more people working for more fish overview of the national fish habitat action plan
TRANSCRIPT
More People Working for More Fish
Overview of the National Fish Habitat Action Plan
Why NFHAP?• Since the 1970’s, regulatory programs have
reduced pollution and slowed physical degradation
• Significant gains have been made, but they have not been enough
• Existing conservation programs are often fragmented and uncoordinated
• We need a more business-like approach
How is the Action Plan different?• Partnerships – jointly identify priorities• Strategic investment – invest where it will make
the biggest impact• Measuring progress – fish habitat status report
in 2010 and every 5 years thereafter
By 2010:
Conduct a condition analysis and prepare a “Status of Fish Habitats in the US” report
Identify priority fish habitats and establish Fish Habitat Partnerships targeting these habitats
Establish 12 or more Fish Habitat Partnerships throughout the United States
Action Plan Objectives:
By 2015:Protect all healthy and intact fish habitats
By 2020:Improve the condition of 90% of priority habitats and species targeted by FHPs
Action Plan Objectives:
Fish Habitat Partnerships
• Primary work units of the Action Plan• Diverse array of public & private entities• Self-identified, self-directed• Formed around
– distinct geographic areas – keystone fish species– system types
What do Fish Habitat Partnerships do?
• Perform a regional assessment• Set priorities through strategic planning• Coordinate and seek resources for
projects• Rank projects for funding• Evaluate results of projects• Report outcomes to stakeholders and the
Board
What size should a Fish Habitat Partnership be?
• Geographically defined boundaries• Scope of issues should be nationally significant • 50,000 - 500,000 sq mi preferred to be effective • Smaller, ecologically similar, contiguous areas
should be grouped within a larger FHP
“Candidate” Fish Habitat Partnerships
Strategic investment“Improve the condition of 90 percent
of priority habitats and species … by 2020”
Restorability Index Top watersheds for restoration
Measuring progress“Prepare a Status of Fish Habitats in the United States
report in 2010 and every five years thereafter”
National Fish Habitat Board
Fish Habitat Partnerships
Science & Data Committee
Communications Committee
Federal Caucus Partners Coalition
Aquatic Habitat Conservation Projects
Joint staff
Partners (states, tribes, federal agencies, NGOs, landowners, etc.)
Governance
National Fish Habitat Board• 22 national conservation leaders• Develop guidance for Fish Habitat Partnerships• Establish national goals & measures of success• Report to Congress, states and partners
Legislation
• Partners have drafted legislation to:– Authorize the Action Plan & establish the
Board– Establish a $75 million grant program for cost-
share projects– Defines roles of Federal agencies
• Expected to be introduced in Congress soon
Current Funding for NFHAP• Multi-state Conservation Grants• State: through Association of Fish and Wildlife
Agencies and direct support• Federal: USFWS, NOAA, and USGS are
providing staff, services, and support of science effort and on-the-ground projects
• National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s “More Fish” campaign
FWS Funding for NFHAP• $5.153M appropriated to
implement the Action Plan in FY 2008
• Funds go to on-the-ground projects, partnership development, and Board support
• Cost-share achieved on projects >2.8 : 1
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$2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
Appropriated
President's Request
National Fish & Wildlife Foundation’s “More Fish” Campaign
• First grants awarded February 2007
• Enlists new non-federal partners
• Raises funds for fish habitat conservation projects nationwide
• Fish Habitat Partnerships help NFWF to strategically target and leverage funds
