The USFWS has scheduled a virtual public hearing on Wednesday, May 12, 2021 from 6:00 – 8:00pm Atlantic Time (AT). This virtual public hearing is intended to give the public an opportunity to learn more about the proposed downlistings for the plant Eugenia woodburyana and Virgin Islands tree boa and comment on the proposed downlistings. The USFWS will hold the virtual public hearing via the Zoom online platform so that participants can attend remotely.
During the virtual public hearing, attendees can join by computer or phone to learn about the proposed downlistings. The virtual public hearing will start with a brief presentation by USFWS staff followed by an opportunity for attendees to provide their comments. Commenters may have an allotted time period to provide comments.
In addition, written public comments can be submitted on regulations.gov, Docket no FWS-R4-ES-2019-0069 (Virgin Islands tree boa) and Docket no FWS-R4-ES-2019-070 (Eugenia woodburyana). Comments previously submitted need not be resubmitted and will be fully considered in preparation of the final rules.
We recommend that members of the public log into the Zoom hearing platform 5 minutes prior to the beginning of the presentation to ensure that they can connect. If using the phone-only option, participants will be able to listen to the virtual public hearing, but they will not view the presentation. Instructions will be given regarding how participants will be able to provide their comments.
For security purposes, registration is required. To listen and view the hearing via Zoom, listen to the hearing by telephone, or provide verbal public comment during the hearing by Zoom or telephone, you must register.
Interested members of the public not familiar with the Zoom platform should view the Zoom video tutorials prior to the public hearing.
If you have technical difficulties registering for the hearing or joining the hearing on May 12, please email amanda.biedermann@empsi.com.
Instructions for Attending the Virtual Public Hearing
For Participants Joining by Zoom Web Platform or Zoom App
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the hearing.
If you plan on providing a comment during the virtual public hearing, please indicate that when registering, and please select which species’ downlisting you plan to provide a comment on.
After registration, participants will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the hearing.
On the day of the hearing, please join using the information contained in your confirmation email.
Call-in Numbers (for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):
US: +1 346 248 7799 or +1 669 900 9128 or +1 253 215 8782 or +1 312 626 6799 or +1 646 558 8656 or +1 301 715 8592
Puerto Rico: +1 787 966 7727 or +1 939 945 0244 or +1 787 945 1488
International numbers available via Zoom
Reasonable Accommodations
The USFWS is committed to providing access to the public hearing for all participants. Closed captioning will be available during the public hearing in both English and Spanish. Further, a full audio and video recording and transcript of the public hearing will be posted at the bottom of the news release after the hearing.
Participants will also have access to live audio during the public hearing via their telephone or computer speakers.
Persons with disabilities requiring reasonable accommodations to participate in the hearing should contact Marelisa Rivera at marelisa_rivera@fws.gov at least 5 business days prior to the date of the hearing to help ensure availability.
The deadline for those requests is 5:00 p.m. AT on Wednesday, May 5, 2021. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service at 800–877–8339. An accessible version of the USFWS’s public hearing presentation will also be at the bottom of the news release prior to the hearing.
