Natalie Shoaf

St. Vincent National Wildlife Refuge Seeks Public Input on Future Management at Open House Meetings What? CCP Public Scoping Meeting Why? To gather your thoughts on the future management of St. Vincent National Wildlife Refuge Where? St. Joe Bay Buffer Preserve, 3915 Highway C30 When? July 15th, 2009 6-9p.m. (presentation 6:45p.m.) AND Where? Apalachicola Community Building (City Hall), 1 Bay Avenue When? July 16th, 2009 6-9p.m. (presentation 6:45p.m.) The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) will be hosting two open house meetings to request input from the public in developing a Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) for St. Vincent National Wildlife Refuge (NWR). The CCP will set wildlife, habitat, and public use priorities and guide management decisions on the Refuge for the next 15 years. The open house meetings will provide an opportunity for interested members of the public, tribes, agencies, neighbors, public interest groups, and local governments to participate in the Refuge planning process from the very beginning. The purpose of the meetings is to find out what the public?s ideas are on management of the Refuge so they can be addressed in the planning process. Each meeting will consist of the same information and content. Interested citizens may stop by any time to submit comments. Refuge staff and maps and exhibits will be present. At 6:45p.m., Refuge Staff will then present an overview of St. Vincent NWR, including its history, key wildlife and habitats, public use opportunities, and challenges. A presentation on the planning and environmental compliance processes will then be given by Natural Resource Planner from the Service. Immediately after the presentations, attendees will be given the opportunity to express their thoughts and ideas on Refuge management. In addition, comment forms will be made available so that written comments can be submitted at the meeting or mailed in to the Refuge later. If you or someone you know cannot attend the open house and would like to submit written comments, they can be sent to St. Vincent National Wildlife Refuge, P.O. Box 447, Apalachicola, FL 32329. Comments may also be sent via email to Stvincentccp@fws.gov