Indiana awarded $2.3M for fish passage projects
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The U.S. Department of Interior has awarded $35 million to help with the removal of dams and other barriers that prevent fish migration, and four projects in Indiana received funding. The money comes from the $550 billion infrastructure law signed by President Biden in November 2021.
Indiana’s share is about $2.3 million.
The Interior Department says barriers like dams and undersized culverts, and watershed development can block fish from their natural migrations.
“Across the country there are millions of barriers that block viable corridors for fish and other aquatic wildlife to access spawning grounds, food sources and safe water. This historic law is giving these aquatic species a chance,” said U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Martha Williams. “Funding…bolsters our efforts to improve fish passage that ultimately conserves freshwater and migratory fish and wildlife.”
Indiana projects:
- Fort Wayne Rivers Fisheries Improvement Project – Allen County, Indiana, $900,000
- Removal of a Low-Head Dam and Fish Passage Barrier – Johnson County, Indiana, $560,000
- Shadyside Park Low-head Dam Removal – Madison County, Indiana, $300,000
- Dam Removals Along the East Fork of Whitewater River – Wayne County, Indiana, $650,000
Each of the funded projects was developed by local agencies and was in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Forest Service and National Marine Fisheries Service.