NEWPORT, Ore.– The public is invited to help shape Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s work plan for marine reserves at a public workshop on Thursday, Aug. 6, from 6-8 p.m. at the Best Western Agate Beach Inn, 3019 North Coast Highway, Newport.

The work plan will guide the state’s marine reserves work during the 2009-2011 biennium. The purpose of this workshop is to receive input from coastal community members, the fishing industry, ocean users, local elected officials, and the general public to help shape the work plan. Once the plan is complete, ODFW will hold more workshops and meetings with community groups to guide work plan implementation.

Meeting materials and more detailed information about the workshop will be available on the Oregon Marine Reserves Website at: www.oregonmarinereserves.net.

If you are unable to make the workshop, but would still like to review the work plan and provide comments, ODFW will accept written public comment between July 31 and Aug. 13. A copy of the workshop materials (including draft work plan) and instructions on how and where to submit comments will be available on the Oregon Marine Reserves Website.

For more information, please contact Cristen Don or Juna Hickner at (541) 867-4741.

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