WNTI Newsletter
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WNTI Data Team meeting set for April 19th in Salt Lake City, UT.
The Western Native Trout Initiative is planning on hosting a western native trout data update meeting just prior to the start of the Western Division of the American Fisheries Society meeting in Salt Lake City in April.
The date of the workshop is April 19th, and the purpose will be to review the progress on the Intermountain cutthroat data protocols, discuss future data needs of WNTI partners, and to learn about the role of WNTI in the National Fish Habitat assessment that is currently underway and scheduled to be completed in 2010. Gary Whelan from the National Fish Habitat Action Plan Science and Data Committee will be on hand to explain details about the National Fish Habitat Assessment, as well as discussing the future data needs of NFHAP.
The location of the WNTI meeting is Room 355 C at the Salt Palace Center, and is scheduled to start at 8:30 am. The meeting is open to all interested parties.
WNTI Plans on Hosting a Western National Fish Habitat Partnerships Meeting in Anchorage Alaska on July 16, 2010.
On July 16, 2010, in Anchorage Alaska, the Western Native Trout Initiative will be hosting a meeting of the western-based national fish habitat partnerships. This meeting is being held in conjunction with the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies annual summer meeting. The informal get-together will allow for an exchange of information between the seven recognized western partnerships and the 3 candidate partnerships. Developing lines of communications and identifying key watersheds for habitat work in the coming years are basic functions of national fish habitat partnerships that will be addressed at the meeting.
The National Fish Habitat Board endorses the WNTI slate of projects for 2010 funding.
At their March 3-4, 2010 meeting in Memphis, TN., the National Fish Habitat Board approved 10 WNTI projects for action in 2010. The NFHAP Staff is preparing the final documentation of the projects for the US Fish and Wildlife Service Director's signature. On-the-ground work on the projects will begin this summer. The following are the WNTI 2010 Projects:
1. Deep Creek and Crazy Creek Fish Passage and Habitat Restoration Project (Crooked River), OR.
2. Stream-bank Stabilization and Fish Screen for BCT St. Charles Cr, ID.
3. Lower Wenatchee River in-stream Enhancement Project on 15 miles of stream, WA
4. Barrier construction and Gila trout restoration in West Fork Oak Creek, AZ
5. Renovation of Barrier to Protect Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout in Tanques Creek, NM
6. 2.7 miles of Bear Creek Habitat Improvement for Greenback Cutthroat Trout, CO
7. Restoring Bull Trout stream habitat In the Therriault Creek Drainage, MT
8. Riparian Fence Exclosure on Middle Thompson Cr. For Colorado River Cutthroat, CO
9. Barrier construction and resoration of Yellowstone cutthroat trout to Four Mile Cr, MT.
10. WNTI - Protecting stream Habitat for Coastal Cutthroat Trout Via Water Reservations in SE AK.
The partner match associated with these projects totaled just over $4,000,000.
FishAmerica Foundation Announces Availability of One Million Dollars for Estuarine and Coastal Marine Habitat Projects.
APPLICATIONS FOR COMMUNITY-BASED MARINE AND ANADROMOUS FISH HABITAT RESTORATION PROJECTS DUE MONDAY, May 17, 2010 BY 5:00 p.m. (EDT)
The FishAmerica Foundation announces the availability of approximately $1 million for local efforts to accomplish meaningful on-the-ground restoration of marine, estuarine and riparian habitats, including but not limited to salt marshes, mangrove forests, and freshwater habitats important to anadromous fish species (fish like salmon and striped bass that migrate to and from the sea). Approximately $200,000 of the available funding will be dedicated specifically to stream barrier removal projects furthering NOAA’s Open Rivers Initiative. Individual grant awards range between $10,000 and $75,000 per project.
Projects must result in the implementation of locally-driven habitat restoration projects that emphasize stewardship and yield ecological and socioeconomic benefits. These projects must clearly demonstrate significant benefits to marine, estuarine or anadromous fisheries resources, particularly sportfish, and should involve community participation through an educational or volunteer component tied to the restoration activities. Applicants are encouraged to incorporate the participation of NOAA Restoration Center staff to strengthen the development and implementation of sound restoration projects.
Projects in the Great Lakes must restore habitat for diadromous sportfish such as lake sturgeon, walleye, and brook trout in the Great Lakes and applicable tributaries. Projects focusing on the management or removal of aquatic invasive/nuisance species will not be considered.
The complete announcement, RFP and Application are available on our website at www.fishamerica.org
Applications and required documentation must be received in FishAmerica’s office no later than May 17, 2010 by 5:00 p.m. (EDT). This is not a postmark deadline. Electronic and faxed applications will NOT be accepted. All submissions must be sent to:
FAF/NOAA RFP - Grant Applications
FishAmerica Foundation
225 Reinekers Lane, Suite 420
Alexandria, Virginia 22314.
Funding is expected to be announced in October 2010. Anticipated awards are contingent on notification of federal funding to the FishAmerica Foundation.
Visit www. westernnativetrout.org for WNTI project information and details.
