Biologist Randy Roach Retires from USFWS

 

Field Supervisor Bill Pearson presents longtime biologist Randy Roach with a plaque of appreciation

 

 

In February, the Alabama Ecological Services Field Office gave a heartfelt send-off to longtime employee Randy Roach, who retired from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service after 36 years of service. Randy started his career in 1974 at the Annapolis Ecological Services Field Office. He made a two-year stint in the North Dakota Field Office before moving to the Alabama Field Office in Daphne, Alabama in 1983

In Daphne, Randy managed several controversial federal projects, including the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway (TTW) Project. As lead biologist, Randy was instrumental in obtaining 88,000 acres of mitigation land and 92,500 acres of project lands as mitigation for the TTW. As a result of Randy's tireless efforts, three unique laws related to the TTW mitigation have been passed since the early 1980's. The precedent-setting legislation passed in the Water Resources Development Act not only established a large amount of mitigation land, but required all future Corps projects to have in-kind mitigation for bottomland hardwoods. This would not have been possible without Randy's commitment to wildlife conservation.

On February 7th, the Alabama Field Office hosted a "Roach Roast" Crawfish Boil, where Randy was presented with gifts and mementos of appreciation. His hard work will never be forgotten, and we wish him a happy retirement!