The coalitions long-range goal will be to develop and implement a coordinated plan for improving the quality of life along the Ohio River. The plan will balance environmental conservation, public use of the river, and responsible economic growth. The full capabilities of the states, Federal agencies and others will be used to implement the plan. The coalitions immediate goal is to introduce fishery, wildlife and habitat improvements using the expertise, current resources and authorities of various agencies. For example, enhanced fishing for bank and boat anglers is under consideration.
Other organizations that will be invited to participate in the coalition include the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO), waterborne industry leaders, and 11 others interested in improving the Ohio River.
"In these times of limited budgets, its essential that Federal, State and other government agencies work together toward common objectives that represent the public interest. This is simply good business, Service Regional Director Bill Hartwig, said. Its good for hunters and anglers and birdwatchers, its good for the coal industry and navigation and its good for local economies that depend on water-based recreation and economic development.
This new coalition on the Ohio River is based on the principle that we can do more together than we can individually. I have been outlining this philosophy for all U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service offices to follow in their river activities through the Mississippi River Basin Partnership, he said. This philosophy is catching on. And the initiative on the Ohio is out in front and can hopefully be used as a model for others to follow."
of the coalition will correspond with the Corps ongoing Ohio River Mainstem Navigation Systems Study to relieve water traffic congestion. This study will also address aquatic ecosystem restoration opportunities throughout the river. According to Dan Steiner, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Chief of Planning, Great Lakes-Ohio River Division, an ecosystem restoration program for the Ohio Valley could result from the Mainstem Study and efforts of the coalition.
Steiner said, The Service and the Corps of Engineers applaud the Ohio River Fisheries Management Team (ORFMT) for being a leader in interagency cooperation, facilitating the exchange of technical information, coordinating regulatory responsibilities, and developing a long-term shared management approach. The Ohio River Fisheries Management Team was formed by the state fishery agencies in 1990 to address sport fishery issues on the Ohio River. In the past, agencies have focused on accomplishing individual fishery and environmental improvements on the Ohio River, rather than pursuing a cooperative interagency effort. Although these previous efforts were coordinated extensively with all agencies involved, they did not take advantage of the potential of a cooperative interagency approach to manage the Ohio River.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal Federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service manages the 93-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System which encompasses more than 530 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas. It also operates 66 national fish hatcheries, 64 fishery resource offices and 78 ecological services field stations. The agency enforces Federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Aid program that distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state fish and wildlife agencies. For further information about the programs and activities of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in the Great Lakes-Big Rivers Region, please visit our home page at: http://midwest.fws.gov
