At a news conference today at the Humboldt County hatchery, DFG Director Ryan Broddrick, Dave Varshock of the Friends of Mad River, state Senator Wesley Chesbro (D-Arcata), Humboldt County Supervisor Jill Geist, and others marked the hatchery’s reopening by spawning some of the fish now entering the facility.

“This partnership allows the communities around Mad River Hatchery, through their participation, to provide significant economic, educational, and recreational benefits,” said Broddrick. “I am truly impressed with the dedication of the local communities to make this partnership a reality.”

“On behalf of those involved, we invite the community to celebrate the hard work and support realized by the spawning of Mad River steelhead and the re-opening of the hatchery,” said Varshock. “We will display projects completed to date, financial and volunteer contributors, and discuss our plans for the future. We continue to look for sponsors willing to contribute to the health and well being of our river and communities.”

Under the agreement, the Friends of the Mad River Hatchery will provide funding through a tax-exempt, non-profit corporation. The group also will provide volunteers and additional resources necessary to operate and maintain the hatchery. The group will assure the DFG by the beginning of each December that sufficient funds have been raised to produce a minimum of 150,000 yearling steelhead before spawning any fish that year.

DFG will assign a full time fisheries employee to oversee day-to-day operations of the hatchery. This person will be based on-site and will train and supervise volunteers, and respond to emergencies. DFG also will provide additional staff to assist during peak activity periods, such as fish spawning.

“The people of Humboldt County have rallied to save this important resource on the Mad River. The hatchery and the steelhead fishery it supports are both an environmental and economic asset here on the North Coast,” said Chesbro, chair of the Senate Budget Committee. “Despite the difficult fiscal times for the State of California, we will continue to work to see that this hatchery stays open.”

For more information on DFG’s hatchery program go to: http://www.dfg.ca.gov/lands/fish1.html