[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 151 (Tuesday, September 26, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Pages S14307-S14308]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   D.C. BOOTH HISTORIC FISH HATCHERY

  Mr. PRESSLER. Mr. President, I rise today in honor of the 
rededication of the D.C. Booth Historic Fish Hatchery in Spearfish 
after extensive renovations. These developments represent exciting 
opportunities for learning and historic preservation.
  It was Senator Pettigrew, one of South Dakota's earliest and most 
prominent Senators, who first appropriated funding for the hatchery in 
the 1890's. Originally called the Spearfish National Fish Hatchery, it 
was later renamed in honor of the original superintendent, D.C. Booth. 
The facility is now almost 100 years old and has been listed on the 
National Register of Historic Places. It is one of the oldest fisheries 
west of the Mississippi River and now plays a significant role in 
western South Dakota's tourism industry, bringing in over 200,000 
visitors each year.
  I worked closely with my colleagues on South Dakota's congressional 
delegation to authorize the renovation of the D.C. Booth Fish Hatchery. 
In 1991, Congress recognized the historic importance of this fish 
hatchery. Funding was subsequently provided to renovate the existing 
facilities. In addition, an 

[[Page S 14308]]
underwater fish viewing area and a new historical fishery records and 
archive center were constructed. The archive center, which collects and 
preserves the national public historical fishery records and artifacts, 
is the only one of its kind in the country.
  Over the years, the hatchery has also made strides towards improving 
fish population and diversity in western South Dakota. Interestingly 
enough, the trout which are raised at the D.C. Booth Fish Hatchery are 
not native to the Black Hills area. This hatchery originally was 
responsible for stocking not only the Black Hills, but also Yellowstone 
National Park.
  One particularly interesting feature which will soon be available to 
tour is an old Federal Fishcar Service railroad car. At one time, trout 
eggs were transported to and from Spearfish in refrigerated rail cars. 
With the advent of faster transportation, this method has long since 
been abandoned. When the exhibit is finished, visitors will be able to 
walk through a renovated rail car, complete with original dishes and 
trout egg storage trays.
  On Sunday, September 24, 1995, a ceremony was held in Spearfish, SD, 
to rededicate the renovated D.C. Booth Historic Fish Hatchery. This 
ceremony would not have been possible without the hard work and 
dedication of Mr. Arden Trandahl, director of the site for the Fish and 
Wildlife Service. During his tenure in Spearfish, he has been 
thoroughly committed to preserving the historic significance of the 
hatchery.
  Thanks to the devotion of Arden Trandahl and the Fish and Wildlife 
Service, the State of South Dakota, and the community of Spearfish, 
this renovation project is now a reality. I would also like to thank 
Molly Salcone and the other members of the D.C. Booth Society. As 
president of this non-profit society, she has fostered a unique 
private-public partnership which provided valuable assistance in the 
restoration of the D.C. Booth Fish Hatchery. This project is a great 
example of how we can all work together to make things happen.
  The renovated D.C. Booth Historic Fish Hatchery provides a unique 
educational experience, combining past and present fish management. I 
extend my congratulations and best wishes for the future success of the 
facility.

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