U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Wildlife & Sport Fish Restoration Program

Public Access Civil Rights Program

The public access civil rights program is housed in the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program. There are Regional Civil Rights Coordinators in each of the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service's seven Regions. The Service works in close cooperation with the Departmental Office for Equal Opportunity regarding public access civil rights matters. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) enforces federal civil rights laws which require that all persons have equal access to programs and activities funded by the Service.

These include all programs and activities conducted by recipients of financial assistance from the Service and programs and activities conducted by the Service.

In addition to processing complaints filed by the public the USFWS also conducts systemic evaluations of recipients regarding the civil rights requirements; education and technical assistance sessions to help recipients and the public understand the program requirements; and facilitates partnerships and informal liaisons between multicultural groups, recipients, and the USFWS. Informal resolution of complaints is encouraged.

Anyone in the United States who believes they have been discriminated against, as described above, many file a written complaint with: U.S. Department of the Interior, Office for Equal Opportunity, 1849 C Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20240.

Learn more or contact:

Doug Gentile, Civil Rights Coordinator for Public Access
703-358-2558
doug_gentile@fws.gov