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Show -- fi. Miffh 7. BASIN STANDARD. Ftttil New policy proposed for managing forest roads PROCLAMATION SIGNING-May- or Dennis Jenkins signed a proclama-lio- n 14 March as officer observing police appreciation day last Tuesday at the Crossroads Senior Center. Those preseiH during the signing, left to right; Jolee OphsaL Ellen Rawlings. Phillis Ames, Hollis Hullinger, Judie Smith and Dorihy Tucker. Duchesne County Seniors will issue certificates of appreciation to Roosevelt City Police Officers on March 14 and winners of a senior sponsored art contest at Roosevelt Middle School will eat lunch with the officers at Crossroads Senior Center the same day. Senate votes in favor of mental health legislation Following through on a personal commitment, Utah Senate President Lana Beattie, R- Wert Crantiftd. carried a major mental health bill to passage in the Sen- ate HB Mental Health Insurance Coverage, sponsored by Rep Judy Ann BufTmire, Lake City, passed the Senate today 217. Recognising significant opposition initially existed among business and insurance communities. lt Beattie met extensively BufTmire, busineee leaders with and in- surance represents lives to negotiate a settlement Beattie acknowledged the amended bill may be lew than what BufTmire originally sought and more than what business and insurance want "However," Beattie said, this bill represents a true compromise situaand the closest to a win-wi- n tion for all parties involved in the mental health debate The bill, according to Beattie, divides the insurance market into three group: individuals, email employers and large employers. While the bill exempts individuals, it is hoped existing individual mental health coverage continue at the standard 5Q 50 coverage leveL Small employers, with 0 ero- ployeee, mqy have between two and four options to choose from, depending on what insurance company choices are offered. Insurance companies must offer two choice: catastrophic mental haellh coverage or continuation of the current 5050 standard coverage. They may also offer two additional choice: greater mental health coverage or no mental health coverage at alL Beattie said, "This bill ia not a state mandat on business, because employers are not told what coverage they must offer." Although the bill requires fosur-anc-e companies toeffer catastrophic mental health coverage, it also pro- - vides insurance companies protection from certain restrictions in state law for small employers with 20 or fewer employee by reducing the risk of adverse selection. Large employers, with 51 or mors employees, have three choices. The insurance companies are required to offer two choice: catastrophic mental health coverage or greater. In addition to tho cot trophic mental health coverage or something greater, huge employers may choose to have no mental health coverage. Additionally, the bill allows maintenance organisations to manage cars in the same wqy aa an HMO. For HMOs, the bill goe Into effect Jan. 1, 2001. For non-HMpolicies, the bill takes effect July 1, 2001, allowing an additional six months for the creation of managed care systems. According to Beattie, the bill i projected by actuaries to have a maximum overall inauranee cost increase of not more than 2 percent non-heal- th 1-- USDA Forest Service Chief Mike Dombeck but week outlined details of the agency's proposed md man torment policy. The policy would relv upon scientific analysis and public involvement at the local level. It is designed to help the Foraat Service determin how to beat manage the more than 380.000 mile of roads in the national forest roads system. In February 1999. the Forest Service announce! an interim rule that temporarily suspended road construction and reconstruction in certain unroeded areas on national for-e- ta and grassland. The interim rule ga ve the sgvocy 18 months to draft a new road policy and develop new analytical tools. the put die has rightftilly questioned the logic ofbuildinc new roads when the Foraat Service equated funded to maintain its existing road system," said Dombeck. "This proposal addressee how to maintain our existingroed network in an environ mentally and financially responsible way." The Forest Service has st least an $8.4 billion maintenance and recoo- itruction backlog and receives only about 20 percent of the annual ind- - bm3cactr...b(ttiycktMCti? Om enwy iww eemen e ewwWp sum tt M snsugft. C4 w.i iSheyMtwl nna. Th I ' jw ara SO Ul and safely standard. The new policy a dssignad to help the Forest Seme prioritiu its road mauite- Banc and reconstruction work to that the national forest road system will be more affordable to manage is the future. "Implementation of thia policy at the local level will ensure safe and efficient access of public lands while BOOTH DISPtAY-- A rrprcscnuuvc of Uinub Basui Medical Center explains what the hospital has to offer concerning employment opportunities at last year's job fair. Each year foe annual event shows how many jobs are available ia foe Basin and slut education is required to secure them. protecting land health," said Dombeck. "Thia policy will enable us to engage local people in constructive dialogue about how they want their national foreeteand grass- lands managed The final road management policy ia scheduled for completion by Sept. 1. A public comment period begins tomorrow. Comments may' be eent by mail to USDA Forest Service. CAST, Attn: Roads, PO Box 22300, Salt Lake City, UT 84122, by Delivering on its commitment to significantly increase public education fending this session, the Legislature - working cloaely with educa-tio- o leaders -- has forwarded its public education package to the governor for hie signature. The total public education package represents a $137.5 million spending increase over last year, raising total public education spending from $2.13 billion in fiscal year 2000 to $27 billion in fiscal year 2001. The weighted public unit (WPU) increased from $1,901 to $2,008 - S 5.5 percent increase. Senate Chair of the Executive Appropriations Committee David Point, said. "We Steele, wanted to provide school district options ana authorization to use Draft plan for Ouray Refuge is released 60-da- y , to (801) 517 1021, or by wo fax roads to caet-alc$foJL- For more information on the proposed road management policy, go to wwwjaied.uatowa'roada. Pursuant to the Refuge Improvement Act of 1997, the tS Fish and Wildlife Service has pubhahad the Ouray National Wildlife Refuge Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan. Thia Plan describes how the FWS intents to msnsge the Ouray KWR to the next 10-1years. A copy of the Plan may be obtained by writing to US Fish and Wildlife Service, 266 Wart 100 North. Suite 2, Vernal, UT 54078. It can also be reviewed at th Uintah and Duchesne County Libraries or it can be downloaded from the FWS web it at http:www.r8.fwe.gov an also available at Urp. Copiesoffice in Vernal and at the USFWS th Ouray Refage. 'Public comments, concerns and or questions may be submitted to the Refuge Manager, 266 West 100 North, Suite 2, Vernal UT 64078. Comments must be received in the Vernal office no later than March 5 Legislature delivers on public education package st CtacartM w)Uw g undid to maintain the masting rnd system to current snriroomeo- - fewer yean in the classroom." According to Steels, "Th intent language gives locally elected officials and lenders tho flexibility they requested while accomplishing the Republican Senate's goal to immediately addraes the difficulty in attracting and retaining competent public teachers." A partial list of additional education funding includes $8 million in one-tim- e fending for textbooks and supplies; $4.4 million in one-tim- e fending for teacher materials and supplies; $729,100 far prrachooi special education; $1.13 million for local school district discretionary uar. $386,900 for comprehensive guid- - ance compensation Increase; $643,000 for Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind teacher salary equity; $300,000 for eaeocee and arts; and $1.6 million for Applied Technology Center growth. Additionally, tho Legislature has approved $3.5 million for a public duration assessment and account- - 3L Ouray National Wildlife Rrfege is located 30 miles southwest of Vernal. Implementation of th Plan will focus on adaptive resource management of wetland, grassland, and aemidesart shrubland habitats. It also emphasises the restoration and improved management of riparian d umilspds. moravof endangw-sfish species of the Lpper Colorado River Ecosystem, sod oppt monies for critical needs, including compensation, textbooks, dass size reduction and other internal needs which are pert of th WPU. "The Senate did support intent language," said Steel, "which di-- ; recto school boards to award addit- ability program. ional significant compensation to i teachers who have taught five or ' . for compatible wildlife-depende- nt recreation. Ten free white fir trees to be given away Ten free white fir trees will be given to each person who joins the National Arbor Day Foundation during March 2000. The free trees are part of the nonprofit Foundations efforts to support tree planing for the new millennium. "White fin will add year-roun-d beauty to your homei and neighborhood." John Rom now, th Foundation's president, said. "You can use them as a privacy screen or windbreak. even as bring Christmas trees. "Planting these bees will be a grvit way for families to commemorate the beginning of tho millennium," Rosenow added. The trees will be shipped poet-paat the right tune for planting between March 1 and May 31 with enclosed planting instructions. The six to twelve inch tree are guaranteed to grow or they will be replaced free of charge. Members alio receive a subscription to Arbor Day, th Foundation s bimonthly publication, and Th Tree Book with information about tree planting and care. To become a member of the Foundation and to receive th free trees, send a $10 membership contribution to Ten Free While Fir Trees, National Arbor Day Founds two. 100 Arbor Avenue, Nebraska City, NE. 66410, by March 31. 2000. id 14004CANCOI Cancer Information Service nr roart Harm MaaaflMunoe Craig Kelsey lassjfiedsi for Moon Lake Electric Board District 2 Quail HL f , to r drew- 11 7" W 10 lhe Uur wdr to SSLEL foil tt -- are mrt D tad tomtod vs, MvbnsK moved to thelK the CVicbrww arts W 4 home. bi I99$l our area. I Wt th and the w h oromctc our rrcvm the Wetaidi Fnvtt Nnw ,. r ,tnueionofotfriaixidcoeinrttrtkhasir mv! awXt 0 dsritori rt Ice 0U wnsWurrt 1 . am abo c wdheut v7 I bcWvC d for hsrtj th uw hate ker Che srrs to OTwpreidcri i,xt txt wrect Ihc hcvcsifoc 01 iwi B(fjcd "ff lboJh coV ws tc havr foect oi our V.vd co Irom us. fed that member hj the fight to fair representation to our Cx hop. II dected I promise to you that I i3; I Be honest and fair in determining Your needs Q CodvI comment t Always he opvn and aa4ablc for ReKareh and advise you on the issues |