June 26, 2006
CONTACT: Willie Puz, (850) 488-1638 (office), (850) 528-4428 (cell)

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is seeking public input on Phase 2 of its listing process, prior to reclassification of the bald eagle, gopher tortoise, Florida manatee and Panama City crayfish.

Phase 2 is development of species-specific management plans that outline management needs and protections necessary to guide species’ recovery, or in the case of the bald eagle, ensure it stays recovered. This process was set in motion at the June Commission meeting after FWC Commissioners voted to accept staff’s recommendations to move forward with reclassifying the four species. The peer-reviewed recommendations were based on each species’ risk of going extinct.

No change in a species’ status will take place until the management plan is developed and approved by the Commissioners. This process may take more than a year.

Local, county, state and federal agencies, stakeholders and the public are encouraged to submit written comments on managing each of these species. Comments must be received by 5 p.m., Aug. 8.

Comments should focus on topics outlined in the draft management plan template, available at MyFWC.com/imperiledspecies/mgt_plan_template.htm. Main topics include the species’ conservation needs and any economic and social factors that should be considered in managing each species in Florida. In addition, state, local or regional rules or ordinances that reference FWC species listing categories should be identified. Relevant topics not included in the template should be provided as well.

Send comments for each species to:

Bald Eagle –
Bald Eagle Management Plan Comments, DHSC,
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission,
620 South Meridian St., Mail Station 1O,
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1600

Gopher Tortoise –
Gopher Tortoise Management Plan Comments, DHSC,
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission,
620 South Meridian St., Mail Station 1O,
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1600

Florida Manatee –
Manatee Management Plan Comments, DHSC,
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission,
620 South Meridian St., Mail Station 6A,
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1600
or e-mail manatee_plan@myfwc.com.

Panama City Crayfish –
Panama City Crayfish Management Plan Comments, DHSC,
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission,
620 South Meridian St., Mail Station 1O,
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1600

This is not the only time the public will have the opportunity to comment on each management plan. A second 45-day public comment period will follow the release of the draft management plan.