Lessons Learned during Our Cooperative Efforts with Non-Traditional Partners Including Local County Governments

Estimates of the number of impassable road crossings, and, associated miles of fragmented habitat due to those crossings, vary by reporting entity and geographic location, but, it’s generally accepted that culverts create more barriers to fish passage than any other structure.  

State Department of Transportation (DOT) agencies typically employ natural resource personnel and are mandated to follow design practices that facilitate fish passage through structures under their jurisdiction.  Local county governments are not typically held to the same standards as State DOT’s nor do they typically have personnel trained in aquatic conservation practices.  The Service’s fish passage and aquatic habitat restoration efforts in Kansas are focused on working with local county governments and this focused effort has resulted in an increased appreciation and understanding of design practices that facilitate fish passage through road crossings. 

We discuss the challenges and approach used to overcome those challenges when working with nontraditional partners.