Corps awards trout supply contract

PORTLAND, Ore. – Desert Springs Trout Farm of Summer Lake, Oregon, was awarded a nearly $1.3 million contract by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to supply trout to offset the impacts of dams in the Willamette Valley, the agency announced today. 

Desert Springs has experience providing live fish to the state and delivering to water bodies throughout Oregon. They have worked with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife in the past and are familiar with the state’s permitting process and standards for fish production.
 
“Desert Springs’ proposal met the federal government’s requirements at a cost that provides the best value to taxpayers,” said Tammy Mackey, Portland District Fish Section chief. “They have worked with ODFW in recent years and we feel confident that they will provide good stock that will meet the expectations of Oregon anglers and fish managers.”

The contract is for trout supply and delivery only; it does not include hatchery facilities. The Corps determined earlier this year that the Leaburg Hatchery on the McKenzie River will not be used to produce trout. While hatchery’s future is still under consideration it is still in use. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is still caring for fish being grown in the facility and will release them when appropriate. 

The Corps recently awarded contracts to ODFW to operate four Willamette Valley hatcheries and the Cole M. Rivers hatchery in the Rogue River Basin. Those contracts went into effect Sept. 1, and include services such as fish production and release, marking and tagging of fish, and fish health services.

Earlier this year, the Corps issued a $51,000 contract to the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation to assist in producing and releasing fall Chinook in the Umatilla River.