The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking public input on developing its 15-year Comprehensive Conservation Plan for the Patuxent Research Refuge.

Refuge staff will host public scoping meetings in Laurel and Annapolis Feb. 22-23 to allow the public to speak directly with refuge staff and comment on what they see as the issues, concerns and challenges for the refuge over the next 15 years.

A scoping meeting is set for Monday, Feb. 22 from 2-4 and 6:30-8:30 p.m., with refuge presentations at 2:15 and 6:45 p.m., at the Patuxent Research Refuge, 10901 Scarlet Tanager Loop.

A meeting will also be held at the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, C-1 conference room, Tawes State Office Building, 580 Taylor Ave., in Annapolis on Tuesday, Feb. 23, from 1-3 p.m., with refuge presentation at 1:15 p.m. The meetings are designed in the format of an open house, with a brief presentation by refuge staff.

The CCP, required of all National Wildlife Refuges by the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997 (PL 105-57), is a 15-year plan designed to provide strategic management direction for the refuge's purposes and goals.

Written comments can be sent to Patuxent Research Refuge manager Brad Knudsen at 10901 Scarlet Tanager Loop, Laurel, MD 20708, or e-mailed to northeastplanning@fws.gov. Please write Patuxent in the e-mail subject line.

Information, data and comments are gathered during public scoping before developing a draft CCP and environmental assessment. The draft plan will be distributed for public review and comment.

For directions and parking information, go to www.dnr.state.md.us/mailroom.asp.

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