Public Comments on Draft National Fish, Wildlife and Plants Climate Adaptation Strategy

Jointly with the FWS and NOAA, the Association issued a press release yesterday (attached) announcing that the draft National Fish, Wildlife and Plants Climate Adaptation Strategy is available for public review and comment through March 5 at www.wildlifeadaptationstrategy.gov. Patty Riexinger (NY) is quoted along with David Hayes, Deputy Secretary of the Interior and Dr. Jane Lubchenco, NOAA Administrator.

A Steering Committee that includes government representatives from 16 federal agencies, five state fish and wildlife agencies and two inter-tribal commissions is leading the development of the strategy. The Steering Committee includes representatives from the California, Washington, Wisconsin, New York and North Carolina fish and wildlife agencies to ensure that all 50 states’ fish and wildlife concerns are considered. The Association is providing staff support for the strategy development.

To provide details and encourage dialogue on the strategy and its development, there will be five public information sessions in various locations around the country (list attached—1/31: California State University Sacramento; 2/2: Wisconsin DNR; 2/7: Charleston County Library; 2/9: New York Dept. of Fish, Wildlife & Marine Resources) and two webinars (1/26 & 2/14). To register for these meetings and for more information on the public comment process, visit www.wildlifeadaptationstrategy.gov/public-comments.php. Staff contacts: Gerry Barnhart, gbarnhart@fishwildlife.org / Devon Ryan, dryan@fishwildlife.org