U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Logo

USFWS graphic title bar

 

North Florida Field Office

March 18, 2003 U. S. District Court (D.C.) Hearing

Statement by Craig Manson, Assistant Secretary of Interior for Fish and Wildlife and Parks:

"The Department of the Interior and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are pleased that the judge has approved and signed the Stipulated Order and has vacated the contempt proceedings against the department. We believe the Stipulated Order is an important step forward to conserve manatees. Manatee conservation is best done collaboratively, and we will reach out to work closely with the State of Florida and affected stakeholders. We are on schedule to submit a proposed rule for additional manatee refuges and sanctuaries to the Federal Register on or before March 31, 2003. In addition, we are making positive progress on the other manatee conservation issues."

black graphic pointer - pointing to right Home Graphic arrow pointing to the right Manatee Information

Send comments on our web site or general questions to northflorida@fws.gov
If you need special assistance please contact the Public Affairs Officer at chuck_underwood@fws.gov

Last modified March 18, 2003