(Washington, DC) - Through the National Fish Habitat Partnership (NFHP) (www.fishhabitat.org), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and its partners are providing more than $53.2 million to support 78 fish habitat conservation projects across 37 states. The USFWS is providing $5.4 million this year, with non-governmental organizations, state resource agencies, and other partners contributing an additional $47.6 million. These projects represent a 9-to-1 leveraged funding match for federal funding with partnership project funding from other sources.

These projects will boost and empower locally-led efforts to restore stream banks, remove barriers to fish passage, reduce erosion from farm and ranchlands, and conduct monitoring and assessments to identify conservation needs for fish and their habitats. Anticipated benefits include more robust fish populations, better fishing, and healthier waterways. For example, funded projects this year include dam removals in Indiana and Pennsylvania, restoring native trout habitat in Colorado, and improving spawning and rearing habitat for salmon in Southeast Alaska. A full list of funded projects can be found HERE. This funding will also support operations of the National Fish Habitat Board to help establish national priorities and the coordination of the individual Fish Habitat Partnerships under NFHP.
“The effect of these projects, which bring many valued partners to the table, are truly unique examples of collaboration to protect, restore, and enhance fish habitat. Leveraged funding, through the contributions of partners, takes these projects further and maximizes conservation benefits.,” said Ed Schriever, Director of the Idaho Department of Fish and Game and Chairman of the National Fish Habitat Board. “Our 2022 projects which are leveraged 9-to-1, are a high watermark for match for the NFHP program, which is critical in meeting the funding match obligations of the America’s Conservation Enhancement Act, (S. 3051), which was signed in late 2020, and codified the National Fish Habitat Partnership.”

NFHP uses a nationally focused aquatic conservation strategy to maximize the reach of limited fish habitat conservation dollars. Under the NFHP, federal, state, tribal, and privately raised funds are leveraged through regional Fish Habitat Partnerships to address the nation’s biggest fish habitat challenges. The USFWS is a key partner in implementing the partnership, providing leadership and technical expertise on the local, regional, and national levels, as well as financial assistance directly to partners for on-the-ground conservation projects. Since 2017, the USFWS has provided over $23 million to conservation projects which leveraged over $167 million in match funding support for fish habitat conservation projects that improve angling and recreational opportunities from Hawaii to Maine. NFHP assembles the collective expertise of federal, state, and non-governmental organizations to identify and prioritize conservation work to achieve significant benefits for fish and other aquatic resources for the American people.

About the National Fish Habitat Partnership:
Since 2006, NFHP has supported 1,193 projects benefiting fish habitat in all 50 states. This effort works to conserve fish habitat nationwide, leveraging federal, state, tribal, and private funding resources to achieve the greatest effect on fish populations through priority conservation projects of 20 regionally-based Fish Habitat Partnerships. In 2020, NFHP was recognized by Congress as part of the America’s Conservation Enhancement (ACE) Act. For more information, visit https://fishhabitat.org/.