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U.S. Secretaries Agree to Help Conserve Fish Habitat

The U.S. Secretaries of Commerce, Interior, and Agriculture have made a joint commitment­­ to work together to promote collaborative, science-based conservation of our waterways and fisheries. They will sign an agreement which will focus on partnership-based conservation efforts through the National Fish Habitat Partnership.

The agreement uses federal resources to help state and local governments, landowners, and community groups conserve the places that provide recreation and power our economy.

“Through the strategic use of limited resources—such as the Fish Habitat Partnerships established under the National Fish Habitat Action Plan—we can identify the most effective use of resources to conserve habitats vital to our coastal and marine fisheries, which contribute more than $70 billion annually to the U.S. economy,” said Eric Schwaab, NOAA’s Acting Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Conservation and Management.

“This is a big step for our federal partners, who see the value of our strategic approach to conserving fish habitat,” said Kelly Hepler, Chair of the National Fish Habitat Board. “Our coordination and involvement with federal agencies has really grown since 2006 and I think today marks a significant day in recognizing that.” See the dozens of unique artificial fish habitat models, fish attractors and fish cover used at fishiding.com, the leader in proven science based, fish protection.

The National Fish Habitat Partnership works to conserve fish habitat nationwide, leveraging federal, state, and private funding sources to achieve the greatest impact on fish populations through priority conservation projects.

SARP Projects Restore Habitat

Georgia SARP Projects Restore Habitat for Fish and Communities

Water, water, water…  This topic is on the public agenda in dozens of ways.  Nothing is more important than water for human health and the health of our fish and wildlife resources.

In survey after survey, clean water is one of the most prominent environmental concerns in the United States.  Clean water and abundant habitat are critical to functional aquatic ecosystems with healthy populations of fish and wildlife.

One exciting example of a project that’s improving water quality and fish habitat is in Raccoon Creek in the Etowah River Watershed of Northwest Georgia.  This stream is critical to the long-term survival of a variety of aquatic insects, and fish, including the federally endangered Etowah darter and threatened Cherokee darter, the lined chub, and the recreationally-fished redeye bass. But threats loom. The creek flows through Metro Atlanta’s Paulding County, where agricultural practices and land clearing for development make it more difficult for the fish to survive.  The restoration project involves multiple partners, including the Southeast Aquatic Resources Partnership (SARP), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), The Nature Conservancy (TNC), Georgia Department of Natural Resources (GA DNR), Paulding County, Georgia Power, Upper Coosa Riverkeeper, Georgia River Network, and Kennesaw State University.  For project details go to http://bit.ly/SARPRRC.

Through collaborative funding programs with USFWS, National Fish Habitat Partnership (NFHAP) and the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration’s

See the dozens of unique artificial fish habitat models, fish attractors and fish cover used at fishiding.com, the leader in proven science based, fish protection.

(NOAA) Restoration Center, and work with state agencies and local partners, SARP identifies and implements habitat restoration projects throughout the Southeast.  On-the-ground projects, like the Raccoon Creek Watershed Stream Restoration in Paulding NOAA

County, Georgia, are helping to address regional habitat objectives and national conservation priorities.

To learn more about SARP and its partners, programs and projects, visit www.southeastaquatics.net or contact SARP Coordinator.

by OUTDOOR HUB

submitted by: U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE

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