PHOENIX -- The full House Natural Resources Committee voted to move H.R. 5026, the Fish Hatchery Protection Act, to the House floor at a "markup" committee meeting held July 30.

Consequently, the trout propagation program at the Willow Beach National Fish Hatchery could be a step closer to being reinstated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS).

Arizona Game and Fish Commission Chairman Robert Mansell presented testimony (see Mansell at 1:09:00) on Wednesday, July 23 in Washington D.C. to the House Natural Resources Committee's Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans and Insular Affairs.

After sharing Commission perspective on the bipartisan bill sponsored by Arizona Congressman Paul Gosar (CD-4), USFWS Deputy Director Steve Guertin said he believes the USFWS would reinstate the trout propagation program if the Willow Beach Hatchery's water supply line is fixed.

Nearly 1,700 jobs in Mohave County, and nearly $75 million in economic output associated with the Willow Beach Hatchery, are at risk as a result of the recent termination of the hatchery's rainbow trout stocking program. In contrast, the estimated engineering cost to fix the broken water supply line is $100,000.

"We appreciate the difficult choices federal agencies must make given the current budget climate; however, the National Fish Hatchery System's trust responsibility is to ensure sufficient fish stocks for sport fishing purposes," Mansell said. "This is not only important to Arizona and the nation's economy but is vital to many of the state hatchery systems across the nation."

In Arizona, at the Willow Beach National Fish Hatchery located along the Colorado River south of the Hoover Dam, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in November conducted an emergency stocking of 11,000 rainbow trout when low water levels compromised the water delivery system to the hatchery. At that time, the Service also informed Arizona it would end all trout stocking efforts in perpetuity.

At the latest legislative session, at the request of the Arizona Game and Fish Commission, the Arizona House of Representatives issued a proclamation, requesting that members of the Arizona congressional delegation and the Arizona Legislature take appropriate actions to ensure the USFWS fulfills the national hatchery system mission as a support to the states' fisheries conservation mission and honor its Memoranda of Understanding with the states and their associated conservation agencies.

In April, the Arizona Game and Fish Department and Mohave County, in cooperation with the USFWS, created a short-term solution to provide recreational fishing opportunities this fall in the Willow Beach-Bullhead City area.

Did you know?
The Arizona Game and Fish Department has trust responsibility for managing more than 800 native wildlife species - the most of any inland state - for current and future generations of Arizona citizens. www.azgfd.gov/h_f/northamericanmodel.shtml

The Arizona Game and Fish Department prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age, or disability in its programs and activities. If anyone believes that they have been discriminated against in any of the AGFD's programs or activities, including employment practices, they may file a complaint with the Deputy Director, 5000 W. Carefree Highway, Phoenix, AZ 85086-5000, (602) 942-3000, or with the Fish and Wildlife Service, 4040 N. Fairfax Dr. Ste. 130, Arlington, VA 22203. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation or this document in an alternative format by contacting the Deputy Director as listed above.

Contact:
Nick Walter
(623) 236-7214
nwalter@azgfd.gov
Public Information Officer
AZGFD