Congressman Boucher Announces Success in Effort to Covey Federal Fish Hatcheries to Virginia

CONGRESSMAN BOUCHER ANNOUNCES SUCCESS IN EFFORT TO COVEY FEDERAL FISH HATCHERIES TO VIRGINIA

The U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 366 to 0 has passed legislation sponsored by U.S. Rep. Rick Boucher which takes the first essential step in transferring ownership of two federal fish hatcheries in Wythe and Craig Counties to the State of Virginia.

The bill authorizes transfer of federal hatcheries located in the Towns of Wytheville and Paint Bank to the State for continued operation by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF), which has successfully operated these two facilities since 1983. The State would like to continue operation and investment in the facilities for a variety of reasons. For example, in order for extensive capital expenditures or any federal funding to be used for additional improvements, the ownership must be transferred from the federal government. Given the fact that the State of Virginia would like to assume ownership and that the federal government has been making a broad effort to divest of non-mitigation related hatcheries, the conveyance is in the interest of all parties. "I am pleased that the House has agreed to my request to convey ownership of these local fish hatcheries in Wytheville and Paint Bank to the Commonwealth. This action will allow the successful operation of the hatcheries to continue," Boucher said.

The Wytheville and Paint Bank hatcheries have been operated by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries since 1983 under a 25 year lease agreement. The lease is set to expire in 2008, and all parties are in agreement that a title transfer before that expiration date is appropriate. Both facilities provide brook, brown and rainbow trout for the stocking of streams on federal lands and breed fish for recreational fishing only.

The Wytheville and Paint Bank hatcheries have an estimated combined economic effect of $40 million annually and produced a combined total of approximately 290,729 pounds of trout during Fiscal Year 2005. Since beginning operation of the facilities under the lease agreement, the State has made numerous investments in the two hatcheries. The State has invested approximately $159,350 for improvements to the Wytheville facility and approximately $230,000 at the Paint Bank facility.

"I want to thank my colleagues for their support of this important measure and in doing so helping to ensure the continued success of the fish hatcheries in our region, Boucher concluded.

Congressman Boucher will now work with Senators Warner and Allen to ensure approval of the measure in the United States Senate.

http://www.boucher.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=760&Itemid=75