National Fish Habitat Action Plan

Process For Recognizing New Fish Habitat Partnerships  (View PDF)

The process described below, which was approved by the National Fish Habitat Board at their March 2010 meeting, supplements the Policies and Guidance for Fish Habitat Partnerships (revised October 2008). For more information, visit www.fishhabitat.org or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Introduction

Fish Habitat Partnerships (FHPs) recognized by the National Fish Habitat Board (Board) are the primary work units of the National Fish Habitat Action Plan (Action Plan).  The Board has adopted these policies as guidance for three distinct phases in FHP development. 

•    Section 1 (The Roles of Partners and Partnerships under the Action Plan) is targeted toward groups and individuals who want to become involved in the Action Plan, and may be thinking about establishing a Fish Habitat Partnership. 
•    Section 2 (Requirements for Establishing a Fish Habitat Partnership) describes the mandatory requirements for recognition of Fish Habitat Partnerships by the Board.
•    Section 3 (Operational Requirements for Fish Habitat Partnerships) describes the functions that Fish Habitat Partnerships are expected to fulfill after they are recognized by the Board. 

The primary guidance for establishing FHPs is the Action Plan itself.  The policies provided here supplement the broad guidelines in the Action Plan, and are intended to be fully consistent with the Action Plan.

GUIDANCE DOCUMENT (PDF)

DEFINITIONS

Fish Habitat Partnership (FHP) - a National Fish Habitat Board approved group of state, federal, local, nonprofit, tribal, Alaskan Native or private individuals or entities that coordinate to implement the Plan at a regional level.  Fish habitat conservation projects proposed by these FHPs are eligible for funding as NFHAP projects.  

Candidate Fish Habitat Partnership - a partnership that is working toward recognition by the Board as a Fish Habitat Partnership, and has notified the Board of its intent.  Candidate Fish Habitat Partnerships are eligible for coordination and technical assistance from the Board.  Fish habitat conservation projects proposed by these Partnerships are eligible for funding as NFHAP projects.

Coalition Partner - a partnership that is not working toward recognition by the Board as a Fish Habitat Partnership, but that is working to achieve the goals of the Action Plan through the conservation of fish habitat.  Coalition Partners will share in the coordination and technical assistance provided by the Board. 
 
Fish habitat Conservation Project
(a)   approved actions taken for the conservation or management of aquatic habitat for fish and other aquatic organisms;
 (b)   the provision of technical assistance to states and local communities to facilitate development of strategies and priorities for aquatic habitat conservation;
(c)    the obtaining of a real property interest in lands or waters, including water rights, if the obtaining of such interest is subject to terms and conditions that will ensure that the real property will be administered for the long-term conservation of such lands and waters and the fish dependent thereon.  Real property interest means any ownership interest in lands or a building or an object that is permanently affixed to land.

Introduction

 The Policies and Guidance for Fish Habitat Partnerships requires that Fish Habitat Partnerships (FHPs) develop a strategic plan.  Some Candidate FHPs have requested more guidance about the National Fish Habitat Board’s (Board) expectations for a strategic plan, and the Board has concluded some consistency among the FHP strategic plans would be desirable.  This planning framework was developed with these considerations in mind.  It offers recommendations based on a standard approach to strategic planning – one that relies on assessment, implementation, and evaluation.