The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has approved and released to the public the Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment for the Marin Islands National Wildlife Refuge in San Rafael, California.

The Plan is the culmination of a planning effort that involved local officials, representatives, non-governmental organizations and many interested citizens.  The Plan will guide management actions on the refuge for the next 15 years. Major achievements expected over the life of the plan include protecting coastal habitats, islands and other unique habitats.

The Marin Islands National Wildlife Refuge was established in April 1992 as both a National Wildlife Refuge and State Ecological Reserve (SER) and is managed as part of the San Francisco Bay NWR Complex.  The 339-acre refuge is located in the San Rafael Bay in Marin County, California, and consists of submerged tidelands and two islands, East Marin Island and West Marin Island. The refuge provides wintering habitat for migratory birds and nesting habitat for water birds.  West Marin Island is home to one of the largest heron and egret colonies in northern California.

Questions can be addressed to: Winnie Chan, San Francisco Bay NWR Complex, 9500 Thornton Avenue, Newark, CA  94560; fax:  (510) 792-5828; or sfbaynwrc@fws.gov (please type MINWR CCP in the subject line)  The completed Plan and a summary can be viewed on the Internet at: http://www.fws.gov/cno/refuges/planning.html    It is also available for viewing at the following locations:

San Francisco Bay NWR Complex Office

1 Marshlands Road

Fremont, CA  94555

(510) 792-0222

San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge

7715 Lakeville Highway

Petaluma, CA  94954

(707) 769-4200

Marin County Civic Center Library

3501 Civic Center Drive #427

San Rafael, CA 94903

San Rafael Public Library

1100 E Street

San Rafael, CA 94901