Federal Register Notice

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Office of the Secretary

U.S. Coral Reef Task Force Meeting

TIME AND DATE: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST, October 2 and 3, 2002

PLACE: Las Olas Room, Caribe Hilton Hotel, San Juan, Puerto Rico

STATUS: The Department of the Interior, as co-chair with the Department of Commerce, on behalf of the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force (CRTF), announces a public meeting of the Task Force. Composed of the heads of eleven federal agencies and the Governors of seven states, territories, and commonwealths, the Task Force has helped lead U.S. efforts to address the coral reef crisis and sustainably manage the nation's valuable coral reef ecosystems.

MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED: The CRTF will discuss implementation of the National Plan for Coral Reef Conservation Action, honor local organizations, and accept public comments. The agenda will be available from the contact persons below and published on the web at http://www.coralreef.gov/ when finalized.

CONTACT PERSON FOR MORE INFORMATION: Individuals and organizations will have opportunities to register for exhibit space and register to provide public comments limited to less that 5 minutes. Wherever possible, those with similar viewpoints or messages are encouraged to make joint statements. Testimony may be in English or Spanish, and will be received on the afternoon of October 2. Written statements may also be submitted to the Task Force up to October 10, 2002.

Organizations and individuals based outside of Puerto Rico desiring to register for public comments or to obtain additional information should contact the CRTF meeting office -
c/o the Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife Parks
Department of the Interior
1849 C Street NW, MS-MIB-3156
Attn: CRTF, Washington, D.C. 20240
Telephone 202-208-6211
Email CRTF@ios.doi.gov

Organizations or individuals in Puerto Rico should contact
Ms. Astrid Green at the Community Affairs Division
Department of Natural Resources
Telephone 787-724-8773/8774 x2258.

Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks

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