Stream Habitat Program Archives • Arkansas Game & Fish Commission

AGFC breaking down barriers for fish habitat

agfc — Wed, 14 Jun 2023 00:00:00 +0000

June 14, 2023

MOUNTAIN HOME — Many people may not know that World Fish Migration Day was May 21, but that didn’t stop the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s Stream Habitat Program from celebrating with a monumental effort. During May, the team was able to complete four stream barrier removal projects, restoring nearly 20 miles of connectivity to fragile warmwater stream ecosystems.

Sean Saunders, AGFC northwest Arkansas stream habitat coordinator, recently partnered with Newton County, Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Division and The Nature Conservancy to replace the first of three barriers on Cave Creek in Newton County. The antiquated concrete low-water crossing on Newton County Road 252 in Gene Rush Wildlife Management Area was replaced with a new 120-foot bridge. Once the remaining two barriers are removed, Cave Creek will again be a free-flowing tributary of the Buffalo River.

According to Saunders, not only will the removal of the low-water crossing connect segments of the stream for fish and paddling enthusiasts, it will reduce erosion, thereby reducing the amount of sediment entering the Buffalo. Saunders expects the entire project to be completed within the next year, and construction of the second bridge is already underway. Funding for these projects was secured through a grant from the Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Division’s Nonpoint Source Pollution Program and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Saunders also partnered with Baxter County Road Department and the FEMA/ADEM Mitigation Program to replace a large five-culvert barrier on Denton Ferry Road where it crosses Hightower Creek with a two-lane, 160-foot span bridge. Denton Ferry Road has flooded at this location several times in the last few years because the culverts were not capable of passing enough water during high water events. This not only caused a barrier for trout and other aquatic creatures in the White River to reach vital habitat upstream during low water, it presented a safety issue during high water, making the road unusable for many Baxter County residents.

South Arkansas saw two stream barrier removals in May as well. Aaron Norton, south Arkansas stream habitat coordinator helped remove two run-down low-water crossings on the Saline River near Dierks. The crossings were on property owned by Weyerhaeuser and the removal was a partnership between the timber company and the AGFC. Immediately following removal, fish were observed swimming freely up the river for the first time in decades. The Stream Habitat Program has worked with Weyerhaeuser to remove a total of three of these crossings in the last year and add bank stabilization structures to the river. The project was commended by Sustainable Forestry Initiative auditors and received a notable practice rating which has implications for AGFC Foresters who undergo these audits on our WMAs. Weyerhaueuser has so far documented 34,000 barriers in this massive endeavor and is cooperating wherever possible to continue an excellent relationship with habitat managers and foresters to maintain quality forest standards. Funding for the south Arkansas projects was secured through a grant from the Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Division’s Nonpoint Source Pollution Program and the EPA.

Although fish barriers have been removed by AGFC through the years, the Stream Habitat Program has moved into high gear since entering the Southeast Aquatic Resources Partnership database. A small culvert blocking a tributary of Crooked Creek was the first barrier the AGFC entered into the database after it was removed during a streambank stabilization project at the AGFC’s Snow Access.

Tim Burnley, Stream Habitat Supervisor remembers that project and its significance in moving the needle for fish habitat on stream ecosystems.

“We were just beginning to hear a lot about the importance of barrier removal and aquatic organism passage,” Burnley said. “The Arkansas Stream Heritage Partnership was created in 2018 and was beginning to gain momentum. Since that first small project, barrier removal efforts have increased across the country and funding has become available through several federal bills including the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.”

AGFC prioritizes these projects very highly because of their importance to aquatic species and recreational floaters. Removals of these antiquated structures, primarily the low-water crossings common in Arkansas, and replacement with spanned bridges also improves safety for those using the crossings and reduces maintenance costs for state, county and local road crews.

CUTLINES:

Excavator near stream
AGFC partnered with multiple organizations to replace a low water crossing at Cave Creek on Gene Rush Wildlife Management Area.

Crossing with culverts
An existing bridge on Hightower Creek in Baxter County did not allow for fish passage from the White River up to prime habitat in the creek.

Bridge with clear water
A large bridge now spans Hightower Creek, allowing for free flow of water and fish.

Bridge image from bank
The Cave Creek Bridge project was one of four stream barrier removals completed in May.

The post AGFC breaking down barriers for fish habitat appeared first on Arkansas Game & Fish Commission.

Stream Habitat Program

Rhen Wilson — Wed, 10 May 2023 00:49:49 +0000

Home / Stream Habitat Program

Stream Habitat Program

TOPIC

Stream Habitat Program

Funding for Private Landowners

There are several funding opportunities designed to assist landowners in restoring in-stream habitat and eroding streambanks. We suggest contacting your local Stream Habitat Coordinator and the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) to determine which is appropriate for you. Here is a short list of some commonly utilized funding sources.

Cash, in-kind services, providing equipment, and/or labor (such as operating equipment, building fence, planting trees, etc.).

Stream Team Program Funds. These funds can be used for any portion of the project. It cannot exceed $5,000 or 25% of the actual total cost of the project, whichever comes first.

Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program. This program is for the enhancement of Threatened and Endangered Species habitats.

Barrier Removals and Aquatic Habitat Restoration. In cooperation with USFWS and NFHP (National Fish Habitat Partnership). Money is funneled through USFWS, checks disbursed by the Arkansas Wildlife Federation.

Cost share through the USFWS for riparian exclusion fencing, water gaps, and alternative livestock watering facilities.

Wetlands & Riparian Zone Tax Credit. Must have prior approval for your project before construction begins to receive tax reimbursements.

Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP). This funding is for streambank stabilization, riparian vegetation establishment, livestock fencing, and livestock watering facilities.

CP22 Riparian Forest Buffer, CP29 Marginal Pastureland Wildlife Habitat Buffer. These practices come with soil rental payments for those who qualify. Basically the – Continuous Conservation Reserve Program or CCRP.

Permitting

Most streambank and instream habitat restoration projects will require several Clean Water Act permits from state and federal agencies. The Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment’s Division of Environmental Quality will review and approve authorization of Section 401 Clean Water Act permits prior to issuance of federal permits and licenses to ensure that proposed projects will not violate state water quality standards. The decision to issue a Section 401 water quality certification rests with the DEQ director and is based on compliance with APC&EC Regulation 2, Establishing Water Quality Standards for Surface Waters of the State of Arkansas.

The United States Army Corp of Engineers (USACE) is responsible for the issuance of 404 Permits. Section 404 of the Clean Water Act established this permitting program to control the discharge of dredged or fill material into waters of the U.S. This also includes utility crossings. This permit is often called a “dredge and fill” permit and it does not absolve the permittee of responsibility towards other regulations. The federal 404 permit states that the permittee must use best management practices to avoid water quality violations. To find out more information, please visit DEQ’s website.

This authorization is required for any instream activities that may violate Arkansas water quality criteria. Obtaining permits is the responsibility of the applicant. The state of Arkansas is divided between three different Corps of Engineers districts:

Little Rock District is responsible for the southern third of Missouri and most of Arkansas.
Vicksburg District is responsible for most of southern Arkansas.
Memphis District is responsible for a portion of eastern Arkansas.

To determine what district you are in, visit the USACE website and click on Arkansas map under Regulatory Boundaries. Then contact the appropriate district via permit manager by state to apply for a permit.

Success Stories

Mulberry River restoration featured on Arkansas Wildlife Television

Watch Now

Stream Habitat Coordinators Map

Arkansas is blessed with more than 137,000 miles of streams and rivers, providing high-quality habitat to many species and fresh, clean water to many communities. In addition to picking up litter along shorelines, Stream Habitat Program members help monitor aquatic wildlife populations and plant vegetation along shorelines to prevent erosion and provide valuable habitat.

Tim Burnley, Stream Habitat Supervisor
Tim.Burnley@agfc.ar.gov

Stream Habitat Coordinators Map Legend

Lesley Twiner
Lesley.Twiner@agfc.ar.gov

Garrett Grimes
Garrett.Grimes@agfc.ar.gov

Aaron Norton
Aaron.Norton@agfc.ar.gov

Megan Brandt
Megan.Brandt@agfc.ar.gov

Matthew Irvin
Matthew.Irvin@agfc.ar.gov

Resources

Protect Your Investment: A Landowner’s Guide To Riparian Areas

Contact

Tim Burnley

Stream Habitat Program Supervisor

Phone 870-455-4702

Email tim.burnley@agfc.ar.gov

Website http://www.agfc.com/streamteam

Notes

For more information, write to: State Stream Habitat Coordinator, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, 2 Natural Resources Drive, Little Rock, AR 72205, or call Tim Burnley at 877-425-7577, Ext. 1426.

Search Education

More on Conservation, Landowners

Federal Partnership Programs

Stream Team

Teacher Leader Council

School of Conservation Leadership

Native Gardening

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