FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 23, 2010
Contact:
Ashley Spratt 612-713-5314
ashley_spratt@fws.gov
Fish Habitat in the Midwest Benefits from More Than $1 Million in Funding to Protect Against Effects of Climate Change
Midwest Regional Director Tom Melius announced today the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will provide $548,571 to support 13 fish habitat projects in eight Midwestern states under the National Fish Habitat Action Plan (NFHAP). An additional $640,923 in partner contributions will go toward restoring and enhancing stream, lake and coastal habitat, improving recreational fishing and helping endangered species, and supporting long-term protection against the effects of climate change climate change
Climate change includes both global warming driven by human-induced emissions of greenhouse gases and the resulting large-scale shifts in weather patterns. Though there have been previous periods of climatic change, since the mid-20th century humans have had an unprecedented impact on Earth's climate system and caused change on a global scale.
Learn more about climate change .
More than $13.2 million in total federal and partner contributions will be distributed under NFHAP for fish habitat projects across the United States.
The funding is provided for priority projects identified through Fish Habitat Partnerships established under the NFHAP. Eight of those partnerships directly influence states in the Midwest and direct funding and other resources to habitat improvement projects offering the highest long-term conservation returns.
Aquatic ecosystems are especially vulnerable to changes in climate. Healthy habitats help fish and other aquatic life withstand flows and temperatures that are altered due to climate change. The projects will improve stream flow, remove barriers or acquire scientific information needed for long-term protection against the effects of climate change.
“Climate change, fragmentation, invasive species invasive species
An invasive species is any plant or animal that has spread or been introduced into a new area where they are, or could, cause harm to the environment, economy, or human, animal, or plant health. Their unwelcome presence can destroy ecosystems and cost millions of dollars.
Learn more about invasive species and habitat destruction harm fish habitat in the Midwest,” said Melius. “It is our responsibility to work with our partners to heal the damage and protect our valuable fishery resources against future harm.”
More than 40 percent of U.S. fish populations are currently considered declining, half of the waters in the U.S. are somehow impaired, and fragmented conservation efforts are not reversing these declines. In addition to helping stem these declines, NFHAP projects also enhance fishing opportunities for the public by putting more dollars on the ground for fish conservation.
NFHAP partnerships to receive funding for Midwest projects include:
Driftless Area Restoration Effort (DARE) - Federal funds: $300,000; Partner contribution $368,873
- Richmond Springs Fish Passage Improvement Project to remove four fish passage barriers and reopen 16 miles to 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 (IA)
- Williams-Barneveld Creek Stream Corridor Improvement Project to enhance 0.6 instream miles and 1.2 miles of riparian riparian
Definition of riparian habitat or riparian areas.
Learn more about riparian habitat and restore 4 wetland acres (WI)
- Brush Creek Habitat Restoration and Stream Bank Stabilization Project to restore 0.4 instream miles, 2 wetland acres and enhance 0.8 miles of riparian habitat (IA)
- Maquoketa River Iowa Fish Habitat Improvement Project to enhance 4.4 instream miles and 0.6 miles of riparian habitat (IA)
- Kittleson Valley Creek-Pleasant Valley Habitat Improvement Project to restore or enhance 4 miles of instream and riparian habitat (WI)
- Wisconsin Stream Fragmentation Assessment to apply aquatic scientific and technologic tools to quantify the spatial extent of stream fragmentation caused by road crossings (WI)
Great Lakes Basin Fish Habitat Partnership (GLBFHP) – Federal funds: $90,000; Partner contribution: $89,250
- Elias Cove Restoration/Native Coastal Wetland Planting Project to restore 0.2 instream/shoreline miles (MI)
- Butternut Creek Stream Restoration and Dam Removal Project to reopen 13 miles to fish passage and restore 0.23 instream/shoreline miles (MI)
Midwest Glacial Lakes Partnership (MGLP) - Federal funds: $89,946; Partner contribution $70,150
- Strategic Fish Habitat/GIS Modeling Project to conduct six fish habitat assessments (IA, IL, IN, MI, MN, WI)
- Lakescaping Demonstration Projects in Eastern South Dakota (SD)
Ohio River Basin Fish Habitat Partnership (ORBFHP) Federal funds: $90,000; Partner contribution: $119,900
- Using High Temporal Satellite Imagery to Detect Submerged Aquatic Invasives Project to survey aquatic invasives species to support management and control and advancement of early detection techniques (IL, IN, OH, KY)
- North Manchester Dam and Liberty Mills Dam Removal Projects to reopen 190 miles to fish passage and assess habitat (IN)
- West Milton Dam Removal Feasibility Study (OH)
For a complete listing of funded projects, please visit: www.fishhabitat.org
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.
