After reaching an agreement last December, the parties held two meetings in Alaska (Fairbanks & Anchorage) in March to explain the agreement and solicit comments from the public. The agreement provides for the Council to perform $59,000 of work on the Refuge in 2004-2005. Information on the agreement is posted on the Region 7 website. The public comment period began February 13, 2004 and ended April 13, 2004. After reviewing 147 public comments, the Service re-negotiated with the Council and changed some of the wording of the agreement. Secretary Norton forwarded the signed agreement to Congress for a for ninety day review provided by regulation. Inaction or approval by Congress will make this the first agreement of its kind in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Title IV of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act, P.L. 93-638 enables tribal governments to enter into annual funding agreements with bureaus of the Department of the Interior, including the Service. For further information regarding the tentative annual funding agreement, please contact Refuge Manager Ted Heuer, (907) 456-0407, or ted_heuer@fws.gov.