[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 30 (Thursday, March 17, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: March 17, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
           TRANSFER PROPERTY RIGHTS OF CORNING FISH HATCHERY

                                 ______


                        HON. BLANCHE M. LAMBERT

                              of arkansas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 17, 1994

  Ms. LAMBERT. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing legislation that 
would transfer property rights in the Corning Fish Hatchery from the 
Federal Government to the State of Arkansas. Due to Federal budget 
cuts, the fish hatchery was closed in early 1983. However, the Arkansas 
Game and Fish Commission resumed hatchery fish production in May 1983 
after entering into an agreement with the Fish and Wildlife Service. 
The fish hatchery has been operating since 1983 as William H. Donham 
State Fish Hatchery.
  This fish hatchery has become an important part of the fisheries 
division fish culture program and I believe that this transfer will 
greatly benefit the sportsmen and women of Arkansas. This warm hatchery 
is very active and successful, producing 250,000 to 1,000,000 fish 
annually. About 95 percent of these hatchery-reared fish are stocked in 
new or renovated public lakes. The remaining fish are allocated to 
private applicants for stocking new or renovated lakes sand ponds. The 
principal fish produced at the hatchery are largemouth bass, bluegills, 
redear sunfish, white and black crappie and channel catfish.
  Currently, no Federal funds are used to operate or maintain the 
William H. Donham State Fish Hatchery. It is financed solely by funds 
derived from resident and nonresident fishing licenses sales. This 
transfer of ownership has the support from both the Arkansas Game and 
Fish Commission and the Fish and Wildlife Service.
  It is appropriate to transfer the property to the State of Arkansas 
since the funds used to finance the hatchery's programs are raised 
within the borders of Arkansas. In addition, without this transfer, 
Arkansas would be unable to make long-term commitments as to the 
direction the hatchery will take in its operations.
  I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

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