Office of the Secretary |
Tom MacKenzie,
FWS
(404) 679-7291 |
For Immediate Release:May 25, 2004 |
Rick Ouellette,
IP
(912) 238-6399 |
Secretary
Gale Norton, International Paper to Sign Landmark Environmental Agreement
to Protect and Manage Aquatic Resources
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(SAVANNAH, Ga.) -- Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton and International Paper will sign the first-ever Aquatic Resources Conservation and Management Partnership Agreement, a landmark environmental partnership expected to significantly improve freshwater ecosystems across the Southeastern United States, at a ceremony on May 26. The 10-year agreement covers
5.5 million acres of International Paper forestlands in nine Southern
states: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi,
North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. Under the agreement, extensive
ecological surveys and conservation projects will be conducted to recover
imperiled aquatic species and restore their habitat. WHAT: Signing ceremony and boat tour WHEN: Wednesday, May 26, 11 a.m. WHERE: The signing will take place on Butler Island (outside Darien, Ga.), located on the banks of the Altamaha River (hosted by The Nature Conservancy at its Southeast Georgia Conservation Office.) Lunch will be served immediately following the ceremony. Following the signing, media are invited to a boat tour/photo op with VIPs, featuring the Secretary, International Paper officials and University of Georgia (Athens) biologists who work with short-nose sturgeon on the Altamaha River. Seating is limited. To reserve a place on the boat, please RSVP to Rick Ouellette, International Paper, (912) 238-6399 by Tuesday 5 p.m. Directions: From Savannah:
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