Tuesday, September 19, 2006

Oberstar: public hearings set for live gunfire on lakes

For Immediate Release
Monday, September 19, 2006
Contact: Jim Berard, 202-225-6260


WASHINGTON-The U.S. Coast Guard has scheduled a series of four public hearings on its plan to conduct live fire exercises on the Great Lakes, Congressman Jim Oberstar announced today.

The Coast Guard will hold the following public meetings:

• Oct. 16 at the Duluth Convention Center, 350 Harbor Drive, Duluth, Minn.; (218) 722-5573. Open house from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. and public meeting from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

• Oct. 18 at the Holiday Inn, 940 West Savidge, Spring Lake, Mich.; (616) 846-1000. Open house from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. and public meeting from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

• Oct. 19 at the Crystal Gardens, 1200 Gratiot Boulevard, Marysville, Mich.; (810) 364-6650. Open house from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. and public meeting from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

• Oct. 23 at the Anthony J. Celebrezze Federal Building, 31st floor auditorium, 1240 E 9th Street, Cleveland (photo identification required for entrance); (216) 902-6020. Open house from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. and public meeting from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Earlier this year, the Coast Guard announced plans to establish a number of permanent safety zones in the Great Lakes for gunnery training using live ammunition. It also began live-fire training in several temporary exercise zones on the lakes.

Following a meeting with Oberstar last week, the Commandant of the Coast Guard, Admiral Thad Allen, announced that the live-fire exercises would be suspended until public meetings can be held and public comment gathered on the training zone plan.

Bill Richard
AA, Congressman Oberstar
2365 Rayburn Building
Washington, DC 20515
202.226.1420 Direct
202.225.0699 Fax
202.225.0899 Cell
www.house.gov/oberstar:

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