Fish and Wildlife Service and Congressional Staff to Tour Aquatic Habitat Restoration Work in the Meramec – Lower Bourbeuse Watersheds
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), in coordination with the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC), the Southeast Aquatic Resources Partnership and private landowners, will host a congressional tour of aquatic habitat restoration projects within the Meramec – Lower Bourbeuse watersheds in Franklin and Crawford Counties on Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2009. Congressional staff from the offices of Sen. Bond, Sen. McCaskill, Rep. Leutkemeyer and Rep. Emerson will tour the projects supported by the National Fish Habitat Action Plan (NFHAP) and its associated fish habitat partnerships (FHPs) that work to recover, restore, and protect populations of fish, mussels, and other aquatic species.
Media are invited to participate in the congressional tour, which will be held Wednesday, September 30 from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Directions provided at the end of this release.
“Habitat restoration in the Meramec – Lower Bourbeuse watersheds is a successful example of similar efforts taking place across the region through partnerships developed under the National Fish Habitat Action Plan,” said U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Midwest Regional Director Tom Melius. “This project highlights the importance of private landowner involvement to improving habitat for fish and other aquatic-dependent communities. It continues to elevate public awareness about the importance of resources in this part of the country.”
The project area is located on the Bourbeuse River and Brush Creek. Partners on the Meramec Watershed Basin project include the Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA Farm Services Agency, MDC, Crawford and Franklin County Soil & Water Conservation Districts, Ozark Regional Land Trust, Lower Bourbeuse Conservation Opportunity Area Team, Crawford County Cattleman’s Association, and Meramec Regional Planning Commission.
“The success of NFHAP is based largely on the partnerships formed by State, Federal, Tribal, local government, private and non-profit entities formed around a shared interest in promoting fish and wildlife conservation within priority watersheds,” said Maureen Gallagher, NFHAP Coordinator for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Midwest Region.
Under NFHAP, Federal, State, Tribal, and privately-raised funds are leveraged through regional partnerships to address the nation’s biggest fish habitat challenges. For anglers, conservation groups, and industry leaders, NFHAP has become an unprecedented rallying point for those committed to conserving America’s fisheries.
For more information about the NFHAP strategy, visit http://fishhabitat.org.
Directions to the site:
From East (I-44):
Take the MO-N/MO-C exit (Exit 218) toward MO-J/Bourbon
Turn right onto MO-C
Turn left to stay on MO-C and travel 9.3 miles
Stay straight to go onto MO-CC for another 3.0 miles
Turn right onto MO-19 and travel 3.5 miles
Turn slight right onto County Road 530/Hog Trough Road and continue 0.1 miles
Turn right onto County Road 530/Hog Trough Road and continue 2.0 miles
From West (I-44):
Take the MO-19 exit (Exit 208) toward Cuba/Owensville and proceed 0.2 miles
Turn left onto MO-19 and proceed 13.4 miles
Turn slight right onto County Road 530/Hog Trough Road and continue 0.1 miles
Turn right onto County Road 530/Hog Trough Road and continue 2.0 miles
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.
