The goal of this funding request is to improve restore habitat for the trispot darter (ethsoastoma trisella) within the priority management units (MU) as identified in the species status assessment…

This $1,093,000 cooperative agreement from the U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service Region 4 will fund habitat restoration activities to improve migration for the trispot darter fish species. Awarded to the Cawaco Resource Conservation & Development Council, Inc., the funds will be used to remove or enhance a minimum of two upstream barriers within the Little Canoe Creek priority management unit in St. Clair County, Alabama between January 1, 2023 and September 30, 2027. This supports the objectives of the Fish and Wildlife Management Assistance program (CFDA 15.608) by implementing the approved Species Status Assessment and Recovery Plan. Any remaining funding may also support additional barrier removal projects in Little Canoe Creek or the Ballplay Creek management unit to further aid the trispot darter's habitat and migration.

The goal of this funding request is to improve restore habitat for the trispot darter (ethsoastoma trisella) within the priority management units (MU) as identified in the species status assessment and recovery plan. Specifically, funds from this award will be used to improve upstream migration to potential spawning habitat within the little canoe creek (LCC) MU in ST. Clair county and the ballplay creek MU in etowah and cherokee counties, alabama. The intent will be to remove enhance a minimum of two barriers within the LCC MU with these funds. These efforts will complement a recently completed (october 2022) barrier removal enhancement project within the LCC MU that also utilized BIL funds. Two proposed projects will be selected from several potential sites in the LCC MU. The two proposed projects will be dependent upon timing of the potential opportunities, cost effectiveness, social feasibility, and willingness of respective landowners. With the successful completion of two proposed projects within the LCC MU, and or project logistics dictate otherwise, the intent will be to direct any remaining funds to other project sites, as appropriate. These potential additional efforts may include the other project opportunities within the LLC MU and or emphasis may be expanded to include the ballplay creek MU.