WASHINGTON - Recognizing the need to fix crumbling stream-banks and dilapidated culverts, and to improve water quality for brook trout and other aquatic species, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently provided more than $3 million to support 70 fish habitat projects in 31 states across the nation.
Included is funding for restoration projects in northeast Georgia.
With an additional $7.8 million in partner contributions, the projects will restore and enhance stream, lake, and coastal habitat to improve recreational fishing and help recover endangered species.
The funding is provided for priority projects identified under the National Fish Habitat Action Plan. The partnerships formed as part of the plan help direct funding and other resources to habitat improvement projects offering the highest long-term conservation returns.
Funding for National Fish Habitat Action Plan Partnership projects in the Southeast includes:
Southeast Aquatic Resources Partnership, Buffalo National River, AR - $78,572 in Service funds and $50,000 in partner funds to restore eroding streambanks affecting native mussels in tributaries of the Buffalo National River.
Southeast Aquatic Resources Partnership, Lake Oconee, GA - $114,286 in Service funds and $29,740 in partner funds to enhance and restore island habitat in Lake Oconee, Ga.
Southeast Aquatic Resources Partnership, South Carolina Coast, SC - $26,891 in Service funds and $1,500 in partner funds to restore and improve red drum habitat through community-based oyster reef habitat restoration.
Southeast Aquatic Resources Partnership, lower Flint River, GA - $5,714 in Service funds and $10,400 in partner funds to enhance and restore springs feeding the lower Flint River.
Southeast Aquatic Resources Partnership, Jockey's Ridge State Park, NC - $31,429 in Service funds and $60,000 in partner funds to restoring and replanting the natural marsh within the Jockey's Ridge State Park with community-based living shoreline restoration.
Eastern Brook Trout Joint Venture, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, TN $115,000 in Service funds and $223,999 in partner funds to restore brook trout in eight miles of Lynn Camp Prong.
Eastern Brook Trout Joint Venture, Chattahoochee National Forest, GA $40,000 in Service funds and $72,500 in partner funds to restore brook trout in 13.6 miles of instream habitat in 15 Chattahoochee National Forest Streams.
Southeast Aquatic Resources Partnership, Winston County, AL - $35,714 in Service funds and $34,000 in partner funds to restore 20 upland acres and one riparian mile using erosion control to benefit the rush darter in the Doe/Mill/Wildcat Branch Watersheds.
Southeast Aquatic Resources Partnership, Lake Mary, MS - $114,286 in Service funds and $40,000 in partner funds to restore 200 wetland acres in a 750-acre oxbow lake of the Lower Mississippi River in Wilkinson County.
Southeast Aquatic Resources Partnership, Caddo Lake, LA and TX -$40,000 in Service funds and $230,000 in partner funds to restore 25,000 wetland acres by removing and controlling nuisance aquatic vegetation in Caddo Lake.
Southeast Aquatic Resources Partnership, Green River, KY - $64,538 in Service funds and $3,000 in partner funds to restore 625 feet of habitat along the Green River Wildlife Management Area.
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On the Net.
National Fish Habitat Action Plan. http:// www.fishhabitat.org
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. http://www.fws.gov or http://www.fws.gov/southeast.
Thursday
October 31st, 2024
1:30AM
