Trout unlimited will be awarded $7,732,040 to open up blocked rivers and streams for brook trout and other native fish populations by replacing undersized culverts, bridges, and other passage barriers

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration awarded Trout Unlimited, Inc. a cooperative agreement of $7,732,040 on October 1, 2026, under the Habitat Conservation program (CFDA 11.463) to remove fish passage barriers and restore stream connectivity in Great Lakes tributary systems.

Trout Unlimited will replace undersized culverts, bridges, and other passage barriers to open blocked rivers and streams for brook trout and other native fish populations. The work will reconnect over 135 miles of high-quality Great Lakes tributary habitat to enable fish migration and spawning. Performance runs through September 30, 2030. Place of performance is Arlington, Virginia.

The project aligns with the Executive Order "Make America Beautiful Again," which prioritizes voluntary, on-the-ground collaborative conservation efforts to recover America's fish and wildlife populations. The Habitat Conservation program funds grants and cooperative agreements for coastal, marine, and freshwater habitat restoration and protection activities under authorities including the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, Magnuson Fishery Conservation and Management Act, Endangered Species Act, Clean Water Act, and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

This work will, reconnect over 135 miles of high quality great lakes tributary habitat for fish migration and spawning. This habitat restoration project aligns with the executive order make america beautiful again focused on recovering americas fish and wildlife populations through voluntary, on-the-ground collaborative conservation efforts.