Director Mainella, acting Assistant Secretary for Fish, Wildlife & Parks Matthew J. Hogan, and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Stephen L. Johnson joined National Capital Regional Director Joe Lawler and Rock Creek Park Superintendent Adrienne Coleman in welcoming nearly 200 volunteers who formed a human "bucket brigade" that lifted herring and shad above a dam that prevents fish from spawning.
The yet-to-be completed construction of a Denil Fishway, or a fish ladder, at Peirce Mill dam on Rock Creek has as its goal the return of herring and shad runs to historic levels and locations within Rock Creek Park. When completed, the fish ladder will allow fish to pass freely above the dam, re-creating spawning locations that have been off limits to fish since dams for mills up and down the Rock Creek Valley were constructed in the 19th century.
In what could be termed a success story, Rock Creek Park staff and partner organizations helped the fish move to the northern reaches of Rock Creek, the ancestral spawning grounds for these fish that has been blocked and made unavailable for over 100 years. In 2007, the fish ladder will become the route fish will use to gain access to areas in the northern end of Rock Creek in Rock Creek Park.
As part of a project to offset the environmental damage and effects of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge project in the Washington area, federal money was set aside to remove barriers to fish migration in Rock Creek Park and other streams in the greater Washington area. Approximately $2 million from that project is being used to construct the fish ladder.
"This exciting project is especially noteworthy since it is located in the middle or in the heart of our nation's capital and in a densely populated urban center," said Coleman. "The restoration of this fish passage also demonstrates the power of partners and volunteers working for Rock Creek's environment. We believe this demonstrates the strength of our commitment to natural resources and specifically toward providing fish with a natural and historic spawning route."
Besides the event marking the historical peak of the spring herring and shad spawning runs, it also commemorates Earth Day celebrations and the beginning of National Park Week.
