Why the National Fish Habitat Action Plan?
Aquatic resources in the United States are in decline, and habitat destruction and modification are the principal culprits. National conservation leaders agree something must be done, and have endorsed the National Fish Habitat Action Plan, a national investment strategy to maximize the impact of conservation dollars on the ground. Under the Action Plan, Federal, state, and privately-raised funds will be the foundation for building regional partnerships that address the Nation’s biggest fish habitat problems. This is the most comprehensive effort ever attempted to treat the causes of fish habitat decline, not just the symptoms. By 2010 the National Fish Habitat Action Plan will:
• Assess the condition of all fish habitats in the U.S.
• Prepare a Status of Fish Habitats in the U.S. report
• Establish 12 or more Fish Habitat Partnerships in priority areas
• Fund projects to protect, restore, and enhance priority habitats.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Role
The Fish and Wildlife Service is a key Federal partner in implementing the National Fish Habitat Action Plan, along with States, Tribes, other Federal agencies, conservation organizations, and industry.
Fore more general and comprehensive information on the Action Plan, visit www.fishhabitat.org. On this site, you may sign up as a partner to receive regular e-mail news updates on the Action Plan.
History and Background
In its January, 2002 report, “A Partnership Agenda for Fisheries Conservation,” the Sport Fishing and Boating Partnership Council recommended that the Service initiate a partnership effort on the scale of the highly effective North American Waterfowl Management Plan. The Council stated that the Service is “the Federal agency best positioned to work cooperatively in developing the National Aquatic Habitat Plan in full partnership with other agencies having statutory authority, including the States and Tribes."
In the December, 2002 Fisheries Program Vision for the Future, the Fisheries Program recognized aquatic habitat as one of seven focus areas and made a commitment to work with partners to explore the benefits of a National Aquatic Habitat Plan and determine the appropriate FWS role in its development and implementation.”
The Fisheries Strategic Plan reaffirms this commitment.
On September 13, 2003, the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies endorsed the concept and indicated they would take the lead in developing a comprehensive national fisheries habitat plan/strategy in coordination with other existing fisheries habitat planning actions.
Director Dale Hall, before him Director Steve Williams, and Acting Director Matt Hogan all supported this initiative, recognizing the importance of the Service taking a leadership role in the development of a comprehensive national fisheries habitat plan.
The development of the National Fish Habitat Action Plan also supports the President’s Executive Order on Facilitation of Cooperative Conservation, which directs Federal agencies to implement laws relating to the environment and natural resources in a manner that promotes cooperation with Federal, State, local, and Tribal governments; private for-profit and nonprofit institutions; other nongovernmental entities; and individuals.
Habitat conservation and restoration have been an increasing focus of the Fisheries Program in recent years. For example, the successes of the National Fish Passage Program highlight the increasing amount of on-the-ground habitat restoration being accomplished by the Fisheries Program. Fish passage projects remove barriers to restore access by fish and other aquatic species to important river and stream habitat.
The mission of the National Fish Habitat Action Plan is to protect, restore and enhance the nation’s fish and aquatic communities through partnerships that foster fish habitat conservation and improve the quality of life for the American people
Who’s who in the Action Plan
Fish Habitat Partnerships
Fish Habitat Partnerships are the primary work units of the National Fish Habitat Action Plan. These partnerships are formed around important aquatic habitats and distinct geographic areas, (e.g., Southeast Aquatic Resources Partnership,) “keystone” fish species (e.g., eastern brook trout and western native trout), or system types (e.g., large lakes, impoundments, estuaries). Fish Habitat Partnerships are modeled after bird conservation Joint Ventures.
National Fish Habitat Board
The National Fish Habitat Board is responsible for promoting, overseeing and coordinating implementation of the Action Plan. The Board is a voluntary association of public and private sector entities, including representatives from a wide variety of stakeholder groups, state, and Federal agencies including Dale Hall, Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Federal Caucus
The Fish and Wildlife Service chairs the Federal Caucus, consisting of Federal agencies with an interest in contributing to development and implementation of the plan. The Federal Caucus jointly identifies strategies and resources to support actions under the plan, ensures that the plan is responsive to resource priorities of the participating agencies, and provides communication links among federal agencies cooperating under the plan.
Science and Data Committee
The role of the Science and Data Committee is to provide timely recommendations to the Board and partnerships on technical or science policies, processes, methodology or issues as requested by the Board related to the Action Plan. Chaired by a State representative, membership consists of representatives from State and Federal agencies, non-governmental organizations, and academic institutions.
Partners Coalition
The Board coordinates with a broad range of stakeholders and other interested parties to increase involvement and support for coordinated fish habitat conservation at national and regional scales. There are currently over 1,100 individuals who have signed up as partners via the www.fishhabitat.org website, representing more than 500 organizations.
More Fish Campaign
The More Fish Campaign http://morefish.org is a five-year fundraising initiative launched by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to protect, conserve, and enhance the nation’s fish populations and their habitat. From cutthroat trout and red snapper to smallmouth bass and Eastern brook trout, the More Fish campaign aims to improve aquatic habitat in rivers, lakes, reservoirs, estuaries, coastal, and marine zones. For more information, or to contribute to the campaign, please visit www.morefish.org.
FAQ for FWS staff
How Do I Get Involved?
Subscribe to the National Fish Habitat e-mail list.
Find out if a Fish Habitat Partnership is active in your area. If so, your field office or refuge can propose projects that align with the strategic priorities of the Partnership. If a Fish Habitat Partnership is under development in your area, you could provide data to help the Partnership assess the condition of its aquatic resources, or help to identify strategic priorities for the Partnership.
If there is no Fish Habitat Partnership in your area, you could help to start one.
How do I start a Fish Habitat Partnership?
Fish Habitat Partnerships must meet certain criteria to be recognized by the National Fish Habitat Board. Anyone interested in establishing a Fish Habitat Partnership (FHP) should read and understand the National Fish Habitat Action Plan and the Guidance for Establishing Fish Habitat Partnerships. If you have questions, you can contact the staff of the National Fish Habitat Board by e-mailing partner@fishhabitat.org.
Extensive efforts should be made to recruit the full range of partner organizations that share in the “community of interest” around which the Fish Habitat Partnership is formed, including non-traditional conservation partners, such as businesses, landowners, and local governments. Prospective Fish Habitat Partnerships should consult with neighboring or overlapping FHPs to clarify their respective roles and priorities, and their geographic scope.
How do I apply for funding?
The Service has a draft policy regarding use of funds appropriated to the Service to implement the Action Plan. NFHI FWS Policy - draft revised Feb27 2007
The only projects eligible for consideration and funding are fish habitat projects ranked highly by Fish Habitat Partnerships. Any Service Field Office or program, or other appropriate partners, can submit potential fish habitat projects for consideration for funding. Every project must be identified in the Fisheries Operational Needs System (FONS).
Fisheries Program Field Stations are responsible for coordinating with Fish Habitat Partnerships and other Service program offices to identify potential fish habitat projects and enter appropriate projects into the FONS. Projects will protect, restore, or enhance fish habitats or otherwise directly support habitat-related priorities of Fish Habitat Partnerships. All or a portion of project funds may be transferred to partner organizations if the Service lacks the capability to implement a project.
Funding will not all come from FWS appropriations. Leveraging with our partners (private and public) is very important. Consider working through the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation or other funding entities. Seek out other novel funding sources, such as the Department of Defense or corporate partnerships.
Points of Contact
If you have any questions about the National Fish Habitat Action Plan, please contact any of the following staff:
General questions :
Tom Busiahn, FWS National Fish Habitat Action Plan Coordinator
Tom_Busiahn@fws.gov, 703-358-2056
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Links
National Fish Habitat Action Plan
Fish Habitat Partnerships
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation – “More Fish” Campaign
