For Release: Friday, September 18, 2009
Commissioner Grannis Holds Groundbreaking Ceremony at Rome Fish Hatchery
Renovations Will Renew State's 2nd Largest Hatchery, Enhance Visitors' Experience
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Pete Grannis today held a ceremonial groundbreaking at the Rome Fish Hatchery in Oneida County, hailing the renovation of one of the state's largest and most productive hatcheries.
"Our hatcheries serve as facilities for rearing fish, but also as a place for the public to interact with DEC staff and learn more about our diverse natural resources," Commissioner Grannis said. "The renovation of the Rome Fish Hatchery will provide state-of-the-art facilities and a new visitors' center to help enhance the hatchery's operations as well as the experiences of the many people who come to see our staff and fish each year."
Located just north of the city of Rome, the hatchery was built on the old Black River Canal bed and was acquired by the state in 1932. The hatchery has annual production totaling nearly 160,000 pounds of brook, rainbow and brown trout.
The renovation involves the demolition and replacement of the building that currently serves as the hatchery's main office and "early-rearing" facility. Demolition has been under way in recent weeks and the construction of the new building will begin shortly. Last year, as part of several measures to improve hatchery operations, DEC enclosed four series of raceways at the Rome hatchery to reduce fish losses from bird predation.
A feature of the new building will be a small visitors' center that will provide information about the fish raised at the hatchery, as well as opportunities to see the various life stages of fish raised at the hatchery. The facility, like other DEC hatcheries across the state, hosts many school groups, community groups and other visitors looking for insight into the biology and logistics of raising fish. The new visitors' center is expected to have an aquarium and other educational materials for the public to enjoy.
DEC operates 12 hatcheries, each specializing in raising one or more fish species. Every year, the hatcheries release more than 1 million pounds of fish into more than 1,000 lakes, ponds, streams and rivers across New York. Fish are stocked for two main purposes: to restore native species and to enhance public fishing.
The Rome hatchery is one of DEC's largest and supplies fish for more than 350 public waterways in an 11-county area. Hatchery personnel travel to deliver fish to designated stocking sites, including playing a major role in providing fish for airplane and helicopter stocking of remote waters.
According to DEC's most recent survey, anglers spent an estimated 18.7 million days fishing New York's freshwaters in 2007. New York's resident and non-resident anglers collectively spent an estimated $331 million at fishing sites, and an estimated $202 million en route to fishing sites. More information about DEC fish hatcheries can be found at FAQ page and at fish hatchery main page.
State Senator Joseph A. Griffo said: "Sound development and maintenance of New York's waterways requires research and accurate knowledge of what resources are available, what populations are sustainable and what methods are appropriate for harvest and enhancement. New York DEC's mandate is to keep accurate surveys of stock abundance and the most up-to-date scientific analysis of the conditions in every fishery. DEC has one of the most tightly regulated fisheries program in the nation and I commend Commissioner Grannis, Regional Director Judy Drabicki and Fisheries Bureau Chief Steve Hurst for making this improvement to this fishery and sticking to their commitment to keep New York's waterways and aquatic ecosystems healthy, safe, and sustainable."
"The new visitors' center that is part of these renovations will be an excellent resource to educate school groups, sportsmen, and the general public about the DEC and its role in raising fish," Assemblywoman RoAnn M. Destito said. "It also is an asset to promote tourism to the Mohawk Valley region. I would like to congratulate Commissioner Grannis and the DEC staff on this very significant expansion project for this historic hatchery."
Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente, Jr., said: "The Rome Fish Hatchery has long been an important way that the people of Oneida County are able to learn about the environment and the great outdoors. At a time when we need to help our young people learn more about the environment, the new visitors center will help schools and families increase their understanding of the importance of protecting the environment, and also introduce them to the sport of fishing. The Adirondacks and the outdoors are large parts of our region's great quality of life. I want to thank Commissioner Grannis and DEC for this investment in the Rome Fish Hatchery so that more people can experience a blend of education and enjoyment."
