National Fish Passage

To restore native fish and other aquatic species to self-sustaining levels by reconnecting habitat that barriers have fragmented, where such reconnection would not result in a net negative ecological effect such as providing increased habitat to aquatic nuisance species. Fish passage projects restore unimpeded flows and fish movement by removing barriers or providing ways for aquatic species to bypass them; such projects also provide public safety and economic benefits for human communities. The program works on a voluntary basis and provides financial support and technical assistance to Federal, State, local, and tribal agencies, as well as private partners and stakeholders.

Entities must be willing and able to implement program projects collaboratively with the Service.

See Notice of Funding Opportunity for project selection criteria and the Service�s Fish Passage Program Policy at https://www.fws.gov/policy/710fw1.html. Conservation activities and projects under NFPP are selected on a regional basis based upon regional focus areas. Projects that meet region-specific priorities will receive higher priority, though staff are not prohibited from implementing high-value habitat improvement projects outside of these priorities areas.

We seek to secure at least 50 percent of total project costs from our partners. This applies to the overall Regional program and does not need to be achieved on every project. Matches may be in-kind services or cash. Cost share may be a part of rating criteria. For FRIMA funded projects however, there is a 35 percent non-federal matching requirement. Cost share provided by the Bonneville Power Administration may be considered non-federal match for FRIMA funded projects.

Fiscal year 2025: Program funded projects including culvert replacements, obsolete infrastructure removal, fish way construction, flood plain reconnection, and design/engineering for such projects. Fiscal year 2026: Program has not yet selected projects for funding. Program anticipates funding projects such as culvert replacements, obsolete infrastructure removal, fishway construction, floodplain reconnection, and design/engineering for such projects.