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Show January 21, 2010 Page USDA FOREST SERVICE LAUNCHES COLLABORATIVE PROCESS OR NEW PLANNING RULE Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that the USDA Forest Service is beginning an open, collaborative process to create and implement a modern planning rule to address current and future needs of the National Forest System, including restoring forests, protecting watersheds, addressing climate change, sustaining local economies, improving collaboration, and working across landscapes. The Forest Service will publish a notice of intent (NOI) in the Federal Register tomorrow, December 18, to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) to develop a new planning rule that will provide a framework for management of national forests and grasslands. "Our National Forests and Grasslands are great natural treasures that we must conserve and restore for the benefit of future generations," said Secretary Vilsack. "Developing a new planning rule provides the opportunity to manage national forests and grasslands for the benefit of water resources, the climate and local communities." The Forest Service is seeking public involvement in developing a new direction for local land managers. A 60-day comment period on the NOI will begin upon publication in the Federal Register on Friday, December 18, 2009. Comments will be used to shape the focus of the collaborative dialogue and creation of a proposed rule. To begin the conversation, the Forest Service has included in the NOI a set of potential principles that could guide development of a new planning rule. The potential principles include an emphasis on restoration, conservation, and the improved resilience of ecosystems; watershed health; climate change response; species diversity and wildlife habitat; sustainable National Forest System lands; proactive collaboration; and working across landscapes. The Forest Service will use state-of-the-art new media tools in conjunction with face-to-face interac- tion to facilitate wide public participation throughout the nation. Please visit www. fs.usda.gov/planningrule to participate in our webbased planning rule blog, and to learn more. The 2000 planning rule, which allows the Forest Service to use provisions of the 1982 planning rule, is currently the rule that is legally in effect. As an interim measure, the Department will republish in the Federal Register the 2000 planning rule as amended in order to make it available to the public in the Code of Federal Regulations. This action will facilitate its use by forests and grasslands in the National Forest System to revise and amend plans while a new rule is being developed. HeadliWit RepairSpecial 34.9 Sathfaction Complete Auto Service & Repair SAFETY INSPECTIONS 475 East Center St. • Panguitch, Utah 435-676-8994 LOWER INTEREST RATE LOANS NOW AVAILABLE TO 1ST TIME HOME BUYERS New lower rate and Equity Now program create unmatched opportunity Utah first time home to the open markets. This ter many home buyers got buyers can now get 4.99% sale generated funds for ap- overextended with mortfixed rate loans along with proximately 400 mortgages gages that exceeded home a unique down payment as- at 4.99% for Utahns. Addi- values. The low default sistance program, thanks tional MRBs will be sold to rates and stable fixed rate to Utah Housing Corpora- Treasury and open markets mortgages offered by HFAs tion's recent implementa- throughout 2010 to create protected their down paytion of a federal housing continuous availability of ment assistance programs stimulus initiative. competitive rate mortgages. from new federal restricInterest rates became The Treasury Depart- tions. more competitive in recent ment initiative to buy Equity Now enables first weeks after Utah Hous- MRBs was made possible time home buyers to use an ing Corporation sold tax through the Housing and $8,000 Federal Tax Credit exempt mortgage revenue Economic Recovery Act of to assist them in buying a bonds (MRBs) to the U.S. 2008 (HERA). Treasury's home. Buyers can get up Treasury for the first time goal is to help stabilize the to $8,000 credit at closing ever. The U.S. Treasury housing sector by providing from Utah Housing Corpostimulus program creates another avenue for borrow- ration, rather than waiting lower mortgage rates all ers to secure low interest for their income tax credit. over the country for hous- rate loans. If buyers choose to apply ing finance agencies (HFAs) Grant Whitaker, chief the Federal Tax Credit to like Utah Housing Corpora- executive officer of Utah their mortgages when the tion. The tax exempt nature Housing Corporation, said IRS payment comes, they of MRBs encourages inves- the Treasury sale benefits can create almost immeditors to accept a lower rate Utah home buyers and the ate equity. of return, and provides the Utah housing market. Utah Housing will also home buyers with a lower "Utah Housing Corpo- sell bonds to Treasury for mortgage interest rate. ration appreciates Congres- two multifamily rental projThrough the stimulus sional action to pass HERA ects, providing a similar low program, Utah Housing and Treasury's recognition interest rate benefit. WithCorporation can sell nec- that we are key partners out this assistance, these essary long term debt to in the housing recovery," two projects may not have Treasury through mortgage Whitaker said. "This is moved forward. Providence financiers Fannie Mae and one of many ways we are Place, with 125 apartments Freddie Mac. The MRB stimulating housing sales located just east of downsales will be profitable to and helping Utahns achieve town Salt Lake City, and Treasury, Fannie Mae and the dream of home owner- Fireclay Apartments, with Freddie Mac. Other inves- ship. No MRB issued by 268 apartment units located tors have shied away from Utah Housing Corporation in Murray will provide afbuying long term MRBs or any other HFA has ever fordable rental housing for over the last year as they defaulted." families earning less than feared all housing securities The combination of 60% of the area median inmight default. Additionally, low interest mortgages and come, or about $40,000 for Treasury has been purchas- down payment assistance is a family of four in Salt Lake ing Fannie Mae and Fred- what makes Utah Housing County. die Mac's own mortgage Corporation mortgages atHome buyers can get backed securities, at very tractive to first time home information about Equity low rates, forcing market buyers with low or moder- Now and other programs mortgage rates below those ate incomes. Utah Housing of Utah Housing Corporausually offered by HFAs. Corporation's Equity Now tion at www.UtahHousingThis made it difficult for is one of the only programs Corp.org . The website lists Utah Housing Corporation in Utah where home buyers mortgage lenders throughto offer competitive mort- can get down payment as- out Utah who provide Utah gage rates. sistance. Most down pay- Housing Corporation mortUtah Housing sold $36 ment assistance programs gages. No loans are made million of MRBs to Trea- available through other directly from Utah Housing sury along with $24 million entities were outlawed af- Corporation. RENTALS HELP WANTED 2 BEDROOM HOME IN ESCALANTE 2BR, 1 bath in the town of Esclante. Non smoker, no pets $575.00 amonth. $600.00 dollar deposit. For more information call Doug 408-314-8246 One Bedroom apartment for rent above Art Gallery in Panguitch. Utilities, cable and internet included in monthly rent of $360. No smokers. Not a good place for children. 801 885 2870 or 702 497 3565 Certified English Teacher Needed! Working with young men ages 12 — 18 Experiential boarding school setting Must be licensed in the state of Utah or able to get state licensure. Salary negotiable DOE Team Coach: Duties include working directly with students 13 — 17 years old. Must be a positive role model, interacting with students during evening and weekend recreational activities. All shifts available. Qualifications: Must be 21 years old, have a high school diploma, current driver's license and able to pass a background check. Wage DOE. Interested individuals may send cover letter and resume to Heather Moulton at 435-676-8482 or fax 435-676-8488 hmoultongs ilveradoboysranch. corn ASK A SPECIALIST: WHAT CAN YOU TELL ME ABOUT CHEMICAL. DE-ICERS? Answer by: JayDee Gunnell, Utah State University Extension horticulture agent Keeping sidewalks and plant materials, de-icers can icing materials since they, driveways clear from snow also damage concrete sur- too, are salts. While it is and ice is an important pub- faces and add to environ- true that fertilizers used in lic safety issue. There are mental pollution through the right amount produce many formulations of de- runoff. De-icing materials positive plant growth reicing compounds, but all vary in their effectiveness sponses, much like everyare salt derivatives, which in melting ice as well as thing else, too much of anyare not good additives for their potential for damag- thing is a bad thing. Many soil or landscape plants. ing concrete. Consider this fertilizers also contain iron, These compounds can information as you choose which stains concrete. • Potassium chloride (0physically "burn" plants and use de-icers. if they contact the leaves. • Sodium chloride (com- 0-60) or potash is a comWhere drainage is a prob- mon rock salt) is probably mon fertilizer that causes lem, these salts may also the most widely used de- less damage to plants but is build up in the soil profile, icing material. It is inex- highly corrosive to concrete competing with plants for pensive but is damaging to surfaces. It is not as effecwater. If concentrations plants and soils. It can also tive at lower temperatures become high enough, the cause pitting on concrete and is often used in conjunction with other de-icing physical structure of the surfaces. soil becomes unsuitable for • Calcium chloride and compounds. plant life. That is why there magnesium chloride are • Urea (46-0-0), ammois little to no vegetation in common replacements for nium sulfate (21-0-0) and areas near the Great Salt sodium chloride. They are other nitrogen salts are rareLake. both somewhat less damag- ly approved as de-icing maDe-icing materials are ing to plants but are highly terials due to environmental successful in melting ice corrosive to concrete sur- concerns of nitrogen runoff because they react with wa- faces. They are hygroscop- and leaching into ground ter in forming a brine solu- ic (attract moisture), can water. While any of these comtion which lowers the freez- cause a slippery film and ing point. In addition to may cause skin and eye ir- pounds can be instrumental in keeping sidewalks adverse affects on soil and ritations. • Calcium magnesium ac- and driveways clear, avoid etate (CMA) has been cre- problems by using them ated as an environmentally sparingly. There is still no friendlier alternative to so- chemical that can replace dium chloride. It is safer for a good shovel and a little plants and not as corrosive sweat. For more information, see to concrete surfaces. CMA can be up to 40 times more the USU fact sheet, De-icing expensive than sodium Compounds and Utah LandCongressman Jim Mathe- chloride. scapes at http://extension. son said today that energy • Fertilizers have been usu.edu/files/publications/ training partnership grants boasted as being good de- publication/HG-511.pdf totaling nearly $7 million will assist Utah energy production and transit workers in Utah . The money is part of the $500 million in green jobs training made availBusiness Owners, Residents, Community Leaders Invited able through the American to Share Ideas on Creating Jobs Recovery and ReinvestUSDA Rural Development State Director Dave Conine ment Act. "This program is de- and FSA State Executive Director Art Douglas announced today that USDA will hold a forum on job creation and signed to help train the economic growth in three locations in Utah. Cedar City, workforce we need in the January 22, Logan, January 29, and Richfield, February new energy efficiency and 5th. The forums will go from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and renewable energy jobs," follows the Forum on Jobs and Economic Growth that said Matheson. "It speaks well of the Utah training President Obama hosted at the White House December 3, 2009. programs and partnerships "This forum will provide an opportunity for residents, that they are receiving this business owners and community leaders across the state to funding." share ideas on creating jobs and economic opportunities," Matheson said two Utah Conine said. "The best ideas for continued growth and job entities will participate: creation come from local and community leaders. I look • The Utah Transit Authorforward to hearing these ideas and sharing them with the ity Amalgamated Transit Administration." Union Local 382--the $5 "I'm especially pleased that in an agricultural state like million grant to the Transit Utah, the administration has asked USDA to take the lead Green Jobs Training Partnership will help prepare in this Job Forum," said Douglas. The roundtable will include business owners, residents, workers for careers in pubstate and local officials, union members, non-profit orgalic transportation nizations, community leaders, economists and other in• The Ironworkers and EmApprenticeship terested parties. Participants will discuss steps that can to ployers Training and Journeyman be taken to grow the economy and put Americans back to work. fund--the $1.9 million grant The primary focus will be on ideas to accelerate job to this fund targets dislocated workers for retraining growth in rural America. Some of the topics to be disin the wind energy industry. cussed are: Exploring ways to rejuvenate and promote local busiMatheson said that the Utah Transit Authority has nesses; orders for 20 new hybrid • Creating jobs by rebuilding America's infrastructure; • Creating new opportunities from existing ones, such as buses and that this grant will help train drivers and with value-added agricultural products; • Supporting job growth among small businesses; and mechanics on the new ener• Preparing workers for 21st century jobs. gy-efficient technology. UTAH GREEN JOBS TRAINING GRANTS ANNOUNCED USDA TO HOST ROUNDTABLE ON JOBS, ECONOMIC GROWTH |