#oregon health plan

[bradyinsurancemarketing11]

Oregon Health Plan (OHP) | Health Plans In Oregon

If you're an Oregon resident, you can get affordable health insurance from the state's exchange marketplace. Oregon Health Plan is a Medicaid expansion program that provides coverage to low-income adults and children in the state.Individuals and families who are eligible for this program may be able to get help paying for their monthly premium as well as any out-of-pocket costs associated with their health care. If you want to apply for the Oregon Health Plan, you must meet certain income requirements and live within the state's borders.

[fitnessmentor]

A health plan is a comprehensive healthcare coverage strategy that offers financial security and access to medical services. These plans, such as the Inland Empire Health Plan, Superior Health Plan, and Tufts Health Plan, are designed to ensure individuals and families have affordable and reliable health insurance. Health plans come in various forms, including high deductible plans, HMOs, and PPOs, catering to different needs and preferences. They often provide coverage for doctor visits, hospital stays, prescription medications, and preventive care. Whether it's through public options like Medicaid or private insurers like Aetna, health plans play a vital role in safeguarding people's well-being and easing the financial burden of healthcare expenses.

[peaceandflourishing]

Navigating Trauma Counseling with the Oregon Health Plan: Pathways to Healing and Recovery

Trauma is a profound experience that can impact every aspect of a person's life, from physical and mental health to personal relationships and daily functioning. For many Oregonians, the Oregon Health Plan (OHP) offers a critical resource for accessing trauma counseling and other mental health services. In this article, we will explore how trauma counseling is supported by the Oregon Health Plan, with insights from the Peace and Flourishing website, which provides valuable resources and guidance for those seeking help.

Understanding Trauma and Its Impact

Trauma can result from various experiences, such as physical or emotional abuse, accidents, natural disasters, violence, or significant loss. The impact of trauma is unique to each individual and can manifest in several ways:

Emotional Symptoms: These may include anxiety, depression, anger, guilt, and feelings of detachment.

Cognitive Symptoms: Trauma can affect memory, concentration, and the ability to make decisions.

Behavioral Symptoms: Individuals may exhibit changes in behavior, such as withdrawing from social interactions, avoiding specific places or situations, or engaging in self-destructive actions.

Physical Symptoms: Trauma can lead to physical symptoms, including headaches, fatigue, and unexplained pain.

Trauma counseling aims to help individuals process these experiences, develop coping strategies, and rebuild a sense of safety and well-being.

The Role of the Oregon Health Plan in Trauma Counseling

The Oregon Health Plan is Oregon's Medicaid program, providing comprehensive health coverage to eligible low-income residents. One of the critical areas of care it offers is mental health services, including trauma counseling. Here’s how OHP can support individuals in need of trauma counseling:

Eligibility and Enrollment: To access trauma counseling through the Oregon Health Plan, you must be enrolled in the program. Eligibility is primarily based on income, household size, and other factors. Once enrolled, members can access various services covered under the plan, including mental health counseling.

Covered Services: OHP provides coverage for a broad spectrum of trauma counseling services. These services may include individual therapy, group therapy, and family therapy. Different therapeutic approaches are available, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), and other evidence-based trauma treatment modalities.

Finding a Provider: You can find a trauma counselor by consulting the Oregon Health Plan's provider directory or contacting your coordinated care organization (CCO). The Peace and Flourishing website is another helpful resource, offering guidance on selecting qualified trauma counselors who accept OHP.

Coordination of Care: Many individuals with trauma also require other forms of medical or psychiatric care. Working with your primary care provider or a case manager can help you coordinate these services, ensuring a comprehensive approach to healing.

Peace and Flourishing: A Trusted Resource for Trauma Counseling

Peace and Flourishing is dedicated to providing resources and support to individuals seeking trauma counseling. The website offers several features that can help individuals and families navigate the complexities of finding and accessing trauma counseling:

Educational Content: The Peace and Flourishing website provides in-depth articles, guides, and blogs about trauma, its effects, and the benefits of counseling. These resources help individuals understand their experiences and the available treatment options.

Directory of Providers: Peace and Flourishing lists trauma counseling providers who accept the Oregon Health Plan, making it easier for individuals to find qualified counselors in their area.

Additional Support Resources: Beyond counseling, the website offers information on community support groups, self-help strategies, and workshops that can complement traditional counseling.

The Benefits of Trauma Counseling

Trauma counseling can provide a range of benefits for individuals working through their traumatic experiences:

Emotional Healing: Counseling helps individuals process their emotions, understand their reactions, and work through feelings of fear, guilt, or sadness.

Coping Skills: Therapists provide tools and strategies to help individuals manage anxiety, panic attacks, flashbacks, and other symptoms of trauma.

Improved Relationships: Counseling can help individuals rebuild trust and communication with loved ones, fostering healthier relationships.

Personal Empowerment: Trauma counseling can empower individuals by helping them regain control over their lives and build resilience.

Steps to Access Trauma Counseling with the Oregon Health Plan

To access trauma counseling services through the Oregon Health Plan, follow these steps:

Confirm Your Eligibility: If you are not currently enrolled, check your eligibility and apply for the Oregon Health Plan. Enrollment is open year-round for those who qualify.

Choose a Coordinated Care Organization (CCO): Once enrolled, you’ll be assigned to a CCO. Your CCO is responsible for managing your care and can help connect you with trauma counseling services.

Find a Trauma Counselor: Use the resources provided by the Oregon Health Plan and websites like Peace and Flourishing to locate a qualified trauma counselor who accepts OHP.

Make an Appointment: Contact the chosen provider directly to make an appointment. Be prepared to discuss your needs, symptoms, and any questions you have about their approach to trauma counseling.

Attend Counseling Sessions: Regularly attending counseling sessions is crucial for progress. Your counselor will work with you to set goals and develop a treatment plan tailored to your needs.

Addressing Barriers to Accessing Trauma Counseling

While the Oregon Health Plan offers critical support for trauma counseling, some barriers may still arise:

Stigma Around Mental Health: Despite growing awareness, stigma around seeking help for trauma and mental health issues can still be a barrier. It's essential to remember that seeking counseling is a sign of strength, not weakness.

Navigating the Healthcare System: Understanding how to access services through OHP can be challenging. Utilize resources such as the Peace and Flourishing website or contact your CCO for assistance.

Wait Times and Provider Availability: In some areas, there may be limited availability of providers who accept OHP. If you encounter this issue, consider exploring telehealth options or requesting referrals to alternative providers.

Conclusion

Trauma can have a lasting impact, but counseling offers a path to healing and recovery. The Oregon Health Plan provides a comprehensive framework for accessing trauma counseling, ensuring that financial barriers do not prevent individuals from receiving the care they need. By utilizing resources like Peace and Flourishing, you can better navigate the process of finding and accessing the right trauma counseling services for your needs.

Remember, healing from trauma is a journey that takes time, courage, and support. With the Oregon Health Plan and trusted resources at your side, you can take the first steps toward reclaiming your life and achieving a sense of peace and flourishing.

[autonom-us-project]

Abortion Rights in Oregon

In June 2022, the United States Supreme Court overturned the ruling of the landmark 1973 case Roe v. Wade, which had previously provided federal protections of the right to abortion.

With the responsibility of protecting the right to reproductive freedom left to the states, it can be difficult to keep track of all the constantly changing laws and regulations. To help, we’ve gathered the most important information on your state’s current laws, restrictions, and related details. Below is what you need to know about Oregon’s current abortion legislation.

*Please note, information on this website should not be used as legal advice or as a basis for medical decisions. Consult an attorney and/or a physician for your particular case.

Where does the law currently stand on abortion in the state of Oregon?

Abortion is currently legal and protected in the state of Oregon.

When did Oregon’s current abortion legislation go into effect?

The state of Oregon repealed its Pre-Roe Ban in 1983, and has fundamentally protected the right to abortion under the law since 2023. In addition, Oregon has put several expanded protections for abortion access in place. 

For more information on your state’s abortion legislation, see our breakdowns of various abortion bans, restrictions, and protections in the U.S.

Are there any legal restrictions to abortion access in the state of Oregon?

Currently, there are no restrictions to abortion access at any stage in a pregnancy. 

What expanded protections are in place regarding abortion in the state of Oregon?

Interstate Shield Laws: In 2023, Oregon enacted Interstate Shield Laws protecting those who provide, receive, or help others access abortion services from the reach of out-of-state investigations, information disclosure, legal prosecution, or licensing consequences. The law also states that minors under the age of 15, which is the usual age informed consent can be provided without parental involvement, can consent to abortion care. 

Medical Funding: The state of Oregon provides public funding for abortion and requires private insurance to cover abortion as well. 

Abortion Providers: Oregon does not restrict which types of healthcare practitioners can provide abortion care. 

Clinic Access: Oregon protects clinic access and safety by prohibiting the obstruction of healthcare facilities. 

The specifics can be read in the following Oregon Legal Codes HB 2002, 410-130-0562, ORS 743A.067, and 164.365

I am pregnant in the state of Oregon and wish to terminate my pregnancy. What now?

If you believe your pregnancy meets the requirements for a legal abortion in your state, schedule an appointment with a trusted physician as soon as possible. If not, you will need to arrange an appointment at a clinic providing abortion services out of state. Make sure the state you choose allows abortions at the gestational age your pregnancy will reach by your appointment date.

If you need financial assistance or other support to do this, there are existing funds to help cover both the procedure and travel costs. 

Abortion funds can assist with the medical cost of the abortion itself. Practical Support Organizations, (PSOs), can assist with any other needs or costs of seeking an out-of-state abortion such as travel, lodging, childcare, provider referrals, emotional support,judicial bypass for minors, etc. Here are a few resources available to those seeking support in Oregon:

Northwest Abortion Access Fund [Fund & PSO] – Provides support for those seeking an abortion from Oregon. Offers support and financial aid for abortion, transit (local and long-distance), lodging, gas money, food assistance, rideshare, and childcare. Provides Spanish language support. See their website for more information. 

Cascades Abortion Support Collective [PSO] – Provides support for those seeking an abortion from Oregon. Offers aid in the form of lodging, transit (local and long-distance), provider referrals, gas money, clinic escorts, food assistance, emotional support, rideshare, childcare assistance, abortion doula services, and emergency contraception (morning-after pill). Provides Spanish language support. See their website for more information. 

National Abortion Hotline [Fund & PSO] – Provides support for those seeking an abortion Nationwide. Offers financial aid for abortion, transit, and provider referrals. Provides Spanish language support. See their website for more information. 

Women’s Reproductive Rights Assistance Project [Fund] – Provides funding for those seeking an abortion Nationwide. Offers financial aid for abortion and emergency contraception (the morning-after pill). See their website for more information. 

Abortion Freedom Fund [Fund] – Provides funding for those seeking an abortion Nationwide. Offers financial aid for abortion. See their website for more information. 

Indigenous Women Rising [Fund] – Provides funding for Indigenous individuals Nationwide seeking an abortion. Offers financial aid for abortion. See their website for more information. 

Reprocare [PSO] – Provides support for those seeking an abortion Nationwide. Offers aid in the form of provider referrals, emotional support, language services, and abortion doula services. Provides Spanish language support. See their website for more information. 

The Brigid Alliance [PSO] – Provides support for those seeking an abortion Nationwide. Offers aid in the form of provider referrals, emotional support, language services, and abortion doula services. Provides Spanish language support. See their website for more information. 

Regardless of the legislation your state currently has in place, remember that safe and legal options are always available. The most important tool you can arm yourself with in these difficult times is knowledge, so stay informed about changes in law and policy where you live, and know that there are always resources available to help you through this ♥️

[healthinsuranceexchangeus]

Discovering The Right Coverage For Your Needs With The United Health Exchange

When it comes to making sure that you and your family have access to the best health insurance coverage possible, it can often be overwhelming and intimidating to know where to begin. Luckily, those living in Oakland CA, Novato, and beyond have an increasingly powerful and accessible option for health insurance: the Health Insurance Exchange Online.

The Insurance Exchange in Oakland CA is a marketplace for commercial health insurance plans. It serves as an electronic platform where individuals and small businesses in Oakland and the surrounding communities can shop for the best coverage and rates. The Exchange partners with world-class insurance providers to bring customers personalized plans that are tailored to their individual needs. From individual, family, and employer-sponsored health plans to Medicare and Medicaid coverage, the Exchange has a wide selection of offerings.

For those in Novato, the United Health Exchange in Oakland CA is a helpful and convenient choice. It has several plans that are unique to the Novato area, allowing customers tailor their coverage to their individual needs. With a wide range of providers that offer low-cost plans, customers looking to find coverage in Novato can benefit from the Exchange’s broad selection.

When it comes to commercial health insurance plans, the Exchange has a variety of options in Novato. From comprehensive plans that provide customers with a wide array of benefits to more basic plans that are designed to meet basic health needs, the Exchange offers a wide selection of plans to meet any budget. With the Exchange, customers can customize their coverage by selecting the specific services and benefits they want for their plan.

The Exchange also makes it easier to compare the benefits and rates of different providers. With an interactive platform, customers can easily compare the available plans side-by-side to help determine which one is the best fit for their needs.

Health Insurance Exchange Online is a great resource for those living in Oakland CA, Novato, and beyond. It provides customers with a wide selection of plans and providers, making it easy to shop for the best coverage and rates. With an interactive platform, customers can easily compare plans, services, and benefits to ensure they are getting the best deal available. With the Exchange, customers can get the coverage they need for themselves and their families with the peace of mind that they’re finding the best deal available.

Contact us today at 888-492-7245 and visit our website at https://www.healthinsuranceexchangeonline.com/to learn more about the variety of Health insurance plans and services we offer.

[batboyblog]

Things Biden and the Democrats did, this week #16

April 26-May 3 2024

President Biden announced $3 billion to help replace lead pipes in the drinking water system. Millions of Americans get their drinking water through lead pipes, which are toxic, no level of lead exposure is safe. This problem disproportionately affects people of color and low income communities. This first investment of a planned $15 billion will replace 1.7 million lead pipe lines. The Biden Administration plans to replace all lead pipes in the country by the end of the decade.

President Biden canceled the student debt of 317,000 former students of a fraudulent for-profit college system. The Art Institutes was a for-profit system of dozens of schools offering degrees in video-game design and other arts. After years of legal troubles around misleading students and falsifying data the last AI schools closed abruptly without warning in September last year. This adds to the $29 billion in debt for 1.7 borrowers who wee mislead and defrauded by their schools which the Biden Administration has done, and a total debt relief for 4.6 million borrowers so far under Biden.

President Biden expanded two California national monuments protecting thousands of acres of land. The two national monuments are the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument and the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument, which are being expanded by 120,000 acres. The new protections cover lands of cultural and religious importance to a number of California based native communities. This expansion was first proposed by then Senator Kamala Harris in 2018 as part of a wide ranging plan to expand and protect public land in California. This expansion is part of the Administration's goals to protect, conserve, and restore at least 30 percent of U.S. lands and waters by 2030.

The Department of Transportation announced new rules that will require car manufacturers to install automatic braking systems in new cars. Starting in 2029 all new cars will be required to have systems to detect pedestrians and automatically apply the breaks in an emergency. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration projects this new rule will save 360 lives every year and prevent at least 24,000 injuries annually.

The IRS announced plans to ramp up audits on the wealthiest Americans. The IRS plans on increasing its audit rate on taxpayers who make over $10 million a year. After decades of Republicans in Congress cutting IRS funding to protect wealthy tax cheats the Biden Administration passed $80 billion for tougher enforcement on the wealthy. The IRS has been able to collect just in one year $500 Million in undisputed but unpaid back taxes from wealthy households, and shows a rise of $31 billion from audits in the 2023 tax year. The IRS also announced its free direct file pilot program was a smashing success. The program allowed tax payers across 12 states to file directly for free with the IRS over the internet. The IRS announced that 140,000 tax payers were able to use it over their target of 100,000, they estimated it saved $5.6 million in tax prep fees, over 90% of users were happy with the webpage and reported it quicker and easier than companies like H&R Block. the IRS plans to bring direct file nationwide next year.

The Department of Interior announced plans for new off shore wind power. The two new sites, off the coast of Oregon and in the Gulf of Maine, would together generate 18 gigawatts of totally clean energy, enough to power 6 million homes.

The Biden Administration announced new rules to finally allow DACA recipients to be covered by Obamacare. Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is an Obama era policy that allows people brought to the United States as children without legal status to remain and to legally work. However for years DACA recipients have not been able to get health coverage through the Obamacare Health Care Marketplace. This rule change will bring health coverage to at least 100,000 uninsured people.

The Department of Health and Human Services finalized rules that require LGBTQ+ and Intersex minors in the foster care system be placed in supportive and affirming homes.

The Senate confirmed Georgia Alexakis to a life time federal judgeship in Illinois. This brings the total number of federal judges appointed by President Biden to 194. For the first time in history the majority of a President's nominees to the federal bench have not been white men.

[reasonsforhope]

In the Willamette Valley of Oregon, the long study of a butterfly once thought extinct has led to a chain reaction of conservation in a long-cultivated region.

The conservation work, along with helping other species, has been so successful that the Fender’s blue butterfly is slated to be downlisted from Endangered to Threatened on the Endangered Species List—only the second time an insect has made such a recovery.

[Note: "the second time" is as of the article publication in November 2022.]

To live out its nectar-drinking existence in the upland prairie ecosystem in northwest Oregon, Fender’s blue relies on the help of other species, including humans, but also ants, and a particular species of lupine.

After Fender’s blue was rediscovered in the 1980s, 50 years after being declared extinct, scientists realized that the net had to be cast wide to ensure its continued survival; work which is now restoring these upland ecosystems to their pre-colonial state, welcoming indigenous knowledge back onto the land, and spreading the Kincaid lupine around the Willamette Valley.

First collected in 1929 [more like "first formally documented by Western scientists"], Fender’s blue disappeared for decades. By the time it was rediscovered only 3,400 or so were estimated to exist, while much of the Willamette Valley that was its home had been turned over to farming on the lowland prairie, and grazing on the slopes and buttes.

Pictured: Female and male Fender’s blue butterflies.

Now its numbers have quadrupled, largely due to a recovery plan enacted by the Fish and Wildlife Service that targeted the revival at scale of Kincaid’s lupine, a perennial flower of equal rarity. Grown en-masse by inmates of correctional facility programs that teach green-thumb skills for when they rejoin society, these finicky flowers have also exploded in numbers.

[Note: Okay, I looked it up, and this is NOT a new kind of shitty greenwashing prison labor. This is in partnership with the Sustainability in Prisons Project, which honestly sounds like pretty good/genuine organization/program to me. These programs specifically offer incarcerated people college credits and professional training/certifications, and many of the courses are written and/or taught by incarcerated individuals, in addition to the substantial mental health benefits (see x, x, x) associated with contact with nature.]

The lupines needed the kind of upland prairie that’s now hard to find in the valley where they once flourished because of the native Kalapuya people’s regular cultural burning of the meadows.

While it sounds counterintuitive to burn a meadow to increase numbers of flowers and butterflies, grasses and forbs [a.k.a. herbs] become too dense in the absence of such disturbances, while their fine soil building eventually creates ideal terrain for woody shrubs, trees, and thus the end of the grassland altogether.

Fender’s blue caterpillars produce a little bit of nectar, which nearby ants eat. This has led over evolutionary time to a co-dependent relationship, where the ants actively protect the caterpillars. High grasses and woody shrubs however prevent the ants from finding the caterpillars, who are then preyed on by other insects.

Now the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde are being welcomed back onto these prairie landscapes to apply their [traditional burning practices], after the FWS discovered that actively managing the grasslands by removing invasive species and keeping the grass short allowed the lupines to flourish.

By restoring the lupines with sweat and fire, the butterflies have returned. There are now more than 10,000 found on the buttes of the Willamette Valley."

-via Good News Network, November 28, 2022

[anethum-etcetera]

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[cedarspiced]

boss just sent me home to nap for being too sleepytired to work. W for sleepytired girls across the nation

[bradyinsurancemarketing11]

Health Insurance Plans Oregon | Health Plans In Oregon

Health Insurance Plans Oregon is here to assist you if you’re looking for health insurance in Oregon. We provide a large range of plans from numerous companies, such as Aetna and Blue Cross Blue Shield. Visit our collection right now and enrol in insurance! We are dedicated to assisting you in managing your information in a secure and private way. You can rely on our professionals to assist you in determining which plan will work best for your needs and financial situation. Our strategy is based on a straightforward idea that works in everyday life: discover the health plan that works best for you and your family without restricting your alternatives.

[healthplansinoregon1]

The Oregon Health Plan provides health coverage for Oregonians who meet certain income and other criteria. If you qualify, you can get free or low-cost health coverage. Learn more about the Oregon Health Plan and how to apply here.

[peaceandflourishing]

[healthinsuranceexchangeus]

If you are searching for Kaiser Permanente plan in Oregon, Health Insurance Exchange Online is the best choice for you. We are committed to providing comprehensive and affordable health coverage options for a healthy lifestyle.  

[rebeccathenaturalist]

Help Stop a Clearcut - Deadline May 17, 2024! Reblogs appreciated!

Hey, folks, got a time-sensitive request for y'all--even if you aren't a PNW resident, can you please put in a word to save the legacy/mature forest on Mothball Hill just outside Astoria, OR? Comments to NOT clearcut the forest on Mothball Hill can be sent to odf.sfcomments@odf.oregon.gov and need to be received by 5pm Pacific Standard Time on May 17. Reblogs ALSO help!

As per this article:

"North Coast Communities for Watershed Protection requests your consideration and immediate action to help safeguard drinking water and residents’ health in rural neighborhoods east of Astoria. Written comments are needed by Friday, May 17, regarding ongoing and upcoming Oregon Department of Forestry timber harvests in Clatsop County. Anybody may submit a comment to ODF; you do not need to be a resident of Clatsop County. Please see below for more details.

Currently, the NCCWP Astoria Chapter is working to notify residents whose property is in close proximity to proposed 2025 ODF timber harvests in Clatsop County. On May 5, we surveyed Unit 2 of the Mothball Hill Harvest and met some of the concerned residents whose property is immediately adjacent to the timber sale. We are working with them closely.

Leading up to the May 17 deadline for comments about the ODF Annual Operations Plan (AOP), we are hoping to visit as many of these sites as possible — knocking on people’s doors directly adjacent to these potential timber harvests. Many people who live in these houses may not be aware that the forestland near their homes is scheduled to be clearcut and sprayed with a “cocktail” of pesticides. Our goal is to notify these homeowners and provide them with appropriate resources and support so that they can get involved and comment on the AOP before the opportunity ends. These clearcuts and pesticide applications may directly affect people’s health, livelihoods, recreational activities, and property values. Ultimately, they will adversely affect the quality and quantity of coastal drinking water by exacerbating the climate crisis, perpetuating drought, and increasing the risk of wildfires, landslides, and the runoff of sediment and pesticides into waterways.

Here’s a letter sent to community members, ODF, BoF, and Clatsop Co. officials from Darren Orange, a resident neighboring the Mothball Hill Harvest: 

A request for your consideration and action,

The Oregon Department Of Forestry released their 2024 Annual Operations Plan and has selected a previously unmanaged, non-intentionally planted, natural “Legacy Forest” for CLEARCUT AND AERIAL SPRAY. The location is in Clatsop Forest Astoria District on “Mothball Hill” east of Astoria in the John Day estuary. This proposed clearcut will impact a previously unmanaged biodiverse forest with trees, and mycorrhizal networks well over 100 years old. The geographical location is extremely steep and the boundaries for cutting would push into the Columbia River at its northernmost point. Slide potential is high, threatening the railroad, and homes both on private drive Phil Rd., Highway 30, and Deer Valley Rd. 

Located between Astoria, (2 miles to the west) and the Twilight Eagle Sanctuary (2 miles to the east) this rich habitat and watershed is home for bald eagles, beaver, blue heron, cougar, bobcat, coyotes, and waterways for native salmon.  The year-round streams run directly into the John Day and Columbia Rivers. The location will be seen on Highway 30, and visible from both rivers as a monstrous scab. 

The home and hobby garden I share with my wife borders 300′ of Clatsop Forest. Neon survey markers now weigh heavily, glaring at us 20′ from our kitchen window. Trees marked for cut purposely planted by homeowners over 50 years ago as property lines now marked for harvest. We watch: protected migratory birds, marine birds, bald eagles, blue heron, osprey, and others. We’ve listened to the call of bobcats and coyotes from their resting and breeding dens. We’ve seen beavers in the estuary. Salmon and crayfish are commercially harvested here. The rich native flora and mycelium network show the health of the forest and offer many plant medicines. This is just a window of the species we see everyday. 

The impact and damage on this ecosystem is vast. The unintended consequences of aerial spray, blowdown due to compromised forest integrity, slides, and aesthetic harm to private property value, boating/kayaking and tourism, commercial and recreational fishing are all part of the cost vs minimal $1.1 million dollar profit.

PUBLIC COMMENTS ARE ENCOURAGED, AND CLOSE VERY SOON ON MAY 17TH!

I’m asking the greater community to please write and pass along your concerns to the Oregon Department of Forestry about this clearcut timber sale in one of the oldest stands in the area. This stand has not been managed or replanted so it represents a key forest in its health and history. I ask that ODF look into alternative locations such as managed/planted forests with less impactful methods that follow the soon to be Federal Habitat Conservation Act that would preserve older stands. I ask that ODF follow their own Key Performance Measures of complex layered forest structure. I ask ODF NOT TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS TIMBER SALE.

Sincerely, 

Darren Orange

local resident of 25 years

business owner

property owner

Email – odf.sfcomments@odf.oregon.gov

interactive map

[batboyblog]

Things Biden and the Democrats did, this week #20

May 24-31 2024

The EPA awards $900 million to school districts across the country to replace diesel fueled school buses with cleaner alternatives. The money will go to 530 school districts across nearly every state, DC, tribal community, and US territory. The funds will help replace 3,400 buses with cleaner alternatives, 92% of the new buses will be 100% green electric. This adds to the $3 billion the Biden administration has already spent to replace 8,500 school buses across 1,000 school districts in the last 2 years.

For the first time the federal government released guidelines for Voluntary Carbon Markets. Voluntary Carbon Markets are a system by which companies off set their carbon emissions by funding project to fight climate change like investing in wind or solar power. Critics have changed that companies are using them just for PR and their funding often goes to projects that would happen any ways thus not offsetting emissions. The new guidelines seek to insure integrity in the Carbon Markets and make sure they make a meaningful impact. It also pushes companies to address emissions first and use offsets only as a last resort.

The IRS announced it'll take its direct file program nationwide in 2025. In 2024 140,000 tax payers in 12 states used the direct file pilot program and the IRS now plans to bring it to all Americans next tax season. Right now the program is only for simple W-2 returns with no side income but the IRS has plans to expand it to more complex filings in the future. This is one of the many projects at the IRS being funded through President Biden's Inflation Reduction Act.

The White House announced steps to boost nuclear energy in America. Nuclear power in the single largest green energy source in the country accounting for 19% of America's total energy. Boosting Nuclear energy is a key part of the Biden administration's strategy to reach a carbon free electricity sector by 2035. The administration has invested in bring the Palisades nuclear plant in Michigan back on-line, and extending the life of Diablo Canyon in California. In addition the Military will be deploying new small modular nuclear reactors and microreactors to power its installations. The Administration is setting up a task force to help combat the delays and cost overruns that have often derailed new nuclear projects and the Administration is supporting two Gen III+ SMR demonstration projects to highlight the safety and efficiency of the next generation of nuclear power.

The Department of Agriculture announced $824 million in new funding to protect livestock health and combat H5N1. The funding will go toward early detection, vaccine research, and supporting farmers impacted. The USDA is also launching a nation wide Dairy Herd Status Pilot Program, hopefully this program will give us a live look at the health of America's dairy herd and help with early detection. The Biden Administration has reacted quickly and proactively to the early cases of H5N1 to make sure it doesn't spread to the human population and become another pandemic situation.

The White House announced a partnership with 21 states to help supercharge America's aging energy grid. Years of little to no investment in America's Infrastructure has left our energy grid lagging behind the 21st century tech. This partnership aims to squeeze all the energy we can out of our current system while we rush to update and modernize. Last month the administration announced a plan to lay 100,000 miles of new transmission lines over the next five years. The 21 states all with Democratic governors are Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Washington, and Wisconsin.

The Department of Transportation announced $343 million to update 8 of America's oldest and busiest transportation stations for disability accessibility. These include the MBTA's the Green Line's light-rail B and C branches in Boston,  Cleveland's Blue Line, New Orleans'  St. Charles Streetcar route, and projects in San Francisco and New York City and other locations

The Department of interior announced two projects for water in Western states. $179 million for drought resilience projects in California and Utah and $242 million for expanding water access in California, Colorado and Washington. The projects should help support drinking water for 6.4 million people every year.

HUD announced $150 million for affordable housing for tribal communities. This adds to the over $1 billion dollars for tribal housing announced earlier in the month. Neil Whitegull of the Ho-Chunk Nation said at the announcement "I know a lot of times as Native Americans we've been here and we've seen people that have said, ‘Oh yeah, we'd like to help Indians.’ And they take a picture and they go away. We never see it, But there's been a commitment here, with the increase in funding, grants, and this administration that is bringing their folks out. And there's a real commitment, I think, to Native American tribes that we've never seen before."

Secretary of State Antony Blinken pledged $135 million to help Moldavia. Since the outbreak of Russia's war against neighboring Ukraine the US has given $774 million in aid to tiny Moldavia. Moldavia has long been dependent on Russian energy but thanks to US investment in the countries energy security Moldavia is breaking away from Russia and moving forward with EU membership.

The US and Guatemala launched the "Youth With Purpose” initiative. The initiative will be run through the Central America Service Corps, launched in 2022 by Vice President Harris the CASC is part of the Biden Administration's efforts to improve life in Central America. The Youth With Purpose program will train 25,000 young Guatemalans and connect with with service projects throughout the country.

Bonus: Today, May 31st 2024, is the last day of the Affordable Connectivity Program. The program helped 23 million Americans connect to the internet while saving them $30 to $75 dollars every month. Despite repeated calls from President Biden Republicans in Congress have refused to act to renew the program. The White House has worked with private companies to get them to agree to extend the savings to the end of 2024. The Biden Administration has invested $90 Billion high-speed internet investments. Such as $42.45 billion for Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment, $1 billion for the The Middle Mile program laying 12,000 miles of regional fiber networks, and distributed nearly 30,000 connected devices to students and communities, including more than 3,600 through the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program