Vermont Fish and Wildlife Dept. (VTFWD) is considering closing down the Salisbury hatchery to meet fiscal goals for 2025. This decision would have a significant impact on our fishing community, as it would result in a halt to statewide fish stocking until new broodstock mature and can produce eggs. This means no catchable sized brook trout stocking for the 2027 and 2028 seasons, and no brown or rainbow trout stocking from 2027 through the end of 2029 season. Fishing is not just a sport in Vermont; it's part of our culture, contributing significantly to our economy and tourism industry. We urge VTFWD to reconsider this decision, find alternative ways to meet their fiscal goals without compromising our fishing heritage.
The hatchery in question is not just a piece of our national history, but also a vital part of Vermont's ecosystem. As a National Historic Site, it requires proper maintenance and curation to preserve its historical significance. Furthermore, it serves as Vermont’s “broodstock station,” producing approximately nine million trout eggs annually. This function is crucial for maintaining the biodiversity of our waters. We don't want to use outsourced eggs. Why are we getting rid of our “seeds” if you will. Majority of Vermonters do not want genetically engineered seeds and they definitely don't want eggs from out of state when we have a rich tradition of “seeds” that will grow into our shared bounty at our tables.
The hatchery also raises and spawns five different trout species for Vermont’s lakes and streams, contributing significantly to the local aquatic life. Moreover, it rears and maintains the oldest and largest fish of the hatchery program which is an essential part of our state's natural heritage.
We must ensure that this important institution continues to operate effectively while preserving its historical value. It's not just about protecting our past; it's about safeguarding our future too. We call on relevant authorities to allocate sufficient resources towards maintaining this historic site while ensuring its continued operation as an essential broodstock station.
The economic impact of fishing in Vermont is significant and growing. In 2018, fishing contributed approximately $141 million to the state's annual economic activity, a notable increase from $131.2 million in 2012. A substantial portion of this contribution is attributed to stocking - $35.4 million in 2018, assuming a stable percentage from its $31.6 million contribution in 2012. Moreover, participation has seen further growth and should be promoted as a reason to visit our state.
These figures underscore the importance of decisions related to fishing and their impact on local communities' economies across Vermont. It is crucial that we recognize and protect this valuable industry for the sake of our state's economy and local livelihoods. We urge decision-makers to consider these facts when making policies affecting fishing activities within our state boundaries. Call your local State Representative, State Senator or the Governor if you stand for protecting and promoting Vermont's economically significant fishing industry.
Sincerely,
Jeremy Ayotte
Fletcher, Vt
Hatchery
Re: Hatchery
Reply from Governor
Office of Governor Phil Scott
109 State Street
Montpelier, VT 05609
governor.vermont.gov
Dear Jeremy:
Thank you for reaching out regarding the proposed closing of the Salisbury Fish Culture Station.
First, we want to note the Salisbury hatchery currently houses Vermont’s “broodstock” trout, the mature trout who produce eggs for the state’s other hatcheries. Salmon eggs come from the Bald Hill Hatchery or Hatchery Brook at Ed Weed Hatchery.
The decision to close the Salisbury hatchery is a difficult one, and one the Department of Fish & Wildlife (Department) has struggled with. It has a long history of good work, and played a role in our robust angling opportunities, which is deeply important to many Vermonters and visitors. This is not a proposal the Department considered lightly, and it’s something we have been trying to resolve for several years.
In 2019, the Department proposed closing the hatchery due to the need for significant capital investments, which were required for the facility to meet water quality standards. The proposal resulted in a conversation with many stakeholders that ultimately resulted in a modest increase in fees ($2 fishing and $5 combo) in order to delay the closing. Those increases raised roughly $150,000 and allowed the State to operate the facility for an additional four years. At no point did the Department, or the Administration, say the fee increase would cover the operational costs and fix the water quality issues for the hatchery indefinitely. The shared understanding was that the increase in fees bought us time.
Additionally, language was inserted into the 2019 budget bill which required the Department of Fish & Wildlife and the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to work together and analyze treatment options and expand in-stream testing downstream of the hatchery to determine whether there were low-cost, low-tech measures that could bring it into compliance. Over the last several years, the Department has worked with a consultant and DEC to reduce nutrient concentrations in the wastewater leaving the hatchery, and a new permit was issued for the facility on January 1, 2023. However, this permit – which allows the hatchery to continue to discharge its wastewater to the nearby stream – is required to be renewed in 2027 at which point the hatchery will need to demonstrate full compliance with all water quality standards.
Given the nutrient pollution that results from fish culturing and the limited capacity of the nearby streams to absorb this waste, as well as downstream obligations related to water quality in Lake Champlain, we are unlikely to meet permit renewal requirements. Preliminary cost estimates to correct this situation and pursue the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit renewal are $10-12 million. This would be an outsized investment to modernize such an aged facility. For context, in order to raise $12 million, we would need to increase every combination and fishing license by an additional $185 per license.
Closing the Salisbury hatchery will undoubtedly have short-term impacts on Vermont anglers, but the Department will examine all options to minimize these impacts. Here are the steps the Department will take:
Transition broodstock trout production to other Vermont hatcheries over the next three to five years.
All the Salisbury brood fish will be stocked into public waters this spring (2024) for fishing opportunities. Existing adult broodstock at Salisbury cannot be transferred to other hatcheries due to fish health protocols and disease concerns (fish eggs can be disinfected and moved, adult fish cannot be disinfected).
Eggs have already been collected at Salisbury for 2024 and 2025 stocking.
Purchasing eggs to replace Salisbury’s eggs production in future years.
Work with neighboring states and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to see if we can acquire fish eggs for low or no cost in the short term.
Continue to evaluate opportunities to raise certain species/strains of broodstock at other hatcheries.
Again, we understand the importance of the Salisbury hatchery as well as the impact closing the facility will have on Vermont anglers. The Department will continue to examine alternatives to minimize the short-term impacts.
Thank you again for reaching out.
Sincerely,
Governor’s Constituent Services Office
Philip B. Scott
Governor of Vermont
Office of Governor Phil Scott
109 State Street
Montpelier, VT 05609
governor.vermont.gov
Dear Jeremy:
Thank you for reaching out regarding the proposed closing of the Salisbury Fish Culture Station.
First, we want to note the Salisbury hatchery currently houses Vermont’s “broodstock” trout, the mature trout who produce eggs for the state’s other hatcheries. Salmon eggs come from the Bald Hill Hatchery or Hatchery Brook at Ed Weed Hatchery.
The decision to close the Salisbury hatchery is a difficult one, and one the Department of Fish & Wildlife (Department) has struggled with. It has a long history of good work, and played a role in our robust angling opportunities, which is deeply important to many Vermonters and visitors. This is not a proposal the Department considered lightly, and it’s something we have been trying to resolve for several years.
In 2019, the Department proposed closing the hatchery due to the need for significant capital investments, which were required for the facility to meet water quality standards. The proposal resulted in a conversation with many stakeholders that ultimately resulted in a modest increase in fees ($2 fishing and $5 combo) in order to delay the closing. Those increases raised roughly $150,000 and allowed the State to operate the facility for an additional four years. At no point did the Department, or the Administration, say the fee increase would cover the operational costs and fix the water quality issues for the hatchery indefinitely. The shared understanding was that the increase in fees bought us time.
Additionally, language was inserted into the 2019 budget bill which required the Department of Fish & Wildlife and the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to work together and analyze treatment options and expand in-stream testing downstream of the hatchery to determine whether there were low-cost, low-tech measures that could bring it into compliance. Over the last several years, the Department has worked with a consultant and DEC to reduce nutrient concentrations in the wastewater leaving the hatchery, and a new permit was issued for the facility on January 1, 2023. However, this permit – which allows the hatchery to continue to discharge its wastewater to the nearby stream – is required to be renewed in 2027 at which point the hatchery will need to demonstrate full compliance with all water quality standards.
Given the nutrient pollution that results from fish culturing and the limited capacity of the nearby streams to absorb this waste, as well as downstream obligations related to water quality in Lake Champlain, we are unlikely to meet permit renewal requirements. Preliminary cost estimates to correct this situation and pursue the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit renewal are $10-12 million. This would be an outsized investment to modernize such an aged facility. For context, in order to raise $12 million, we would need to increase every combination and fishing license by an additional $185 per license.
Closing the Salisbury hatchery will undoubtedly have short-term impacts on Vermont anglers, but the Department will examine all options to minimize these impacts. Here are the steps the Department will take:
Transition broodstock trout production to other Vermont hatcheries over the next three to five years.
All the Salisbury brood fish will be stocked into public waters this spring (2024) for fishing opportunities. Existing adult broodstock at Salisbury cannot be transferred to other hatcheries due to fish health protocols and disease concerns (fish eggs can be disinfected and moved, adult fish cannot be disinfected).
Eggs have already been collected at Salisbury for 2024 and 2025 stocking.
Purchasing eggs to replace Salisbury’s eggs production in future years.
Work with neighboring states and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to see if we can acquire fish eggs for low or no cost in the short term.
Continue to evaluate opportunities to raise certain species/strains of broodstock at other hatcheries.
Again, we understand the importance of the Salisbury hatchery as well as the impact closing the facility will have on Vermont anglers. The Department will continue to examine alternatives to minimize the short-term impacts.
Thank you again for reaching out.
Sincerely,
Governor’s Constituent Services Office
Philip B. Scott
Governor of Vermont
Re: Hatchery
If you message the governor this is the stock reply you will receive. I suggest you contact your state representatives. It will be more effective
Re: Hatchery
Since Phil Scott is citing discharge water quality issues I think it is high time we all band together and raise holy hell about what the City of Burlington has been doing to OUR lake the past fifty years. When Bernie Sanders was mayor close to forty years ago Burlington knew their storm and sewer were combined and there were three phases of remedial construction that were to take place, however only the first phase was completed. As a biproduct of the site restoration there was a section of new bike path created in the new North end and we all know what that has morphed into! The City of Burlington has spent over $50 MILLION on bike path work since then and built a nice trail system along the lake front you can not swim in after every rain event because of bacteria as their sewer system is antiquated. They have been knowingly and blatantly polluting our lake for decades!!
If it is any consolation the sewer plant discharges on the south end of the breakwater and their potable water intake is on the north end, we all know which way the lake flows so give them an A plus for recycling their runoff!!
I have reached out to my local Reps., only Michael Morgan got back to me via email AND phone call and assured me there are some who are fighting to keep the hatchery open and they are still debating it (as of Wed evening).
Pat
If it is any consolation the sewer plant discharges on the south end of the breakwater and their potable water intake is on the north end, we all know which way the lake flows so give them an A plus for recycling their runoff!!
I have reached out to my local Reps., only Michael Morgan got back to me via email AND phone call and assured me there are some who are fighting to keep the hatchery open and they are still debating it (as of Wed evening).
Pat