[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 177 (Friday, September 12, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 53751]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-23233]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Sport Fishing and Boating Partnership Council

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of meeting.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, the 
Fish and Wildlife Service announces a meeting designed to foster 
partnerships to enhance public awareness of the importance of aquatic 
resources and the social and economic benefits of recreational fishing 
and boating in the United States. This meeting, sponsored by the Sport 
Fishing and Boating Partnership Council (Council), is open to the 
public, and interested persons may make oral statements to the Council 
or may file written statements for consideration.

DATES: The meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 24, 2003, from 
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Florida Sea Base, 73800 
Overseas Highway, Islamorada, Florida 33036; telephone (305) 664-5628.
    Summary minutes of the conference will be maintained by the Council 
Coordinator at 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, MS-4036-AEA, Arlington, VA 22203, 
and will be available for public inspection during regular business 
hours within 30 days following the meeting. Personal copies may be 
purchased for the cost of duplication.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Laury Parramore, Council Coordinator, 
at (703) 358-1711.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Sport Fishing and Boating Partnership 
Council was formed in January 1993 to advise the Secretary of the 
Interior, through the Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, about 
sport fishing and boating issues. The Council represents the interests 
of the public and private sectors of the sport fishing and boating 
communities and is organized to enhance partnerships among industry, 
constituency groups, and government. The 18-member Council includes the 
Director of the Service and the president of the International 
Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, who both serve in ex officio 
capacities. Other Council members are Directors from State agencies 
responsible for managing recreational fish and wildlife resources and 
individuals who represent the interests of saltwater and freshwater 
recreational fishing, recreational boating, the recreational fishing 
and boating industries, recreational fisheries resource conservation, 
aquatic resource outreach and education, and tourism. The Council will 
convene to discuss: (1) The Council's continuing role in providing 
input to the Fish and Wildlife Service on the Service's strategic 
vision for its Fisheries Program; (2) the Council's work in its role as 
a facilitator of discussions with Federal and State agencies and other 
sportfishing and boating interests concerning a variety of national 
boating and fisheries management issues; and (3) the Council's role in 
providing the Interior Secretary with information about the 
implementation of the Strategic Plan for the National Outreach and 
Communications Program. The Interior Secretary approved the Strategic 
Plan in February 1999, as well as the five-year, $36-million federally 
funded outreach campaign authorized by the 1998 Sportfishing and 
Boating Safety Act that is now being implemented by the Recreational 
Boating and Fishing Foundation, a private, nonprofit organization.

    Dated: September 4, 2003.
Steve Williams,
Director.
[FR Doc. 03-23233 Filed 9-11-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P