Photo: @findthefish
Fletcher's Cove
Fletcher’s Cove is a cherished natural resource located just below the fall line in the Potomac Gorge, within the boundaries of Washington, DC. As the highest navigable point on the Potomac River and a gateway to the full bounty of the spring spawning runs, this unique inlet has played an important role in our region’s history. Today this longstanding access to fishing, boating and recreation on the river is threatened by a man-made landform, dating to the 1960’s, which altered the flow of the river and has contributed to excessive siltation ever since. The Cove is filling in and two previous dredging projects have failed to provide a permanent solution. In the absence of any intervention, the public could lose use of the cove for boating access to the Potomac.
What NCC-TU is Doing About It
The Friends of Fletcher’s Cove group is working closely with local and federal partners to prevent this from happening by developing a plan for the permanent restoration of the Cove. NCC-TU is proud to support this work. The chapter - together with the greater DC area’s leading angling and fisheries conservation groups - organizes the annual Tidal Potomac Slam Fishing Tournament, which offers local anglers the chance to compete for a series of prizes based on the amazing species available to target in the Potomac River. The tournament has been designed to support Friends of Fletcher’s Cove in its mission to restore Fletcher’s Cove and protect this unique urban fishing resource for years to come. Through this tournament, we hope to highlight the amazing fishing opportunities that the Cove gives us access to in an effort to build public support for FFC and its drive to keep the Cove open for years to come.
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Presentation from the Friends of Fletchers Cove
What's Next?
The Friends of Fletcher's Cove, along with NCC-TU and an impressive array of local and national not-for-profit and for-profit partners has been, and will continue, advocating for funding for the restoration of the cove as part of the Great American Outdoors Act's permanent funding and reauthorization of the Land and Wildlife Conservation Fund. Based upon the engineering plans commissioned by Friends of Fletcher's Cove, the permanent restoration of the cove will cost approximately $27 million. NCC-TU looks forward to continue to support FFC in its efforts to secure the necessary funding.
What Can I Do?
What can you do to help? Send comments to your member of Congress, urging them to support Fletcher's Cove remediation efforts.
Call to Action:
https://www.tu.org/conservation/action-center/?vvsrc=%2Fcampaigns%2F81282%2Frespond
Donate:
https://gifts.tu.org/fletcherscove
Call to Action:
https://www.tu.org/conservation/action-center/?vvsrc=%2Fcampaigns%2F81282%2Frespond
Donate:
https://gifts.tu.org/fletcherscove