Location
UMass Amherst
Start Date
27-6-2011 10:40 AM
End Date
27-6-2011 11:00 AM
Description
Repairing, removing and retrofitting barriers (e.g., installing fish ladders) are seen as some of the most effective and cost-efficient means of habitat restoration available. However, in spite of the potential benefits, surprisingly little has been done with regard to the development of quantitative/analytic planning methods for prioritizing barrier repair and removal decisions. Our presentation will summarize efforts under way since 2006 to bring together state and federal agencies and non-governmental organizations to build an inventory of fish passage barriers in Maine. We will present systemic methods for prioritizing the repair or removal of fish passage barriers for diadromous and resident fishes. Working with a variety of partners, we have developed GIS tools and budget-constrained optimization models for deciding which barriers to repair or remove in order to maximize habitat availability for stream resident fish and diadromous fish species.
Session A1- Basinwide approaches to prioritizing stream connectivity projects
UMass Amherst
Repairing, removing and retrofitting barriers (e.g., installing fish ladders) are seen as some of the most effective and cost-efficient means of habitat restoration available. However, in spite of the potential benefits, surprisingly little has been done with regard to the development of quantitative/analytic planning methods for prioritizing barrier repair and removal decisions. Our presentation will summarize efforts under way since 2006 to bring together state and federal agencies and non-governmental organizations to build an inventory of fish passage barriers in Maine. We will present systemic methods for prioritizing the repair or removal of fish passage barriers for diadromous and resident fishes. Working with a variety of partners, we have developed GIS tools and budget-constrained optimization models for deciding which barriers to repair or remove in order to maximize habitat availability for stream resident fish and diadromous fish species.
Comments
Jed Wright is Senior Biologist with the Service's Gulf of Maine Coastal Program. He provides technical and organizational support to conservation groups, municipalities and agencies working to protect and restore coastal Maine. He has been responsible for developing and distributing comprehensive GIS database including Atlantic salmon habitat survey data, habitat models and other datasets for conservation planning, and has trained NGO, state and federal agency staff in the use of this data. He has led river assessments and treatments, statewide stream barrier inventories, watershed level geomorphic assessments, and implementation of natural channel design projects. Jed also recruits and oversees seasonal staff and contractors working on assessment, restoration and protection projects in the Gulf of Maine. To-date, Jed has coordinated $14.7million in outside funding for on-the-ground habitat conservation efforts. Jed has an undergraduate degree from Bates College and master's degrees from SUNY-Buffalo, Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies.