The Aquatic Reserves Program is part of the effort by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to promote the preservation, restoration, and enhancement of state-owned aquatic lands.
DNR is establishing aquatic reserves throughout the state to protect important native ecosystems on state-owned aquatic lands. Aquatic reserves protect areas that will enhance the health of native marine and freshwater aquatic habitats, and the fish and wildlife that depend on them. These reserves are aquatic lands of special educational, scientific, or environmental interest.
Some of
the
benefits
of
designating
areas as
aquatic
reserves
include:
|
● |
Ensuring environmental protection through site-based preservation, restoration, and enhancement. |
|
● |
Encouraging public use and access. |
|
● |
Providing for greater public input into conservation management. |
|
● |
Working with stakeholders, including citizens and state, local and federal governments, to develop and implement site-specific management plans. |
DNR has
designated
four
Aquatic
Reserves
to date:
The
DNR
Aquatic
Reserves
Program
recently
accepted
proposals
for
three
new
Aquatic
Reserves,
and will
continue
to ask the
public
to
nominate
additional
sites
for
consideration
in the
future
(see
Establishing
New
Aquatic
Reserves).