OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 13, 1999

Stephanie Hanna (O) 202/208-6416
or Paul Bledsoe (O) 202-208-3280

BABBITT TO SPEAK ON LANDMARK SPECIES PLAN FOR EVERGLADES

Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt will deliver the keynote address at the South Florida Restoration Science Forum on Tuesday, May 18, in Boca Raton, Florida.

Following his remarks, Secretary Babbitt will sign the largest and most comprehensive Multi-Species Recovery Plan (MSRP) ever undertaken by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. The MSRP will serve as a blueprint for the recovery of 68 species now listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act and other rare native species found throughout the 19 counties that are part of the greater Everglades watershed.

"This species recovery plan sets in motion a model planning tool for environmental restoration projects around the nation," Secretary Babbitt said. "It reaches across the landscape to involve communities, tribes, federal, state and local governments and other partners from the Kissimmee River to Florida Bay and marks a giant step in the progress of the Everglades Restoration Plan announced by Vice President Gore in February, 1996. The MSRP is a win for species in need of protection and a win for the quality of life in South Florida."

Secretary Babbitt will speak at 9:30 a.m. to a group of scientists involved in the restoration of the Florida Everglades. Following his speech, he will join Regional Director Sam Hamilton of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service in signing the MSRP and will be available to the media for questions. At 9:00 a.m., before his speech, Babbitt will tour some of the exhibits at the Science Forum and the media is welcome to join him.

WHO: Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt

WHEN: Tuesday, May 18, 1999

9:00 a.m. Walk-thru of science exhibits, 2nd and 3rd floors

9:30 a.m. Speech, signing and media availability in Ballroom

WHERE: Embassy Suites, 661 NW 53rd Street, Boca Raton

(in Ballrooms reserved for South Florida Restoration Science Forum)

* Close to Exit 40B (Yamato Road west)

WHAT: Speech and landmark signing of South Florida Multi-Species Recovery Plan

WHY: To emphasize the critical role played by science in the restoration of the Everglades ecosystem and to kick off the largest species recovery plan ever developed by the Fish & Wildlife Service.

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