Mitigation Fisheries

When federal water development projects (locks and dams) were constructed, Congress and the federal government committed to mitigating for impacts on recreational, commercial, and tribal fisheries. Mitigation activities included habitat improvement, native species restoration and stocking native and non-native fish.

Fisheries mitigation programs in the Pacific Region generally involve stocking Pacific salmon, steelhead trout, and trout species native to altered watersheds. The majority of the salmon caught by recreational, commercial, and Tribal fishers are propagated species. Considerable reimbursement is provided to the Service for its fisheries mitigation programs in the Pacific Region by the Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Reclamation, NOAA Fisheries, and the Bonneville Power Administration. However, there are existing facilities and programs that are insufficiently funded to operate and meet Service fisheries goals. In addition, many fishery mitigation plans and goals are not established or clearly defined. Of the facilities the Service operates in the Pacific Region, approximately half are fully funded through reimbursable agreements. The remaining facilities are partially funded with reimbursable dollars. While regional efforts to develop full reimbursement will initially focus on clarifying goals and funding issues, involvement of the DOI, Congress, and the Administration will be required to affect administrative and legislative changes allowing for full cost recovery.

The regional goal is for the Fisheries Program to work with other federal agencies, states, and Tribes to meet mitigation responsibilities, identify mitigation goals and pursue full cost reimbursable funding for the Service’s operation and management of mitigation facilities.

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