Jim Katz of the Hudson River Estuary Program to speak on removing barriers to aquatic movement

One of the keys to creating healthy, sustainable populations of trout is removing barriers to migration—things like dams and perched culvets—which prevent trout from moving around in the system. In our region, the Hudson River Estuary Program is at the forefront of helping remove barriers to fish passage.

At this month’s meeting, Jim Katz is going to speak to use about the work the Hudson River Estuary Program is doing to helpt stitch our watersheds back together again so that trout can migrate throughout the system.

Katz is the Road Stream Crossing Implementation Specialist with DEC Region 3 and the Hudson River Estuary Program. He works on culvert/bridge replacement projects and dam removals, helping to connect municipalities with funding, technical assistance, and outreach materials. His focus is on improving stream connectivity for aquatic organism passage and reducing flooding. The Hudson River Estuary Program’s work is confined to the Hudson River watershed, including its tributaries in the Catskill Mountains.

Although the Estuary Program’s funding line is mainly focused on eel and herring habitat, brook trout are often a focus as well, and they have long been a partner with Trout Unlimited.