PROTECT AND CONSERVE
Protecting and conserving existing habitat is significantly less
costly than restoring or creating habitat. While traditional
approaches have been successful, habitat losses are mounting
and the overall health of many species continues to decline.
Regional and national priorities could include: closer integration
with other resource management initiatives; new policies on recurring
issues or threats; stronger legislative mandates such as the
essential fish habitat provisions of the Sustainable Fisheries
Act of 1996; improved use of long-term, large-scale recommendations
such as hydropower license conditions and conservation plans;
and greater focus on cumulative/secondary effects. Our broad
mission offers many partnership opportunities and will relate
closely to our ecosystem/watershed approach. Four examples illustrate
how this element will assess habitat quantity and quality issues
related to human impacts and natural events.
Key recommendations:
- Integrate habitat with fishery management and protected species activities;
- Seek and implement legislative mandates that expand opportunities to protect and conserve habitat;
- Review institutional agreements and seek improvements based on this Plan and evolving priorities;
- Establish national and regional policies and guidance;
- Pursue partnerships to leverage funds
and increase success, especially on an ecosystem or watershed
basis;
- Redirect National Habitat Program focus to proactive approaches;
- Use special teams to address priority issues.
HABITAT CONSULTATION efforts ranging from permit reviews for small projects
to grand plans to maintain habitat values for special management
areas. The Plan calls for:
- Continued emphasis on wetland, waterway, and hydropower permit reviews;
- Increased focus on ecosystems or watersheds;
- Full implementation of essential fish habitat provisions.
Two success stories highlight the potential to influence hundreds of acres and important habitat values, often in combination with restoration and creation initiatives.
Success Story
HOUSTON SHIP CHANNEL BENEFICIAL is the result of a successful collaboration between the Port of Houston state and federal agencies, including NOAA fisheries. From 1990 - 1995 the Beneficial Uses Group developed a list of sites where beneficial use of material dredged from and deepening of the Houston el would result in improvements sources habitat. The interagency plan to create 4,250 acres of intertidal habitat 50 years has the broad support of agencies, state agencies, Congress, and environmental groups.
A pilot project initiated in 1993 involved pumping approximately 1.6 million cubic yards of dredged material into a diked area on Atkinson Island. Marsh vegetation was planted in test plots designed to evaluate the wetland functions of the site are planned in the coming years. This 220-acre "living laboratory" serves as an example of how collaboration among federal and state agencies can benefit both commerce and natural resources.
ROLLAND A. SCHMITTEN
Success Story
BATIQUITOS LAGOON RESTORATION PROJECT is the largest lagoon
and wetland restoration effort in southern California. Nearly
500 acres of non-tidal habitat is being dredged at a of cost
of $55 million to reestablish tidal flushing and recreate marine
and habitats that were lost decades ago. California halibut and
other important and commercial species will the restored lagoon
habitats. The project is being completed by the Port of Los Angeles
NOAA Fisheries' request to offset related habitat impacts.
Like the Bolsa Chica agreement, this project underscores the importance of diligent negotiations and environmental creativity.
Construction of this innovative, awardwinning project began in 1995 with extensive work on bridges and roadways, continued 1996 with dredging and shoreline stabilization, and is expected to be completed in early 1997.
DREDGING AND DREDGED MATERIAL DISPOSAL offer the agency tremendous opportunities to influence
habitat quality and quantity. Two successful ventures in Chesapeake
Bay highlight the role NOAA Fisheries hopes to play in future
dredging decisions:
- NOAA Fisheries will pursue more proactive opportunities;
Nancy Foster, Deputy Assistant Administrator for NOAA Fisheries
- Beneficial use goals and NOAA Fisheries management plans will form the basis of efforts to conserve and protect valuable habitats.