OutdoorNebraska

6 | P a g e Revision to the Aqua c Habitat Plan The last Aqua c Habitat Plan was created in 2008 followed by the Angler Access Plan supplement in 2010. From the second Aqua c Habitat Plan, 72 projects were proposed and 36 were completed (50%). The Access Plan had 89 projects listed (excluding the I-80 lakes and Aqua c Habitat projects) and 36 completed (40%). Although there is s ll work to do and projects iden fied from previous plans, there is a need to update and repriori ze due to the dynamic nature of aqua c systems. These systems are ever-changing due to impacts of drought, floods, sedimenta on, eutrophica on, invasive species, urbaniza on, etc. This update also provides an opportunity to streamline by incorpora ng both aqua c habitat and angler access projects under one planning document. Some projects that were previously iden fied are included in the current plan, with several in the design phase. This current plan an cipates the development of 71 projects through 2040. A sec on is also devoted toward funding the purchase of chemicals for fish renova ons and aqua c vegeta on treatment. Both align with the goals of the Aqua c Habitat Program but are difficult to forecast over the span of years covered by this document. Addi onally, there are projects that come up that are eligible for funding that were not an cipated in this plan. Opportuni es for projects may arise at loca ons not ini ally an cipated in this plan due to various circumstances (i.e., new funding source or partner, a loca on experience severe damages, a waterbody unexpectedly requires dewatering, etc.). This plan will allow them to be eligible for funding if they align with the goals of the Aqua c Habitat Program and pending approval by the Fisheries Division administrator and the director of the Nebraska Game and Parks. Aqua c Habitat Project Site Selec on The current list of projects was developed in a similar manner as the second Aqua c Habitat Plan. The five fisheries management districts submi ed a list of waterbodies which aligned with the four goals of the Aqua c Habitat Program with associated tasks to be completed. This list did not include waterbodies only iden fied for improvements to the boat ramp facili es since this is addressed under a separate program. This list was reviewed by the

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