A New Partnership between the ACF and SARP
Strengthening Aquatic Connectivity Through Partnership
by Brian Rhodes
The Aquatic Connectivity Framework (ACF) and the Southeast Aquatic Resources Partnership (SARP) are excited to announce a new partnership to enhance aquatic habitat connectivity on private lands across the Southeast. This collaboration leverages the unique strengths of both organizations to address barriers that obstruct aquatic organisms from accessing critical habitats.
Filling Data Gaps on Private Lands
A vital contribution of the ACF in this partnership is the work of its Private Land Biologists (PLBs), who play a crucial role in documenting and verifying barriers on private lands—areas often underrepresented in SARP’s existing data. Josselyn Lucas, the WLFW Aquatic Framework Coordinator, explains, “The ACF will support SARP because our Private Land Biologists on the ground will be documenting and verifying barriers on private lands that SARP either lacks information on due to their location on private lands or is entirely unaware of. Essentially, we are filling gaps in their barrier data on private lands and providing more detailed information on these structures.”
This data collection is essential for informing SARP’s aquatic connectivity efforts. When a barrier is identified on private land, and the landowner is interested in its removal, the ACF collaborates with SARP’s Aquatic Connectivity Teams (ACT) to partner on the project and facilitate the removal.
Real-World Impact: The Sowers Dam Project
The Sowers Dam project is a notable example of this partnership. “I connected with the ACT in Virginia, and we are now moving forward with the removal of a breached dam that poses both a public safety hazard with known drownings and environmental concerns,” Lucas shared. Although the dam is no longer a physical barrier, it has altered the stream channel, causing sediment deposition, streambank erosion, and disrupted sediment transport. These changes degrade habitat and create a functional barrier for aquatic organisms.
SARP’s on-the-ground teams are instrumental in these efforts, assisting with dam removals that can be challenging for NRCS to execute without additional funding and technical support. This partnership brings together the expertise and resources needed to restore aquatic habitats on private lands.
Expanding Capacity and Securing Funding
Shawna Fix from SARP further highlighted the benefits of this collaboration, stating, “The ACF will support SARP through access to funding and manpower. Expanding WLFW allows SARP access to funding for technical assistance for partners. Adding more Private Land Biologists allows access to new data sources and potentially completes more projects on private lands. The ACF also brings security for funding and capacity.” This expanded capacity means more barriers can be addressed, more projects can be completed, and more aquatic species can thrive in restored habitats.
The partnership between the ACF and SARP represents a step forward in reconnecting fragmented habitats and improving aquatic ecosystems in the Southeast. By combining the on-the-ground presence of Private Land Biologists with SARP’s technical expertise, this alliance will create meaningful impacts for aquatic wildlife and the communities that depend on these resources. The ACF and SARP are making vital strides toward a more connected and resilient aquatic landscape.
