Fish Passage Workgroup
The Fish Passage Workgroup is committed to restoring creek, stream, and river habitats in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed by re-establishing historical fish migration routes, with the goal of opening an additional 132 miles for fish passage every two years.
Meetings
Habitat GIT Virtual Spring 2025 Meeting
Fish Passage Workgroup Fall 2025 Meeting
Stream Health, Fish Passage, Brook Trout, and Proposed Non-tidal Fish Habitat Outcome Discussion
Fish Passage Workgroup Meeting - Spring 2025
Fish Passage Special Session: Outcome Assessment
About
The members of the Fish Passage Workgroup are dedicated to the restoration of creek, stream and river habitats in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. Dams and other obstructions block the natural migration of fish to their historic spawning habitats. By removing physical obstacles, key species like American shad and herring are able to return to their spawning grounds, as well as increasing available habitat for resident fish. The Workgroup promotes projects involving the removal of dams or the creation of fishways when dam removal is not feasible. Whenever possible, projects are integrated with local watershed management or restoration plans. To date, the Fish Passage Workgroup has worked to open over 2,000 miles of streams and rivers for the passage of fish in the Bay watershed.
Projects
Recommendations for Aquatic Organism Passage at Maryland Road-Stream Crossings
This document is the result of discussions, stakeholder meetings, and multiple rounds of revisions by state, federal, and non-governmental partners to create a set of recommendations for fish and aquatic organism passage at new and replacement road-stream crossings in Maryland.
Publications
2015-2025 Fish Passage Outcome Management Strategy
This management strategy outlines methods for achieving the Fish Passage Outcome.
2024-2025 Fish Passage Outcome Workplan
This two-year work plan outlines the steps the workgroup will implement to help achieve the Fish Passage Outcome.
2022-2023 Fish Passage Outcome Workplan
In this two-year work plan, the workgroup specifies actions to drive progress toward the Fish Passage Outcome.
2020-2021 Fish Passage Outcome Workplan
2021 Fish Passage Presentation
Contact
- Ray Li (Chair)
ray_li@fws.gov - Jim Thompson (Chair)
jim.thompson@maryland.gov
Our Watershed Agreement Goals & Outcomes
Vital Habitats Goal
Members
- Jim Thompson (Chair)
Maryland Department of Natural Resources jim.thompson@maryland.gov - Ray Li (Chair)
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) ray_li@fws.gov - Nick Staten (Staffer)
staten.nick@epa.gov - Abigail McQueen
Abigail.McQueen@tu.org - Alan Weaver
alan.weaver@dgif.virginia.gov - Alex Vidal
alexander_vidal@fws.gov - Angie Sowers
angela.sowers@usace.army.mil - Ben Bradley
benbradley@vt.edu - Ben Hutzell
ben_hutzell@fws.gov - Callie McMunigal
callie_mcmunigal@fws.gov - Clint Morgeson
clinton.morgeson@dgif.virginia.gov - Dave Dippold
ddippold@pa.gov - David O'Brien
David.L.O'Brien@noaa.gov - David Thorne
david.w.thorne@wv.gov - Gian Dodici
gian_dodici@fws.gov - Jessie Thomas-Blate
jthomas@americanrivers.org - Julie Devers
julie_devers@fws.gov - Kevin Mulligan
kmulligan@usgs.gov - Lisa Moss
Lisa_Moss@fws.gov - Mary Andrews
Mary.Andrews@noaa.gov - Matt Robinson
robinson.matthew@epa.gov - Matthew Ogburn
ogburnm@si.edu - Mike Trumbauer
mtrumbauer@biohabitats.com - Rese Cloyd
rese.cloyd@dc.gov - Sandra Davis
sandra_davis@fws.gov - Serena McClain
smmclain@americanrivers.org - Sheila Eyler
Sheila_Eyler@fws.gov - Tammy O'Connell
tamaral.oconnell@maryland.gov - Thomas Kehler
Thomas_Kehler@fws.gov