National Hatcheries Scheduled to Close

[Josh McFadden]

Make sure to sign the Petition
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/save-National-Fish-Hactheries/

February 25th, 2011

Subject: Immediate Attention Requested: Presidents 2012 Budget to Impact Our Nations Federal Fish Hatchery System

For Release to: Federation of Fly Fishers and all Affiliated Councils

Written by: Teresa VanWinkle, for Immediate Release


The Presidents 2012 Budget Cut that was announced in February has devastating impact on our National Fisheries Division but the immediate impact is to Mitigation Hatcheries, in other words, our cold water National Fish Hatcheries.

In one way I am honored to have been asked to be the Liaison for the Chief Director of Fisheries, Dr. Stuart Leon. Washington based but actually located in Arlington, VA. This trust is a rather large job, but one I gladly carry.
On the other hand this results in meetings which usually bring news that isn’t good to lots of folks. But as a spokesperson for this matter and fellow member of the Federation of Fly Fishers I am proud to serve as a bridge and bring this news to you so that we may all address the issues that now face our recreation and for some our livelihood.

But also I have worked as a Consultant Specializing in Friends Groups, working in DC and assisting in the establishment of the National Fisheries Friends Partnership, and volunteering my time and efforts as President of the Neosho National Fish Hatchery Friends Group and am a Honorary Life Member of the Friends of the Norfork National Fish Hatchery Friends Group as I assisted in establishing the Norfork Friends Group also located in Norfork Arkansas.

Now down to our business at hand, in October of 2010 I received a call from Dr. Stuart Leon, informing me that he may need to call on my volunteer efforts to assist him regarding the Presidents 2012 Budget. As the months passed and things in DC started to take shape and less than a week after the release of the Presidents Budget , Dr. Leon then traveled for meetings that I was able to put together along with Martin MacDonald who has worked in Partnerships and many support groups of the National Fisheries System.

While in Missouri we were fortunate enough to be asked to meet with Founder of Bass Pro, Mr. John Morris and in a separate meeting in Neosho, MO with the Senator Roy Blunts’ Staff, all who were very interested in knowing the impact that this cut would bring to their communities and yes, their bottom line in the Sport Fishing Industry. You see if these cuts are allowed and they eliminate our cold water species then lets say for example there is another cut to the fisheries division in another few years then it would be our warm waters that then take the hit, our lakes and streams- essentially the trickle down effect.

The briefing and information that he provided was not good, as it stands now the 2012 Budget will impact the National Fisheries Division Budget by a whopping 22%. The Mitigation Hatcheries will take the immediate hit.

There are 9 Mitigation Hatcheries located throughout the nation and they are as follows:

Garrison Dam, Neosho, Wolf Creek, Erwin, Chattahoochee, Dale Hollow, Greers Ferry, Norfork, and Jones Hole.

These mitigation hatcheries provide to their local economies: 3,500 jobs and total economic benefit $325 million dollars.

What this means to some states is that is the funding is not restored through Legislation that some of our waters which we utilizes and make our living from will suffer major cuts in stocking or no stocking at all.

This is a hard article to write sufficiently in order to answer questions as it has taken a team of folks in DC weeks to compile and I am but on person with limited space to provide essential information.

I am working hard to get out the bottom line to all of you and at the same time need to tell you we have until September 30th, 2011 to make our presence and voices known to our State Legislature. This is not an isolated case here this is nationally devastating to our cold water species and resources.

Let me explain that within the canopy of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service there are many Divisions which all have independent budgets. This particulate Presidential Budget cut for whatever reason has its bulls-eye on our National Fish Hatchery System.

We need to move on this as Southern Council members and members of the National Members of the Federation of Fly Fishers. If we don’t many of the luxuries that we choose to do in the outdoors with our families will be taken, we need to step forward now, not tomorrow and start making phone calls and writing letters to our legislation to “Conserve America’s Fisheries”.

I am willing to assist in any way that I can for the Fisheries Division and invite you to do the same, please act to provide national support and take advantage of this information pass it on and allow others to better understand how we can all pitch in and advocate for the budget of our National Fisheries System.

We have to step forward for the whole system as the budget in DC is distributed throughout 9 regions nationally so in order to save one we have to start and take care at the top.

This is my contact information and please let me know what I can do to assist you in “Conserving America’s Fisheries” for our future.

Teresa ‘TBird’ VanWinkle
Email: flyfishingdiva@yahoo.com

Please act now tomorrow is too late!

Sincerely-

TBird

[Shaun Cmar]

Did they mean Jackson Hole, Wy or is there a Jones Hole fish hatchery? Ive been to the Jackson Hole hatchery and its quite an impressive set up. Be a shame to see that get closed down!

[Josh McFadden]

Jones hole is a national fish hatchery in utah. The one that affects me the most is dale Hollow. They stock both the South Holston and Watauga Rivers in East Tennessee. Both rivers are outstanding with a good population of wild browns. But without the stockers for the rednecks to take home, the fishery would suffer a fatal blow. There's a slot limit on the river but 7 fish a day regs would kill it no time without stockers. Not to mention the stockers are good fodor for the 10lb browns. We have 12 months of dry fly fishing on the South Holston.

[Josh McFadden]

Someone please sticky this to be at the top of the page

[Zach Bearden]

Greers Ferry and Norfork both affect me. They're the only reason most people in the Ozarks region have trout to catch.

On my river alone we have a 6 fish a day limit. Bait fishermen line up, get their limit and leave. Without stocking on a regular basis (sometimes once or twice every week) our trout population goes in the hole. This river not only affects me, but my town. Gore, OK. is only 900 people strong but we have multiple tackle shops and resorts depending on the river. It would be a shame to see our resource lost.

I'm with you on this.

[Josh McFadden]

http://www.fws.gov/garrisondam/
Garrison Dam National Fish Hatchery was originally established in 1957 to provide fish for recreational fishing in new reservoirs created by federal water development projects in the Midwest. Today, the hatchery continues to provide management and production of many freshwater fishes for the Missouri River Dam development projects, National Wildlife Refuges, Native American waters, and state programs of North Dakota.

As many of the native fishes struggle with the changes in the Missouri aquatic ecosystems, the hatchery's role has changed to include maintaining migratory fishes, such as the paddlefish, and restoring endangered species, such as the pallid sturgeon.

To meet the high fish production demands, Garrison Dam National Fish Hatchery encompasses 209 acres of land and has a total of 64 rearing ponds.
http://www.fws.gov/midwest/neosho/
http://www.fws.gov/wolfcreek/
Although winter is here, and cooler temps have arrived, don't fret as the holidays and start of the new year provide a wonderful time to connect with the outdoors, and Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery provides the perfect place to do so! From touring the fun and engaging Visitor & Environmental Education Center to feeding our happy, hungry trout in our raceways to even fishing in hatchery creek, there's sure to be something for everyone when visiting! And remember - there's no charge to visit and tour, and the hatchery grounds are open 365 days a year while the Visitor/Environmental Education Center remains open 364 days annually (only closing on Christmas Day). So make plans today to get outdoors and connected with nature at Wolf Creek NFH!

Station Facts:
Established: 1975
Friends of Wolf Creek LogoNumber of staff: eight permanent
Annual budget (FY10): $907,000

Station Goals:

1. Provide rainbow, brown, and brook trout for mitigation stocking in Kentucky and Indiana.

2. Provide rainbow and brown trout to the Commonwealth of Kentucky (state management goals) under a reimbursable agreement.

3. Provide rainbow and brown trout fingerlings for mitigation stocking in Georgia.

4. Provide a refuge for threatened or endangered aquatic species and develop techniques required to culture these species.

5. Assist Tribal governments in managing fisheries resources on Tribal lands.

6. Implement a thorough, perennial hatchery product evaluation program.

7. Maintain Visitor/Environmental Education Center.

8. Provide environmental education.

9. Develop and maintain partnerships with chambers of commerce, tourist commissions, Trout Unlimited and other agencies to promote regional support for the fish hatchery.

10. Maintain a “Friends Group” to gain community support for the fish hatchery.

Geographic Area Covered:

1. Cumberland River Basin, KY (mitigation) - Lake Cumberland/Tailwater (TW), Martin's Fork Lake/TW, Laurel River Lake/TW.

2. Kentucky River Basin, KY (mitigation) - Buckhorn Lake/TW, Carr Fork Lake/TW.

3. Green River Basin, KY (mitigation) - Nolin River Lake/TW, Rough River Lake/TW, Barren River Lake/TW.

4. Licking River Basin, KY (mitigation) - Cave Run Lake/TW.

5. Little Sandy River Basin, KY (mitigation) - Grayson Lake/TW, Yatesville Lake/TW.

6. Big Sandy River Basin, KY (mitigation) - Dewey Lake/TW, Fish Trap Lake/TW, Painstville Lake/TW.

7. Whitewater River Basin, IN (mitigation) - Brookville Lake/TW.

8. Kentucky lake and streams (reimbursable agreement).

9. Cherokee Indian Reservation, Cherokee, NC.

Public Use Opportunities:

1. More than 100,000 visitors yearly

2. Visitor/Environmental Education Center

3. Hatchery tours

4. Off-site presentations

5. ADA Accessible public fishing area
http://www.fws.gov/erwin/
Welcome to the Erwin National Fish Hatchery

Station Facts:

Established: 1894.

Number of staff: six permanent.

 

Fish Species:

Reared four strains of rainbow trout.

 

Public Use Opportunities:

More than 40,000 visitors annually.

Hatchery tours.

Conserving America's FisheriesVisitor center.

Off-site presentations.

Picnic pavilion.

Public Fishing Event

Unicoi Co. Heritage Museum.

Wildlife viewing area.

 

Station Goals:

Produce 10 million disease-free eggs annually for Federal, state, and tribal hatcheries to support their fishery management efforts. This hatchery also provides eggs to research centers and universities.

Assists tribal governments in managing fisheries resources on tribal lands.

Supports projects to enhance federal fish and wildlife trust species and their habitats in the Southern Appalachian Ecosystem, in which this hatchery is located.

Provides environmental education whenever possible.

Develop and maintain partnerships with chambers of commerce, state tourist organizations, congressional staffs, and other non-governmental organizations in order to promote regional support for the fish hatchery.

Maintain a good working relationship with the Unicoi Co. Heritage Museum which is located on the grounds of the fish hatchery.
http://blueridgemountains.com/chattahoochee_fish_hatchery.html
Chattahoochee National Fish Hatchery
If you really want to catch a trout, or at least see a lot of rainbows, make a daytrip to the Chattachoochee National Fish Hatchery. Located off of Highway 60 between Morganton and Dahlonega, the fish hatchery raises a million rainbow trout each year to stock the tailwaters, streams and lakes of northern Georgia. It is operated by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Visitors can tour the hatchery and visitor center, fish Rock Creek, have a picnic, take a hike or camp nearby at the Frank Gross Campground. A visit to the fish hatchery is "must do" for kids (and adults) who really want to catch some fish! Take your own gear and bait, and be sure to have a Georgia fishing license! The hatchery offers special group tours and sponsors annual fishing derbies for kids and seniors. It is also designed for use by school groups to teach students about the Southern Appalachian Ecosystem.

The Chattahoochee National Fish Hatchery is located near other mountain attractions, including Deep Hole and Cooper Creek recreation areas, the Benton MacKaye Trail and the Swinging Bridge. The hatchery is open year round from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily. For more information, see http://southeast.fws.gov.
http://www.fws.gov/dalehollow/
Station Goals

    * Provide rainbow, brown, lake, and brook trout for mitigation stocking in Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama.
    * Provide rainbow trout to Alabama in return for Gulf Coast striped bass eggs and fry.
    * Provide a limited number of rainbow trout for non-mitigation stocking in Tennessee under a cooperative agreement with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.
    * Assist in the recovery and restoration of imperiled aquatic species by developing propagation/culture techniques and rearing animals for reintroduction into the wild.
    * Assist Tribal governments in managing fisheries resources on Tribal lands.
    * Work with the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency to ensure a thorough, perennial hatchery product evaluation program.
    * Provide quality environmental education opportunities.
    * Develop and maintain partnerships with chambers of commerce, state tourism departments, and other agencies to promote regional support for recreational fishing and the fish hatchery.
    * Establish and maintain a "Friends Group" to gain community and regional support for the fish hatchery.
    * Establish and maintain a native warm season grass (prairie grass) demonstration plot.
    * Utilize the Strategic Habitat Conservation (SHC) framework to manage Fisheries resource priorities.
GREER's FERRY
Station Facts

    * Established: 1965.
    * Number of staff: five permanent.

 

Geographic Area Covered

    * Arkansas: White River Basin.
    * Oklahoma: Blue and Illinois rivers.

 

Financial Impact of Trout Program in Arkansas and Oklahoma

    * Annual budget (FY 09) $458,086.
NORFORK
stablished in 1955, the Norfork National Fish Hatchery is a cold water hatchery primarily for the production of trout to restock the tailwaters below Norfork, Bull Shoals and other dams. The hatchery is responsible for raising three kinds of trout: rainbow, brown and cutthroat. In addition, Norfork National Fish Hatchery also provides trout to reservoirs and in cooperation with state game and fish agencies distributes fish throughout Arkansas and other nearby states. The Hatchery's geographic area covers eastern Oklahoma and the White River Basin in Northern Arkansas.

Norfork NFH Welcome Sign

 

Norfork NFH has a significant economic impact for the region. For each $1 spent of budget expenditures, $5.86 tax revenue was generated. We cordially invite you to explore our website and also to plan your next visit to the Norfork National Fish Hatchery. Please contact us directly if you have any questions.

    * Annual economic impact of trout production at Greers Ferry NFH $45.7 million (1999 dollars)

 

Station Goals

    * Provide statutory mitigation fish (rainbow trout and brook trout) for Arkansas.
    * Cooperatively participates in aquatic threatened/endangered or "species of concern" research.
    * Provide statutory mitigation fish (rainbow trout) for Oklahoma.
    * Provide environmental education and outreach.

Conserving America's Fisheries

Fish Species and Capability

    * Rainbow trout (mandated mitigation) currently provide 754,560 fish -- 203,225 lbs.
    * Brook trout (mandated mitigation) currently provide 30,000 -- 2,600 lbs.

 

Public Use Opportunities

    * More than 50,000 visitors annually.
    * Trout fishing in the Little Red River adjacent to hatchery grounds.
    * Visitor center.
    * Self Guided Hatchery Tours
    * Off-site presentations

Jones HOle

Jones Hole National Fish Hatchery was established in 1956 under Section 8 of the Colorado River Storage Project Act, and produced it's first trout in 1970. Located on 390 acres in a beautiful sandstone geologic setting, the hatchery provides management and production of trout for mitigation of Colorado River Storage Project waters of the Upper Colorado River System and to meet Tribal trust responsibilities on Native American land.

As the natural aquatic habitat changes from natural (drought, flood, habitat destruction) or human (over-harvest, pollution, habitat loss due to development and dam construction) influences, the natural production of fish declines. Stocking of fish is one of the many management strategies used by biologists to help replenish the populations for years to come.

[Bob Lux]

This is a big problem folks. I was just at the Georgia TU Quarterly Council meeting and they said 7 in the South East are scheduled to close. I know many of you, including myself, don't really fish for the put and take side of the sport, but this has to be stopped. The national hatchery in Georgia is scheduled to close in September and I'm sure the other ones are not far behind that. I believe the one in Tennessee is a major hit if it closes. Not only do these hatcheries stock trout, but they also supply eggs to the state hatcheries for their stocking efforts. This will mean that either the state hatcheries will have to buy eggs elsewhere or reduce stockings. We almost lost our mountain hatchery on Lake Burton a few years ago, but they got stopped so kudos to the local TUs for that. I believe the TU website has a link to email a senator to help stop this. Even if you aren't in the affected states, please take the time to get an email out and pass it along so we can stop this. Don't even get me started on how our license fees go right into the general fund because I could write a 10 page message about where I stand on that. According to what I heard at the meeting yesterday, for every $1 spent on the hatchery equates to $38 added into the local economy. I'm not a stock broker, but that seems to be one heck of a return on an investment.

[Mac Brown]

Thanks guys for voting and to Josh for getting this up. If you check in on other forums related to fishing post a link to it please. Other thing is for us to ban together to use our many contacts in the industry like local clubs, newspapers, etc.. to make the public aware of what is going on with this. Many folks are not aware of it. Feel free to contact Tbird at the email address listed on Josh's first post. I have spent most of the day working contacts to get info out to folks.

My concern in the long run is that once you have much lower numbers of dough belly fish for the masses to pursue then they deplete our wild stocks which already reproduce fine with no government assistance. It is also a straw to break the camels back in that once they go after the cold water fisheries like this, then a few more years of sending foreign aid, wars, bailing wealthy bankers out of debt, pork spending, congress voting themselves another big increase of salaries, and all of the other highly efficient and cost effective methods your federal government does on a regular basis then they will have another political agenda. It will go down like this, hey you mean we have another zillion dollar deficit during an election year, it will be proposed to cut the warm water hatcheries as well. The studies I have received state that every 1 dollar of federal hatchery programs provide  68 dollars back to local economies. I know the area of Bryson City, NC where I live is dependent on tourism (fishing being a big part of that). I will post other info I receive on the topic in the coming weeks. Thanks in advance guys for working your individual contacts of local clubs, newspapers, get data from your local chamber on estimates of tourism for your fisheries-I suspect this to end up being compiled reports sent off to representatives to hear our concerns of how it effects our local economies across the US.
Mac Brown

[Ben Mcfall]

Thanks Josh for giving us a heads up on this important issue and providing an opportunity to participate by signing the petition.