The Department of Fish and Game (DFG) will hold three public hearings to solicit comment on its draft California Aquatic Invasive Species Management Plan. The revised plan is a framework for responding to aquatic invasive species in California. ?ĮThe hearings are set for:

?Ģ SACRAMENTO: Monday, Aug. 28, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the California Department of Food and Agriculture auditorium, 1220 N St.;?Į?Ģ OAKLAND: Wednesday, Aug. 30, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Association of Bay Area Governments/Metropolitan Transportation Commission conference room, 101 Eighth St.;?Į?Ģ LONG BEACH: Friday, Sept. 1, from 9 a.m. to noon, Port of Long Beach board room, 925 Harbor Plaza, sixth floor.

Written comments are due by noon on Sept. 11, 2006 Sept. 22, 2006 (comment deadline extended). Written comments should be submitted at the public meetings, emailed, or mailed to Dr. Karen McDowell, San Francisco Estuary Project, 1515 Clay Street, Oakland, CA 94612-1413. McDowell can be reached at (510) 622-2398, or by e-mail at kmcdowell@waterboards.ca.gov.

The draft plan, which DFG first began developing as a management strategy in 2002, provides an array of steps to cover aquatic invasive species throughout California. The Ocean Protection Council provided funding for completion of the plan.

The diversity of California waters is extensive, providing habitat for both marine and freshwater fisheries. While state waters are a huge source of hydropower, irrigation, municipal and industrial water supplies, they offer aesthetic enjoyment through countless recreational and commercial opportunities.

Aquatic invasive species threaten the state through a number of avenues. Left unchecked, they disrupt and can destroy the diversity and abundance of native species and natural communities. Their presence weakens the ecological stability and water quality of infested waters, as well as the commercial, agricultural, and recreational activities dependent on those waters.

Link to the plan on DFG's website at http://www.dfg.ca.gov/html/pubnotice.html, or for more information, go to http://sfep.abag.ca.gov/projects/invasive_species.html.