The Oregon Coast National Wildlife Refuge Complex has initiated a planning process called "Comprehensive Conservation Planning" to review the wildlife, habitat and public use activities on Cape Meares, Oregon Islands, and Three Arch Rocks National Wildlife Refuges (NWRs). Five public Open House meetings will be held in communities along the Oregon coast in November 2006 to explain this process and to seek input from the public, interested government agencies, elected officials, Tribes, and conservation organizations regarding their interests, concerns, and viewpoints about important management issues on these refuges.

A Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) is a 15-year plan that guides a NWR's management decisions, and identifies long-range refuge goals, objectives, and strategies for achieving the purposes for which the refuge was established. During the CCP planning process, many elements will be considered, including wildlife and habitat protection and management, and public use opportunities. More information about the CCP process is available at www.fws.gov/pacific/planning/#plan.

Please share your ideas by attending one of the upcoming public open house meetings or by submitting written comments to the refuge. The public open house meetings will be held Wednesday, November 1 at the Newport High School Boone Center Room; Thursday, November 2 at the Oceanside Community center; Wednesday, November 8 at Cannon Beach Elementary School; Tuesday, November 14 at the Brookings High School cafeteria; and Wednesday, November 15 at Bandon High School. All Open House meetings will be between 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. For more information please call the refuge's Newport office at 541-867-4550, or go to www.fws.gov/oregoncoast/.