County nets $30,000 for trout stream projects

September 21, 2007
Topf Wells, Office of the County Executive, (608) 266-9069 Pat Sutter, Dane County Conservationist, 224-3730
County Executive

Better fishing is on the way in southwest Dane County thanks to a $30,000 grant from the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to fund trout stream projects in the townships of Blue Mounds and Perry. “Both streams are capable of supporting coldwater fisheries but are limited by habitat impairments,” said Pat Sutter, Dane County Conservationist and project manager for the initiative. Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk added: “This money will help us improve habitat for brook and brown trout on German Valley and Pleasant Valley Creeks. That means more and bigger trout which is good for the trout and those of us who like to fish for them.” The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Services awarded the funds through the National Fish Habitat Action Plan, which provides the financial support to various regional initiatives throughout the United States. Dane County has secured funding through the Driftless Area Restoration Effort (DARE) partnership coordinated by Trout Unlimited. “The USFWS is working with DARE partners such as the Dane County Land & Water Resources Department, other county governments, state agencies, NGOs and landowners to help fund stream restoration projects that are consistent with the goals of the DARE partnership and the National Fish Habitat Action Plan,” said Louise Mauldin, USFWS Driftless Area Team Leader and Fishery Biologist in LaCrosse. “Reducing sediment and nutrient inputs to Driftless Area streams, improving water quality and enhancing in-stream habitat for fish and other aquatic species are the primary long term goals of the partnership.” The grants will aid the Land Conservation Division in efforts to complete restoration and habitat improvement on German Valley and Pleasant Valley Creeks. Since 1999 Dane County in cooperation with local, state, and federal partners has completed over 50 miles of stream habitat improvement projects. The 2004 removal of the West Branch Sugar River from the EPA Impaired Waters list was the first stream in Wisconsin removed that had listed habitat as an impairment. For more information, contact Pat Sutter, Dane County Conservationist, Dane County Land and Water Resources Department, at 224-3730. # # #