Public Issues In Brief.Outdoor Areas Recommendations on Accessibility Guidelines for Outdoor Developed Areas were submitted to the US Access Board Sept. 15. The Access Board's Developed Recreation Area Regulatory Negotiation Committee, which includes 17 representatives from diverse interests, has worked since 1997 to negotiate consensus design guidelines for trails, beaches, campsites and picnic sites. The recommendations are part of a process to determine how the Americans with Disabilities Act Americans with Disabilities Act, U.S. civil-rights law, enacted 1990, that forbids discrimination of various sorts against persons with physical or mental handicaps. is applied. A notice of proposed rulemaking A notice of proposed rulemaking or NPRM is issued by law when a regulatory agency of the United States Federal Government wishes to add, remove, or change a rule (or regulation) as part of the rulemaking process. Outside the USA. is expected in the coming months, followed by 180 days for comment. A comparison of the guidelines with the new AASHTO AASHTO American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials Guide for the Development of Bicycle Facilities will be an appendix to the report. For more information, call Peggy Greenwell at the Access Board: 202/272-5434, ext.34. Trails and Greenways A Trails and Greenways Clearinghouse sponsored by the Rails to Trails Conservancy and the Conservation Fund's American Greenways Program is now available to provide technical assistance, information resources and referrals to trails advocates and developers across the country. Call toll free 1-877-GRNWAYS, or visit www.trailsandgreenways.org. Interest parties may also register for an electronic listserv to seek advice, share ideas or post job and conference announcements on the new Trails and Greenways listserv by sending an empty e-mail to subscribe-trails-and greenways@egroups.com. Transportation Guide The Transportation Enhancements Clearinghouse has published a Citizen's Guide to Transportation Enhancements designed to aid understanding of the process of getting TE projects funded and built. Call the Transportation Clearinghouse at 1-888-388-NTEC. Livable Communities According to a recent survey of state and local officials, "parks and open space" is one of four factors that most define "livable communities." The survey found that nearly two-thirds of respondents believe that "livable communities" is also an important and growing political issue. The survey was prepared for the American Institute of Architects The American Institute of Architects (AIA) is a professional organization for architects in the United States. Organized in 1857, the Institute conducts various activities and programs to support the profession and enhance its public image, including periodically awarding the AIA in July 1999. For copies, call Frederick Schneiders Research at 202/628-1118. Military Recreation Retirement Credit U.S. Rep. Thomas Davis (R-VA) has introduced H.R. 2686, a bill to provide retirement credit to civilian military recreation staff who, at government convenience, were periodically transferred between appropriated and nonappropriated pay sources. In general, federal military recreation employees paid with NAF funds after a certain date have not received retirement credit for that employment. The bill would rectify this discrepancy. Introduced on August 3, the bill is pending in the House subcommittee on Civil Service. A Congressional Budget Office The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) is responsible for economic forecasting and fiscal policy analysis, scorekeeeping, cost projections, and an Annual Report on the Federal Budget. The office also underdakes special budget-related studies at the request of Congress. cost-analysis is under way. Contact Barry Tindall, NRPA NRPA National Recreation and Park Association NRPA Natural Resources Protective Association (Staten Island, NY) NRPA Niagara Regional Police Association (Canada) NRPA National Rifle and Pistol Association , 202/887-0290 Millennium Legacy Trails Announced First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton announced the designation of 50 Millennium Legacy Trails at an Oct. 21 White House event. Chosen by a "Green Ribbon Panel" from a pool of trails nominated by governors, the 50 Millennium Legacy Trails illustrate "defining characteristics" of the nation's 50 states and territories. Examples include: The California Coastal Trail that runs more than 1,200 miles along CA coast; Florida National Scenic Trail Florida National Scenic Trail: see National Parks and Monuments (table). that runs the length of FL from Gulf Islands National Seashore Gulf Islands National Seashore: see National Parks and Monuments (table). to Big Cypress National Preserve Big Cypress National Preserve: see National Parks and Monuments (table). ; and Massachusetts' Norwottuck Network that is a system of trails, bike paths, waterways, and urban walks. The Millennium Trails designations are part of the White House Millennium Council's efforts to stimulate national and local actions to "honor the past and imagine the future" throughout 2000. For more information visit the website www.millenniumtrails.org, or call 1-877-MIL-TRLS. Contact: Denise Obert, NPRA NPRA National Petrochemical and Refiners Association NPRA National Professional Rodeo Association NPRA National Petroleum Refiners Association NPRA National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska NPRA National Performance Results Act NPRA Nurse Practicing Act and Nursing Peer Review Act of 1999 703/858-2184 |
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