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Public comment opens, second workshop
announced for Panama City Crayfish Management Plan
May 7, 2007
Contact: Stan Kirkland (850) 265-3676
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Commission (FWC) is asking the public to comment about the
revised draft of the Panama City Crayfish Management Plan
released today. The plan is available online at
MyFWC.com, in the "Quick
Clicks” area.
This second comment period ends June 14 after
FWC Commissioners hear a report on the plan and receive public
comment at their meeting in Melbourne. Staff also will hear
public comment during a workshop 6-8 p.m. (CDT), May 17 at the
Panama City campus auditorium of Florida State University, 4750
Collegiate Drive.
Modifications have been made to the draft plan
based on feedback received during the first public comment
period that ran through April 4.
"We are thrilled that so many people already
have read and commented on the draft plan,” said Louie Roberson,
FWC Northwest Region regional director. "However, we haven’t
made it to the finish line yet. We ask that people stay engaged,
review the plan and give us feedback.”
Before a species can be reclassified in Florida,
a management plan must be prepared with public participation and
input.
The Panama City crayfish has been listed as a
species of special concern since 1987. In 2001, FWC received a
petition to reclassify the 1˝- to 2-inch crayfish to threatened
status. An independent scientific advisory panel reviewed the
petition and accompanying data and urged the FWC to move forward
with reclassification.
For a copy of the public workshop agenda,
contact David Cook, FWC, 620 South Meridian St., Mail Station
2A, Tallahassee, FL 32399-1600 or call (850) 488-3831.
Anyone requiring special accommodations to
participate in the public workshop should advise the FWC at
least five days before the workshop by contacting Cindy Hoffman
at (850) 488-6411. If you are hearing- or speech-impaired,
please contact the agency using the Florida Relay Service, 1
(800) 955-8771 (TDD) or 1 (800) 955-8770 (voice). |
