WOUNDED SOLDIERS WILL SEE BETTER CARE
July 31, 2007
   Washington, D.C. - Wounded soldiers and their families will see less red tape and more cooperation from government agencies if recommendations from a presidential commission are implemented, according to U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo.
“It is America’s obligation to provide the best resources and medical treatment for our troops overseas and this treatment must extend to the care of our veterans right here at home,” said Enzi. “This extensive look at the entire medical care system operated by the Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs was needed to address and fix deficiencies in the system. We need to do whatever is necessary to correct them and I look forward to the Department of Defense and Veterans Affairs plans for implementation.”
   The President’s Commission on Care for America’s Wounded Warriors focused on treating post-traumatic stress disorder, improving transferability of patient information between departments and four other recommendations it released in a report this week. 
   The Commission was established by an executive order from President Bush in March 2007 to look at the care for injured troops from Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. The Commission was charged with: conducting a comprehensive review of services America is providing to our wounded warriors and delivering recommendations to the President, Secretary of Defense and Secretary of Veterans Affairs on ways to improve treatment of soldiers.
   Enzi formally submitted, to the Commission, an experience from a Wyoming soldier who spent time at Walter Reed Army Medical Hospital following a tour in Iraq. In May Enzi solicited active duty personnel and veterans to take advantage of the opportunity to share their medical treatment experiences to help the Commission gain accurate assessments and improve the medical care for our active duty armed forces personnel and veterans.
   The Commission’s recommendations include: immediately creating comprehensive recovery plans to provide the right care and support at the right time and the right place, completely restructuring the disability and compensation systems, aggressively preventing and treating post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury, significantly strengthening support for families, rapidly transferring patient information between the Department of Defense and Veterans Affairs and strongly supporting Walter Reed Army Medical Center by recruiting and retaining first-rate professionals through 2011.
   MINI NOTE: The six recommendations include 36 action items. To view all of the action items visit http://www.pccww.gov/ . 

SENATORS HONOR THOMAS AND ALL COWBOYS
July 28, 2007
     Washington, D.C. - Amongst the hustle and bustle of the nation’s capital, U.S. Senators Mike Enzi and John Barrasso, both R-Wyo., took a moment to honor America’s cowboys and one cowboy in particular, Sen. Craig Thomas.
     The senators spoke on the Senate floor about the third annual “National Day of the American Cowboy”, which will be celebrated nationwide this Saturday, July 28. The day was championed and introduced by Senator Craig Thomas, who passed away on June 4.
     Thomas’ successor, Sen. John Barrasso said, “ I rise today to remember my dear friend and colleague, Senator Craig Thomas. Craig was a champion for Wyoming, the West and its values. Every year, for the last several years, Craig championed a resolution honoring the American Cowboy. A true cowboy in his own right, Craig sought to honor those who serve as stewards of the land, embody the courageous and daring spirit of the West, and uphold the values of freedom and responsibility that we all cherish.”
    Sen. Mike Enzi then followed and commented on Thomas and the place of the Cowboy in the West – especially in the everyday life of Wyomingites. “Mr. President, the Cowboy is the symbol of Wyoming. The Cowboy is our state’s icon, representing our history and way of life. Unlike many other places in America, where the Cowboy is revered as an image of the past, the Cowboy is still alive in Wyoming today. What’s more, you don’t have to go to a remote ranch to see cowboys and cowgirls. They shop in our grocery stores, teach kids, and run businesses. Everywhere you turn you see hats, boots and shirts which boast of the UW Pokes or that say, “Wyoming Proud,” or “ Powder River, let ‘er buck!”
    Enzi went on to say it’s not in the clothes we wear or the hats we don that make us cowboys and cowgirls, but in the spirit we embody and practice each day. “It is not only for this reason that the National Day of the American Cowboy holds a special place in Wyoming’s and my heart. As those in this body are well aware, this day of recognition came to be through the efforts of Senator Craig Thomas”  Senator Thomas was a dedicated public servant, a powerful leader, a straight shooter, a loyal family man and one of the most genuine cowboys I have ever met. He was an unwavering advocate for the Cowboy way, not only through his words and work in the U.S. Congress, but more so, through his actions.”
   And Enzi went on to conclude, “This year, as our country celebrates the National Day of the American Cowboy, I ask that people give special recognition to the man that started it all, one of America’s greatest cowboys, Senator Craig Thomas. Mr. President, I yield the floor. “

FEDERAL COMMITMENT TO CARBON CAPTURE RESEARCH “MINISCULE,” GOVERNOR SAYS
July 27, 2007
CHEYENNE, Wyo. - The federal government’s commitment to funding research into advanced coal and carbon capture technologies is “woefully inadequate,” according to Gov. Dave Freudenthal.
Wyoming has begun to fund its own research, he said, but these efforts must be expanded. In a cooperative effort with the Wyoming Legislature, Freudenthal is already working on defining a solid legal basis for the development of carbon sequestration.
   Freudenthal’s comments came during an exchange yesterday at the National Governors’ Association Annual Meeting in Traverse City, MI., where governors spoke with Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Stephen L. Johnson.
“When will there be a federal funding commitment that’s commensurate with the challenge and opportunity?,” Freudenthal asked.
   The governor said he was “disappointed by the lack of response” to his question on whether Johnson sees a “significant increase in the federal commitment” to research on technologies like carbon capture and sequestration, Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle, and studies of the liability questions related to large-scale sequestration projects.
   Freudenthal criticized the inadequacy of “miniscule grants compared to the challenge” of developing clean coal processes.
   “There appears to be no serious commitment to coal based research and development at the federal level,” Freudenthal said, which points to the need for continued state involvement in developing and funding research. “It may be more important than we thought to put a part of the state's share of Abandoned Mine Lands funding toward research into coal technologies and carbon capture and sequestration.”
    The Legislature’s Management Council assigned the carbon capture and sequestration question to the Joint Interim Judiciary Committee earlier this month. The state’s coal deposits and unique geology position it to be a world class player in carbon conversion and sequestration, Freudenthal said, but Wyoming lawmakers need to act quickly to create clear policy to govern the legal ownership of subsurface storage areas.
   The governor also encouraged the Legislature to consider other related questions including the valuation of storage rights, ownership of injected CO2, liability for damages resulting from the presence or migration of injected CO2, condemnation of underground stratum for CO2 storage purposes and the acquisition of surface rights for operational infrastructure.

GROUP TO MOVE QUICKLY TO DEVELOP SAGE GROUSE RECOMMENDATIONS
July 17, 2007
CHEYENNE, Wyo. - By late September, a group formed in the wake of the Governor’s Sage Grouse Summit, aims to have a list of recommendations on how best to enhance and preserve the habitat, breeding grounds and winter range of the sage grouse in Wyoming.
    After the recent summit in Casper, Gov. Freudenthal called for the development of statewide measures that have proven to positively impact sage grouse numbers and habitat. An implementation team made up of representatives from federal and state agencies, conservation groups, industry and landowners will respond to the Governor’s request, with frequent meetings in the next few months.
“For many years the Sage Grouse Working Groups have done great work in this area,” Freudenthal said. “This committee is not a substitute, but will work in the short term to consolidate what we already know and will hopefully advance our conservation efforts.”
    Bob Budd, executive director of the Wyoming Wildlife and Natural Resources Trust, will head up the group. Other members will include private landowner John Andrikopolous of Daniel, Penny Bellah of Williams Energy, Lynne Boomgaarden of the State Lands and Investments Administration, Jane Darnell of the Bureau of Land Management, Pat Deibert of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, John Emmerich of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Jason Fearneyhough of the Wyoming Department of Agriculture, private landowner Helen Jones of Buffalo, Clint McCarthy of the U.S. Forest Service, Xavier Montoya of the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Brian Rutledge of the Wyoming Audubon Society, Paul Ullrich of EnCana and Mark Winland of the Wyoming Wildlife Federation.
    Following the summit, a technical group was assembled to review the most current science and literature and to advise the implementation team on the most effective measures. This technical group will include representatives of federal and state agencies, sage grouse working groups and those conducting academic research on sage grouse. John Emmerich of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department will oversee the technical team.
At the planning meeting, Brian Kelly of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said that if Wyoming does this right, it will be an example to other states in the region that are also facing problems with sage grouse. The group will hold its first meeting on July 31 in Cheyenne.

ENZI UNVEILS 10 STEPS TO TRANSFORM HEALTH CARE IN AMERICA
July 16, 2007
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, today unveiled "Ten Steps to Transform Health Care in America," legislation that builds on numerous health care proposals to expand access to health insurance and health care providers while improving the quality of health care in the United States.
"Today I am introducing a bill that proposes 10 Steps to stabilize and reform the nation’s health care system," Enzi said. "This 10-step proposal reflects ideas and concepts from a host of proposals already introduced—it encapsulates the best of the best ideas and puts forward new, innovative approaches. The hallmark of this proposal is to provide more options, more choices, and more control to every American."
    "With 46.1 million Americans living without health insurance, we cannot continue to allow partisan politicking to stand in the way of real reform. I am ready for the challenge. We must begin a national debate to examine the whole health care system, and together we must put forward a bold and comprehensive solution that addresses our health care crisis now. That’s what the Ten Steps does – it is a comprehensive solution to a very big problem."
    Enzi’s proposal builds on the bipartisan work in the last Congress to allow market-based pooling, and equalizes tax treatment of health insurance for all Americans. It proposes new market-based solutions that will enable uninsured working families to purchase private health insurance. The bill will expand choices and coverage and give individuals real control over their health care. It also includes provisions to enhance health care quality and reduce costs.
    "I always believe that we can agree on 80 percent of the issues and on 80 percent of each issue, and that if we focus on that 80 percent we can do great things for the American people," Enzi said. "I believe that if we work together on these proposals we can find that 80 percent. The introduction of this bill is the first step forward in the process."

BLM PLACES PARTIAL FIRE RESTRICTIONS IN BUFFALO FIELD OFFICE AREA
July 13, 2007
Johnson County, WYO — Due to dry conditions and high fire danger, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Buffalo Field Office is implementing partial fire restrictions in Sheridan, Johnson, and Campbell counties beginning July 18, 2007.
Under a partial closure the following acts are prohibited:
   Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire or campfire except within agency-provided fire grates at developed recreation sites, or within fully enclosed stoves with a ¼" spark arrester type screen, or within fully enclosed grills, or in stoves using pressurized liquid or gas.
   Smoking, except in an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials.
   Operating a chainsaw without a USDA or SAE approved spark arrester properly installed and working, a chemical fire extinguisher of not less than 8 ounces capacity by weight, and one round point shovel with an overall length of at least 36 inches.
Using a welder, either arc or gas, or operating an acetylene or other torch with open flame, except in cleared areas of at least 10 feet in diameter with a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher of not less than 8 ounces capacity.
   These fire restrictions are in addition to the year-round wildfire prevention restrictions on BLM-administered public lands in Wyoming. These are:
Discharge or use of any fireworks.
Discharge of a firearm using incendiary or tracer ammunition.
   Burn, ignite or cause to burn any tire, wire, magnesium, or any other hazardous or explosive material.
   Operate any off-road vehicle on public lands unless the vehicle is equipped with a properly installed spark arrester pursuant to 43 CFR 8343.1 (c).   Violation of this Fire Prevention Order is punishable by a fine of not more than $100,000, or imprisonment of not more than 12 months, or both. (43 CFR 9212.4 and 18 U.S.C. 3571). Restitution for total suppression and damage costs incurred will be borne by the violator.
MINI NOTE: For more information on BLM fire restrictions or conditions, contact your local BLM office or go to www.wy.blm.gov/wy_fire_restrictions

BUFFALO TO GET 1/2 M PLUS FROM WYOMING FEDERAL LAND YIELDS SLICE OF COMPENSATION PIE
July 10, 2007
Washington D.C.- Wyoming counties with federal land in their boundaries are receiving their share of over $15.3 million given to the state by federal Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program this year. Johnson County will receive over 1/2 million of those monies.
   The PILT program compensates counties containing federal land for lost tax revenues that would otherwise be collectable. Nationally, the program totals $232 million this year.
   "The PILT program is an essential component of the partnership between the government and the local communities to protect and manage this country’s public lands," Enzi said. "Many Wyoming counties rely on these funds to be good stewards of the land."
    Every county in Wyoming has federal land and will be getting part of the $15.3 million based on population, receipt sharing payments, and the amount of federal land within an affected county. The money will help pay for essential services, such as firefighting and other emergency response teams, and school and road improvements.
In 2005, Wyoming counties received a total of $14,810,769 of the $226,410,287 distributed through the PILT program. This year Wyoming can look forward to $15,362,732, a 4 percent increase from 2005. The Dept of Interior has distributed more than $4 billion dollars in PILT payments since 1977.
List of counties and amount received:
Albany County: $867,284
Big Horn County $666,305
Campbell County $390,213
Carbon County $684,030
Converse County $389,426
Crook County $183,669
Fremont County $1,570,615
Goshen County $39,431
Hot Springs County $435,258
Johnson County  $577,943
Laramie County $13,719
Lincoln County $815,710
Natrona County $1,934,660
Niobrara County $179,674
Park County $1,200,021
Platte County $153,284
Sheridan County $573,211
Sublette County $487,682
Sweetwater County $1,691,978
Teton County $861,208
Uinta County $809,762
Washakie County $627,576
Weston County $210,072

BUSINESS COUNCIL LOOKS FOR COWBOY STATE VENDORS FOR
DENVER MART
July 5, 2007
CHEYENNE – To say that Casper Glass, a home decor company owned by Melanie Myron of Casper, made a splash the first time they attended a trade show with the Wyoming Business Council might be an understatement.
   Myron rented booth space at the 2006 Denver Merchandise Mart Gift, Jewelry and Resort Show through the Wyoming Business Council and added eight out-of-town markets in just three days. Her second trip to Denver Mart produced another 12 vendors, putting Casper Glass products into stores from California to Michigan.
   “The Wyoming Business Council lets a business ‘get its feet wet’ in the wholesale market without having to go it alone financially and emotionally, “said Myron. “It’s a great opportunity.”
   The Wyoming Business Council is looking for other businesses like Myron’s to bring to this year’s Gift, Jewelry and Resort Show at Denver Mart Aug. 25-27 at the Denver Merchandise Mart. Vendors who attend the show with the Wyoming Business Council will receive eight feet of booth space for the three-day event at a price of $500, or about one-third of the normal price. The show boasts over 6,000 buyers for resorts, spas and gift shops around the country.
   “This is a great show for companies who are trying to expand into new retail markets, especially the gift shop and resort markets,” said Wyoming Business Council Senior Marketing and Attraction Specialist Annie Wood.
   MINI NOTE: For more information or an application to join the Wyoming Business Council at Denver Mart’s Gift, Jewelry and Resort show, contact Wood at 307.777.2844. The application deadline is Aug. 1.
The mission of the Wyoming Business Council is to facilitate the economic growth of Wyoming. For more information, please visit the Web site at www.wyomingbusiness.org

WYOMING WILL FOCUS ON CONSERVATION MEASURES THAT WORK, SCIENTIFIC POPULATION ESTIMATES
July 4, 2007
CHEYENNE, Wyo. - On the heels of the Governor’s Sage Grouse Summit in Casper this past week, Gov. Dave Freudenthal offered the following comments:
   “It is essential that we focus on two things: Working with federal, state and private land interests to implement measures which have been demonstrated to positively impact sage grouse numbers and habitat. Second, we must aggressively pursue scientifically defensible estimates of the necessary habitat and sage grouse numbers to maintain the population.
   This conversation must include the active participation of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.”
   Freudenthal also indicated that he was encouraged by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s willingness to participate in the conversation and was further encouraged by the participation of C. Steven Allred, Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior, and Wyoming BLM Director Bob Bennett.
   Freudenthal said he appreciates the cooperation of everyone who took part in the panel discussions and others who attended the meeting.
   “The seriousness of the summit reflects the risks that confront Wyoming and other western states if we do not continue to work to sustain the population of the sage grouse and avoid its being listed as an endangered species,” he said.

DROUGHT CONDITIONS PERSIST DESPITE SPRING STORMS, TASK FORCE SAYS
July 03, 2007
CHEYENNE, Wyo. - The heavy moisture from several substantial spring storms this year has been a mere drop in the bucket, state officials said this week. Wyoming remains in a serious drought.
At a news conference members of the Wyoming Drought Management Task Force emphasized that now is the time for conservation efforts for businesses, homeowners, gardeners and agricultural producers.
   “A large portion of the state had some spring moisture and the landscape has been green,” said Leanne Stevenson of the Wyoming Department of Agriculture and co-chair of the task force. “But a deeper look at the situation reveals that our hydrological system has been deprived for seven to nine years and this is severely impacting our reservoirs, streams and groundwater supplies throughout the state.”
   “A well-timed series of spring storms has finally brought some green back to Wyoming,” Gray said. “Unfortunately this year’s grass hides a myriad of long-term drought impacts and potential water supply problems. Most of the high country snow had melted out by early June, which is several weeks to a month earlier than usual. Stream flows are forecast to be far below average this year. This, in turn, sets the stage for very dry conditions later in the summer, along with high fire danger, restrictions on water use and declining reservoir levels.” Drought conditions will likely worsen throughout the summer, Gray added, and may become quite severe in some parts of the state by August and September.
   Gray added that in part, human nature comes into play when thinking about drought. “Everyone is tired of hearing about the drought and that makes people more willing to want to accept that it is over. We tend to remember the big storms, not the three months without any precipitation. However, we’re seeing the cumulative effects of many, many years of drought and that makes us more vulnerable to changes in the weather,” Gray added.
   In the end, Stevenson added a reminder that it’s critical that all citizens implement and practice water conservation measures at home and at work. the task force will be working to raise public awareness on drought and provide tips on easy ways to save water.

ENZI COMMITTEE PASSES 21ST
CENTURY HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY BILL
July 2, 2007
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, helped that panel pass a bill this week that will encourage the adoption of cutting-edge-information technologies in health care.
   The HELP Committee approved the “Wired for Health Care Quality Act,” a bill that helps doctors get accurate patient information faster thus improving patient care, reducing medical errors and cutting health care costs.
   “This bill will eliminate duplicative tests and reduce medical errors. Moving from a paper-based health care system to secure electronic medical records will save lives and reduce skyrocketing health care costs. Doctors, hospitals, health care advocates, and the business community – including small business – are clamoring for Congress to take action and establish uniform health IT standards,” Enzi said. “Time is of the essence – if we do not act, our health care system will move forward in a highly inefficient, fragmented and disjointed way. I urge Senate Leadership to bring our consensus legislation to the floor for consideration by the full Senate as soon as possible, so that we can establish an interconnected, nationwide health technology system to improve the quality of care in this country.”
   Enzi said the bill will lay the foundation for technology and information sharing among doctors, hospitals, and insurers to ensure that patient data, insurance and medical histories are available wherever and whenever treatment is needed. A Rand Corporation study projected a potential savings of $162 billion a year for the health care industry under the initiative.
   “Wyoming is off to a fast start when it comes to states already looking for ways to incorporate information technology for medical record keeping. I am pleased that my bill will work hand in hand with what Wyoming is doing and provide grants to help organizations like the Wyoming Health Information Organization achieve their vision of an integrated health information network to assist rural areas,” said Enzi.
   Enzi said the bill will provide key standards to help those who want to invest in health information technologies. “Without key standards, prospective investors don’t know whether they are buying a beta tape, VHS, or DVD. However, given the investment, everyone wants a DVD. We need to move forward with standards so everyone can know whether their purchases are a wise investment. Everyone can be getting the DVD quality,” said Enzi.
   The bill is cosponsored by Enzi, Senator Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., Chairman of the HELP Committee, Senator Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, and Senator Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y.