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The Importance of Policy for Stream Restoration (a Panel Discussion)

Jim Howe
Senior Policy Advisor for Freshwater
The Nature Conservancy
Rochester, NY

Public policy is vital to restoring healthy stream and river systems and scaling restoration efforts. State and federal funding is often the most visible form of policy support. However, state and federal regulations can also create enabling conditions for restoration by establishing standards for culvert efficiency, wetland conservation, fish passage, dam safety, and mitigation.

This session will begin with an overview from The Nature Conservancy of how policy helps drive stream restoration. Two panelists will then outline how policy has enabled their organizations to advance restoration goals:

  • State policy – North Carolina’s new law to promote dam safety, dam removal, and stream restoration

  • Federal policy – DOT’s National Culvert Removal, Replacement and Restoration grant program  

The session will include an interactive component designed to solicit input on the policy levers that conference attendees believe are most critical to successful restoration initiatives. What state and federal policy solutions can help advance your work and increase your effectiveness?

The session will wrap up with recommendations for how restoration practitioners can be better advocates for policy in the current political climate. Successful tips include sharing people- and community-centric stories about results; providing field trips for policymakers; and framing benefits in terms of economic outputs, jobs, recreation, and water quality.