History of AFS Advocacy for Instream Flow, Water Level Conservation and Policy Development and What's Next

Science, legal, regulatory, and policy components of instream flow conservation (protection, restoration and enhancement) are constantly evolving.  This presentation will summarize the historical background of policies adopted by the American Fisheries Society (AFS) advocating instream flow and water level conservation. Conservation of seasonal instream flows in flowing waters (lotic systems) and water levels in lakes and reservoirs (lentic systems) may include aquatic and riparian habitat, fauna, flora, recreation, aesthetics, navigation, water quality, wetlands maintenance, and other ecological benefits. The original national AFS policy statement on instream flow conservation was published in Fisheries in 1982. It was based on a similar policy previously developed and adopted by the AFS Western Division. An AFS resolution on instream flow policy was adopted and published in Fisheries in 2008. The 2008 resolution was based on a 2007 AFS Southern Division resolution spearheaded by recommendations from members of the Instream Flow Council (IFC) who suggested the original AFS policy should be updated to reflect scientific legal, and other advancements. It is hoped AFS members will continue to collaborate with the IFC and others to periodically update this critical policy to reflect the continuing evolution of all instream flow and water level conservation components.