AVAILABILITY OF DRAFT MANAGEMENT PLAN

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at its June 2006 meeting determined that reclassifying the Florida manatee (Trichechus manatus latirostris) from endangered status to threatened status was warranted, and directed the development of a management plan. Reclassification will not occur until the reclassification rules in the proposed plan are approved by the Commission. A first draft management plan for the manatee was prepared and made available for public comment. Comments were reviewed and the draft management plan edited. The Commission is now requesting written comments on the second draft management plan. Copies of the draft management plan are available at http://myfwc.com/imperiledspecies/petitions.htm. Written comments should be addressed to: Manatee Management Plan, 620 South Meridian Street, Mail Station 6A, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1600, or submitted by email to manatee_plan@myFWC.com. Comments will be accepted until 11:59 p.m., June 14, 2007. Florida has a broad public records law. Your written communications, including e-mails, are public records subject to public disclosure.