Media Advisory: Additional Information on Upcoming Open Houses on Proposed Alternatives for North Cascades Grizzly Restoration

Date: February 8, 2017
Contact: Denise Shultz, 360-854-7302
Contact: Ann Froschauer, 360-753-4370

Sedro Woolley, Wash. – The National Park Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service invite the public to participate in a series of informational open houses regarding the proposed alternatives for the restoration of grizzly bears to the North Cascades Ecosystem. The alternatives are described in the draft Grizzly Bear Restoration Plan/Environmental Impact Statement (draft EIS), released by the two agencies on January 13, 2017. The meetings are one part of the public’s opportunity to comment on the draft EIS.
 
In addition to the open houses, the public also is invited to view the draft EIS and submit written comments through March 14, 2017, online at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/grizzlydeis or via regular mail or hand delivery at: Superintendent’s Office, North Cascades National Park Service Complex, 810 State Route 20, Sedro Woolley, WA 98284
 
The public open houses will be held from 6-8 p.m. at the following locations:
 

• Cle Elum – February 13 at the Putnam Centennial Center
• Cashmere – February 14 at the Riverside Center
• Winthrop – February 15 at the Red Barn
• Omak – February 16 at the Annex Facility at Okanogan County Fairgrounds
• Bellingham – February 21 at the Oxford Suites (please note location change from previous outreach)
• Darrington – February 22 at the Darrington Community Center
• Sultan – February 23 at the Sultan High School
• Renton – February 24 at the Renton Community Center

 
Members of the public planning to attend meetings in person are advised to check the North Cascades National Park Service web site the day of each meeting in the event that weather or other travel hazards result in meeting cancellation: https://www.nps.gov/noca

In order to maximize opportunities for public input, webinars are scheduled for Tuesday, February 14 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Pacific Time and Sunday, February 26 from 5 p.m.-7 p.m. Pacific Time. For more information about the open houses and to register for the webinars, visit: https://parkplanning.nps.gov/grizzlydeis and click on the “Meetings” link.

More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 407 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Visit us at www.nps.gov, on Facebook www.facebook.com/nationalparkservice, Twitter www.twitter.com/natlparkservice, and YouTube www.youtube.com/nationalparkservice.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service works with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. For more information, visit www.fws.gov/pacific/, or connect with us through any of these channels: www.facebook.com/USFWSPacific, www.tumblr.com/blog/usfwspacific, www.flickr.com/photos/usfwspacific/, or https://twitter.com/USFWSPacific/.