EBTJV Projects

Upper White River Habitat Restoration, VT
cmcmunigal
This project will address flood and flood recovery related habitat modifications on four tributaries to the Upper White River in Rochester, Vermont by utilizing active instream management and design; establishing riparian buffers; and removing barriers to fish passage in order to restore brook trout habitat and the natural hydrologic regime. When complete, the project will result in the protection and enhancement of 2.75 miles of in-stream habtiat and over 30 acres of floodplain and riparian habitat on the West Branch as well as 8.1 miles of in-stream habtiat in Howe, Marsh, and Nason Brooks.
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Restoring Connectivity in the Sunday River and Martin Stream Watersheds, Maine
cmcmunigal
Subwatersheds of the Androscoggin River contain some of the finest intact and healthy brook trout habitat in the state of Maine. This project will remove two fish passage barriers providing a total of six miles of connectivity in the Sunday River and Martin Stream subwatersheds.
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Restoration of Natural Hydrology and Habitat Complexity in the Machias, Rivers, Maine
cmcmunigal
This project will remove 11 remnant log drive dams and add large woody debris to restore fish passage, stream connectivity and natural stream processes that will passively restore cold water habitat in the tributaries of the Machias River. A total of 27.2 miles of stream upstream of the dam sites will be affected by the project.
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Dirt & Gravel Road, Streambank Stabilization Project on Cross Fork, Pennsylvania
The Cross Fork subwatershed, part of the Kettle Creek drainage, is considered one of the best of the best brook trout habitat areas in Pennsylvania. The subwatershed, almost entirely contained within the Susquehannock State Forest and thus protected in perpetuity, is widely renowned as a brook trout destination fishery. The watershed is home to a network of dirt and gravel roads where improper road profiles, inadequate draining, and multiple stream crossings have accelerated erosion and transport of sediment to the streams. This project will select and implement high priority projects that focus on dirt and gravel road improvements, streambank stabilization, riparian buffer restoration, and brook trout habitat expansion.

Dam Removals to Reconnect Brook Trout Habitat on an Unnamed Tributary to Frankstown Branch, PA
This project will remove two fish passage barriers to provide 1.33 miles of unrestricted fish passage to high-quality coldwater spawning and rearing habitat.

St. Mary's Liming, St. Mary's River, Virginia
The streams of the Saint Mary's Wilderness, located on the slopes of Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains, have been severely compromised by anthropogenic atmospheric acid deposition. This project will add limestone sand using to the headwater streams of St. Mary's River to enhance over 12 miles of stream for brook trout.

In-Stream Habitat Restoration in the Meduxnekeag Watershed, Maine
This project will restore 1.9 miles of habitat on the Meduxnekeag River mainstem and 0.25 miles of habitat on its north branch for brook trout within trust land for the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians. The project will return the river to a more natural, sustainable state of in-stream habitat complexity, increase brook trout habitat quality, and promote interest in future restoration activities.

Removal of Two Dams in the Wetmore Run Watershed, Potter County, PA
This project will remove the only two dams in the Wetmore Run Watershed in Potter County, Pennsylvania opening 8.5 miles of habitat for brook trout. Removal of the dams will also eliminate thermal pollution and restore lotic ecosystem function.

Restoration of Native Charr in Big Wadleigh Pond Maine
This project will restore 157 acres of habitat for native brook trout and arctic charr in Big Wadleigh Pond in northwest Maine by collecting eggs/brook stock from the dwindling adult populations and rearing them in a private hatchery while the pond is chemically treated to eliminate an illegal introduction of rainbow smelt. Restoration will also benefit anglers at this unique and popular fishing destination.

Jam Black Brook Culvert Replacement in Searsmont, Maine
This project will remove two improperly placed culverts and replace them with a single, bottomless arch culvert to allow brook trout and Atlantic salmon to access over 10 miles of high quality habitat in Jam Black Brook. It will also improve angling opportunities in Jam Black Brook and the St. Georges River.

Nash Stream Restoration Project, Coos County, New Hampshire
This project will restore approximately 5.5 miles of instream habitat on the mainstem of Nash Stream between its confluence with Emerson and Long Mountain Brooks. Restoration activities will include boulder placement, pool construction, large wood additions, floodplain reconnection, and riparian vegetation.

Culvert Replacement and Instream Habitat Restoration in the Nulhegan River Vermont
This project will replace three fish passage barriers and install approximately 3 miles of chop and drop instream restorations on the East Branch of the Nulhegan River and its tributaries.

Oats Run, Upper Shavers Fork, Aquatic Passage Project in Pocahontas County, WV
This project will restore habitat linkages between a brook trout spawning tributary in Oats Run and the mainstem of the Upper Shaver's Fork at Spruce West Virginia. One passage barrier will be removed and replaced with passage friendly culverts and natural stream design techniques will be utilized above and below the new structure to ensure fish passage. The project will provide 4 miles of passage for brook trout.

Restoring Aquatic Organism Passage within Wolf Laurel Branch, NC
This project will replace the existing double culverts with a bottomless structure to provide passage for brook trout and native nongame species. Replacement of these culverts will eliminate all artificial barriers within the Sand Creek drainage and reconnect existing populations of southern strain brook trout within approximately 2 miles of suitable habitat.

Marshall Brook Culvert Replacement, Hancock County, Maine
This project will replace two existing undersized, improperly set round culvert inhibiting fish passage at the road / stream crossing of Marshall Brook with the Seal Cove Road in Southwest Harbor, Maine with an open bottom culvert. This will provide 4 miles of passage and reconnect a historic sea run brook trout stream with the estuary at Bass Harbor.

Restoring Habitat Connectivity in Machias and Saint Croix River Tributary Streams, Maine
This project will restore habitat connectivity on three brook trout habitat streams and eliminate ongoing risks of sedimentation during culvert failure, in watersheds identified as brook trout habitat priorities. Removal of four fish passage barriers will reopen 3 miles of passage for brook trout.

Upper Shavers Fork Aquatic Passage Project, West Virginia
This project seeks to restore habitat linkages between two spawning tributaries and the mainstem of Upper Shaver's Fork between Cheat Bridge and Spruce, West Virginia. Poor tributary-mainstem connections continue to threaten the sustainability and expansion of brook trout populations in genetically isolated tributaries as well as those in the mainstem of Upper Shaver's Fork. To address these problems, two blocking railroad culverts will be replaced with passage-friendly culverts to provide over 8 miles of passage for brook trout.

Carloe Brook Fish Passage Restoration Project, Washington County, Maine
This project will replace an undersized and failing stream crossing on Carloe Brook, a major tributary to Clifford Lake, a wild brook trout water. This stream crossing currently limits passage for trout and other aquatic organisms. The crossing will be replaced with a bottomless arch culvert designed to allow flows at all levels. This will open approximately 3 miles of passage for brook trout and other aquatic organisms.

Thunder Brook Dam Removal, Chesire, Massachusetts
This project seeks to restore natural riverine functions and values to Thunder Brook, a tributary to the South Branch of the Hoosic River. In its current condition, an aging dam and failing culvert fragment this valuable coldwater stream and prevent fish passage between the Hoosic and the high quality headwaters of Thunder Brook on Mount Greylock. This project will remove 2 fish passage barriers and open 2.4 miles of stream for brook trout passage. The project will also re-establish the river's natural flow regime, improve sediment dynamics and water quality, and restore natural clean gravel and cobble necessary for brook trout and other species of interest.

Enhancing Connectivity in the Ash-Black Rock Subbasin of the WB Narraguagus River, Maine
This project will replace two poorly functioning culverts with open bottom arch culverts to allow unhindered fish passage and restore overall ecological stream connectivity. Once complete, the project will open 4.3 miles of habitat from Ash Bog Stream to Black Rock Brook which flows to the West Branch of the Narraguagus River.

Brook Trout Restoration in the Chattahoochee National Forest, Georgia
This project will restore fragmented poor quality habitat and brook trout populations on the Chattahoochee National Forest in Georgia by removing and replacing a culvert on Bryant Creek that is perched and acts as a barrier to fish movement. Additionally, nine miles of habitat will be improved by placing 54 structures in nine streams: Bryant Creek, Chester Creek, Lovinggood Creek, Long Creek, Underwood Creek, Walnut Fork, An unnamed tributary to Ammons Branch, Smith Branch, and Chastain Branch. Electrofishing will be used to renovate three streams: Stover Creek, Walnut Fork, and Tate Branch.

Removal of Illegally Introduced and Missed Rainbow Trout from Lynn Camp Prong, Great Smoky Mountain National Park, Tennessee
This project will remove the illegally introduced and missed rainbow trout from the Lynn Camp Prong Watershed in Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Once complete, the project will reconnect brook trout populations in three tributary streams thus eliminating fragmentation in this watershed. This reconnection of stream segments will result in the largest contiguous brook trout population in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.

Hamant Brook Culvert Replacement, Old Sturbridge Village, Massachusetts
The two leading causes of brook trout habitat degradation in Massachusetts have been identified through the EBTJV as fragmentation by dams and roads. The subwatershed containing Hamant Brook was identified as high impact from dam fragmentation and medium impact from road fragmentation. This project will remove three dams and one impassable culvert, allowing access from mainstem habitat to a coldwater tributary and converting 70% of the project area from impounded to free-flowing. Once complete, the project will open nearly 8 miles of habitat and provide access to more diverse free flowing and coldwater habitats for brook trout and riverine fish species.

Restoring Browns Run Fish Passage, Barr Township, Pennsylvania
This project will open the headwaters of Browns Run, a tributary to the West Branch of the Susquehana River, to native brook trout passage and improve Browns Run brook trout habitat. One dam will be removed on Browns Run to open 1 mile of habitat and reconnect currently fragmented native brook trout populations in the headwaters of the basin.

Restoring Aquatic Organism Passage within Tipton Creek, North Carolina
Tipton Creek is located within the Upper Tellico Off-Highway Vehicle Area on the Tusquitee Ranger District of the Nantahala National Forest. The entire watershed is in public ownership except for several small private inholdings, one of which is along a middle reach of Tipton Creek. Currently the Forest Service is evaluatingalternatives for future management of the Off-Highway Vehicle Area because of significant resources damage, particularly to streams and resident brook trout populations. This project will be the first of several designed to reconnect and restore brook trout habitat and populations within the Tellico River watershed. It will remove one barrier on Tipton Creek in the Upper Tellico River Watershed to reconnect approximately 4 miles of stream.

Culvert Replacement and Instream Habitat Restoration on Indian Stream, New Hampshire
In 2006, an initial watershed based assessment of coldwater habitat conditions was completed by Trout Unlimited in the Upper Connecticut in New Hampshire and Vermont. In 2008, Trout Unlimited designated the Upper Connecticut as one if its Home Rivers Initiatives, the only one in New England. Trout Unlimited's assessment identified fish habitat problems through the watershed, including lack of riparian habitat, poor instream habitat diversity and complexity, and inadequate stream crossings. This project will initiate the first phase of a long term culvert removal and instream habitat program by replacing four high priority culverts and implementing instream woody habitat restorations in Indian Stream, starting on the East Branch. The culverts to be replaced are on four important brook trout nursery streams: Dry Creek, Johns Brook, Hidden Brook, and Alder Brook. The project will restore 3 miles of habitat on east branch, the largest tributary to Indian Stream.

Restoring Stream Connectivity in the WB Machias River in Maine
Project SHARE and the Service completed a basin wide stream-road crossing and fisheries assessment in the WB Machias River. There are 43 fish bearing road crossings in this subbasin that limit aquatic connectivity. To date, 11 crossing have been replaced and 8 crossings have been decommissioned. Funding has been secured to remove all but two of the remaining barriers. This project will remove one of those last two barriers in the basin, reconnecting approximately 0.5 miles of habitat for brook trout and restore ecological stream function.

Brook Trout Restoration and Expansion in Garth Run, Virginia
This project will restore and improve stream and riparian habitat within a 2,357 foot project area located in the headwaters of Garth Run which was severely impacted by catastrophic flooding that occurred in 1995. Wild brook trout were extirpated as a result of habitat degradation which led to increased water temperatures and a lack of complex habitat. Brook trout were re-introduced in 2008 as part of Virginia's Conservation Strategy as the stream has begun to naturally heal itself. This project will restore 2.3 miles of brook trout habitat.

Batten Kill Restoration Near Eagleville, New York
This project will implement stream restoration at five sites along the Batten Kill in New York using principles of fluvial geomorphology to enhance a total of 2 miles of stream for the purposes of: improving brook trout habitat, removing fish passage barriers, stabilizing and restoring streambanks and riparian areas, increasing large woody debris in the river system, providing demonstration projects for the community, and improving fishing access and recreational opportunities.

Wood Additions into the Sheepscot, Narraguagus, Machias Watersheds, Maine
In 2007, Project SHARE and the Department of Marine Resources Bureau of Sea-Run Fisheries and Habitat and private land owners undertook a "chop and drop" large wood addition project. Wood was added to streams with the intent to increase habitat complexity and salmonid survival. This project expands the large wood treatment locations to include the Sheepscot drainage, along with treatment locations on the Machias, East Machias and Narraguagus River drainages. It adds nine additional large wood treatment sites enhancing approximately 4 miles of stream for brook trout.

Thorn Creek Aquatic Passage Project, Pendelton County, West Virginia
This project will remove the 9 identified fish passage barriers in a 50 square mile wild brook trout watershed in Thorn Creek of the South Branch of the Potomac. These impediments block passage in one or both directions, and serve to sustain an outward migration of brook trout into waters which, currently, are lethally warm for brook trout in typical summer conditions. Removal of the blockages will open over 25 miles of perennial stream to brook trout, improving the long term security of the population. Thorn Creek serves as a brook trout nursery for the upper South Branch of the Potomac.

Expanding Brook Trout in Willow Creek, Pennsylvania
This project will expand suitable habitat in Willow Creek located within Blandon, Berks County, Pennsylvania. Willow Creek is a coldwater fishery that supports one of the most productive wild brook trout populations in the state. This project will restore fish habitat and stream bank stabilization by implementing in-stream habitat enhancement devices in over 5000 feet of the creek. Additionally, over 6 acres of floodplain will be re-vegetated with native trees and shrubs. Local stocking efforts will be shifted to other nearby streams. The project also include an outreach component. Kiosks will be constructed to commemorate the effort and educate future generations. Pamphlets will be distributed to interested citizens.

Hathaway Brook Dam Removal and Stream Restoration in MA
The primary goal of this project is to restore natural stream conditions and stream connectivity within Hathaway Brook, thereby enhancing habitat value for existing aquatic species. One barrier will be removed, restoring access to 3,000 feet of stream. The project will reestablish continuous flow and natural sediment transport regimes, and restore geomorphic processes within the channel.

Assessment and Restoration of Southern Appalachian Brook Trout in Jocassee Gorges, South Carolina
This project will complete an assessment of brook trout in-stream habitat, water quality, and fish distribution information in all Jocassee Gorges streams during the first two years of the project. During the third year, we will conduct restoration on at least two of the top priority streams identified for restoration. Restoration will likely consist of restoring habitat using proven natural channel design techniques, removal of excessive sediments, removal of non-natives, and culminating with translocation of pure southern Appalachian brook trout from nearby streams. This will restore an estimated 2-3 Jocassee Gorges streams totaling 8 miles.

South Branch of Kinzua Creek Acid Precipitation Remediation Project, Pennsylvania
This project is a design/construct/implementation/research project located in Allegheny National Forest, in Hamlin and Wetmore Townships, McKean County that when completed will restore water quality and reestablish recruitment of brook trout within approximately 5 miles of stream. Three acid precipitation impaired tributaries of the South Branch of Kinzua Creek will be treated and restored in concert with routine Forest Service road maintenance by constructing innovative passive treatment systems that will supply buffering capacity to the watershed via the roads stormwater management facility.

Leadmine Brook Fish Passage and Habitat Restoration Project, Connecticut
This project will restore upstream fish passage and in-stream habitats for wild brook trout populations at the Axe Factory Road Crossing and provide access to over 2.94 miles of upstream brook trout habitat.

Brook Trout Restoration on the Chattahoochee National Forest, Georgia
This project will install 30 in-stream structures in five streams to improve habitat in a total of 10 miles of stream in the Hiawassee, Chattahoochee, and Tallulah watersheds in the Chattahoochee National Forest. Streams proposed for structure work are Big Net Creek within the Hiawassee River watershed, Upper Chattahoochee River within the Chattahoochee River watershed and North and South Forks of Moccasin Creek and Flat Branch in the Tallulah River watershed. In addition, Walnut Fork and Tate Branch will be electrofished and all non-native trout will be removed. The project will enhance the carrying capacity of primarily southern strain brook trout streams and will restore southern Appalachian brook trout to two streams that were historically brook trout waters.

Restoring Habitat Connectivity in the Bob's Creek Watershed, Pennsylvania
The purpose of this project is to improve brook trout habitat connectivity in the Bobbs Creek watershed on the Allegheny National Forest. To accomplish this, two road crossings will be replaced with single open-bottom culverts. Also, this project will reduce flooding potential on the USFS road 116 and reduce the delivery of sediment to the stream through improved surfacing of the road.

Indian Stream Fish Habitat Restoration Project, New Hampshire
The goals of this project are to complete an aerial survey, conduct a detailed geomorphic and habitat assessment, and conduct riparian plantings on Indian Stream in New Hampshire. Restoration efforts will result in sustainable brook trout populations in Indian Stream and increased populations of brook trout in the mainstem of the Upper Connecticut River.

North River Stream Channel Restoration, Augusta County, Virgina
This project will advance restoration on a 0.75 mile reach of North River in Augusta County, Virginia, within the George Washington National Forest. The purpose of the immediate project is to install a series of cross-vein and J-structure in-stream devices to stabilize flows and to create and maintain low water pools that will serve as essential brook trout habitat during droughts and seasonal low flow periods. It continues a long-term program to restore pool habitat to a historically important brook trout fishery.

Umpire Brook Culvert Replacement, Vermont
Umpire Brook is a small second order stream in the town of Victory, Vermont. It sustains a wild brook trout population and its watershed is almost entirely forested, with nearly the entire watershed falling within the Victory State Forest. Other than the limited runoff from forest roads, the only significant human-induced impact on this brook is a culvert on Umpire Brook Road. The goal of this project is to replace the current culvert with a bridge that will allow for upstream passage of fish and require less maintenance.

Assessing the Efficacy of Remediating Episodic Low pH concentrations in Headwater Brook Trout Streams with Clam Shell Additions, Maine
This project will assess if clam shell additions will increase in-stream pH and decrease organic aluminum concentrations in headwater brook trout streams in Maine. Two tributaries included in this study currently do not sustain fish, even though they contain high quality habitat for fish. The likely reason for fish absence is thought to be low pH and subsequently high aluminum. The clam shell industry in Maine currently pays for discarding shells shucked at processing facilities. If this project is successful, it would allow us to use a waste product to help remediate low pH and subsequent high labial aluminum issues in brook trout streams.

Casselman River Watershed AMD Remediation Project, MD
This project will restore water quality in the Casselman River in Maryland by constructing an acid mine drainage treatment system along affected tributaries in the watershed. Restoration of the water quality will support the biological health of the Casselman and allow the recolonization and repopulation of native brook trout to the 20 mile river.

Wallacks Branch of Bob's Creek Fish Habitat Improvement Project
This project will remove five jack dams and install five single or multi- log vanes. Removal of the jack dams will provide improve fish migration and impact seven miles of stream. The construction of the log vanes will ensure that the trout have suitable habitat to thrive.

Brook Trout Restoration Lynn Camp Prong, Great Smokey Mountain National Park, Tennessee
The purpose of the project is to continue to restore the Southern Appalachian brook trout to a larger lower elevation stream within its historic range in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. To date, park biologists have restored 17.2 miles of historic range for brook trout. The successful completion of this project will add 8 miles to this total.

Ayers Brook Corridor Restoration White River, Vermont
This project will restore riparian and associated aquatic habitats and floodplain access along a 6.8 mile stretch of Ayers Brook in Vermont. Additionally, the replacement and / or retrofitting of undersized structures on Ayers Brook will be prioritized for future restoration efforts.

Chop and Drop in Sunday River, Maine
The objectives of this project are to restore riverine and riparian habitats as well as to improve ecological stream processes for native brook trout in the Sunday River drainage. Stream habitats in this drainage have been degraded by poor land use practices, including timber harvesting, log driving, farming, and commerical and recreational development. A half mile long treatment of each of two tributaries will receive woody debris. These tributaries and a nearby control will be monitored for geomorphic, chemical, biological, and flow responses.

Restoration of North Branch of the Hoosic River, Removal of the Briggsville, Massachusetts
This project will remove the Briggsville Dam in Clarksburg, Massachusetts to restore and reconnect approximately 30 miles of habitat in the North Branch Hoosic River. Removal of the dam will eliminate a barrier to the movement of aquatic and riparian species, re-establish the river's natural flow regime, improve water quality, improve the temperature regime for coldwater species, and restore natural clean gravel and cobble necessary for brook trout.

Whitethorn Creek Restoration, West Virginia
Whitethorn Creek, the most significant tributary in the Thorn Creek drainage of the South Branch of the Potomac, is historically recognized as supporting one of the best brook trout populations in West Virginia. This population has been significantly reduced in recent years as a result of land use impacts and two devastating flood events. The purpose of this project is to remove threats from agricultural impacts and in-stream habitat loss caused by the flood related activities by restoring approximately 1.5 miles of stream habitat and reestablishing 24 acres of riparian vegetation.

Relocation of an Unnamed Sea-Run Brook Trout Stream, Maine
This project seeks to reconnect the freshwater-estuarine interface on a historic sea-run brook trout stream. At some point in the past, the stream channel was diverted from its natural channel to its present location. The presence of a low-head dam and two marginally passable culverts have blocked connectivity to the marine environment for several decades. A partially degraded stream channel will be relocated back to its original position and rehabilitated to its historic function to allow brook trout to access both freshwater and marine environments. Once complete, the project will provide access to approximately 1 mile of stream habitat and an undetermined amount of marine habitat.

Habitat Enhancement Project for Brook Trout in the Asaph Run Watershed, Pennsylvania
The Asaph Run watershed has a high recreational use potential and is a popular stream with wild trout anglers. The project is located entirely on state forest land, open to free, year-round public use. The watershed has excellent public access via a state forest road that parallels much of the stream. However, the close proximity of the road to the stream has also resulted in problems including stream bank erosion and habitat degradation. Degraded brook trout habitat will be rehabilitated throughout a 3 mile stream reach. The project will be a significant long-term benefit to the watershed through enhancement of adult brook trout habitat and stabilization of the stream banks.

Brook Trout Restoration on the Chattahoochee National Forest, Tennessee

Brook Trout Habitat Improvements to McIntosh Brook, Allegany State Park, New York
Allegheny State Park contains the most intact and widespread distribution of wild brook trout streams in western New York. Brook trout growth and abundance in McIntosh Creek are limited by a lack of large woody debris and deep water pools during summer low flow conditions. This project will add large woody debris to enhance habitat structure and deep water pools to increase wild brook trout growth and abundance, and improve the recreational fishery. Pre- and post-enhancement monitoring will be conducted and used to demonstrate this simple and low cost approach to improve brook trout habitat.

South Fork Little Conemaugh River Brook Trout Renewal, Pennsylvania
Deep mining activities along the stream have resulted in chronic AMD into the stream. AMD along with acid deposition have depressed the brook trout and aquatic life in this 4 mile stretch due to low pH, high aluminum, and low alkalinity. The objective of this project is to mitigate the sources of the AMD with limestone beds and mitigate the acid deposition with limestone sand dosing. Restoring the pH and alkalinity regime will allow for a renewed brook trout population and overall aquatic life restoration along 4 miles of stream.

Deep Brook Restoration and Monitoring Program, Connecticut
Deep Brook is a Class 1 Wild Trout Management Area, rare in Connecticut. It had been neglected and developed problems, including a declining population of native brook trout. For three years, TU and its broad partnership have worked to restore the in-stream, riparian and buffer habitat. Funding from this project will be used to implement a comprehensive water monitoring system, a critical component of the multi-year restoration effort in Deep Brook.

Catawissa Creek AMD Restoration, Pennsylvania
An historic mine water discharge tunnel draining a deep mine is contributing 80 percent of the pollution load of acid and aluminum impairing Catawissa Creek. The objective of this project is to complete a limestone mitigation project that will treat the source of AMD and restore the pH regime of the stream. The project will enable the return of extirpated brook trout to 36 miles of the main stem of the Catawissa Creek. It will also reconnect the entire watershed including more than two dozen tributaries, many of which are not impaired and have healthy brook trout populations.

Restoring Brook Trout to Aaron Run, Maryland
Project will remediate chronic habitat and water quality problems resulting from historic acid mine drainage (AMD) sources and agricultural practices in four miles of Aaron Run, allowing for the reestablishment of an extirpated native brook trout population. Remediation will also benefit brook trout habitat in the lower Savage River and the upper North Branch Potomac River, and reestablish historic population connections.

Lynn Camp Prong, Tennessee
One of the top stressors to thriving brook trout populations is their inability to successfully compete for food and space with other, non-native (exotic) trout species such as brown and rainbow trout and warm water species such as small mouth bass. Balancing the needs of multiple fish user groups presents a unique set of challenges in developing strategies to address declines in brook trout populations due to competition from these species. Steve Moore, Fishery Biologist for the National Park Service is leading a partnership to eliminate non-native trout species from Lynn Camp Prong in the Great Smoky Mountains State Park. This effort focuses on the use of chemical means to eliminate rainbow trout from the stream. A natural barrier at the lower end of Lynn Camp Prong will exclude rainbow trout from stream. Approximately 8 miles of stream will be restored allowing brook trout to re-inhabit the stream without the challenge of competing trout species.

Chop and Drop in the Sunday River, Maine
Brook trout habitat in the Sunday River drainage has been degraded by poor land use practices, including timber harvesting, log driving, farming, and commercial and recreational development. Much of the river and its tributaries are unstable, over-widened, and lacking in deep pools, thereby reducing nursery and adult brook trout habitat. Although degradation is being addressed through a comprehensive watershed survey and main-stem restoration effort, the causal problem of accelerated runoff has not been addressed. This proposal will assess the efficacy of adding woody debris to reduce peak flows, create pools, and trap organics to enrich depauperate headwater streams.

Habitat Restoration for Southern Appalachian Brook Trout in 15 Chattahoochee National Forest Streams, Georgia
This project will enhance or restore 7.6 miles of stream for brook trout in the Chattahoochee National Forest.

South Sandy Creek Restoration, Williams Run, Pennsylvania
The partnership will restore Williams Run so that it can support life, with lime treatments in the short term and by constructing a limestone bed system to passively treat acid mine drainage for the long term. Tributaries flowing into Williams Run currently support healthy populations of wild brook trout. This project will allow currently isolated populations of native brook trout to return to the main stem of Williams Run, connecting them and expanding their range. These water quality improvements on private property will benefit stream habitat downstream on State Forest Lands. The landowners have committed to allowing public fishing in this area greatly expanding the brook trout fishing opportunities in western Pennsylvania.

Cross Fork Stream Stabilization, Kettle Creek, Pennsylvania
A remarkable potential exists for the successful improvement of habitat to benefit native brook trout populations within Cross Fork through the support of private and public landowners. Immediate habitat improvements can be obtained by means of low impact, habitat enhancement techniques proposed for the project. These include hand placement of log vanes, rootwads, log cross vanes, and mudsills throughout the project reach not only providing habitat, but also assisting the stream in stabilization over time (5-10years). When complete the project will enhance approximately 3.5 miles of habitat impaired stream. Cross Fork does support a resident population of native brook trout that began showing a decrease in population in the last 6-10 years. This is attributed to the loss of quality adult trout habitat and spawning areas as noted by the PA Fish and Boat Commission reports. Recently, due to the decline in trout populations the PA Fish and Boat Commission, has changed the regulation of the stream to a stock trout fishery. It is hoped that habitat restoration efforts will return the population back to self-sustaining.

Raven Rock Dam Removal, Maryland
This project will remove the Raven Rock Dam in Maryland to restore brook trout access to nearly 1 mile of habitat in Raven Rock Creek. Removal of the dam will provide ecological benefits by restoring the connectivity and improving the quality of aquatic resources in Raven Rock Creek. The project will also provide economic benefits by increasing valuable recreational fishing opportunities.

Whitethorn Creek Restoration, West Virginia
Whitethorn Creek, which is the most significant tributary in the Thorn Creek drainage of the South Branch of the Potomac, is historically recognized as supporting one of the best brook trout populations in West Virginia. This population has been significantly reduced in recent years as a result of land use impacts and two devastating flood events. The flood events altered instream habitat quality and washed away a large portion of riparian cover in the watershed. Following the loss of the relatively stable vegetated riparian corridor, livestock grazing has prevented re-growth and has caused widespread bank instability as a result of unregulated stream access. will result in the restoration and protection of approximately one mile of degraded brook trout habitat. This project will result in the reconnection of upstream spawning and rearing habitat to the mainstem of Thorn Creek. Reestablishment of the riparian corridor will provide lower overall water temperatures in addition to refuge areas during lower flows. The instream restoration will create habitat zones and a more stable hydrology through this reach and downstream.

Smith Creek Headwaters Restoration, Viginia
Historic cattle grazing and agricultural practices over the last 225 years have eliminated the majority of riparian vegetation in the study area causing increased water temperatures and extensive sedimentation in both the pools and riffle habitats in the headwaters of Smith Creek. These land use changes have extirpated brook trout and greatly reduced populations of native gravel spawning fishes, native mussels and American eel in the study area. The Smith Creek headwaters restoration will restore 4 miles of stream habitat and 65 acres of riparian forest / upland forest in an area with several spring habitats that provide critical spawning, rearing and late summer temperature refuge habitats for brook trout. The restored habitat will connect to a small isolated brook trout population found upstream on protected National Forest land (Mountain Run).

Big Run Restoration, West Virginia
The Big Run project is part of Trout Unlimited’s Home Rivers Initiative Potomac Headwaters Restoration Project. The stream has suffered habitat degradation in the riparian zone, stream banks and instream due to long-term livestock grazing. There currently exists a lifetime grazing allotment on that portion of the Monongahela National Forest that supports Big Run. The Forest Service, Trout Unlimited and others have teamed up to work with the allotment holder to fence the riparian zone, create crossings and alternative water sources to completely remove the cattle from the stream. Over time, riparian reforestation will stabilize banks and provide vital shade during warm summer months. This is the initial project on Big Run. Resources have already been secured to move down stream on the Forest and on to private property. The project will include informational and educational kiosks and trails that will improve access for anglers and hikers. The project will restore 45 acres of riparian forest and enhance 1.5 miles of stream habitat.

Cooper Creek, Georgia
This project will restore over 1.6 miles of Southern Appalachian brook trout habitat contained within the Cooper Creek Watershed of the Chattahoochee National Forest in Georgia. Habitat within Bryant Creek and Tretty and Burnett Branches will be restored using only hand labor to minimize soil disturbance. After non-native trout species are removed, trees will be cut into and across the various stream reaches to provide in-stream cover and create pool habitat for brook trout.

Lake Champlain, Vermont
Sedimentation, increased water temperature, barriers to passage and lack of riparian vegetation have been identified as the major threats to Vermont's brook trout population. The project includes has two principle efforts underway: installation of livestock fencing, alternative water systems, and planting native trees and shrubs to restore degraded riparian areas and the replacement of an existing failed culvert with a bridge to allow for the year round upstream movement of brook trout on Stevensville Brook.

South Bog Stream Restoration Project, Maine
South Bog Stream is a tributary of Rangeley Lake in Franklin County, Maine. Historically, the stream was known as the lake’s primary brook trout spawning tributary and it still supports a population of wild brook trout. However, Rangeley Lake, once known for its large brook trout, no longer has a thriving wild brook trout fishery. South Bog Stream no longer contributes a substantial number of brook trout to the lake. This fact is one possible reason for the decline of Rangeley’s renowned brook trout fishery. A 2001 stream survey revealed habitat degradation along the lower reaches of the 6.3-milelong stream, presumably as a result of the log-driving era in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Sections of the stream are shallow and wide. There are very few deep pools which provide essential habitat for brook trout. Because of habitat degradation, the stream produces fewer trout than it did prior to stream alterations over a century ago. The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is restoring sections of the stream by rebuilding pools, narrowing and deepening the channel.