WASHINGTON -- February 9 -- Survey results from U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service biologists, ecologists, botanists and other science professionals from across the country will be released this Wednesday, February 9 at 1:00 p.m. EST. The 42-question survey, distributed by Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) and Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER) to more than 1,400 FWS scientists, focuses on employee perceptions about scientific integrity within the agency, as well as political interference, resources and morale. Despite agency directives prohibiting employees from responding to the survey even on their own time, nearly one-third of the surveys were returned, with the majority including written descriptions of their concerns.

Results will be released Wednesday, February 9, at 1:00 p.m. EST.

What: Phone Briefing on Scientist Survey Results

When: 1:00 p.m. EST Wednesday February 9, 2005

Who: Lexi Shultz, Washington Representative, Union of Concerned Scientists; Rebecca Roose, Program Director, Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility; Sally Stefferud, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Scientist (retired)

How: 1-866-259-6033, Conference name: Union of Concerned Scientists

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