Connecticut River Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office

The Connecticut River Atlantic Salmon Commission (CRASC) 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). There are ten Commissioners, representing natural resource agencies in four states, two federal agencies, and governor appointed members representing the public from each state. See names of Commissioners below. The Commissioners review the status of migratory fishes and their habitats, and identify management actions necessary for restoring migratory fish in the Connecticut River basin. They are advised by scientific and technical committees that include experts from each of the four states and federal agencies, as well as experts from the US Forest Service and the Connecticut River Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office.

The technical committees evaluate the status of American shad, alewife, blueback herring, and endangered sturgeons, and make recommendations to the Commissioners for improving fish populations, fish passage fish passage
Fish passage is the ability of fish or other aquatic species to move freely throughout their life to find food, reproduce, and complete their natural migration cycles. Millions of barriers to fish passage across the country are fragmenting habitat and leading to species declines. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's National Fish Passage Program is working to reconnect watersheds to benefit both wildlife and people.

Learn more about fish passage , and fish habitat. The commissioners and technical committees meet twice a year in spring and fall. The public is invited to all meetings. Contact Ken Sprankle (ken_sprankle@fws.gov) to be placed on an email list for notification of meetings. 

Connecticut River Atlantic Salmon Commissioners

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Since 1967, our office has worked with local environmental groups, private industry, and state and federal agencies to restore migratory fish in the Connecticut River basin. This collaboration continues and is focused on the long-term health of the Connecticut River.