<br>
<br><font size=3><b>AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO POLICY MAKERS ABOUT THE
CONSERVATION OF NATIVE PLANTS . . . </b> </font>
<br>
<br>
<br><font size=3>Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne is joining with the
Secretaries of Commerce and Agriculture, the Administrator of the Environmental
Protection Agency, and the Chairman of the White House Council on Environmental
Quality to host<b> listening sessions on cooperative conservation and environmental
partnerships. </b> </font>
<br>
<br><font size=3>The listening sessions will <b>give citizens an opportunity
to exchange ideas on incentives, partnership programs, and regulations
that can improve results and promote cooperative conservation and environmental
partnerships. </b> </font>
<br>
<br><font size=3>The meetings will focus on issues, programs, and policies
mentioned frequently at the White House Conference on Cooperative Conservation.
Discussion topics will include: </font>
<br>
<ul>
<li><font size=3>How can the federal government enhance wildlife habitat,
species protection, and other conservation outcomes through regulatory
and voluntary conservation programs? </font>
<li><font size=3>How can the federal government enhance cooperation among
federal agencies and with states, tribes, and local communities in the
application of environmental protection and conservation laws? </font>
<li><font size=3>How can the federal government work with states, tribes,
and other public- and private-sector partners to improve science used in
environmental protection and conservation? </font>
<li><font size=3>How can the federal government work cooperatively with
businesses and landowners to protect the environment and promote conservation?
</font>
<li><font size=3>How can the federal government better respect the interests
of people with ownership in land, water, and other natural resources? </font></ul>
<br>
<br>
<br><font size=3>The following cities will be hosting listening sessions
(for additional information visit http://cooperativeconservation.gov/sessions/index.html)
</font>
<br>
<br><font size=3>Spokane, Washington, 10 a.m., August 9 </font>
<br><font size=3>Roanoke, Virginia, 10:30 a.m., August 14 </font>
<br><font size=3>Helena, Montana, 1 p.m., August 14 </font>
<br><font size=3>Columbus, Ohio, 4 p.m., August 21 </font>
<br><font size=3>Redmond, Oregon, 8:30 a.m., August 22 </font>
<br><font size=3>Omaha, Nebraska, 1 p.m., August 24 </font>
<br><font size=3>Muncie, Indiana, 10 a.m., August 26 </font>
<br><font size=3>Fairbanks, Alaska, 10 a.m., August 28 </font>
<br><font size=3>Jefferson City, Missouri, 1 p.m., August 29 </font>
<br><font size=3>Enid, Oklahoma, 1 p.m., August 30 </font>
<br><font size=3>Redding, California, 1 p.m., September 13 </font>
<br><font size=3>Colorado Springs, Colorado, 9 a.m., September 15 </font>
<br><font size=3>Brewer, Maine, 4 p.m., September 20 </font>
<br><font size=3>Brunswick, Georgia, 1 p.m., September 21 </font>
<br><font size=3>Colton, California, 10 a.m., September 28 </font>
<br>
<br>
<br><font size=3>These meetings are the latest in a series of discussions
the Administration has hosted since the White House Conference on Cooperative
Conservation in August 2005. The conference identified three broad approaches
to improving conservation results: promoting cooperation within the federal
government, promoting cooperation between the federal government and others,
and eliminating barriers to cooperation in existing policy. Some of these
ideas are reflected in a recently released summary of new legislation.
In short this summary reviews the following bills </font>
<br>
<br><font size=3><b>The Good Samaritan Clean Watershed Act - </b>This bill
is designed to allow individuals and organizations who are not responsible
for the pollution, but are willing to participate in voluntary remediation
projects, to do so without fear of undue liability under the CWA and CERCLA.
This bill would also streamline the permitting process associated with
voluntary cleanup activities. </font>
<br>
<br><font size=3><b>Cooperative Conservation Enhancement Act </b>- This
legislation would establish several DOI Cooperative Conservation program
and clarify existing partnerships and cooperative agreement authorities
and reduce barriers to such authorities where appropriate to encourage
greater cooperation among Federal agencies, local communities, and citizens.
</font>
<br>
<br><font size=3><b>Healthy Forests Partnership Act </b>- This act would
authorize the Secretaries to enter into new partnerships with State and
local governments and Indian tribes. It would also authorize the designation
of "Healthy Forests Partnership Zones in priority areas to foster
investment by non-Federal parties to build in local industry capacity and
public infrastructure needed to restore forests and rangelands. </font>
<br>
<br><font size=3><b>Cooperative Conservation of Marine, Estuarine, Coastal
and Riverine Habitat Act</b> - This bill would authorize the Secretary
of Commerce to enter into cooperative partnerships and regional plans to
support marine, estuarine, coastal and riverine habitat protection and
restoration. </font>
<br>
<br><font size=3>For more information about this proposed legislation please
visit http://cooperativeconservation.gov/pdfs/JointLetteronProposedLegislation.pdf
</font>
<br>
<br><font size=3>For additional information regarding the Cooperative Conservation
program visit http://cooperativeconservation.gov/ </font>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br><font size=3>Megan Haidet </font>
<br><font size=3>Communications Coordinator </font>
<br><font size=3>Plant Conservation Alliance </font>
<br><font size=3>US Fish & Wildlife Service </font>
<br><font size=3>4401 N. Fairfax Dr., Suite 750 </font>
<br><font size=3>Arlington, VA 22203</font>
<br><font size=3>Phone: 703.358.2120 </font>
<br><font size=3>Fax: 703.358.2276 </font>
<br><font size=3> </font>