State skips fish facility, builds new one nearby
September 30th, 2009 - 4:01am
(Port Angeles) -- Even though it already owns a fish rearing facility on Morse Creek, the state decided to build a new one instead.
Construction is underway on the new, temporary facility near Highway 101 at Morse Creek. The state is using money for the Elwha dam removal project to build the more than two-million dollar facility.
But KONP has learned the state already owned a fish-rearing facility just upstream from the new one.
It was part of property sold to the state a number of years ago. The facility is overgrown but includes ponds, a moderating reservoir and an intake off Morse Creek along with a number of canals and diverting systems.
State Fish and Wildlife Department officials say the facility is not adequate for their current needs.
The department's's Ron Warren tells Newsradio 1450 KONP the old facility didn't meet fish-rearing criteria without making significant improvements. Warren says the department decided it was better to spend the two-point-one million dollars for the temporary facility now under construction.
The temporary facility will be used to help Elwha River salmon acclimate to Morse Creek.
They may eventually spawn in the Morse Creek, which scientists say will help preserve the genetic make up of the Elwha runs. The fish could be transferred back to the Elwha if the dam removal project wipes out the stocks with sediment.
Email This Story
LATEST NEWS ITEMS:
