FORT PIERCE - St. Lucie County officials want to alert residents that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services (FWS) has extended the public comment period on a series of updated maps that outline CBRA zone areas, including parts of Fort Pierce and Hutchinson Island. The public and other government agencies now have until Wednesday, Aug. 5 to provide their comments to federal officials.

The Coastal Barrier Resources Act (CBRA), established in 1982, defines coastlines that may not be eligible for federal funding in the event of a natural disaster or federal flood insurance. These maps outline more than 3.1 million acres and were created almost two decades ago.

New digital maps are changing the identified CBRA zones. FWS is seeking public comment on the new digital maps as part of the Report to Congress: John H. Chafee Coastal Barrier Resources System Digital Mapping Pilot Project before Wednesday, Aug. 5. This report can be found online at www.fws.gov/habitatconservation/coastal_barrier.html, while a hard copy can be reviewed in the Press/Public area outside the St. Lucie County Commission Chambers, Roger Poitras Administration Annex, third floor, 2300 Virginia Ave., Fort Pierce.

Questions regarding this public comment process for the Report to Congress: John H. Chafee Coastal Barrier Resources System Digital Mapping Pilot Project should be directed to Gary Frazer, assistant director of Fisheries and Habitat Conservation, at (202) 208-6394.

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