Mohave County, Arizona – Today, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Arizona Game and Fish Commission, announced the signing of a Cooperative Agreement that will bring economic benefits to Arizona by providing continued future sport fishing opportunities, while enabling the Service to meet Trust responsibilities, and benefit two endangered species.
Aging infrastructure at the Willow Beach National Fish Hatchery caused a loss of a reliable water supply and 40,000 fish in 2013. A complete replacement and repair of the system was cost-prohibitive within the Service’s Fisheries Program budget. The Service worked closely with the Arizona Game and Fish Department, and many other partners, to find a viable solution for repairing the intake water pipeline at the hatchery. These efforts led to this cost-share partnership agreement.
The Service and the Arizona Game and Fish Commission have a long and productive history of working collaboratively to conserve and manage our nation’s fish and other aquatic resources, including fish species sought by anglers that help support an economically important recreational fishery in Arizona.
“I commend the Arizona Game and Fish Commission for being a partner in this endeavor and providing matching funds for the repair work at the Willow Beach National Fish Hatchery,” said U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Dan Ashe. “With this partnership agreement we will be able to maintain a healthy aquatic environment, restore populations of native fish species, and provide quality recreational fishing opportunities on public waters in Arizona.”
In full agreement, Benjamin Tuggle, Regional Director for the Service’s Southwest Region, added, “This agreement offers a mutually beneficial solution to repairing the water supply at the Willow Beach National Fish Hatchery. As well as being an economic driver, the hatchery is a key element in regional efforts aimed at getting people outdoors and experiencing nature firsthand through the pleasures of fishing. This makes this partnership very important to both the Service and the State of Arizona.”
“This agreement is very important to the angling community in Arizona, which supports approximately 1,700 jobs and generates $75 million in economic activity along the Mohave County/Clark County stretch of the Lower Colorado River,” said Arizona Game and Fish Director Larry Voyles. “I want to commend the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Mohave County Board of Supervisors and local stakeholders for working together with us to find a viable solution to restore trout stocking.
The mission of the Arizona Game and Fish Department is to conserve Arizona’s diverse wildlife resources and manage for safe, compatible outdoor recreation opportunities for current and future generations. Learn more at www.azgfd.gov
