Seeking Feedback on the FWS Fish and Aquatic Conservation Program Strategic Plan 2025-2030

United States Department of the Interior FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE

OMB Control No. 1090-0012

Expires 02/28/2027

Dear Tribal Leader:

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Fish and Aquatic Conservation (FAC) Program is embarking on the development of our FY 2025-2030 Strategic Plan. We recognize the vital role that Tribal Nations play in conserving fish and aquatic resources. We are committed to ensuring that Tribal perspectives and traditional ecological knowledge are integrated in our strategic planning process. 

We invite Tribes and Tribal fish and wildlife consortia to provide input on the strategic plan. Your insights will help shape our priorities and strategies to better serve and partner with Tribal communities. Below are the following channels we have created for input into this process: 

1. Webinars: Please attend one of two 90 min. webinars that are being held to solicit feedback on the future of FAC. These webinars will be identical, so you only need to sign up for one of them.

   1. Webinar #1: DATE from 2:00 to 3:30 Eastern (add link)

   2. Webinar #2: DATE from 1:30 to 3:00 Eastern (add link)

2. Email: If you would like to provide written comment, please send an email directly to [email protected]. To be most impactful to our strategic planning process, please provide feedback by DATE.  

As there could be many individuals involved in these webinars, we would like to organize them around the following questions with time set aside for open discussion at the end.

1. How can FAC better support Tribal co-stewardship? 

2. Are there any innovative ways that FAC can work with Tribes to conserve and recover native fish and other aquatic species? 

3. Where might Tribal perspectives or traditional Tribal knowledge help improve FAC approaches

4. What do you think are the most important program offerings that FAC provides? What do we do that is unique or irreplaceable?

We look forward to hearing from you!

Sincerely, 

Dave Miko  

Assistant Director 

Fish and Aquatic Conservation 

Paperwork Reduction Act Statement: We are collecting this information subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) to incorporate feedback on existing efforts and program priorities from those who partner with and are served by FAC. Your response is voluntary and will not be shared publicly. We may not conduct or sponsor an information collection, and you are not required to respond to a collection of information, unless it displays a currently valid OMB Control Number. OMB has reviewed and approved this survey and assigned OMB Control Number 1090-0012.

Estimated Burden Statement: We estimate the survey will take you 90 minutes to complete, including time to read instructions, gather information, and complete and submit your response. You may submit comments on any aspect of this information collection to the Service Information Collection Clearance Officer, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 5275 Leesburg Pike, MS PRB (JAO/3W), Falls Church, VA 22041-3803, or via email at [email protected].