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Project Titles:
- Enhance Energy-Efficiency and Add Photovoltaic Solar Panels to Visitor Facility (FFS #R3RA)
- Install Solar Water Heating Systems (FFS #R3DB)
State: Missouri
Project Description: The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 is supporting a portion of the effort to construct a new visitor center at the nation’s oldest operational federal fish hatchery, Neosho National Fish Hatchery (NFH) in southwest Missouri. The 9,200 sq. ft. visitor center is expected to accommodate more than 100,000 visitors per year, enhance environmental education and interpretation opportunities, and generate economic benefits for Newton County and surrounding areas.
Recovery Act funding will enable Neosho NFH to convert the visitor center into an energy-efficient, LEED-certified facility and install photovoltaic solar panels. The Neosho National Fish Hatchery faced potential closure in the 1980s. More than 20 years later, the construction and operation of the new visitor center is expected to generate local economic benefits in the local community through enhanced tourism revenues and associated employment opportunities.
“This is not a hatchery of the past, this is a hatchery of the future,” said Acting Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Rowan Gould. “The improvements to the hatchery’s visitor center are an investment on environmental stewardship, local economic growth, and show how conservation agencies are taking steps to reduce their own carbon footprint, ” said Gould. “As conservation agents, it is our responsibility to serve as a model to Americans as we work to reduce our carbon footprint locally, and everywhere we are working, from coast to coast.”
The new visitor center will enhance community education about aquatic resources, and at the same time enhance the energy-efficiency of daily hatchery operations.
Neosho NFH was established in 1888 and is the oldest operating federal fish hatchery. The hatchery raises endangered pallid sturgeon for recovery efforts in the lower Missouri River and rainbow trout for stocking in Lake Taneycomo. The hatchery also supports conservation of the endangered Ozark cavefish and restoration of native mussels.
For additional information about Neosho National Fish Hatchery, visit the Neosho NFH website.
View the Neosho National Fish Hatchery groundbreaking podcast.
View the Neosho National Fish Hatchery groundbreaking invitation.
Visit Neosho Daily News’ Web site to view the Neosho National Fish Hatchery groundbreaking slide show.
Photos:
 Aerial view of Neosho NFH before Recovery Act project work |
News Releases:
Neosho National Fish Hatchery Breaks Ground for New Energy Efficient Visitor Center
Originally posted 07/29/2009
Updated 08/07/2009
Updated 08/10/2009
