05-27-2011, 01:10 AM
The Arizona Game and Fish Department is seeking public review and input on an action plan for wildlife viewing recreation in Arizona.
The Wildlife Viewing Action Plan outlines objectives and strategies to help guide and implement a statewide watchable wildlife project. It identifies programs, products, and services the department is currently providing in wildlife viewing recreation, discusses opportunities and challenges for the future, and identifies new approaches that, if implemented, will help take advantage of opportunities and overcome challenges.<br />
Game and Fish is seeking input from the public on the general topics and strategies that have been developed in the plan.<br />
"This is a step to include users and stakeholders in evaluating the plan," says Watchable Wildlife Coordinator Joe Yarchin. "We're looking for input on any broad objectives or strategies we might have missed, including alternatives. We want feedback on whether this is hitting the mark or has some gaps that need to be addressed."<br />
The Arizona Game and Fish Department recognizes the need to manage for positive wildlife opportunities for all outdoor recreationists. There is strong public interest in watching wildlife. According to the 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation, 1.3 million wildlife viewing participants spend $838 million in Arizona annually.<br />
Despite this comparatively large demographic, there appears to be a significant gap between the current conditions, as they relate to wildlife viewing recreation, and the desired future conditions. The action plan outlines objectives, goals and actions to narrow the gap.<br />
The public meetings will be held from 6-8 p.m. on these dates and locations:<br />
"¢ Monday, June 20, Yuma, Arizona Game and Fish Department Yuma regional office, 9140 E. 28th St.<br />
"¢ Tuesday, June 21, Flagstaff, Arizona Game and Fish Department Flagstaff regional office, 3500 S. Lake Mary Road.<br />
"¢ Wednesday, June 22, Pinetop, Arizona Game and Fish Department Pinetop regional office, 2878 E. White Mountain Blvd.<br />
"¢ Thursday, June 23, Tucson, Arizona Game and Fish Department Tucson regional office, 555 N. Greasewood Road.<br />
"¢ Tuesday, June 28, Kingman, Arizona Game and Fish Department Kingman regional office, 5325 N. Stockton Hill Road.<br />
"¢ Wednesday, June 29, Mesa, Arizona Game and Fish Department Mesa regional office, 7200 E. University Drive.<br />
"¢ Thursday, June 30, Phoenix, Arizona Game and Fish Department headquarters, 5000 W. Carefree Highway. Note: This meeting will also be webcast at www.azgfd.gov/webcast.<br />
Each meeting will include an introduction, a presentation on the plan (including strategies and objectives), and the opportunity for discussion and questions and answers.<br />
"¢ Click here to view a copy of the Wildlife Viewing Action Plan.<br />
Comments can be submitted at the meetings, or you can submit comments by e-mail to wwreview@azgfd.gov or by U.S. mail to: Wildlife Viewing Action Plan Comment, c/o Arizona Game and Fish Department, 5000 W. Carefree Highway, Phoenix, AZ 85086. The deadline to submit comment is July 6, 2011.<br />
For more information, visit www.azgfd.gov/wwreview
The Wildlife Viewing Action Plan outlines objectives and strategies to help guide and implement a statewide watchable wildlife project. It identifies programs, products, and services the department is currently providing in wildlife viewing recreation, discusses opportunities and challenges for the future, and identifies new approaches that, if implemented, will help take advantage of opportunities and overcome challenges.<br />
Game and Fish is seeking input from the public on the general topics and strategies that have been developed in the plan.<br />
"This is a step to include users and stakeholders in evaluating the plan," says Watchable Wildlife Coordinator Joe Yarchin. "We're looking for input on any broad objectives or strategies we might have missed, including alternatives. We want feedback on whether this is hitting the mark or has some gaps that need to be addressed."<br />
The Arizona Game and Fish Department recognizes the need to manage for positive wildlife opportunities for all outdoor recreationists. There is strong public interest in watching wildlife. According to the 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation, 1.3 million wildlife viewing participants spend $838 million in Arizona annually.<br />
Despite this comparatively large demographic, there appears to be a significant gap between the current conditions, as they relate to wildlife viewing recreation, and the desired future conditions. The action plan outlines objectives, goals and actions to narrow the gap.<br />
The public meetings will be held from 6-8 p.m. on these dates and locations:<br />
"¢ Monday, June 20, Yuma, Arizona Game and Fish Department Yuma regional office, 9140 E. 28th St.<br />
"¢ Tuesday, June 21, Flagstaff, Arizona Game and Fish Department Flagstaff regional office, 3500 S. Lake Mary Road.<br />
"¢ Wednesday, June 22, Pinetop, Arizona Game and Fish Department Pinetop regional office, 2878 E. White Mountain Blvd.<br />
"¢ Thursday, June 23, Tucson, Arizona Game and Fish Department Tucson regional office, 555 N. Greasewood Road.<br />
"¢ Tuesday, June 28, Kingman, Arizona Game and Fish Department Kingman regional office, 5325 N. Stockton Hill Road.<br />
"¢ Wednesday, June 29, Mesa, Arizona Game and Fish Department Mesa regional office, 7200 E. University Drive.<br />
"¢ Thursday, June 30, Phoenix, Arizona Game and Fish Department headquarters, 5000 W. Carefree Highway. Note: This meeting will also be webcast at www.azgfd.gov/webcast.<br />
Each meeting will include an introduction, a presentation on the plan (including strategies and objectives), and the opportunity for discussion and questions and answers.<br />
"¢ Click here to view a copy of the Wildlife Viewing Action Plan.<br />
Comments can be submitted at the meetings, or you can submit comments by e-mail to wwreview@azgfd.gov or by U.S. mail to: Wildlife Viewing Action Plan Comment, c/o Arizona Game and Fish Department, 5000 W. Carefree Highway, Phoenix, AZ 85086. The deadline to submit comment is July 6, 2011.<br />
For more information, visit www.azgfd.gov/wwreview