FWS Extends Comment Period for Everglades Headwaters NWR
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will extend the public comment period on the proposed Everglades Headwaters National Wildlife Refuge and Conservation Area in south-central Florida to November 25, 2011.
The proposal has generated significant interest from a variety of stakeholders with roughly 1,500 comments received to date. The extension was requested by local hunting conservation groups and provides an additional opportunity for interested citizens and organizations to submit comments.
The original deadline to submit comments was set for today. A notice of extension will be published in the Federal Register on Wednesday, October 26. It will be available in the Register's 'Reading Room' beginning today.
Written comments may be submitted by:
Email to: EvergladesHeadwatersProposal@fws.gov
Fax to: 321-861-1276
Mail to:
Everglades Headwaters Proposal
US Fish and Wildlife Service
P.O. Box 2683
Titusville, FL 32781-2683
Names and addresses should be included with comments, with the understanding that the material is subject to the federal Freedom of Information Act and may be released to the public upon request.
The Service is proposing a 100,000-acre Conservation Area and a 50,000-acre National Wildlife Refuge. This is a voluntary program. The Service would work with willing landowners to purchase full or partial interest in their land. No general tax revenue will be used to purchase lands or conservation easements in this proposal. Funding for this proposal would come from royalties generated by offshore oil and gas exploration and development that are deposited into the Land and Water Conservation Fund. Details about the proposal including its Draft Land Protection Plan, an Environmental Assessment, and maps, are available at: http://www.fws.gov/southeast/evergladesheadwaters.
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 on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov. Connect with our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/usfwssoutheast, follow our tweets at www.twitter.com/usfwssoutheast, watch our YouTube Channel at http://www.youtube.com/usfws and download photos from our Flickr page at http://www.flickr.com/photos/usfwssoutheast.
