1. Fish Hatcheries: F.Y. 1970, $10,318,000; FL 1971, $10.95 II, cresse. $640,000. The increase consists of:

(1) Twenty permanent positions at an average annual rate of $8,500, ($170,000); seasonal labor (3.2 man-years), $14,500; purchase of office, maintenance, and laboratory equipment, $47,000; purchase of approximately 450,000 pounds of fish food at average cost of $0.10 per pound, $45,000; and other operational costs (utilities, supplies and materials, travel, distribution expenses), $148,200.

(2) Payment of 15 to 25 percent differential for standby duty for permanent employees remaining in an official duty status beyond normal work hours at 90 installations at an average cost of $4,800 per station, $434,000.

(3) Decrease of $218,700 in research and exhibit contracts.

Need for Increase: (1) Operation of new hatcheries and new facilities $424,700 and 20 positions. In recent years, Congress has authorized construction of twelve new hatcheries. This estimate includes partial or full funding for seven of these units in fiscal year 1971: Greers Ferry, Arkansas; Hotchkiss, Colorado; Kooskia, Idaho; Lahontan, Nevada; Dale Hollow, Tennessee; Jones Hole, Utah; and Quinault, Washington. Increases are requested at three of these units. It will not be possible to undertake production programs at the other new units until 1973 or later. These are Wolf Creek, Kentucky; Green Lake, Maine; Warm Springs, Oregon; Allegheny, Pennsylvania; and San Marcos, Texas. In addition to the new hatcheries, there are 25 units where facilities have been modernized or expanded and increased funding is required. Additional funds to operate facilities at three of these units are requested in 1971. Also included in this estimate are increased funds to operate and maintain facilities at the TehamaColusa spawning channels in California.

The construction programs were undertaken to increase production capabilities in those areas where existing programs were inadequate to meet management stocking requirements. The majority of these units are engaged in trout production programs to meet stocking needs on lands under Federal control or waters affected by Federal water development projects. The warmwater hatcheries included in the construction program produce fish for stocking small watershed development projects, warmwater reservoirs, streams on State or Federally owned lands, and farm

or ranch ponds. Most of the ponds are constructed under technical and financial assistance programs of the Department of Agriculture. Other hatcheries in the construction program are engaged in production of Pacific salmon species. These fish are needed to help maintain the anadromous runs which have been adversely affected by dam construction, pollution, and other changes in the environment. They support both sport and commercial fisheries.

Hatcheries in the program are listed on the following table:

*Operation at capacity of facilities available in F.Y. 1971 (hatchery under construction).

NOTE: Costs of hatchery operations include rehabilitation and betterment projects, cyclical maintenance, and equipment purchase.

As indicated on the table, increases are requested for the following units:

(a) Trout hatcheries:

Hotchkiss, Colorado and Jones Hole, Utah: These hatcheries are being constructed by this Bureau with funds transferred from the Bureau of Reclamation under authority of Section 8 of the Colorado River Storage Project Act. This Act authorized and directed the Secretary of the Interior "...to construct, operate, and maintain... facilities to mitigate losses of, and improve conditions for, the propagation of fish and wildlife." Operating funds through fiscal year 1970 were contained in the Upper Colorado River Storage Project appropriation of the Bureau of Reclamation. In 1971, the funding for these hatcheries has been shifted from the Bureau of Reclamation appropriation to the Management and Investigations of Resources appropriation of this Bureau.

Hotchkiss, Colorado - $105,000. Initial operating funds were appropriated in F.Y. 1966. In 1970, a total of $93,300 was appropriated for the hatchery. When completed, the hatchery will produce about 4.0 million rainbow trout annually (170,000 pounds) for stocking: (1) four reservoirs in the Curecanti Unit; (2) 16 fishing lakes created to offset the loss of 35 miles of the Gunnison River; (3) segments of streams in the Curecanti Unit where improved public access is attained; and (4) four participating reservoirs in the Gunnison Basin. At full production, the hatchery will be capable of supporting about 682,000 fishermandays annually. In 1971, about 3.3 million trout (90,000 pounds) will be produced. Funds requested are for the production and distribution of fish, custodial maintenance of grounds and facilities, and public use of the hatchery area. Six permanent positions are requested, and increase of one position over fiscal year 1970.

Jones Hole, Utah - $120,000. Initial operating funds were appropriated in fiscal year 1968. In fiscal year 1970, a total of $79,700 was appropriated to the hatchery. In 1971, about 1.5 million fish (75,000 pounds) will be produced. When completed, the hatchery will produce 5.0 million 4"-6" trout annually (300,000 pounds) for stocking waters affected by the CRSP, except for those in the Gunnison Basin, and other contiguous areas where there is a Federal responsi

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bility. This production will support an estimated 743,000 fisherman-days annually. Punds are requested to cover production and distribution of fish, custodial maintenance, and other operational costs. Six permanent positions are requested, an increase of one position over fiscal year 1970.

McNenny, South Dakota $8,000. This unit rears brown and rainbow trout for distribution to Federal and State management programs in Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming. The trout production deficit in these States totalled 3.8 million fish in 1965. Hatchery management and production are tied in closely with the Diet Testing and Development Center located at this station. This Center is engaged in development of diet specifications, quality control of manufactured feed (including plant inspections), and testing of various diet components and component levels. This work is based on findings resulting from programs of the Division of Fishery Research. The increase requested is needed to fund the expanding work requirements of the Development Center. One additional permanent position is required to handle routine and custodial jobs. This will enable the other personnel to carry out more efficiently quality control analysis and diet development work. It will also allow more time for the professional staff to analyze final test data and prepare materials for publication. The balance of the increase will be used for increased travel (in connection with plant inspections) and other operational costs of the Center.

(b) Salmon and combination hatcheries:

Quinault, Washington $7,000. When completed, this unit will produce about 6.0 million chinook, silver, and chum salmon (weighing about 135,000 pounds) for distribution to waters on the Quinault Indian Reservation and other coastal streams of northwest Washington. In fiscal year 1971, output from the unit will total approximately 25,000 pounds, and increase of 5,000 pounds over fiscal year 1970. The Public Utilities District has agreed to install an underground power cable to the hatchery site with costs amortized over a period of years. Contract negotiations with the PUD are being handled by the General Services Administration. The increase requested in 1971 is the estimated amount needed to cover annual amortized costs of the power cable.

Coleman, California $34,500. This hatchery was constructed to help mitigate the loss of spawning areas for anadromous fish resulting from construction of Shasta Dam. Chinook salmon and steelhead trout are produced for stocking in the Sacramento River and its tributaries. The program also includes production of rainbow and Kamloops trout for stocking waters on national recreational areas, military bases, and Indian reservations. In 1968, a newly developed water reconditioning system was completed at the Coleman hatchery. That system has greatly increased the potential production capabilities of the station by reducing the incidence of chinook virus disease and thus greatly lowering the mortality in production lots. The system has also increased the growth rate of the fish and led to more effective conversion of food. The increase requested in 1971 will be used to bring production to about 80 percent of capacity. Funds are needed for one additional permanent position, temporary labor, purchase of fish food, and other operational expenses.