This partners for fish and wildlife program (PEW) project focus on the implementation of aquatic habitat restoration and enhancement on working lands in tennessee

This $125,000 Cooperative Agreement award from the U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service Region 4 under the Partners for Fish and Wildlife program (CFDA 15.631) supports the implementation of aquatic habitat restoration and enhancement projects on working lands in Tennessee. The goal is to complete multiple projects within the Cumberland Plateau focal area that will benefit focal species such as the laurel dace, fluted kidneyshell, and bluemask darter, among others. The award will allow the Partners for Fish and Wildlife program to reduce nutrient and sediment inputs, stabilize substrates, and connect isolated habitats through practices like livestock exclusion fencing, alternative water sources, riparian buffer planting, and upland reforestation. The Cumberland County Soil and Water Conservation District, a U.S. state government entity, will work with NRCS, soil conservation, and state agriculture staff to select, design, and deliver these habitat restoration and enhancement projects on private working lands. The period of performance is from October 1, 2023, to September 30, 2028.

The goal of this multi-year project is to complete habitat restoration enhancement projects within the cumberland plateau focal area of the PFW program, as depicted in the 2022-2026 TN PFW strategic plan. The projects will target one or more of the following species: laurel dace, fluted kidneyshell, cumberland moccasinshell, slabside pearlymussel, bluemask darter, spotfin chub, purple bean, anthony s riversnail, and or sickle darter. This award will allow the PFW program to restore and enhance aquatic habitat conditions forfocal species on working lands by reducing nutrient and sediment input, stabilizing substrates, and connectingisolated habitats. PFW staff will work with nrcs, soil conservation district, and tennessee department of agriculture staff to select, design, and deliver multiple projects that meet the needs of landowners, reduce non-point source pollution, and restore fluvial geomorphic functions that create and sustain in-stream and riparian habitat features, incorporating the following practices: installing livestock exclusion fencing along streams and riparian habitats, providing alternative water sources, planting riparian forest buffers and enhancing existing buffers, restoring streambanks and instream habitat, and reforesting erodible upland habitats or installing soil erosion best management practices in upland fields that contribute to sediment deposition in headwater streams.