[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 91 (Thursday, July 13, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1401]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   PAINT BANK AND WYTHEVILLE NATIONAL FISH HATCHERIES CONVEYANCE ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                       HON. VIRGIL H. GOODE, JR.

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 10, 2006

  Mr. GOODE. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5061, the 
Paint Bank and Wytheville National Fish Hatcheries Conveyance Act. I 
want to thank the Gentleman from Virginia, Mr. Boucher, for introducing 
this legislation, which grants the title to these two hatcheries to the 
Commonwealth of Virginia.
  Since 1983, the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries has 
successfully operated these two hatcheries on behalf of the U.S. Fish 
and Wildlife Service. Thanks to the hard work and substantial 
investment by the Commonwealth of Virginia and the 13 full-time 
employees working at the fish hatcheries, these hatcheries consistently 
produce large stocks of brook, brown and rainbow trout for recreational 
fishing every year. In fact, the Paint Bank and Wytheville Hatcheries 
can produce up to 861,632 trout each year, which accounts for over 40 
percent of the trout stocked for public fishing in the Commonwealth of 
Virginia. The Commonwealth has also pledged to invest an additional 
$4.5 million to continue renovation of these hatcheries in an effort to 
further enhance the hatcheries capabilities and efficiency.
  There are over 2,300 miles of trout streams in Virginia and the Paint 
Bank and Wytheville Fish Hatcheries are vital to ensuring that these 
streams are well stocked with large and healthy fish populations. For 
this reason, I am glad to support H.R. 5061, which will allow the 
Commonwealth of Virginia to continue to maintain the trout population 
for recreational fishing for people who live in and visit Virginia. I 
appreciate the work of Mr. Boucher in crafting this legislation and I 
urge its passage today.

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