[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 38 (Monday, March 14, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1597-S1598]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
FWS FUNDING
Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. President, like many Arkansans, I am very concerned
about the administration's proposal to cut $6,288,000 from the U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service, FWS, National Fish Hatchery Operations,
where the production of fish is for the purpose of mitigating the
effects of Federal water development projects. Under this proposal,
several National Fish Hatcheries, including the Greers Ferry and
Norfork National Fish Hatcheries in Arkansas, are scheduled to lose
their FWS funding. The reliability of alternative mechanisms to provide
Federal funding for the operation of FWS mitigation hatcheries is
currently uncertain.
I am working with the Arkansas delegation and the administration to
preserve the ongoing responsibility of FWS to fund and operate the
National Fish Hatcheries at Norfork and Greers Ferry Dams, and to make
sure we ``allow the investment in these hatcheries to continue to
contribute to the economic vitality'' of Arkansas communities and our
country.
Accordingly, I ask unanimous consent to have the Arkansas House
Resolution No. 1014 of 2011, which was adopted in its entirety on
February 24, 2011, by the Arkansas House of Representatives, printed in
the Record.
There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in
the Record, as follows:
House Resolution No. 1014
Whereas, the United States Fish & Wildlife Service plans to
cut the budgets for the trout hatcheries below Norfork and
Greers Ferry dams; and
Whereas, these fish hatcheries provide the foundation for
Arkansas's world-renowned trout fishery waters that produce a
total economic impact of well over one hundred fifty million
dollars ($150,000,000) annually but only 9 cost taxpayers
approximately one million five hundred thousand dollars
($1,500,000) annually to operate. The hatcheries at Norfork
and Greers Ferry dams alone generate five million five
hundred thousand dollars ($5,500,000) in federal tax
revenues, roughly three dollars and sixty-five cents ($3.65)
for every one dollar ($1.00) invested; and
Whereas, seventy-five (75) years ago, north Arkansas's
White River was arguably the best smallmouth bass stream in
America. Fisherman came from all over the country to
experience once-in-a-lifetime float trips down the beautiful
bluff-lined river; and
Whereas, upon a series of dams being built in the White
River basin in the 1940s, the federal government assured the
state's citizens that mitigation efforts would be included to
offset the loss of the river's incredibly productive native
fishery. The key component of this commitment was the
construction of Norfork National Fish Hatchery in 1955 near
Norfork Dam and the establishment of world-class trout waters
below both Norfork and Bull Shoals lakes; and
Whereas, a decade later, the trout hatchery at the base of
Greers Ferry Dam provided the means for a similarly
successful fishery to be established at the Little Red River
in Greers Ferry; and
Whereas, these modest projects rank among the all-time
success stories of our federal government because of the
overall economic impact and return on investment they
produce; and
Whereas, fish production at the Norfork hatchery employs
nine hundred ninety-four (994) individuals, and the Greers
Ferry hatchery employs an additional seven hundred fifty-two
(752) people; and
Whereas, dozens of resorts employing hundreds of
individuals have been established in these world-class
fishing areas because of the increase in tourism. The town of
Cotter, Arkansas, for example, bills itself as ``Trout
Capital USA''; and
Whereas, trout fishing in the White River basin is worth
about three times the annual flood losses prevented by
Beaver, Table Rock, Bull Shoals, Norfork, Greers Ferry, and
Clearwater reservoirs, and these structures averted fifty-one
million four hundred thousand dollars ($51,400,000) in
damages in the last fiscal year; and
Whereas, the electricity generated from Bull Shoals Lake
and Norfork Lake averages approximately one hundred million
dollars ($100,000,000) of electricity each year, but the
trout fishery is worth an additional fifty percent (50%) more
than that on an annual basis; and
Whereas, investment in the Norfork and Greers Ferry Fish
hatcheries has consistently demonstrated positive returns for
more than half a century. The federal government's goal to
reduce the federal deficit and increase economic growth would
be damaged, not enhanced, if funding for trout programs is
reduced or eliminated to the detriment of its promise to
Arkansas and to these small towns whose livelihood depends on
the fish hatcheries: Now therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives of the Eighty-
Eighth General Assembly of the State of Arkansas, That the
President and Congress of the United States work together to
continue the immediate and future funding of the national
fish hatcheries at Norfork and Greers Ferry dams and allow
the investment in these hatcheries to continue to contribute
to the economic vitality of these towns, the State of
Arkansas, and the entire country; be it further
Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the House of
Representatives forward official copies of this resolution to
the President
[[Page S1598]]
of the United States, to the Speaker of the House of
Representatives and the President of the Senate of the United
States Congress, and to all the members of the Arkansas
Congressional Delegation with the request that this
resolution be officially entered in the Congressional Record.
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