Fish and Wildlife Service’s Midwest Region Fish Passage Program

Project proposals are due on or before November 6, 2009. Funds provided under this RFP may only be used for in-the-water activities, including engineering costs. There are approximately 15,300 dams over 6 feet high and hundreds of thousands of other smaller barriers to fish passage, such as perched culverts and road crossings, in our Region. Many of these barriers have a negative impact on fish and other native aquatic organisms, such as crayfish, freshwater mussels, and insects. Removing these barriers will enhance biodiversity and help restore healthy populations of aquatic species.

Small dam removals, perched culvert renovations, low water crossing improvements, rock ramp installations, stream grade control structure modifications, barrier inventories, and evaluation monitoring activities are eligible for funding. If your staff is interested in submitting a project proposal, please follow the attached guidance. Full proposals are due to Aaron_Woldt@fws.gov on or before COB November 6, 2009. Staff from partner agencies and Service staff from non-Fish and Wildlife Conservation Offices (FWCO) interested in submitting a proposal must contact the appropriate FWCO to coordinate your proposal and to develop a Fisheries Operations Needs System (FONS) submission for your project. The geographic areas of responsibility and the primary points of contact for each FWCO are attached.
Thank you for your interest in the Midwest Region Fish Passage Program. Removing barriers and reconnecting rivers and streams is one of the most important things we can do to restore habitat for fish and other aquatic species.

If you have general questions about the Fish Passage Program or the proposal submission process, please contact:
Mr. Aaron Woldt, Fisheries Program Supervisor, at 612-713-5110. More information about the Region 3 Fish Passage Program can also be found at:
http://www.fws.gov/midwest/Fisheries/publications/r3-fishpassageprgm7-31-07.pdf.