NOAA and The Nature Conservancy are removing undersized road culverts that trap migratory fish in the Roanoke Rivers’ floodplains. Reconnecting floodplains and tributaries to the main river channel will reopen miles of habitat and reduce flooding.
With NOAA funds, the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians will remove 12 fish passage barriers at road-stream crossings on their traditional lands. They will also investigate fish passage options for lake sturgeon at two hydroelectric dams.
Forty-six projects will reopen migratory pathways, restore access to healthy habitat for fish, and build tribal capacity to develop and implement fish passage projects.
NOAA Marine Habitat Resource Specialist Eric Hutchins stands out for his nearly 40 years of service and tireless efforts to restore migratory fish populations in New England.
Work in the Chesapeake Bay includes identifying and protecting habitat used by these fish for spawning, seeking to minimize vessel strikes, and educating students about these fish.
Atlantic sturgeon are sensitive to climate change impacts such as increasing water temperatures, which may affect spawning behavior and seasonal migration.
A massive storm like Idalia not only destroys homes and businesses, it also impacts wildlife. Changes in the environment caused by the storm as it moved past can strand wildlife in places they do not normally occur.
