Mission The Reservoir Fisheries Habitat Partnership is a national partnership established to promote and facilitate the conservation of habitat for fish and other aquatic species in reservoir systems

We address our mission through collaborative actions that contribute to: The ecological health and function of reservoirs and their associated waters and watersheds The restoration, protection & enhancement of fish and other aquatic species and communities The sustainability and enhancement of reservoir fisheries Public awareness of conservation issues & challenges facing reservoir & associated waters

Protect, restore and enhance fish habitat in reservoir systems to support productive fisheries and healthy aquatic ecosystems Our conservation strategy is built on the foundation of five goals :

Protect, restore and enhance fish habitat in reservoir systems to support productive fisheries and healthy aquatic ecosystems Manage reservoir systems to provide, protect and enrich quality of life for the American people Our conservation strategy is built on the foundation of five goals :

Protect, restore and enhance fish habitat in reservoir systems to support productive fisheries and healthy aquatic ecosystems Manage reservoir systems to provide, protect and enrich quality of life for the American people Develop and foster partnerships that implement landscape-scale approaches to the conservation of fish habitat in reservoir systems Our conservation strategy is built on the foundation of five goals :

Protect, restore and enhance fish habitat in reservoir systems to support productive fisheries and healthy aquatic ecosystems Manage reservoir systems to provide, protect and enrich quality of life for the American people Develop and foster partnerships that implement landscape-scale approaches to the conservation of fish habitat in reservoir systems Develop and sustain institutional arrangements and sources of funding to support the long-term conservation of fish habitat in reservoir systems Our conservation strategy is built on the foundation of five goals :

Protect, restore and enhance fish habitat in reservoir systems to support productive fisheries and healthy aquatic ecosystems Manage reservoir systems to provide, protect and enrich quality of life for the American people Develop and foster partnerships that implement landscape-scale approaches to the conservation of fish habitat in reservoir systems Develop and sustain institutional arrangements and sources of funding to support the long-term conservation of fish habitat in reservoir systems Support education and outreach initiatives that advance public awareness and understanding of the value of healthy reservoir systems Our conservation strategy is built on the foundation of five goals :

“A reservoir is a manmade body of water 250 acres or larger at normal operating pool formed by the impoundment of waters that are both accessible to the public and that support, or have the potential to support, a sport fishery.”

GOVERNANCE MODEL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE SE REGIONAL WORKGROUP MW REGIONAL WORKGROUP “FRIENDS OF RESERVOIRS” (Partners; Foundation) W REGIONAL WORKGROUP NE REGIONAL WORKGROUP SCIENCE AND DATA COMMITTEE OUTREACH & COMMUNICATION COMMITTEE STAFF

Four state agency members –Rep from each of 4 AFWA Regions Four Federal members –USFWS; BOR; BLM; USACE Four NGO representatives –AFS; NALMS; Three Industry representatives –BASS; Bass Pro Shops; ASA One to two Tribal representatives Executive Committee:

FRIENDS OF RESERVOIRS: Foundation (501c3): provide sustainable funding for projects-established with legal and financial assistance from Bass Pro Shops Tiered membership –Partnership for Fish Friendly Waters Watershed based –Chapters Local groups interested in a given reservoir –Group Affiliate –Individual Affiliate

Achieve measurable habitat conservation results through strategic actions of Fish Habitat Partnerships that improve ecological condition, restore natural processes, or prevent the decline of intact and healthy systems leading to better fish habitat conditions and increased fishing opportunities.ASSESSMENT/PROJECTS NFHP Conservation Stragegies-2015

SDAFS RESERVOIR COMMITTEE; JAN 09 RC developed series of targets to restore reservoir fisheries habitat for SARPRC developed series of targets to restore reservoir fisheries habitat for SARP Formed basis for objectives under Goal 1 of Strategic PlanFormed basis for objectives under Goal 1 of Strategic Plan Discuss synthesis of efforts/minimize duplication of effortDiscuss synthesis of efforts/minimize duplication of effort Presented/edited list of reservoir metricsPresented/edited list of reservoir metrics Suggested review of Miranda’s Index of Habitat Impairment for ReservoirsSuggested review of Miranda’s Index of Habitat Impairment for Reservoirs

Background Fish Habitat Degradation in U.S. Reservoirs, Fisheries (Miranda et al. 2010) An index of reservoir habitat impairment, Environmental Monitoring & Assessment (Miranda and Hunt) 74% Siltation Structural habitat EutrophicationWater regimeAquatic plants

Reservoirs in NHD database 8 test states used by SDC

Reservoir Classification – Databases USACE – National Inventory of Dams (NID) ~ 82,000 damsUSACE – National Inventory of Dams (NID) ~ 82,000 dams USGS Geographic Names Information System (GNIS)USGS Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) USGS – National Hydrography Dataset (NHD)USGS – National Hydrography Dataset (NHD) EPA – Enhanced Riverreach File (E2RF1)EPA – Enhanced Riverreach File (E2RF1) Databases created by Greg Schwarz (USGS) and by Kirk RodgersDatabases created by Greg Schwarz (USGS) and by Kirk Rodgers SPARROWSPARROW Workshop at the SDAFS Meeting (2010) discuss approach with NFHP Science & Data Committee (Whelan/Esselman)

habitat variables 31 fish variables

Description of Regions Water regime Land use and siltation In-reservoir habitat

Next Steps Distribute results via web –Post by: Reservoir State Region Publish results –Draft soon to be submitted to TAFS

SDAFS Feb 27, 2010

Watershed Approach Current project funding not adequate for watershed-based projects Other FHP’s making contacts with NRCS/landowners Environmental grants available only go to non-profits (FOR) Use FOR to apply for water-quality based grants; use to add value to watershed projects from other FHP’s

Establish a consensus set of national conservation strategies as a framework to guide future actions and investment by the Fish Habitat Partnerships by RFHP Coordinator serving on the Habitat Conservation Committee RFHP Coordinator serving on the Habitat Conservation Committee

Broaden the community of support for fish habitat conservation by increasing fishing opportunities, fostering the participation of local communities – especially young people – in conservation activities, and raising public awareness of the role healthy fish habitats play in the quality of life and economic well-being of local communities. This is what Friends of Reservoirs is all about This is what Friends of Reservoirs is all about Build local capacity for habitat work and strengthen relation between anglers and management agencies Build local capacity for habitat work and strengthen relation between anglers and management agencies

Friends of Reservoirs Chapters Seven Coves Bass Club-TX (renewed) Albuquerque Hawg Hunters-NM (renewed) Salt City Bassmasters-NY (lapsed) Lake Fork Sportsman’s Association-TX PFFW Group Affiliates B.A.S.S. Rocky Mountain Anglers Oregon B.A.S.S. Federation Nation New Mexico B.A.S.S. Federation Nation Texas Black Bass Unlimited Individual Affiliates 7 (6 RFHP Board members)

Potential FOR Members NC B.A.S.S. Federation Nation SC B.A.S.S. Federation Nation CA B.A.S.S. Federation Nation TX B.A.S.S. Federation Nation TX Association of Bass Clubs Association of Beaver Lake Environmentalists (ABLE)-AR Tioga County Bass Anglers-PA Canyon Bass Club-TX · Lake Buchanan Conservation Corp. -TX · Sun City Hunting and Fishing Club-TX · San Antonio Metropolitan League of Bass Clubs-TX · Lake Houston Sports and Recreation Foundation-TX · Pineywoods Chapter of Master Naturalists-TX · Greater Lake Palestine Council-TX

2013 MSCG aimed at outreach Expand FOR membership Secure non-governmental funding for RFHP Corporate sponsorship Displays at trade shows (ICAST, Bassmaster Classic) Convey RFHP/NFHP conservation message Solicit funding for projects

Fill gaps in the National Fish Habitat Assessment and its associated database to empower strategic conservation action supported by broadly available scientific information, and integrate socio-economic data in the analysis to improve people’s lives in a manner consistent with fish habitat conservation goals MSCG to compile/disseminate BMP for reservoir habitat restoration projects 2013 MSCG to compile/disseminate BMP for reservoir habitat restoration projects Develop website with BMP’s based on regions defined by assessment and for major regional impairments Develop website with BMP’s based on regions defined by assessment and for major regional impairments

Communicate the conservation outcomes produced collectively by Fish Habitat Partnerships as well as new opportunities and voluntary approaches for conserving fish habitat to the public and conservation partners. 2 websites Facebook page (Friends of Reservoirs) Quarterly newsletter Brochures Project fact sheets

Large media event-Conservation oriented