenza Vaccines

Guidance for Industry: Clinical Data Needed to Support the Licensure of Trivalent Inactivated Influenza Vaccines

Guide to Minimize Microbial Food Safety Hazards of Fresh-cut Fruits and Vegetables

Whole Grain Label Statements

General Accountability Office (GAO) Reports:

2010 Census: Planning and Testing Activities Are Making Progress

Census Bureau: Important Activities for Improving Management of Key 2010 Decennial Acquisitions Remain to be Done

Defense Acquisitions: Business Case and Business Arrangements Key for Future Combat System's Success

Fiscal Year 2005 U.S. Government Financial Statements: Sustained Improvement in Federal Financial Management Is Crucial to Addressing Our Nation's Financial Condition and Long-term Fiscal Imbalance

HIV/AIDS: Changes Needed to Improve the Distribution of Ryan White CARE Act and Housing Funds

Homeland Security: DHS Is Taking Steps to Enhance Security at Chemical Facilities, but Additional Authority Is Needed

Hospital Mortgage Insurance Program: Program and Risk Management Could Be Enhanced

Information on False Claims Act Litigation

September 11: Monitoring of World Trade Center Health Effects Has Progressed, but Program for Federal Responders Lags Behind

Social Security Administration: Procedures for Issuing Numbers and Benefits to the Foreign-Born

Troops-To-Teachers: Program Brings More Men and Minorities to the Teaching Workforce, but Education Could Improve Management to Enhance Results

Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) Articles:

Human Rabies - Mississippi, 2005

Incidence Rates of Hospitalization Related to Traumatic Brain Injury - 12 States, 2002

United Nations Documents:

Draft Human Rights Council Resolution

Report of the International Narcotics Control Board for 2005

Repositioning Nutrition as Central to Development: A Strategy for Large-Scale Action

Small Arms: Report of the Secretary-General

Congressional Involvement in Cobell Settlement

The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs held a hearing yesterday to discuss a settlement in the Cobell v. Norton case. Prepared statements from witnesses have been posted on the website. It will be a few months until the written transcript of the hearing will be available from the Government Printing Office (GPO), but an archived webcast of the hearing is already available.

More information on the case can be found on the Indian Trust website.

Sources: Heilprin, John. "Congress urged to pick a figure for settling Indian suit." Missoulian March 2, 2006. A5.

New Meth Treatment Report

From the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) press release: "Admissions to treatment for methamphetamine abuse have increased nationally, moving across the country from West to East. States in the Midwest and South that had few admissions due to methamphetamine/amphetamine abuse in 1993 are now experiencing high rates of admissions. Methamphetamine/amphetamine admissions have increased nationally from 1993-2003, from 13 to 56 admissions per 100,000 population ages 12 and older. These findings are part of a report released today by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) from continued analysis of the 2003 Treatment Episode Data Set (TEDS)."

You can find the full report on methamphetamine treatment on the SAMHSA Office of Applied Studies website: The DASIS Report: Trends in Methamphetamine / Amphetamine Admissions to Treatment, 1993-2003. The website has other useful reports on methamphetamine use that are worth a look.

Source: Hananel, Sam. "Report finds sharp rise in treatment rates for meth abuse." Billings Gazette March 2, 2006.

Milltown Consent Decree Legally Binding

From the EPA press release: "A consent decree agreement to clean up the Milltown Reservoir was signed Feb. 8 by Sam E. Haddon, United States District Court Judge for the District of Montana. This action makes the agreement a legally binding and enforceable document. This important step clears the way for removal of the Milltown Dam in 2008.

"The Milltown Consent Decree was the subject of a public comment period by the U.S. Department of Justice after the parties to the agreement lodged it with the District Court in August 2005. Several comments were received. The Department of Justice and EPA, in cooperation with the State of Montana and the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes responded to those comments and filed the responses with the federal district court. Judge Haddon has signed and entered the consent decree without changes. Thus, work under the decree can move forward."

You can find the consent decree and other materials related to the Milltown Dam Cleanup on the EPA Region 8 website.

Source: "EPA: Dam removal is all set." Billings Gazette March 2, 2006.

PSC Hearings on NorthWestern Natural Gas Purchasing

From the Missoulian: "NorthWestern Energy's natural gas-buying actions in 2005 came under scrutiny Tuesday, as a consumer lawyer and others suggested poor decisions led to higher gas costs this winter in Montana."

The Montana Public Service Commission (PSC) conducted a hearing yesterday, and the hearing will continue today. Archived audio files of the hearings (and a live feed) are available on the PSC website. Documents related to this issue (Docket D2005.5.87) are available as well:

Order number 6685

Order number 6685a

Order number 6685b

Sources: Dennison, Mike. "PSC grills NorthWestern over energy supply planning." Missoulian March 1, 2006. B1.