During the next several weeks, Service employees will be visiting with landowners and others with an interest in the proposal to gain a better understanding of public concerns, to evaluate the areas resources, and to answer questions regarding the study.
All information gathered throughout the study process will be used in the preparation of the draft environmental assessment. This document is now anticipated to be released this fall.
The Rice and Skunk Lakes wetland complex has been identified by the Service as an important wildlife and ecological area. The study area contains important habitat for waterfowl, other migratory birds, and resident wildlife that are dependent on wetlands.
Protection, restoration, and management of the Nations wetlands in support the National Wetlands Priority Conservation Plan, the Prairie Pothole Joint Venture of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan, and the Presidents "No Net Loss" of wetlands policy is a priority activity of the Service.
The Service encourages public input throughout the planning process. Landowners and interested individuals wishing to meet with a Service representative and those with other questions or comments may contact the Regional Director; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Federal Building, Fort Snelling; Twin Cities, Minnesota 55111; Attention Douglas Damberg, Project Manager; or call (612) 725-3306.
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
