National Fish Habitat Action Plan

On April 16, President Obama introduced the "America's Great Outdoors" Initiative (AGO), and signed a Presidential Memorandum calling for a action plan due on 11/15/2010 to meet 3 goals:

1) reconnecting Americans to "rivers and waterways" and other outdoor landscapes;
2) building upon successful local conservation approaches, and determining how the Federal government can best support them; and
3) using science-based management to restore and protect lands and waters.

The National Fish Habitat Action Plan is highly compatible with the “America’s Great Outdoors” Initiative. NFHAP will help the Administration meet its goals if NFHAP is recognized as a part of the Initiative. This is a win-win for NFHAP partners and for the Administration. But it may not happen without your help.  The AGO Initiative will conduct listening sessions around the country to engage interested groups and individuals.

The Initiative also has a web site where anyone can provide ideas and suggestions.  This is also the location to find all of the America's Great Outdoors Public Listening sessions throughout the country.
http://www.doi.gov/americasgreatoutdoors/.


WHAT YOU CAN DO:
Attend listening sessions in your area, if possible.  A schedule has not yet been released, but keep checking the website above.  

Register and provide input regarding NFHAP on the web site at
http://ideas.usda.gov/ago/ideas.nsf/

That website can also be accessed from http://www.doi.gov/americasgreatoutdoors/  by clicking on the Submit Your Ideas & Join the Conversation link.

There are already threads on the discussion forum related to NFHAP on both the Reconnect with the Outdoors and Public Lands Conservation discussion topics .

The NFHAP threads can be accessed at:
Reconnect with the Outdoors:
Discussion topic:  Connect National Fish Habitat Action Plan and America's Great Outdoors
http://ideas.usda.gov/ago/ideas.nsf/0/A927265A95A30BEC8625771200762E86?OpenDocument


Public Lands Conservation:
Discussion topic: Connect The National Fish Habitat Action Plan with America’s Great Outdoors and Improve America’s Fisheries
http://ideas.usda.gov/ago/ideas.nsf/0/26192B81D3064FE086257713000CB451?OpenDocument
 

You can vote to promote the NFHAP discussion thread at both of the above links and leave comments.  However, you must register in order to vote and leave comments on the page.  

Specifically you can suggest that the Administration:
1) actively support passage of the National Fish Habitat Conservation Act (current support is on the record, but passive);
2) put in place an Executive Order that encourages all Federal agencies to participate in NFHAP; and
3) consider NFHAP needs when proposing budgets for enactment by the Congress.

Use this opportunity to tell the Administration about the conservation successes in your area, and how they can be enhanced through the America's Great Outdoors Initiative.

Resources for the America’s Great Outdoors Initiative:

President Obama's remarks:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/remarks-president-americas-great-outdoors-conference

Presidential Memorandum:
http://www.doi.gov/americasgreatoutdoors/upload/2010outdoors-mem-rel-2.pdf