MONTGOMERY, Ala.--Date--B.A.S.S. Conservation announced today that Steve Williams, recently appointed director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), will attend the 32nd annual CITGO BASS Masters Classic in Birmingham, Ala., to lead a special presentation about the FWS Fisheries Program strategic vision, which the agency is developing with its partners, including B.A.S.S.
Williams was appointed FWS director in January after serving as Secretary for the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks since 1995. He is an experienced wildlife professional, having managed significant wildlife programs in several states in addition to Kansas. He is also an avid hunter and angler."The timing of Steve Williams coming to the 2002 Classic couldnt be better," said B.A.S.S. Conservation Director Bruce Shupp. "The Service is about to unveil its new Fisheries Program strategic plan. This event will give Steve the opportunity to describe this vision for our nations fisheries and garner immediate feedback from a diverse group of stakeholders."
Williams will speak Thursday morning, July 25, in the auditorium of the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center, to an invited audience including State fisheries directors, B.A.S.S. Federation leaders, sportfishing/boating industry leaders and outdoor media. His talk will be followed by a presentation by FWS staff about the new Fisheries Program Strategic Plan.
"Im looking forward to attending the Classic and meeting with all the State and Federal professionals B.A.S.S. brings together on this occasion to discuss major fisheries conservation issues that are so important to all of us," Williams said.
B.A.S.S. has a long history of supporting the protection and management of our natural resources and was awarded the Fisheries Management Section Conservation Achievement Award for 2001 for initiation of such policies as "catch-and-release" and for support of research on the mysterious Largemouth Bass Virus.
NOTE TO EDITORS: Director Williams will be available to the media for questions beginning at 11 a.m. in the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center Auditorium.
