The hearings, to be held April 29 through June 1, will focus on "Refuges 2003: A Plan for the Future," a 10-year management plan and draft environmental impact statement establishing guidelines for administering the refuge system as it approaches its 100th anniversary in 2003.
To encourage public discussion, the draft document presents seven options for future management of the 488 refuges in the system. These options run the gamut from limited management and public use of refuges to greatly increased emphasis on economic and non-wildlife-oriented use of refuge lands.
As a result of public comment, the eventual proposed action may be composed of elements from various options.
The draft "Refuges 2003" document was prepared only after the Service received extensive public comments both in writing and during a series of more than 30 public meetings held
nationwide. The public may comment on the document until June 15, 1993, and the final plan is expected to be completed by the end of this year.
Hearings will be held from 1-5 p.m. and 7-10 p.m. at the following locations and dates:
o Arlington, Virginia, April 29
Holiday Inn
4610 N. Fairfax Driveo Atlanta, Georgia, May 11
Ramada Atlanta Airport
1419 Virginia Avenueo Phoenix, Arizona, May 13
YWCA Leadership Development Center
9440 N. 25th Avenueo Portland, Oregon, May 18
BPA Building
911 N.E. 11th Avenue, 1st floor Auditoriumo Anchorage, Alaska, May 20
Fairview Community Center
1121 E. 10th Avenueo Bloomington, Minnesota, May 25
Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge
3815 E. 80th Streeto Woburn, Massachusetts, May 26
Radisson Hotel
2 Forbes Roado Lakewood, Colorado, June 1
FWS Regional Office
3rd Floor Conference Room,
134 Union Boulevard
Written comments on Refuges 2003 will be received until June 15, 1993. Those unable to attend a hearing should send comments to: Chief, Division of Refuges, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Room 670, Arlington, Virginia 22203.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal Federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service manages the 93-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System which encompasses more than 530 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas. It also operates 66 national fish hatcheries, 64 fishery resource offices and 78 ecological services field stations. The agency enforces Federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Aid program that distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state fish and wildlife agencies. For further information about the programs and activities of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in the Great Lakes-Big Rivers Region, please visit our home page at: http://midwest.fws.gov
