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| National Fish Passage Program | |
|---|---|
| Name | National Fish Passage Program |
| Formation | 1999 |
| Headquarters | United States |
| Parent organization | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service |
National Fish Passage Program The National Fish Passage Program is a United States federal initiative administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that supports the removal of barriers and restoration of anadromous fish and catadromous fish migration corridors. It provides grants, technical assistance, and coordination among federal agencies such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, state agencies including California Department of Fish and Wildlife and Maine Department of Marine Resources, and nonprofit organizations like The Nature Conservancy and American Rivers. The program aligns with conservation statutes and initiatives such as the Endangered Species Act, the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, and regional plans developed under the Atlantic Coastal Fish Habitat Partnership.
The program facilitates the removal or modification of culverts, dams, and other instream barriers to restore passage for species such as Atlantic salmon, Pacific salmon, American shad, alewife, and river herring. It operates within a network of partners including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Environmental Protection Agency, state fish and wildlife agencies, and watershed groups like the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and the Great Lakes Fishery Commission. Projects often intersect with landmark efforts such as the Gulf of Maine Research Institute initiatives, regional restoration programs like the Penobscot River Restoration Project, and multistakeholder forums including the North Atlantic Landscape Conservation Cooperative.
The program traces roots to legislative and administrative actions in the late 20th century, building on policy frameworks established by the Endangered Species Act and fisheries statutes like the Magnuson-Stevens Act. Early efforts were informed by restoration projects under the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and technical guidance from the National Marine Fisheries Service and the U.S. Geological Survey. Major milestones include collaborations with state commissions such as the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and legal settlements involving entities such as the Penobscot Tribal Nation and utilities regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
The program’s objectives include restoring connectivity for migratory species targeted by plans like the North American Waterfowl Management Plan, improving habitat access cited by the Pacific Fishery Management Council, and reducing threats identified by the IUCN and the National Fish Habitat Partnership. Its scope covers freshwater, estuarine, and anadromous systems across ecosystems from the Columbia River Basin to the Atlantic Coast and the Great Lakes. Targeted outcomes align with recovery strategies for taxa listed under the Endangered Species Act and regional fisheries management objectives overseen by councils such as the New England Fishery Management Council.
Core activities include grant-making, technical design assistance, and prioritization tools co-developed with entities like the Nature Conservancy, academic partners such as Oregon State University and University of Maine, and engineering firms that have worked with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The program sponsors assessments that reference protocols from the Society for Ecological Restoration and monitoring approaches used by the NOAA Restoration Center and the USGS National Water Quality Program. Workshops and training are delivered in partnership with organizations like American Rivers, the Trout Unlimited network, and regional bodies such as the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission.
Funding sources include federal appropriations, cooperative agreements with agencies such as the NOAA and the EPA, and cost-sharing arrangements with state agencies including the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and nongovernmental funders like the David and Lucile Packard Foundation. Partnerships span tribal governments—e.g., the Yakama Nation and the Penobscot Nation—and multilateral initiatives including the Chesapeake Bay Program and the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. Grant recipients often include conservation nonprofits such as The Nature Conservancy, watershed councils like the Skagit Watershed Council, and municipal entities administering stormwater and transportation infrastructure.
Notable projects include passage restoration efforts linked to the Penobscot River Restoration Project, barrier removals in the Klamath River basin, and culvert replacements in watersheds feeding the Chesapeake Bay. Case studies document work with species such as Atlantic salmon in Maine, Coho salmon in Oregon, and lake sturgeon in the Great Lakes. Implementations have intersected with dam removals like the Elwha River Dam project and collaborative restoration under programs such as the Columbia Basin Fish Accords and regional initiatives including the Pacific Coast Salmon Recovery Fund.
Monitoring protocols leverage methods from the USGS, NOAA Fisheries, and academic partners such as University of Washington and University of Maine to evaluate fish passage effectiveness, population responses, and habitat reoccupation. Evaluations reference metrics used by the North Atlantic Landscape Conservation Cooperative and the National Fish Habitat Partnership and inform adaptive management aligned with recovery plans under the Endangered Species Act. Reported outcomes include increased access to historical spawning habitat, documented returns of Atlantic salmon and Pacific salmon, and benefits to species of concern identified by the IUCN and regional management councils.
Key challenges include coordinating across regulatory frameworks involving the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, addressing legacy infrastructure funded by entities like the Tennessee Valley Authority, and scaling restoration where multiple stakeholders such as state transportation departments and tribal authorities are involved. Future directions emphasize integration with climate resilience initiatives like the National Fish Habitat Action Plan, expanded data sharing with networks such as the National Fish Habitat Database, and continued collaboration with academic institutions including Oregon State University and University of Washington to refine prioritization tools and effectiveness monitoring.
Category:Fish conservation in the United States