In the pipeline: Comments wanted, rural health funding available
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EPA Seeks Comments on Forest Roads—Comments Due Jan. 11, 2016
On Nov. 10, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a Federal Register notice asking for input on existing public and private sector programs that address storm water discharges from forest roads. Comments are due Jan. 11, 2016.
For the past two decades, forest roads have been regulated through state-adopted Best Management Practices (BMP), however, due to a recent court decision in Environmental Defense Center (EDC) v. EPA, the EPA is required to assess whether the agency should oversee storm water runoff from logging roads.
Whether a forest road is considered a point or non-point source is relevant to county governments who own 45 percent of the roads and highways in the U.S., some of which may run through federal, state and private forested lands.
EPA is taking comments on the following:
1. Should EPA create a regulatory definition for forest road? Currently, EPA uses the term “forest road” to mean a road located on forested land
2. EPA seeks comments on the implementation, effectiveness and scope of existing federal, state, local, tribal and other programs to address storm water discharges from forested roads
3. EPA requests comments on what specific elements of a forest road program are the most important to protect water quality
4. Finally, the EPA will accept comments on the additional measures that could be implemented
For more information, contact Julie Ufner, associate legislative director for energy, environment and land use: 202.942.4269; jufner@naco.org
Funding Opportunity Announcement: Rural Health Network Development Planning Program — Deadline to Apply Jan. 8, 2016
The Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP) has announced the release of the Rural Health Network Development Planning Program (Network Planning) funding opportunity. This is a one-year community-driven program targeted to assist in the planning and development of an integrated health care network.
Previously funded projects supported efforts related to workforce retention and recruitment, behavioral health, telehealth, care coordination and health information technology.
Applications that propose strategies to support continued access to viable health care services are encouraged. Recognizing the challenges rural hospitals face, communities that have emergency medical services that either have at least one rural hospital at financial risk of closing or converting or within communities that have experienced a recent hospital closure or conversion may submit an application. Network planning activities that model evidence-based frameworks or models that work are encouraged as well.
To learn more about applying for the FY16 Rural Health Network Development Planning Program (HRSA-16-017), please visit http:// www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=279931 (click the “package” tab) or contact Amber Berrian at aberrian@hrsa.gov. The deadline to apply is Jan. 8, 2016.
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