Title

Coldwater Heritage Partnership: Protecting and Enhancing Coldwater Resources in the Susquehanna and Delaware River Basins

Start Date

12-11-2016 1:30 PM

End Date

12-11-2016 4:00 PM

Description

While Pennsylvania has over 86,000 stream miles, fewer than 30% are considered high quality coldwater fisheries and fewer than 2% are designated as highly reproductive waters that contain naturally reproducing trout. The Coldwater Heritage Partnership (CHP) program, a collaborative effort between the PA Fish & Boat Commission, PA DCNR, Foundation for Pennsylvania Watersheds, and PA Council of Trout Unlimited, takes a proactive approach to identify and protect these coldwater ecosystems for future generations. The CHP program provides coordination, technical assistance and funding support to conservation organizations for the evaluation and protection of PA’s most outstanding coldwater resources. The CHP’s competitive grant program provides funding for conservation planning and restoration implementation projects. Coldwater Conservation Plans are keys to building local awareness of and support for the watershed. With financial and technical support from CHP, conservation organizations, community members, municipalities, and state agencies partner to: 1) gather existing and current data about the ecosystem; 2) identify potential threats, impacts, and opportunities; 3) formulate a plan of action for conservation and protection for the watershed; and 4) provide education to communities on best management practices for coldwater protection. In-stream, riparian and trout habitat improvement projects recommended in these or other approved planning documents are also funded by CHP grants. Such projects include stabilizing tream banks, creating and improving in-stream habitat, removing dams, managing and eliminating invasive species, and planting native species along riparian buffers. Approximately 70 Coldwater Conservation Plans have been completed for counties in the Susquehanna and Delaware River Basins. At least 13 restoration projects have been completed or are currently being implemented. Successful CHP applicants have included local Trout Unlimited chapters, watershed associations, land trusts and conservancies, and county conservation districts. Those who benefit from the grants and their outcomes, however, include trout and other coldwater species, local communities, anglers, and anyone else who enjoys visiting, exploring, and recreating along PA’s beautiful rivers and streams.

Keywords

conservation planning, habitat restoration, grants, coldwater resources

Type

Presentation

Session

Fish

Language

eng

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Nov 12th, 1:30 PM Nov 12th, 4:00 PM

Coldwater Heritage Partnership: Protecting and Enhancing Coldwater Resources in the Susquehanna and Delaware River Basins

Elaine Langone Center, Forum

While Pennsylvania has over 86,000 stream miles, fewer than 30% are considered high quality coldwater fisheries and fewer than 2% are designated as highly reproductive waters that contain naturally reproducing trout. The Coldwater Heritage Partnership (CHP) program, a collaborative effort between the PA Fish & Boat Commission, PA DCNR, Foundation for Pennsylvania Watersheds, and PA Council of Trout Unlimited, takes a proactive approach to identify and protect these coldwater ecosystems for future generations. The CHP program provides coordination, technical assistance and funding support to conservation organizations for the evaluation and protection of PA’s most outstanding coldwater resources. The CHP’s competitive grant program provides funding for conservation planning and restoration implementation projects. Coldwater Conservation Plans are keys to building local awareness of and support for the watershed. With financial and technical support from CHP, conservation organizations, community members, municipalities, and state agencies partner to: 1) gather existing and current data about the ecosystem; 2) identify potential threats, impacts, and opportunities; 3) formulate a plan of action for conservation and protection for the watershed; and 4) provide education to communities on best management practices for coldwater protection. In-stream, riparian and trout habitat improvement projects recommended in these or other approved planning documents are also funded by CHP grants. Such projects include stabilizing tream banks, creating and improving in-stream habitat, removing dams, managing and eliminating invasive species, and planting native species along riparian buffers. Approximately 70 Coldwater Conservation Plans have been completed for counties in the Susquehanna and Delaware River Basins. At least 13 restoration projects have been completed or are currently being implemented. Successful CHP applicants have included local Trout Unlimited chapters, watershed associations, land trusts and conservancies, and county conservation districts. Those who benefit from the grants and their outcomes, however, include trout and other coldwater species, local communities, anglers, and anyone else who enjoys visiting, exploring, and recreating along PA’s beautiful rivers and streams.