Comments Sought on Kenai Refuge's Skilak Wildlife Recreation Area Plan

From a USFWS News Release:

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking public comments on its recently completed Draft Management Plan and Environmental Assessment for Kenai National Wildlife Refuge's Skilak Wildlife Recreation Area. This Draft Plan is available on CD-ROM from Rob Campellone (see address below), or can be found at: http://alaska.fws.gov/nwr/planning/kenpol.htm, under the category, Step-down Management Plans.

The Draft Plan identifies three alternatives for public use of the 44,000-acre Skilak Wildlife Recreation Area. It also presents the Service's evaluation of the environmental consequences associated with implementing each of the alternatives. The final version of this plan, which will be completed following consideration of all public comments, will guide future management of the Skilak Wildlife Recreation Area.

The Service is inviting comment on this draft document because public involvement in the planning process is essential for development of an effective plan, and will accept such comments until November 17, 2006.
Comments should be specific, addressing merits of the alternatives and adequacy of the environmental analysis.

All public comments received, including the names and addresses of those commenting, will be included in the planning record, which will be available for public review. However, if any individual wishes to withhold his or her name or address, the Service requests that he or she state this prominently at the beginning of any comments. We will honor such requests to the extent allowed by law.

All comments from organizations and businesses, and from individuals identifying themselves as representatives or officials of organizations or businesses, will be available for public inspection. Anonymous comments will not be considered. Comments can be mailed, e-mailed, or provided orally by November 17, 2006, to: Rob Campellone, Planning Team Leader; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; 1011 East Tudor Road - MS 231; Anchorage, AK 99503-6199. Rob Campellone can be reached by telephone at (907) 786-3982, or by email at: fw7_kenai_planning@fws.gov.