(Washington, DC)  --  U.S. Rep. Steven C. LaTourette (R-Concord) today announced that Steven Griles, Deputy Interior Secretary, will travel from Washington, DC, to Saybrook Township on Wednesday, August 11th to visit the Lakeside High School site.  LaTourette said Griles will tour the site and speak to the community about the Indiana bat problem.

 LaTourette said he invited Griles to Saybrook Township and was thrilled that Griles agreed to visit.   LaTourette said Griles was instrumental in forging a speedy resolution of the Indiana bat problem at Lakeside.  Griles is second in command for the Department of the Interior in Washington, which has oversight over the entire U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

 “It’s a tremendous honor that Deputy Secretary Griles will visit Saybrook, and I know he’s just as pleased as I am that we reached a resolution that protects the Indiana bat and allows us to move forward with this important school project,” LaTourette said.  “He promised me when we met in Washington that we’d find a way to work together to save the construction season, and he was true to his word.  We’re going to roll out the red carpet for him.”

 LaTourette said Griles worked quietly behind the scenes to reach a quick resolution after the endangered Indiana bat was discovered on June 17th.  LaTourette said Griles carefully monitored progress with the FWS office in Columbus, and stepped in when talks stalled.  Construction of the $44 million school project remained on hold until a compromise was reached.  On Friday, FWS and the Army Corps of Engineers signed off on the final permit needed to allow construction to proceed.

 “Without Griles’ intervention and support, I fear construction would still be halted at the school,” LaTourette said.  “He sure stepped up to the plate for Ashtabula, and I hope the community will come out to thank him personally for all he’s done.  After all the stress, hard work and delays, I think we’re all ready for a celebration.”

 LaTourette said Griles will visit the school site at 6600 Sanborn Road at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, August 11, 2004.  The event is free and open to the public.