[ODFW-News] Fish Restoration and Enhancement Program funds new angler parking lot at Alsea Fish Hatchery

[ODFW News]

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
Contact: Information and Education 503-947-6002 or toll-free within
Oregon at 800-720-6339 
Web: www.dfw.state.or.us 

For immediate release	Thursday, October 14, 2004

Fish Restoration and Enhancement Program funds  new angler parking lot
at Alsea Fish Hatchery

ALSEA - Steelhead anglers will find more and better parking at Alsea
Hatchery this season as a result of a new parking lot funded with a
$30,000 grant from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife's Fish
Restoration and Enhancement Program.

The upper North Fork of the Alsea River at the hatchery attracts a
large number of anglers each year in search of winter steelhead. This
has resulted in an overflow of vehicles parked on an adjacent county
road, causing potential safety concerns. 

Construction of the approximately 40-space lot began in early October.
The project will be completed prior to the start of the December winter
steelhead fishing season. Vegetation will be planted around the parking
area to serve as a visual barrier for nearby homeowners, and a kiosk
with angler and hatchery information will be installed. In addition to
the new parking lot, Fish Restoration and Enhancement funds also will be
used to repair and upgrade the hatchery's two existing parking areas.

Benton County is performing the construction work. "Their partnership
has made it very easy for us to accomplish this project," said
hatchery manager Matt Frank.

The Alsea Hatchery is a favorite location for winter steelhead anglers
and offers excellent fishing opportunities. The peak time for winter
steelhead is December through February. Anglers are successful with
bait, lures and flies, fishing from the bank or wading.

"There are opportunities to catch some large steelhead here, up to 17
pounds," said Frank. "We have one fly angler who fishes here
regularly who has 20-fish days."

The Fish Restoration and Enhancement Program was created by the Oregon
Legislature in 1989 and is funded by a surcharge on sport and commercial
fishing licenses and commercial poundage fees. The program is overseen
by a seven-member citizen board that reviews proposals and makes funding
recommendations to the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission for fish
restoration and enhancement projects throughout the state. 

For additional information about the Alsea Hatchery project call
hatchery manager Matt Frank at 541-487-7240. For more information on the
Fish Restoration and Enhancement Program, or to view information
regarding current R&E Program applications, visit
www.dfw.state.or.us/ODFWhtml/InfoCntrFish/RnEProgram/R&EHistory.html,
or call program coordinator Gary Galovich at 503-947-6232.

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