General DNR News

Programmatic EIS to be discussed at hearings on June 23

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and state and federal natural resource agencies will sponsor two public meetings to receive comments on the Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for the Louisiana Regional Restoration Planning Program.

The meetings will be held on Monday, June 23, 2003, at 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. at the La. Dept. of Natural Resources, Conservation and Mineral Board Resources Hearing Room, 1st Floor (LaBelle Room), 617 N. 3rd Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70802.

DNR Coastal Management Division's oil spill liaison Richard Stanek will participate and be available for questions or comments. He said the restoration planning program outlines how natural resources agencies deal with oil spill incidents and damages. The program is currently developing databases of wetland projects in nine regions of the state.

For public comment through July 9, 2003, contact William Conner at 301/713-3038, ext. 190 or send to NOAA/Damage Assessment Center, 1305 East-West Highway, SSMC #4, 10th Floor, Silver Spring, MD 20910. A copy of comments should also be sent to: NEPA Coordinator, NOAA/SP, Room 6121, 14th and Constitution, NW, Washington DC 20230.

For more information call Richard Stanek at 225-342-7946.