DFG News Archive

State Pilot Project in Mono County to Explore Feasibility of Non-Profit Foundation to Provide Critical Hatchery Support

In an effort to pump needed financial support into California's hatchery program, the Department of Fish and Game (DFG) is taking the first steps towards starting a unique and diverse partnership in Mono County to assist the critically important Hot Creek Hatchery, said DFG Director Ryan Broddrick.

DFG and Eastern Sierra-Inland Deserts Region Manager Curt Taucher, Mono County business leaders, and Mike Chrisman, Secretary of the state's Resources Agency, have joined together to look at the feasibility of creating a non-profit foundation that would seek creative funding to assist the Hot Creek Hatchery. The hope is for the foundation to serve as a template for similar efforts throughout the state's hatchery system, Broddrick said.

"We realize the importance these hatcheries have in supporting recreational opportunities in local communities, and we're committed to the concept of fast-tracking this idea and having the agreement finalized by the beginning of the 2004-05 fiscal year," Broddrick said, noting that legal and other logistical issues need to be resolved before the foundation can begin to accept financial support from outside entities. "This effort is the result of concerned citizens and Mono County coming to Secretary Chrisman and myself with a long-term, workable, potentially viable financial plan that communities throughout the state will be able to consider."

DFG currently operates 14 trout hatcheries statewide, which produces and stocks a total of 5.4 million fingerling, 1.4 million sub-catchable, and 7.4 million catchable-sized trout every year. The eight salmon and steelhead hatcheries produce 34 million Chinook salmon, 600,000 coho salmon, and 2.7 million steelhead annually. The overall hatchery program has suffered a budget cut of about $2.6 million since the 2002-03 fiscal year, plus the loss of 44 total positions, which includes 27 permanent employees lost through attrition. The cuts have resulted in the pending closure of Mad River Salmon and Steelhead Hatchery in Humboldt County, and possible closures of the Merced River Salmon, Mojave River Trout and Hot Creek hatcheries.

Mono County last year generated alternative funding to keep operations at Hot Creek functioning at needed levels. In 2003, the county and city of Mammoth Lakes came up with $25,000, which allowed about a half-dozen seasonal workers to continue stocking fish throughout the fall.

The foundation as proposed would be run by a five-person board consisting of DFG, Mono County, business, and industry representatives. The board would determine operation direction for the Hot Creek Hatchery.

For more information on DFG's hatchery program, go to www.dfg.ca.gov/lands/fish1.html.