Conserving America's Fisheries

The Mountain-Prairie Region Fisheries Program (Program) of the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) historically has played an important role in conservation and management of fish and other aquatic resources and key wildlife resources on tribal and DOD lands. In 2002, a new national vision was developed entitled Conserving America's Fisheries, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service Fisheries Program Vision for the Future. The purpose of this Vision has been to improve the Service's ability to fulfill its resource conservation and management role and to improve relationships with our partners. That Vision was stepped down regionally into a five-year Strategic plan (Plan). Our new five-year extension of that original Plan is the result of ongoing communication with our partners and evaluating our progress, relevance, and emerging challenges. Through the dedicated involvement of States, Tribes, other governments, other Service programs, private organizations, public institutions, and interested citizens, this Regional Plan outlines desired activities, identifies areas of weakness, identifies challenges and opportunities, and offers solutions in the form of actions. This plan continues to outline our priorities towards improving species populations and their habitats. This Plan will guide the Program into the future. The Plan is consistent with the collective goals and objectives of the many partners who manage fish and wildlife throughout the Service's Prairie-Mountain Region. This Plan will guide the Program from FY2010 to FY2014: improving working relationships and communication with partners; establishing performance measures by which progress toward conservation goals and objectives can be measured; increasing opportunities for protecting, restoring and enjoying healthy aquatic resources; improving recreational opportunities; strengthening relationships with State and Tribal governments; coordinating research and technology priorities among partners; and establishing a highly competent workforce. By working with our partners as outlined in this Plan, many great accomplishments in aquatic species and habitat conservation can and will be achieved. However, the Region recognizes that without adequate funding and staffing levels, many of the goals and objectives included in this Plan cannot be accomplished.