[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 43 (Tuesday, March 29, 2011)]
[House]
[Pages H2023-H2024]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
THE NORFORK AND GREERS FERRY NATIONAL FISH HATCHERIES
(Mr. CRAWFORD asked and was given permission to address the House for
1 minute.)
Mr. CRAWFORD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to enter into the
Congressional Record Arkansas House Resolution 1014 that was recently
passed on February 24 of this year by the Arkansas House of
Representatives.
Fish hatcheries at the Norfork and Greers Ferry Dams are vital
components of the economy in north central Arkansas. They provide vital
fish stock not only to Arkansas' waterways but to Arkansas' neighbors
as well, and
[[Page H2024]]
they help draw sportsmen and outdoor enthusiasts from all over the
world.
State of Arkansas
88th General Assembly
Regular Session, 2011
By: Representatives Linck, Hopper, Benedict
House resolution--Requesting that the President of the
United States and the Arkansas congressional delegation
support and continue the immediate and future funding of the
Norfork and Greers Ferry National Fish Hatcheries.
Subtitle--Requesting that the President of the United
States and the Arkansas congressional delegation support and
continue the immediate and future funding of the Norfork and
Greers Ferry National Fish Hatcheries.
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 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 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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