[CINC] Sea otter public hearing to be held in Ventura, CA on September 27, 2011

[David_Begun at nps.gov]

Dear Interested Parties:


On August 17, 2011, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) published
a notice in the Federal Register that it will hold public hearings,
preceded by public information sessions, on October 4 and 6, 2011. These
hearings are regarding the Service's proposal to end the 24-year-old
southern sea otter translocation program in California following an
in-depth evaluation that found the program is not meeting its objectives
for recovery of the species. The Service has added another public hearing
on September 27, 2011, in Ventura, California.

The public hearings provide a formal, structured opportunity for interested
parties to verbally express comments or to submit written comments on the
proposed rule, associated Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (IRFA),
or the Revised Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS).

The public information sessions provide an opportunity for the public to
meet Service staff and discuss the proposal with them prior to the hearing.

The additional public hearing will be held at the following location:

September 27, 2011
Channel Islands National Park auditorium
1901 Spinnaker Drive
Ventura, CA 93001
(805) 658-5700


Public information session 5:00-6:00 p.m. PDT
Public hearing 6:00-8:00 p.m. PDT

As previously announced, the other two public hearings will be held at the
following locations:


October 4, 2011
Fleischmann Auditorium
Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History
2559 Puesta Del Sol
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
805-682-4711


Public information session 5:00-6:00 p.m. PDT
Public hearing 6:00-8:00 p.m. PDT


October 6, 2011
La Feliz Room
Seymour Marine Discovery Center, Long Marine Laboratory
100 Shaffer Road, Santa Cruz, CA
831-459-3800


Public information session 5:00-6:00 p.m. PDT
Public hearing 6:00-8:00 p.m. PDT

Comments must be received by October 24, 2011. The Service will post all
comments on http://www.regulations.gov. Comments may be submitted on the
proposed rule, associated Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (IRFA),
or Revised Draft SEIS by one of the following methods:

      -Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the
      instructions for submitting comments to Docket No.
      [FWS–R8–FHC–2011–0046].

      -U.S. mail or hand-delivery: Public Comments Processing, Attn: Docket
      No. [FWS–R8–FHC–2011–0046]; Division of Policy and Directives
      Management; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, MS
      2042–PDM; Arlington, VA 22203.


      -Verbally by attending one of the formal public hearings. Written
      comments may also be submitted at the public hearings.


   For more information about the southern sea otter and to view the
      proposed rule, associated IRFA or Revised Draft SEIS, please visit
      http://www.fws.gov/ventura/species_information/so_sea_otter/index.html
      .


If you have questions, please call me at (805) 644-1766, ext. 332.

Thank you,


Lois Grunwald
Public Affairs
Ventura Fish and Wildlife Office
Phone: 805/644-1766, ext 332
Mobile: 805/794-0225
email: lois_grunwald at fws.gov




















Lois Grunwald
Public Affairs
Ventura Fish and Wildlife Office
Phone: 805/644-1766, ext 332
Mobile: 805/794-0225
email: lois_grunwald at fws.gov