What is Petit Manan NWR? Petit Manan National Wildlife Refuge Complex is a collection of offshore nesting islands and mainland units.  It spans 200 miles of the Maine coast, and supports diverse biological communities such as an impressive assemblage of native fish, wildlife, and plant species.

What does the plan propose?

• The plan evaluates four alternatives for the refuge complex during the next 15 years;

• Assesses refuge expansion and wilderness proposals;

• Discusses wildlife-dependent public uses: hunting, fishing, wildlife observation and photography, and environmental education and interpretation.

What Can you do?

Comment on the draft plan and environmental impact statement (use the suggested points below for ideas) .  Send your comments to:

Deadline for written comments is July 1, 2004

Points to make in your comments:

• Support Preferred Alternative B that would establish six new projects to protect and restore seabird populations and their habitats; expand the land acquisition program to include 153 acres on the mainland and 2,314 acres on 87 islands

• Support Wilderness designation for 3,125 acres o 13 islands within the refuge complex

• Urge the Refuge to locate its Seabird Environmental Center on Sears Island and expand its environmental education workshops with interpretive programs on tour boats and trails, providing both an environmentally compatible use of the Island and revenue for nearby communities.
  
  For more details, including a 2-page fact sheet, contact information, schedules, and a brief description of the plan go to http://northeast.fws.gov/planning/petit.htm. Or, you can request a CD-ROM, a print copy of the draft, or its summary, by mail - contact Nancy McGarigal using the information listed above.