U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Conducting Public Session to Share Information on Key Deer Recovery and Possible Change In Listing Status; Meeting Set for Marathon Key on August 22

MARATHON, Fla. – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is hosting a public information meeting on Aug. 22, 2019 at the Marathon Government Center, second floor BOCC Chambers (2798 Overseas Highway, Marathon, Fla.) starting at 6 p.m. The purpose of the meeting is to share information about Key deer recovery and a possible change in the listing status of this iconic species.

During this meeting, the Service will provide information about how Key deer recovery is progressing, how the recent species status assessment (SSA) is informing/guiding decisions regarding Key deer and how the public can participate in the decision making process when/if the Service proposes to change the listing status of Key deer under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).  Should the Service propose a change in the listing status in the future, an additional public hearing will be scheduled at which the public will be allowed to make oral comments or submit written comments.

The SSA framework is an analytical approach developed by the Service to deliver foundational science for informing all decisions.  The SSA provides a single source for species’ biological information needed for all ESA decisions (e.g., listing, consultations, grant allocations, permitting, Habitat Conservation Plans and recovery planning).  The SSA will be made available to the public after this informational session.

The meeting is free and open to the public.  The planned agenda will include:

6:00-6:15 p.m.   Introductions and ground rules

6:15-6:30            Presentation: Florida Key Deer Recovery and Status of the Species

6:30-6:45            Provide information regarding the Key Deer SSA

6:45-7:30            Open floor for questions about the presentation

7:30 p.m.            Closing remarks

The Service is hoping to arrange an on-line concurrent webinar so people who can’t attend this meeting in person will be able to see the presentation and listen to the discussions.  If a webinar is arranged, the Service will notify interested parties (via email) and post information on our website (www.fws.gov/verobeach) about how to access it.

For more information contact:  Ken Warren, Public Affairs Officer, South Florida Ecological Services Office, (772) 643-4407 or[email protected].

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