Working Across Diverse User Groups to Address Aquatic Fragmentation in a World of Limiting Resources and Increased Demands. Can We Prevent New Barriers to Avoid Restoration by Working With Diverse Stakeholders? Part 1

For decades, government agencies and numerous partners have been working to restore free flowing rivers and waterways for the nation’s fish and aquatic resources.  Over the years, they have been successful at removing thousands of barriers, both small and large, for fish and aquatic organism passage in every corner of the country.   However, for as much effort that there has been in restoration it may not be enough to keep up with increasing development demands that continue to add new barriers to USA waterways and further fragment the aquatic habitat.  These demands include:  increased pressure to develop hydropower as a renewable resource, or increased demands for water supplies for communities and agriculture, as well as transportation development, or actions taken to restore infrastructure post a flooding disaster when human health and safety are at risk just to name a few.  This symposium will attempt to address and identify opportunities of multi-use policies, techniques, and coordination that accomplish the needs of our fish and aquatic resources while addressing the needs of human communities.  Presentations will highlight current fish passage efforts that also provide other benefits for communities such as hydropower, water diversions, urban development, transportation infrastructure, recreation, and flood recovery efforts.