Interior Secretary Gale Norton,
Assistant Secretary-Indian Affairs David Anderson
to Attend "Kids Fishing Day" at Minnesota Valley NWR

(BLOOMINGTON) -- Interior Secretary Gale Norton and Assistant Secretary-Indian Affairs David Anderson will be in the Twin Cities Saturday, June 5, 2004, to attend “Kids Fishing Day” at the Bass Ponds at Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge in Bloomington from 9 a.m. to about 9:45 a.m.

Norton and Anderson will visit with refuge staff, volunteers and members of the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians who have co-sponsored this event for 13 years. The event involves 100-200 inner city youths who are brought to the refuge for a morning of fishing education and fun. The youths are provided everything they need to fish and fed a lunch of walleye by the Red Lake Band.

This will be Secretary Norton’s first visit to a national wildlife refuge in Minnesota. It will also be one of David Anderson’s first official trips to his home state as Assistant Secretary-Indian Affairs. Assistant Secretary Anderson is best known locally as founder and chairman of Famous Dave’s restaurants.

Directions: Bass Ponds trail head is at the end of E. 86th St., approximately two miles from the Visitor Center. From I-494, exit on 24th Ave. Drive south past the Mall of America and turn left on E. 86th St. Follow the road on the left to parking area.