WHAT:
Public meetings to discuss a proposal to designate critical habitat for the Gulf sturgeon and the associated analysis of potential economic impacts. The Gulf sturgeon, federally listed as an endangered species, inhabits coastal waters from Louisiana through Florida during the spring, summer, and fall. It winters in estuaries, bays, and the Gulf of Mexico. In Florida, Gulf Sturgeon critical habitat is proposed for the Pensacola Bay River system; Santa Rosa Sound; nearshore Gulf of Mexico; Choctawatchee Bay system; Apalachicola Bay system; Suwannee Sound and adjacent state waters within the Gulf of Mexico. Also included would be the Escambia, Conecuh, Sepulga, Yellow, Blackwater, Shoal, Choctawatchee, Pea, Apalachicola, Brothers, Suwannee, and Withlacoochee Rivers.
WHO:
Staff from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and NOAA Fisheries will be available to discuss the critical habitat proposal and economic analysis and to answer questions and receive comments from the general public.
WHERE:
August 19: Suwannee River Management District, 9225 County Road 49 in Live Oak, Florida. Take Highway 90 east of Live Oak and go south on County Road 49. August 20: Museum Room of the Chautauqua Building, 96 Circle Drive, Defuniak Springs, Florida. Defuniak Springs is located on Interstate 10 between Tallahassee and Pensacola. From Interstate 10, take Exit 14 (Defuniak Springs), go north on Highway 331 to second traffic light (two miles). Turn right at the light. Continue on Live Oak Avenue to dead-end at Circle Drive. Turn right on Circle Drive, and Chautauqua Auditorium is on the left.
WHEN:
Both meetings begin with a public information session from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. The formal public hearings begin at 7 p.m. and end at 9 p.m.
