News Release 07/31/06

Twenty Prominent Conservation Officials Selected to Lead Bold New Plan to Conserve America's Aquatic Habitats

Washington, D.C. — Twenty of the nation's prominent conservation leaders—including Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies' president, John Cooper—have been selected to guide a bold new initiative designed to reverse declines in the quality and quantity of our Nation's fish habitats. The National Fish Habitat Action Plan, developed during the past two years and supported by more than 450 diverse partner organizations across the country, sets forth actions to protect, restore, and enhance fish habitats in watersheds and waterways across the country.

“The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies is proud to represent all of the state fish and wildlife agencies as part of the National Board, and the growing coalition of organizations dedicated to ensuring vital aquatic habitats survive,” said board member, John Cooper, President of the Association and Secretary of the South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks Department. “The Action Plan describes unique and specific actions needed to take care of our nation's fish and the hundreds of other species living in, around, and below the surface.”

The new board includes influential conservation leaders from the public and private sectors, including Dale Hall, director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Charles Gauvin, president of Trout Unlimited, Jeff Trandahl, executive director of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation; , John Cooper, president of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, and William Hogarth Assistant Administrator for Fisheries at NOAA. A complete list can be viewed by clicking here .

“Naming the National Board marks another monumental occasion for the National Fish Habitat Action Plan,” says Hogarth. “This is a historic day for the organizations dedicated to making sure we have healthy fish and other aquatic creatures for years to come.”

The National Fish Habitat Action Plan will support national and local grassroots-driven efforts to bring diverse groups together to identify root causes of local habitat declines, identify and implement strategic corrective actions, and measure and communicate progress. It is targeted toward fisheries protection, restoration and enhancement in key watersheds and is based on use of the best scientific expertise on fisheries and habitat management. The Action Plan calls for sustainable actions and accountability, recognizing the need for long-term investments and real results. To date, the hundreds of partners signed on in support of the Action Plan include a range of organizations interested in the health of the Nation's fisheries, including small local watershed groups and fishing clubs, and conservation organizations, federal agencies, angling industries and academia.

”We are quickly losing a natural treasure, and the Action Plan offers an outstanding approach to addressing the problem,” added Jeff Trandahl, executive director of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. “Restoring habitat is expensive and we need to attract and invest resources wisely to have an impact. Through the Foundation's More Fish campaign we're letting businesses, industry, and individuals know they have a role to play in the success of this unique partnership and its mission.”

The National Fish Habitat Action Plan was released to the public this Spring alongside the “More Fish” campaign, administered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. The “More Fish” campaign is taking the lead in raising millions of dollars to fund projects that complement and support the Action Plan. Information about the campaign can be found at www.morefish.org .

For more information about the National Fish Habitat Action Plan, visit www.fishhabitat.org .

Note: The entire listing of National Board members can be viewed by clicking to: http://www .

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The National Fish Habitat Action Plan is an investment strategy to restore our waterways and make conservation dollars go farther. This science-based plan will leverage federal and privately raised funds to build regional partnerships aimed at fixing the nation's biggest fisheries problems. This is the most comprehensive effort ever attempted to treat the causes of fish habitat decline, not just the symptoms. For more information, visit www.fishhabitat.org . To donate, visit www.morefish.org .