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Connecticut River Atlantic Salmon Commission
Check out Public Law 98-138, the Congressional legislation behind the Connecticut River Atlantic Salmon Commission.
Background
The Connecticut River is the longest river in New England, stretching over 400 miles from the Long Island Sound to the Canadian border. It is the southernmost Atlantic salmon river in the United States, supporting over 60 species of fish, 14 of which are migratory. Many of these species have complex life histories. Atlantic Salmon, for example, travel over 2,000 miles to Greenland and back during their lifetime. In the Connecticut River basin, salmon freshwater habitat spans four New England states.
Because of this complexity and because at least six state and federal agencies, several major electric utility companies, a host of private dam owners, and a variety of other organizations and individuals are involved with the restoration of migratory fish species, the Connecticut River Atlantic Salmon Commission (Commission) was established by Congress in 1983 (and reauthorized in 2002 for another 20 years) through the Connecticut River Atlantic Salmon Compact (Public Law 98-138). Ten Commissioners, representing four State agencies, the public, and two Federal agencies provide guidance to the restoration program on all administrative and biological issues for all migratory fish species. See below for a list of Commission members.
Connecticut River Atlantic Salmon Commission Membership
Federal |
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U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service: Director, Northeast Region
National Marine Fisheries Service: Director, Northeast Region |
Connecticut |
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Connecticut Dept. of Environmental Protection: Director, Fisheries Division
Public Sector Representative, Appointed by the Governor |
Massachusetts |
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Massachusetts Division of Fish and Wildlife: Director
Public Sector Representative, Appointed by the Governor |
New Hampshire |
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New Hampshire Department of Fish and Game: Executive Director
Public Sector Representative, Appointed by the Governor |
Vermont |
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Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife: Commissioner
Public Sector Representative, Appointed by the Governor |
Technical Committee
Commissioners are advised on scientific and technical issues by a Technical Committee. The Technical Committee is comprised of senior staff biologists from each member agency plus the U.S. Forest Service and the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries. The Technical Committee has created several standing sub-committees to address specific issues: Shad Studies, Salmon Studies, Fish Passage, and Genetics. Experts and cooperators from the U.S. Geological Survey/Biological Resources Division, private industry, and conservation groups participate in meetings of these sub-committees and the Technical Committee.
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