Secretary Norton to Address Biannual Meeting
of U.S. Coral Reef Task Force

(WASHINGTON) - Interior Secretary Gale A. Norton will address the 13th biannual meeting of the United States Coral Reef Task Force on March 3 at the main Interior Department building.
Coral reefs are among the world's most imperiled ecosystems. The Coral Reef Task Force was established by Executive Order in 1998 to develop and implement a comprehensive program of research and mapping to inventory, monitor, and identify the major causes and consequences of degradation of reefs.

"The work of the Coral Reef Task Force is an example of the power of cooperative conservation and partnership," Norton said. "The task force is working in close coordination with states, territories and foreign countries in efforts to identify and eliminate threats to coral reefs. By doing so, we are achieving far more than the federal government could alone."

Norton is scheduled to address the meeting at 9:15 a.m. The meeting, which is open to the press, begins at 8:45 a.m. and will continue until 5 p.m.

WHO: Interior Secretary Gale A. Norton.

WHAT: The 13th biannual meeting of the United States Coral Reef Task Force.

WHEN: Thursday, March 3, 2005, 9:15 a.m. The meeting begins at 8:45 a.m. and will continue to 5:00 p.m. The entire meeting is open to the press.

WHERE: Department of The Interior, 1849 C Street NW, Washington D.C.
News media planning to attend need to call in advance to arrange for clearance through security.