Canaan valley institute (CVI) will implement a barrier/DAM removal project on the little river in the clinch river watershed

The Canaan Valley Institute will receive $200,000 through a cooperative agreement award from the Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service Region 5 to implement a barrier/dam removal project on the Little River in Virginia. Under this Fish and Wildlife Management Assistance program award, CVI will conduct project planning, assessments, design, permitting, monitoring and restoration activities to remove one fish passage barrier (Little River Dam) and enhance 2 miles of stream and 5 acres of riparian buffer. Technical assistance will be provided by the Service's Partners for Fish and Wildlife program to support stream design and construction management. The award's period of performance is from October 1, 2022 through June 30, 2025.

This project will include project planning, river/stream assessment, DAM removal feasibility and assessment, project design, permitting and compliance, monitoring, DAM removal and follow up stream restoration/enhancement, and other service deemed necessary to effectively deliver the DAM removal/stream restoration project and improve aquatic connectivity. Tasks include 1 fish passage barrier removal (little river DAM), 2 miles of stream restoration and/or streambank stabilization, 5 acres of riparian buffer establishment. CVI proposes to complete this project in collaboration with USFWS partners for fish and wildlife program (PFW) and USFWS fish and aquatic conservation program (FAC). PFW will provide technical assistance to complete the scope of work, including stream design and construction management. CVI will coordinate directly with USFWS PFW to obtain all required permitting and environmental compliance documentation to implement the project. If deemed feasible, the DAM removal will benefit a multitude of federally listed endangered/threatened species and virginia sgcn. The implementation of stream restoration and riparian buffer activities will benefit numerous federally listed species as well as virginia sgcn, migratory birds, and riparian obligate species.