FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: John Truscott
March 27, 1998 (517) 335-6397
A nationally recognized aquatic engineering firm with over 150 projects in 35 states to its credit has been selected for the renovation of Michigan's fish hatchery system, Governor John Engler announced today.
FishPro Consulting Engineers & Scientists, of Springfield, Ill., submitted the low bid for the $18.3 million project, which includes construction of new facilities at the Oden Hatchery in northwest Michigan and renovation of five other hatcheries across the state.
"Maintaining water quality is critical to maintaining quality fisheries, and FishPro's experience in the planning and design of cold water fish hatcheries will be essential to the success of this important project," Governor Engler said. "I'm especially pleased that FishPro's project team includes planning, engineering and construction services of three excellent Michigan-based firms."
Joining FishPro on the project are JJR, Inc. of Ann Arbor, NTH Consultants of Farmington Hills, and Snell Environmental Group of Lansing.
Recreational fishing is big business in Michigan - opportunities created by stocking result in a return of $74 to Michigan's economy for every dollar spent on hatchery operations - and the Governor said the presence of area firms will ensure that the design becomes a model of how a state produces quality fish stocks without adverse impacts to the surrounding environment.
Department of Natural Resources Director K.L. Cool said FishPro will provide all the aquaculture engineering and bioengineering required to complete the vast array of projects included in the statewide hatchery renovations project.
"This team brings special expertise in hydrogeology, environmental studies, mitigation planning and permitting, and local surveying and rural architectural design," Cool said. "Their biologists and planners have discussed project specifics with hatchery managers, they have visited the hatcheries, and they have an excellent understanding of our project goals and objectives. It's a good fit."
Cool said all the bids submitted were strong, "but FishPro's track record in hatchery design and planning ensures that the entire hatchery package will provide 21st century effluent management for our hatchery system."
Six state-owned hatcheries currently produce nearly 1 million pounds of fish annually for stocking of Great Lakes and inland lakes, rivers and streams. The state sells nearly 2 million fishing licenses a year and annual fishing expenditures are estimated at almost $2 billion.
The hatchery package, announced last August by Governor Engler, will:
Completely renovate the Oden hatchery in Emmet County by replacing existing hatchery buildings, offices and outdoor raceways. Estimated cost: $9.5 million.
Partially renovation the Platte River hatchery in Benzie County, including drilling two new wells to increase water quantity and improve water quality used in rearing fish, removal of all outdoor raceways, and reconstruction flow through raceways. Estimated cost: $7.5 million.
Improve water quality at Marquette and Thompson State hatcheries, including adding travel water screens to remove debris at Marquette and drilling a new well and rebuilding the aeration chamber at Thompson. Estimated cost: $545,000.
Improve effluent management at Harrietta and Wolf Lake hatcheries by renovating the settling ponds at both facilities. Estimated cost: $490,000.
Implement education initiatives at Marquette, Thompson and Harrietta hatcheries by completing the interpretive facility at Marquette and renovating the interpretive facilities at the other two sites. Estimated cost: $250,000.