The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is hosting the last of two public meetings Saturday in Kissimmee to answer questions and take comments on the proposed Everglades Headwaters National Wildlife Refuge and Conservation Area in south-central Florida.
The meeting starts at 1 p.m. at Osceola Heritage Park Exhibition Building. From 1-2 p.m., there will be an Open House during which the Service will answer questions about the proposal.
The formal Public Hearing will be from 2-5 p.m., during which the Service will make a short presentation about the proposal and attendees will be able to express their views on the proposal. Both verbal and written comments may be submitted.

Written comments may also be submitted by:
•    Email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
•    Fax to 321.861.1276
•    Mail to
Everglades Headwaters Proposal
US Fish and Wildlife Service
PO Box 2683
Titusville, FL  32781-2683

Names and addresses should be included with comments, with the understanding that the material is subject to the federal Freedom of Information Act and may be released to the public upon request. The deadline to submit comments is October 24, 2011.

The Service is proposing a 100,000-acre Conservation Area and a 50,000-acre National Wildlife Refuge. This is a voluntary program. The Service would work with willing landowners to purchase full or partial interest in their land. For more information about the proposal, please go to www.fws.gov/southeast/evergladesheadwaters.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service works with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. For more information on ther work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.