The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) will hold an outreach meeting Saturday, Aug. 20 in Los Banos regarding the Northern San Joaquin Valley Type A and B Wildlife Areas. CDFW will take comments and recommendations and provide updates on habitat conditions, availability of water for wetlands and possible impacts to hunter access on public lands.

The meeting, which will be held from 9 a.m. to noon, is being offered in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, California Waterfowl Association, Ducks Unlimited and the Grassland Water District. Federal staff will discuss the Merced National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), including the Lone Tree Unit, and the San Luis NWR, including the Kesterson, Blue Goose, East and West Bear Creek, and Freitas units. The Grassland Water District will make a short presentation on refuge water supply.

State wildlife areas to be discussed are Mendota, Los Banos, Volta and North Grasslands, including the Salt Slough, China Island, Gadwall and Mud Slough units.

According to state law (Fish and Game Code, section 1758), CDFW shall annually provide an opportunity for licensed hunters to comment and make recommendations on public hunting programs, including anticipated habitat conditions in the hunting areas on Type A and B wildlife areas, as defined under the commission's regulations, through public meetings or other outreach. In complying with this section, CDFW may hold regional meetings on its hunting programs for several different wildlife areas.

The meeting will be held at the Grassland Environmental Education Center, 18110 W. Henry Miller Road, in Los Banos. Email Sean Allen (sean.allen@wildlife.ca.gov) if you are planning to attend. For more information, visit www.wildlife.ca.gov/lands/places-to-visit/los-banos-wa.