Game and Fish highlights fisheries infrastructure needs and Jamestown aquatic nuisance species lab

The Game and Fish Department told the committee that fisheries infrastructure — specifically pond liners, pumps and maintenance of cooperative hatchery operations — remains a pressing one-time capital need.

Administrative Services Division Chief Brian Hossick said the department owns about 40 ponds that require liner replacement on a rotational basis and that pond pumps are aging. He described one-time decision-package requests for pond liners and pumps and noted the department’s cooperative reliance on the Garrison Dam National Fish Hatchery for production, calling the partnership an important element of fish stocking efforts.

Hossick said pond-liner life spans are roughly a 10-year cycle depending on conditions and that the department has been working incrementally to replace liners. He added that the Jamestown aquatic nuisance species (ANS) lab and a related bunkhouse/storage project were completed following prior-session approvals and that costs for construction and repairs have changed rapidly.

On aquatic nuisance species work, the department described staffing and inspection activities supported by three ANS fisheries biologists and enforcement inspections at boat ramps and cleaning stations. Hossick also noted recent high stocking numbers: the department reported nearly 14 million fish stocked (second-highest on record) and said that one recent law (House Bill 1538) created a continuing appropriation to fund fishing-development projects such as piers and cleaning stations.

Lawmakers asked whether Jamestown remains the primary ANS operations center; the department confirmed Jamestown remains in operation and described continued monitoring and enforcement work.