Hatchery closure--help keep Wolf Creek Hatchery open

[Basswipe]

I have no problem with the trout hatchery and supporting the fisheries in general, but the fact remains that we've stretched the Federal Budget possibly beyond repair. Something has to be done NOW.

I don't think it's the job of the federal government to run a trout hatchery. Turn it over to the state. There's revenue to be generated with the program and capacity there.

We, as people that use the outdoors pay our own way in this state. Hunting and fishing licenses pays the bills. Why should this be any different? The people that want to elk hunt continue to pay for that program with the tag and lottery system.

Maybe the best plan would be get a consortium of states that get fish from the hatchery to take it over and fund it themselves. I'd think that a group of 4 or 5 states could share the cost rather easily. Add a dollar to the fishing license and a few bucks to the trout stamps in each of those states to pay for the operations and share the fish equally.

Regardless of how it's solved, the Feds don't need to be running fish farms in Ky. They're already 14 trillion in debt.

[Tim_T]

If they stop funding the hatchery there will be a ton of lawsuits. They would be rbeaking a long standing contract that was agreed upon when they destroyed the original fishery. It would seem to me that the only way they could get out of it would be to remove the dam and let it revert back to the native fishery it was before they built the dam.

[DJD]

I have no problem with the trout hatchery and supporting the fisheries in general, but the fact remains that we've stretched the Federal Budget possibly beyond repair. Something has to be done NOW.

I don't think it's the job of the federal government to run a trout hatchery. Turn it over to the state. There's revenue to be generated with the program and capacity there.

We, as people that use the outdoors pay our own way in this state. Hunting and fishing licenses pays the bills. Why should this be any different? The people that want to elk hunt continue to pay for that program with the tag and lottery system.

Maybe the best plan would be get a consortium of states that get fish from the hatchery to take it over and fund it themselves. I'd think that a group of 4 or 5 states could share the cost rather easily. Add a dollar to the fishing license and a few bucks to the trout stamps in each of those states to pay for the operations and share the fish equally.

Regardless of how it's solved, the Feds don't need to be running fish farms in Ky. They're already 14 trillion in debt.

Yep that about sums it up for me as well. Once you take the emotion out of it.... it has to come to money and budgets. The gubment is a very inefficient money hungry machine and in the long run the less they have to do the better off we will be.

[Tim_T]

Would someone please explain to me exactly what the US Fish and Wildlife Service is supposed to do? This is not about emotion it is a legal question. They signed a legal agrement in order for them to build the dam. Either remove the dam or abide by the agreement imo.

Is everyone overlooking this part?: Each dollar ($1.00) of rainbow trout hatchery expenditures is associated with $67.19 in economic output.

[DJD]

Is everyone overlooking this part?: Each dollar ($1.00) of rainbow trout hatchery expenditures is associated with $67.19 in economic output.

I read that part Tim and asked myself if this is true, concrete fact and without a doubt then why is this being proposed? If it's true then this is ridiculous...I agree with you there but I'm a skeptic on data that seems so outlandish when considering the proposal.

Was this a snippet of info taken from some data just to support there cause? Is it false? Are the powers that be idiots? I know the answer to that one but had to ask....

The gubment does very few things that makes sense to me so maybe this just comes down to other folks fighting harder for their cause than this one. The squeaky wheel gets the grease and the silent one gets the shaft.

[Tim_T]

I read that part Tim and asked myself if this is true, concrete fact and without a doubt then why is this being proposed? If it's true then this is ridiculous...I agree with you there but I'm a skeptic on data that seems so outlandish when considering the proposal.

Was this a snippet of info taken from some data just to support there cause? Is it false? Are the powers that be idiots? I know the answer to that one but had to ask....

The gubment does very few things that makes sense to me so maybe this just comes down to other folks fighting harder for their cause than this one. The squeaky wheel gets the grease and the silent one gets the shaft.

It came straight from the Fed's themselves, so who knows. It was in the report issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Servcie.

IMO they are using this as a political ploy where they can say "look at us, we cut all this wasteful spending" when in reality they are cutting something that is profitable.

[Tim_T]

Trout are slimy,snakelike creatures that are better off dead. Al Gore SR. flooded my Grandfathers and Grandmothers families farm for electricity.


They flooded it. Built the dam and flooded people out so they would leave. Do some research on Lake Cumberland and tell me why i should be concerned.

WHAT? Are you saying they built the dam without buying the property?

[Tim_T]

Let me play devils advocate on this one:

WHY should it be the responsibility of the FEDERAL government to run a fish hatchery in central Ky? If the people of Ky want the fish hatchery, they need to pay for it with Ky funds.

Because they signed a legally binding agreement to do so before the dam was built I am guessing.

[bull_bluegill]

The petition is closed, but I wrote to Senator McConnell to ask for his support.

[creeker]

I wonder what the response on here would be if it was a hatchery for smallmouths, or stripers?

[MagikSmallie]

I wonder what the response on here would be if it was a hatchery for smallmouths, or stripers?

I personally wouldn't care if they were hatching 20lb Largemouths I still don't beleive its the Gov't Federal or State's job, right, or position to be running fish hatcheries. If there is money to made doing this then let an entreprenuer do it.

[RICHYD4U]

As an avid fly fisherman and trout enthusiast, I am saddened at this news. Trout are truly the prettiest of all fish species IMO, and such a great sport fish. It is a difficult situation...we are broke, and when you look at the bigger picture, I can see where placing trout into non-native waters isn't all that important compared to a crashing economy. I will be devistated if the hatcheries close...and it will stink...but, I can always go back home to UT waters and catch all the trout I want. I just wish there was a way they could keep those hatcheries open and allow people in this region the joy of hooking into a trout! If it closes...my fellow trout enthusiasts are welcome to join me back in UT on some of my home trout waters!

-Rich