In the last installment of the Northern Plains Water Voice, Dr. Christopher Cheek, SDSU Assistant Professor with the Department of Natural Resource Management, discussed the importance of river and stream connectivity to the lifecycle of fish and other aquatic organisms. Manmade barriers such as perched culverts at road crossings and low-head dams limit the movement of many aquatic species and prevents them from gaining access to critical habitats needed to complete those lifecycles.
For those local public entities (i.e. township boards, county and city governments), Tribes, and private individuals interested in the removal or mitigation of those barriers, both technical and financial assistance is available. One of the first steps that can be taken is to visit the National Aquatic Connectivity Collaborative website. This collaborative effort identifies and prioritizes potential barriers that have previously been surveyed and downloaded into the database. The tools and outputs that are available on the website can be used with implementation projects by providing essential information to potential partners when applying for financial assistance.
Programs Available
Below are several programs available to individuals, governments, or other organizations in South Dakota that provide technical and financial assistance for fish barrier removal and mitigation.
National Fish Passage Program
The National Fish Passage Program provides financial, engineering and planning assistance to communities, Tribes, states, and landowners through the U.S. Department of Interior’s U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Additional information can be found by contacting:
Tait Ronningen
FWS Region 6 National Fish Passage Program Coordinator (ND, SD, NE, and KS)
3425 Miriam Avenue
Bismarck, ND 58501
Email
Great Plains Fish Habitat Partnership
The Great Plains Fish Habitat Partnership is a multi-agency and organization collaboration that provides technical and financial support for fish habitat conservation and fish barrier management. Additional information can be found by contacting:
Tait Ronningen
Great Plains Fish Habitat Partnership Coordinator
3425 Miriam Avenue
Bismarck, ND 58501
Email
Midwest Glacial Lakes Partnership
The goal of the MGLP is to protect, rehabilitate, and enhance sustainable fish habitats in glacial lakes of the Midwest (east river SD). While primarily concerned with fish habitat in lakes, MGLP can be a source of technical and financial support for fish barrier removal and mitigation if a direct connection between a feeder stream to a lake is determined. Additional information can be found by contacting:
Joe Nohner
Midwest Glacial Lakes Partnership
Email
South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks
The SDGFP fisheries and aquatic resources staff can provide technical and financial assistance for fish barrier projects that involve species of greatest conservation need. Aquatic Division staff can also provide guidance and direction with the application process for any of the programs listed above. Additional information can be found by contacting:
Jason Jungwirth
Senior Biologist – Aquatic Habitat and Access
South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks
20641 SD Hwy 1806
Email
