Reference Document 5-2
Appendix 5
management and conservation of fish and aquatic resources in the southeastern United States. Officially, SARP is a joint party committee under SEAFWA. SARP was formed in 2001 to address the here- to-fore uncoordinated management of aquatic resource issues in the southeastern United States. It is a voluntary collaboration of natural resource managers and professionals, both inland and coastal, working together to protect, conserve and restore aquatic resources throughout the Southeast. The core members of the partnership include the state and territorial fisheries agencies in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, US Virgin Islands, Virginia, and West Virginia, along with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and USDA Forest Service. Nongovernmental organizations, industries and private citizens with goals and objectives that parallel those of the SARP member agencies participate in the partnership as well. SARP is recognized as one of the 20 official partnerships of the National Fish Habitat Partnership (NFHP). SARP’s mission is to “…with partners, protect, conserve, and restore aquatic resources including habitats throughout the Southeast for the continuing benefit, use and enjoyment of the American people.” It works to accomplish this mission through many different activities. Since its inception, SARP has conducted over 130 restoration projects throughout the Southeast. These projects include numerous types of actions, including restoring riparian zones, implementing agricultural best management practices to improve water quality, restoring stream banks, removing invasive species, restoring oyster reefs, constructing living shorelines, restoring seagrass beds, removing dams, and remediating road/stream crossings. SARP supports various programs and initiatives based on the needs of the region. SARP is currently placing an emphasis on aquatic connectivity. SARP has developed a comprehensive database of dams and road stream crossings that allows conservationists to identify and prioritize barriers for remediation or removal. SARP also coordinates Aquatic Connectivity Teams in each of the states in the Southeast. The teams are state-specific and comprised of partners from all sectors. In the ACTs, interested partners work together to improve aquatic connectivity across the region through implementation of on the ground projects, improved outreach and education related to barrier removal and related topics, and improved coordination across agencies and organizations.
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2025 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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