National efforts focus on dam removal to restore habitats
Across the U.S., federal funding is driving a campaign to remove dams and restore river habitats, benefiting both aquatic species and local communities.
Michael Casey and Erik Verduzco report for The Associated Press.
In short:
- The removal of Shulls Mill Dam in North Carolina is part of a broader effort to restore river ecosystems, helping species like the eastern hellbender salamander thrive.
- Over $2 billion from the bipartisan infrastructure bill is allocated to federal agencies for dam removal, with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service receiving $200 million for projects aimed at enhancing aquatic connectivity.
- While some oppose dam removal due to potential impacts on reservoirs and jobs, the initiative aims to improve biodiversity, water quality and flood protection.
Key quote:
“This is really is changing the scope and scale, even the way we can think about aquatic connectivity. People came in with bigger, more complicated projects and asked us to help shoulder a bigger slice of that pie.”
— Amy Horstman, National Fish Passage Program coordinator, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Why this matters:
Removing outdated dams is crucial for restoring natural river habitats, which boosts biodiversity and strengthens ecosystems. The initiative, supported by significant federal funding, seeks to address the ecological and safety issues posed by aging dam infrastructure.
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