Reconnecting Aquatic Species to Historical Habitats
How to Get Involved

What is the National Fish Passage Program?

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's National Fish Passage Program is a voluntary, non-regulatory program that provides funding and technical assistance toward removing or bypassing barriers to fish movement.

Millions of culverts, dikes, water diversions, dams, and other artificial barriers were constructed to impound and redirect water -- all changing natural features of rivers and streams. Many dams are obsolete and no longer serve their original purpose. Culverts that funnel water beneath roads and train tracks often pose insurmountable barriers to fish.

Barriers prevent natural fish migrations, keeping them from important habitats for spawning and growth. As a result, some populations of native fish are gone and others are in serious decline.

The National Fish Passage Program is looking for partners. We depend on good will and solid working relationships with community-minded organizations, agencies and individuals to conduct fish passage projects.

A fish passage project can be any activity that directly improves the ability of fish or other aquatic species to move by reconnecting habitat that has been fragmented by barriers. Fish passage project proposals may be initiated by any individual, organization, or agency, in cooperation with the Service's Fish and Wildlife Management Assistance Offices.

During (left) and after (right) removal of the Quaker Neck dam, Neuse River, NC. USFWS photos.

The following information is requested with all project proposals: title; associated planning documents (e.g. recovery plan, watershed management plan); partners; requested funds and matching contributions; and a project description that briefly identifies the need, problem, objective and methods, and includes the waterbody, location, river miles or acres opened up, and the species affected and how they are benefitted.

By August of each year, project proposals must be provided to the local Fish and Wildlife Management Office for submission into an internal database. Projects will be reviewed and prioritized on a Regional basis. Funding is administered through the Fish and Wildlife Service office that is coordinating the project with partners. The Program has flexibility from project to project but strives to achieve a 50% match, including in-kind contributions.

Projects that receive the highest consideration will be those that show the greatest ecological benefits; exhibit permanence of fish passage benefits; make use of the most current scientific knowledge and proven technology; evidence the greatest public support; and generate the maximum in matching contributions.

Fish passage projects are not eligible for funding if they are for any Federal or State compensatory mitigation, or if fish passage is a condition provided by existing Federal or State regulatory programs.

Photographs of pre- and post- project conditions must be provided to document habitat improvements and project success. Annual and final project reports must be completed, which identify species benefitted; miles of river or acres opened to fish movement; benefits such as improved access to spawning, rearing, or feeding habitats and improved water quality; and population response.

Contact the appropriate Regional Coordinator if you are unsure of your nearest Fish and Wildlife Management Assistance Office.