Monday, March 30, 2009

A Glossary of Agricultural Terms, Programs and Laws
"A product of the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress at the request of the U.S. House Committee on Agriculture.
25-Year Program Archive Search
"CIA has maintained a program operating out of the CIA Declassification Center to review records under the purview of EO 12958, as amended, before they reach their automatic declassification deadline. CIA has deployed an electronic full-text searchable system it has named CREST (the CIA Records Search Tool), which has been operational since 2000 and is located at NARA II in College Park Maryland. The CREST system is the publicly-accessible repository of the subset of CIA records reviewed under the 25-year program in electronic format (manually reviewed and released records are accessioned directly into the National Archives in their original format). Over 10 million pages have been released in electronic format and reside on the CREST database, from which researchers have printed almost a million pages. To use CREST, a researcher must physically be present at the National Archives, College Park, Maryland. Recognizing this presents an obstacle to many researchers, we have been investigating ways to improve researcher knowledge of and access to CREST documents.

On this Agency site, researchers can now use an on-line CREST Finding Aid to research the availability of CIA documents declassified and loaded onto CREST through 2008. Data for the remaining years up to the present (CREST deliveries have been ongoing) will be placed on this site at later dates.

As indicated in the "25-Year Released Documents Search" page below, researchers can search by the title and date, or date span, of documents."
EPA Needs to Improve Its Efforts to Reduce Air Emissions at U.S. Ports
"...We recommended that EPA (1) assess its authorities and responsibilities under the CAA to regulate air emissions from foreign-flagged vessels in U.S. ports, and report any shortfalls to Congress; (2) assess the extent to which Emissions Control Areas should be designated for U.S. coastal areas; and (3) revise its ports strategy to include a transformation plan. EPA’s comments on the first recommendation were not responsive and do not satisfy the intent of the recommendation. The Agency concurred with the second recommendation, but did not agree with the third recommendation. We consider Recommendations 1 and 3 open and unresolved."
Immigration Statistics:
Naturalizations in the United States: 2008
U.S. Legal Permanent Residents: 2008
Yearbook of Immigration Statistics: 2008
A Chartbook of International Labor Comparisons
"Governments across the globe are grappling with a worldwide recession and its impact on their workers, their families, and their communities. As we confront these challenges, it is useful to track how key labor market and other national economic measurements compare, so as to gauge trends and to provide government officials and citizens worldwide the opportunity to learn from each other.

This Chartbook is a gateway to explore the wealth of data produced by the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ (BLS) Division of International Labor Comparisons and the international labor policy and research programs maintained by the Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB)..."
2007 Drinking Water Infastructure Needs Survey and Assessment
"Local water utilities must make significant investments to install, upgrade, or replace equipment in order to deliver safe drinking water and protect public health. Every four years, EPA conducts a survey of the anticipated costs of these investments and reports the results to Congress. The results are also used to help determine the amount of funding each state receives for its Drinking Water State Revolving Fund program, which funds the types of projects identified in the survey.

The third report to Congress, released in 2009, is based on data collected from utilities in 2007. EPA found that the nation's 53,000 community water systems and 21,400 not-for-profit noncommunity water systems will need to invest an estimated $334.8 billion between 2007 and 2027."

Friday, March 27, 2009

Population Change in Central and Outlying Counties of Metropolitan
Statistical Areas: 2000 to 2007

"This report examines population change and the demographic components of change from 2000 to 2007 for central and outlying counties of metropolitan statistical areas. Population change in metro areas and their component central and outlying counties will be examined through the configurations of census regions and divisions, metro area population size categories, and 12 of the most populous metro areas. Demographic
components of change are births, deaths, and migration. The difference between the birth and death components is termed natural increase, and the migration component can consist of both net international migration and net domestic migration. Data used in this report come from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Population Estimates Program.

The report focuses on metro areas and the central and outlying counties that
compose the areas—all metro area counties belong to one of these two categories,
as defined by the Office of Management and Budger..."

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

EPA's Earth Day Site
"On April 22, 1970, 20 million people across America celebrated the first Earth Day. It was a time when cities were buried under their own smog and polluted rivers caught fire. Now Earth Day is celebrated annually around the globe. Through the combined efforts of the U.S. government, grassroots organizations, and citizens like you, what started as a day of national environmental recognition has evolved into a world-wide campaign to protect our global environment. Learn about the history of Earth Day. Más información en español..."
FACT SHEET: INVESTING IN OUR CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE
"Today, President Obama will meet with clean energy entrepreneurs and leaders of the research community to discuss his strategy for building a clean energy economy and creating the industries and jobs of the future.

The American Reinvestment Recovery Act and his FY10 budget dramatically increase investment in cutting-edge research, the development and deployment of clean energy technologies, and incentives for private sector R&D. These investments will establish the foundation for America’s future economic prosperity, reduce our dependence on foreign oil, and help combat climate change...

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

EPA Releases Comprehensive Database on Environmental Chemicals Agency continues efforts to provide new level of transparency
"March 12, 2009) EPA has released a new online database that collects information on more than 500,000 man-made chemicals from over 200 public sources. The Aggregated Computational Toxicology Resource (ACToR) database allows access to hundreds of data sources in one place, providing a new level of transparency and easy access for environmental researchers, scientific journalists and the public. Sources of information include EPA, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, U.S. National Institutes of Health, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and other federal agencies; state databases, Health and Environment Canada, the European Union, the World Health Organization and other international groups; and non-governmental organizations, private companies and universities."

Monday, March 16, 2009

Vietnam Histories(CIA)
"This release consists of six declassified histories volumes and describes the CIA's role in Indochina during the Vietnam War. These histories written by Thomas L. Ahern, Jr., are based on extensive research in CIA records and on oral history interviews of participants. The release totals some 1,600 pages and represents the largest amount of Vietnam-era CIA documents yet declassified."
EPA Proposes First National Reporting on Greenhouse Gas Emissions
"...The new reporting requirements would apply to suppliers of fossil fuel and industrial chemicals, manufacturers of motor vehicles and engines, as well as large direct emitters of greenhouse gases with emissions equal to or greater than a threshold of 25,000 metric tons per year. This threshold is roughly equivalent to the annual greenhouse gas emissions from just over 4,500 passenger vehicles. The vast majority of small businesses would not be required to report their emissions because their emissions fall well below the threshold.

The direct emission sources covered under the reporting requirement would include energy intensive sectors such as cement production, iron and steel production, and electricity generation, among others.

The first annual report would be submitted to EPA in 2011 for the calendar year 2010, except for vehicle and engine manufacturers, which would begin reporting for model year 2011."
CRS: Who Regulates Whom? An Overview of U.S. Financial Supervision
"Federal financial regulation in the United States has evolved through a series of piecemeal responses to developments and crises in the markets. This report provides an overview of current U.S. financial regulation: which agencies are responsible for which institutions and markets, and what kinds of authority they have."
Tips for Avoiding Foreclosure Scams(Federal Reserve)
"...Solicitors of foreclosure schemes reach out to potential victims by a variety of means using the Internet, the telephone, and direct mailings. Some solicitors go door-to-door or approach homeowners at events related to home preservation. The information the Federal Reserve is providing, which is part of its "5 Tips" series, is intended to give consumers the basic information they need to recognize and avoid foreclosure avoidance scams. Consumers are urged to check the credentials of counselors and to avoid working with someone who collects a fee before providing any services or accepts payment only by cashier's check or wire transfer. Consumers should not pay for a service without knowing exactly what they are buying..."
Estimates of the Unauthorized Immigrant Population Residing in the United States: January 2008
"...In summary, the number of unauthorized immigrants living in the United States declined from 11.8 million in January 2007 to 11.6 million in January 2008. The 2008 estimate marks the first time since 2005 when DHS began producing annual estimates that there was not a year-to-year increase in unauthorized residents. During the 2000-2008 period, the unauthorized immigrant population increased by 37 percent..."

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

REMOVING BARRIERS TO RESPONSIBLE SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH INVOLVING HUMAN STEM CELLS

"By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered as follows:

Section 1. Policy. Research involving human embryonic stem cells and human non-embryonic stem cells has the potential to lead to better understanding and treatment of many disabling diseases and conditions. Advances over the past decade in this promising scientific field have been encouraging, leading to broad agreement in the scientific community that the research should be supported by Federal funds.

For the past 8 years, the authority of the Department of Health and Human Services, including the National Institutes of Health (NIH), to fund and conduct human embryonic stem cell research has been limited by Presidential actions. The purpose of this order is to remove these limitations on scientific inquiry, to expand NIH support for the exploration of human stem cell research, and in so doing to enhance the contribution of America's scientists to important new discoveries and new therapies for the benefit of humankind.

Sec. 2. Research. The Secretary of Health and Human Services (Secretary), through the Director of NIH, may support and conduct responsible, scientifically worthy human stem cell research, including human embryonic stem cell research, to the extent permitted by law.

Sec. 3. Guidance. Within 120 days from the date of this order, the Secretary, through the Director of NIH, shall review existing NIH guidance and other widely recognized guidelines on human stem cell research, including provisions establishing appropriate safeguards, and issue new NIH guidance on such research that is consistent with this order. The Secretary, through NIH, shall review and update such guidance periodically, as appropriate.

Sec. 4. General Provisions. (a) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.

(b) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:

(i) authority granted by law to an executive department, agency, or the head thereof; or

(ii) functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.

(c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity, by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

Sec. 5. Revocations. (a) The Presidential statement of August 9, 2001, limiting Federal funding for research involving human embryonic stem cells, shall have no further effect as a statement of governmental policy.

(b) Executive Order 13435 of June 20, 2007, which supplements the August 9, 2001, statement on human embryonic stem cell research, is revoked.

BARACK OBAMA.
THE WHITE HOUSE,
March 9, 2009."

Monday, March 9, 2009

Mini-Digest of Education Statistics, 2008
"This publication is a pocket-sized compilation of statistical information covering the broad field of American education from kindergarten through graduate school. The statistical highlights are excerpts from the Digest of Education of Statistics, 2008."
EPA Seeks Public Comment on Annual U.S. Greenhouse Gas Inventory
"(March 4, 2009) EPA is seeking public comment on the annual Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990-2007 draft report. This report will be open for public comment for 30 days after the Federal Register notice is published.

The draft report shows that overall emissions during 2007 increased by 1.4 percent from the previous year. This trend was due primarily to an increase in carbon dioxide emissions associated with fuel and electricity consumption. The total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions were about 7,125 million metric tons of CO2 equivalent. Overall, emissions have grown by 17.1 percent from 1990 to 2007..."
FTC Warns Consumers About Economic Stimulus Scams
"he FTC is warning consumers that they could get stung by an economic stimulus scam. The scams come in different forms.

Right now, on the Web and in e-mail, scammers are telling consumers they can help them qualify for a payment from President Obama's economic stimulus package. All they have to do is provide a little information or a small payment.

E-mail messages may ask for bank account information so that the operators can deposit consumers' share of the stimulus directly into their bank account. Instead, the scammers drain consumers' accounts of money and disappear. Or bogus e-mail may appear to be from government agencies and ask for information to "verify" that you qualify for a payment. The scammers use that information to commit identity theft. Some e-mail scams don't ask for information, but provide links to find out how to qualify for funds. By clicking on the links, consumers have downloaded malicious software or spyware that can be used to make them a victim of identity theft..."
Tip: Managing Depressive Symptoms in Substance Abuse Clients During Early Recovery
"This TIP, Managing Depressive Symptoms in Substance Abuse Clients During Early Recovery, provides substance abuse counselors the "what," "why," and "how-to" of working with clients with depressive symptoms and substance use disorders, covering topics such as counseling approaches, clinical settings, cultural concerns, counselor roles and responsibilities, screening and assessment, treatment planning and processes, and continuing care. This TIP also provides administrators information about incorporating the management of depressive symptoms into their substance abuse programs, complete with a systematic approach to designing and implementing a supportive infrastructure. The Literature Review synthesizes the most current knowledge and scientific findings on the topic and is only available online at www.kap.samhsa.gov."

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Evans, Colonel Stephen S.
U.S. Marines and Irregular Warfare: 1898-2007: Anthology and Selected Bibliography
U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Marine Corps, 2008.
359.960973 Un3u
"This anthology presents a collection of 27 articles on counterinsurgency warfare and includes a broad bibliography that collectively describe the role played by the United States in various counterinsurgency and irregular warfare efforts from 1898 until 2007, with a particular emphasis on the role of the Marine Corps in the conduct of such efforts..."
A Basic Guide to Exporting, 10th edition.
U.S. Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration, 2008
658.850973 B292b
"Looking for a comprehensive overview of how to export? For more than 70 years, A Basic Guide to Exporting has been the resource that businesses have turned to for answers to their questions about how to establish and grow overseas markets for their products and services. Whether your firm is new to exporting or in need of a refresher on the latest ideas and techniques, this comprehensive guide, now completely revised and updated, provides the nuts-and-bolts information you will need to meet the challenges of the world economy by examining:

How to identify markets for your company’s products

How to finance your export transactions

The best methods of handling orders and shipments

Sources of free or low-cost export counseling"

Monday, March 2, 2009

FTC Releases List of Top Consumer Complaints in 2008
"The Federal Trade Commission today released the list of top consumer complaints received by the agency in 2008. The list, contained in the publication “Consumer Sentinel Network Data Book for January-December 2008,” showed that for the ninth year in a row, identity theft was the number one consumer complaint category. Of 1,223,370 complaints received in 2008, 313,982 – or 26 percent – were related to identity theft.

The report breaks out complaint data on a state-by-state basis and also contains data about the 50 metropolitan areas reporting the highest per capita incidence of fraud and other complaints. In addition, the report sets forth the 50 metropolitan areas reporting the highest incidence of identity theft..."
2009 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report
"The 2009 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR) is an annual report by the Department of State to Congress prepared in accordance with the Foreign Assistance Act. It describes the efforts of key countries to attack all aspects of the international drug trade in Calendar Year 2008. Volume I covers drug and chemical control activities. Volume II covers money laundering and financial crimes."