September 9, 2006 Story appeared in METRO section, Page B2 Sacramento Bee

SACRAMENTO -- The U.S. Department of Interior is offering the public a chance Wednesday to comment about a strategic plan to guide the agency through 2012.

The two sessions will be at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. at the Sacramento Convention Center, 1400 J St.

The department manages 500 million acres of public land through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management and National Park Service. Its Bureau of Reclamation operates 472 dams that provide water for one in five Western farmers and 31 million people.

The agency also handles tribal issues through the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and oil and gas leasing through the Minerals Management Service.

Federal law requires the department to update its strategic plan every three years.

Written comments may be submitted through Oct. 22 by e-mail at GPRAplancomments@ios.doi.gov, by fax to (202) 208--2619, or by mail to U.S. Department of the Interior, Attn: DOI Strategic Planning Coordinator, 1849 C St. NW, Mail Stop 5258, Washington, DC 20240.

For more information, visit www.doi.gov.

-- Matt Weiser