Public Meetings Scheduled on Study of Possible Establishment of a National Wildlife Refuge in Pennsylvanias Cherry Valley

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) will host two public meetings in northeastern Pennsylvania as part of a study exploring the feasibility of establishing a national wildlife refuge national wildlife refuge
A national wildlife refuge is typically a contiguous area of land and water managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service  for the conservation and, where appropriate, restoration of fish, wildlife and plant resources and their habitats for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans.

Learn more about national wildlife refuge in Cherry Valley in Monroe County. The meetings are intended to provide the opportunity for interested individuals and organizations to learn more about the study and to contribute information for consideration in it.

Meeting schedule:

; -1Wed., March 26: ; -1Monroe County Conservation District, 8050 Running Valley Rd., Bartonsville, PA ; -12:00 to 4:00 pm: Open house and information session ; -16:30 to 9:00 pm : Brief presentations followed by open discussion ; -1 ; -1Thurs., March 27: ; -1Christ Hamilton Church, RD 4 Box 4293, Bossardsville Rd., Saylorsburg, PA ; -12:00 to 4:00 pm: Open house and information session

6:30 to 9:00 pm: Brief presentations followed by open discussion

For further information about the meetings, contact Service planner Carl Melberg at 978-443-4661 ext. 32 or Carl_Melberg@fws.gov. In addition to the meetings, comments may be submitted by regular mail addressed to Carl Melberg, 73 Weir Hill Rd, Sudbury, MA 01776; by email to northeastplanning@fws.gov">; or by fax to 978-443-2898.

; -1

In response to community interest, U.S. Representative Paul E. Kanjorski (Pennsylvania-D-11^th) co-sponsored a bill in 2005 to study Cherry Valley as a prospective national wildlife refuge. A year later, the 109^th U.S. Congress passed an act directing the Service, which administers the National Wildlife Refuge System, to evaluate the biological value of natural communities within the valley and to study the feasibility of establishing a national wildlife refuge. The study is underway and the results should be available by this fall.

The Service is working closely with TNC to establish baseline information as the scientific foundation for the study. The full study team includes representatives from the Service, TNC, Pennsylvania Game Commission, Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, Monroe County conservation and planning administrators, National Park Service and local academic institutions.

Cherry Creek flows through southern Monroe County in northeastern Pennsylvania, flowing into the Delaware River. The 30,000-acre valley harbors important natural communities and many protected plants and animals, including species protected under the Endangered Species Act. Kittatinny Ridge, following the creeks path, is a major avenue for migrating birds of prey, songbirds, waterfowl and bats.

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information about our work and the people who make it happen, visit /www.fws.gov.

-FWS-