Obama Signs Multifaceted Legislation Covering Land, Water, and Paralysis

Little River Canyon National Preserve will benefit. Photo Courtesy of National Parks Traveler.

WASHINGTON, D.C.- President Barack Obama has signed the Omnibus Public Lands Management Act of 2009, incorporating 150 bills that cover legislative matters including: designating 2 million acres of new wilderness areas, authorizing the various Bureau of Reclamation water projects and water settlements, and creating The Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Act.

Among the president’s remarks at the signing of the bill, he said, “This landmark bill will protect millions of acres of Federal land as wilderness, protect more than 1,000 miles of river through the National Wilderness and Scenic River System, and designate thousands of miles of trails for the National Trails System.

“This legislation also makes progress for which millions of Americans have long waited on another front. The Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Act is the first piece of comprehensive legislation aimed at improving the lives of Americans living with paralysis.”

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Uninsured to See Increased Assistance From Obama’s Pick For Head of Federal Health Services Agency

Dr. Mary Wakefield

WASHINGTON, D.C.- President Barack Obama has appointed Dr. Mary Wakefield, one of the nation’s top rural healthcare professionals, as administrator of the federal Health Resources and Services Administration. The agency serves to deliver services to those who are uninsured or underinsured by the current healthcare system.

“Under her leadership, we will be able to expand and improve the care provided at community health centers which serve millions of uninsured Americans and address severe provider shortages across the country,” said President Obama, in a statement.

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Working to Reduce Toxic Waste in Landfills, New York Passes Its First Plastic Bag Recycling Legislation

A NYS landfill. Provided by the Concerned Citizens of Cattaraugus County, Inc

ALBANY — Statewide plastic bag recycling legislation has just been signed by New York State Governor David A. Patterson. The legislation was co-sponsored by Assemblyman Robert K. Sweeney (A. 11725) and State Senator Carl L. Marcellino (S. 8643-A).

The introductory clause of this legislation states that “Each year an estimated 500 billion to one trillion plastic bags are used worldwide…and of which billions of bags end up as litter each year.

Most plastic carryout bags do not biodegrade which means that the bags break down into smaller and smaller toxic bits that contaminate the soil and waterways, and enter into the food web when animals accidentally ingest those materials.

It is the intent of this legislation to encourage the use of reusable bags by consumers and retailers, and to encourage the reduced consumption of single-use bags.” This legislation will go into effect on January 1, 2009.

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