National Fish Passage Program
{{Expansion depth limit exceeded|ProgramName=National Fish Passage Program |ProgramType=Program |OrgSponsor=Fish and Aquatic Conservation Program |TopOrganization=Department of the Interior |CreationLegislation=National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997 |Purpose=The National Fish Passage Program provides technical and financial assistance to remove barriers and restore aquatic connectivity for fish and wildlife. It aims to conserve vulnerable species, enhance climate resilience, and support local economies by reconnecting fragmented habitats. |Website=https://www.fws.gov/program/national-fish-passage-program |ProgramStart=1999 |InitialFunding=Congressional appropriations |Duration=Ongoing |Historic=No }} National Fish Passage Program (NFPP) is a Department of the Interior initiative led by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Fish and Aquatic Conservation Program that collaborates with over 2,000 partners across the United States to remove or bypass more than 3,500 barriers—like outdated dams and culverts—reopening over 64,000 miles of river habitat for fish and aquatic species since 1999, enhancing biodiversity and community resilience as of 2025.
With a $200 million boost from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) over five years (2022-2026), it funded 43 projects in 29 states with $70.4 million in FY 2024, supporting species like Chinook salmon and bull trout, while creating jobs and reducing flood risks, exemplified by 2025 efforts like the Enloe Dam removal in New Hampshire restoring 39 miles of habitat.
{{Expansion depth limit exceeded|url=https://www.fws.gov/program/national-fish-passage-program}}
Goals
- Restore aquatic connectivity by removing barriers to fish migration.Expansion depth limit exceeded
- Conserve vulnerable species and enhance climate resilience nationwide.
- Strengthen local economies through job creation and recreational opportunities.
Organization
The National Fish Passage Program is sponsored by the Fish and Aquatic Conservation Program within the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, under the Department of the Interior, headquartered at 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, Virginia.Expansion depth limit exceeded Funding comes from Congressional appropriations, with FY 2024 combining $18 million annual funds and $70.4 million from BIL, managed by regional Fish and Wildlife Conservation Offices (FWCOs) across 10 regions, employing biologists and engineers to deliver technical assistance and oversee projects with over 2,000 partners, including tribes and local communities.
The leader at the Department of the Interior level is the Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, currently Martha Williams (as of February 20, 2025), with NFPP overseen by the Assistant Director for Fish and Aquatic Conservation, David Hoskins.
History
The National Fish Passage Program was established in 1999 under the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, signed into law on October 9, 1997, as Public Law 105-57, formalizing USFWS efforts to restore aquatic ecosystems amid growing habitat fragmentation.Expansion depth limit exceeded It expanded significantly with BIL funding in 2022 ($200 million over five years), removing 3,500+ barriers by 2025, with milestones like 2023’s $35 million for 39 projects and 2024’s Enloe Dam removal, adapting to climate challenges and supporting over 61,000 miles of reopened habitat.
Funding
Initial funding in 1999 came from Congressional appropriations, with unspecified startup amounts building on USFWS budgets.Expansion depth limit exceeded Funding began in 1999 and continues, with FY 2024 at $88.4 million ($18 million annual, $70.4 million BIL), supporting 43 projects, averaging $70,000 per project with a 50% partner match goal, with no end date as appropriations and BIL funds sustain efforts like 2025’s $36 million application cycle.
Implementation
The program is implemented through voluntary partnerships with local communities, tribes, and agencies, providing technical assistance—engineering, biology, planning—and funding for barrier removals via FWCOs.Expansion depth limit exceeded It operates continuously with no end date, removing dams and upgrading culverts (e.g., 2024’s Huzzah Creek bridges), with 2025 efforts enhancing resilience post-Helene and supporting species like Apache trout.
Related
- National Fish Hatchery System
- Fish and Aquatic Conservation Program
- Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program
External links
- https://www.fws.gov/program/national-fish-passage-program
- https://www.fws.gov/program/fish-and-aquatic-conservation - Fish and Aquatic Conservation
- https://www.doi.gov/ - Department of the Interior Overview
- wikipedia:National Fish Passage Program