May 13, 2005 
Contact:  Diane Katzenberger 303-236-4578 

Meeting To Be Held in Alamosa Regarding Critical Habitat Proposal
for the Southwestern Willow Flycatcher 

As part of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's proposal to designate lands in southwestern Colorado as habitat critical for the southwestern willow flycatcher, the Service will hold a public meeting on May 19, 2005, at Adams State University, Student Union, Room #308, First and Stadium Dr., Alamosa, CO  81102. 

An information meeting will run from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. with an opportunity for the public to ask questions.  The formal hearing to record comments and official statements will be held from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm 

In compliance with a court order, on October 12, 2004, the Service proposed 1,556 miles within the100-year floodplain of waters in California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Colorado and New Mexico as critical habitat for the endangered southwestern willow flycatcher. 

The Service has released a draft economic analysis and draft environmental assessment of the proposed flycatcher critical habitat and is seeking comments on these documents and the proposed designation.  These documents, the proposal, supporting information, and maps are available on our website at http://arizonaes.fws.gov or by contacting us at (602) 242-0210. 

Written comments can also be sent to Field Supervisor, Arizona Ecological Services Field Office, 2321 W. Royal Palm Rd., Ste. 103, Phoenix, AZ 85021, email: WIFLcomments@fws.gov or fax: 602-242-2513. 

Comments must be received by May 31, 2005. 

                                                            -FWS-