ContactsKim Forrest, Refuge Manager (209) 826-3508 or Jack Sparks, Outdoor Recreation Planner (209) 826-3508
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is soliciting input from the public to assist in the formulation of a Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) for the San Luis National Wildlife Refuge Complex. The Complex includes the San Luis and Merced National Wildlife Refuges and Grasslands Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in the San Joaquin Valley of California. The Service will conduct three public scoping meetings, two on September 24 in Los Banos, Calif., and one September 25 in Merced, Calif., to help identify issues and gather information. Meeting times and locations are as follows:
Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2008, 1 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Location: San Luis NWR Complex Headquarters, 947-C W. Pacheco Blvd. in Los Banos. Directions: The office is located on Pacheco Blvd. (Hwy 152) between West I St. and Ortigalita Road. Look for the shopping center with the JC Penneys and Ryan's Place Restaurant. The office is located at the west end of the shopping center behind Ryan's Place Restaurant. Phone: (209) 826-3508.
Thursday, Sept. 25, 2008, 6 p.m.
Location: Merced College, Lesher Building, Room 111, 3600 M St. in Merced. Directions: The campus is located at the corner of M St. and Yosemite Ave. From central Merced, travel northbound on M St. Shortly after crossing Yosemite Ave., turn right on Community College Drive. Park in Parking Lot A. The Lesher Building is behind the Admin Building at the north end of the parking lot. A campus map is available on the Internet at: http://www.mccd.edu/about_us/contact_us/campmap.htm
Comments and suggestions will contribute to a draft CCP, which will articulate conservation issues and management alternatives for the 26,878-acre San Luis and the 10,262-acre Merced Refuges. Grasslands WMA includes more than 190 privately owned parcels totaling approximately 90,000 acres. The public will also be provided the opportunity to comment on the Refuge Complex?s draft CCP after it is written and released to the public.
Written comments are welcomed at the meetings and can also be submitted by mail, e-mail or fax to: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, California and Nevada Region, Refuge Planning, Attn: Sandy Osborn, 2800 Cottage Way Suite W-1832, Sacramento CA, 95825; (916) 414-6497 (fax) or Sandy_Osborn@fws.gov. A planning update has been distributed with basic information about the Refuges and the CCP planning process. Copies of the planning update are available on the Service's Planning website at: http://www.fws.gov/cno/refuges/planning/ccp.cfm. Updates can also be obtained by sending a request to the address above.
More information about the meetings or the refuge is available by contacting Refuge Manager Kim Forrest, San Luis NWRC, PO Box 2176, Los Banos, CA 93635; Tel. (209) 826-3508, fax (209) 826-1445 or E-mail Kim_Forrest@fws.gov.
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.
More information about San Luis NWR Complex is available on the Internet at http://www.fws.gov/sanluis/
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