Project Titles:

• Replace Walkways (FFS #R1PJ)
• Energy Efficiency Project (FFS #R1PK)

State: Oregon

Project Description: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, an agency of the Department of the Interior, has overseen the completion of two facility improvement projects at the Eagle Creek National Fish Hatchery as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The two projects were funded by $345,282 in stimulus dollars.

Combined Effort, Inc., a grading, underground utility and general contracting company based in Jamestown, California, used $175,418 to replace deteriorating walkways on the Hatchery’s raceways. Five Rivers Construction, a commercial and industrial construction company based in Longview, Washington, used $169,864 for a series of energy improvement upgrades, including the replacement of the Hatchery’s Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system.

“The walkways were a safety problem since at least 2007, and the primary goal of their replacement is safer work conditions for employees,” Eagle Creek Manager Larry Telles said. “In inclement weather the walkways become slick and it becomes even more of an issue. When we are actually in the ponds, the supports for the existing covers and feeders are too low and make it very difficult to crowd fish. Because we are often operating with a bare-bones staff, it becomes critical that the employees we do have are safe from injury or accident.”

The old raceway walkways were 12 inches wide, six short of the minimum Occupational and Safety Health Administration standard of 18 inches. In addition to their increased width, the new walkways are also designed to be more ergonomic and durable than the old 12-inch walkways.

Five Rivers Construction completed energy improvements including the rehabilitation of antiquated electrical wiring, doors, windows and energy inefficient light fixtures in the hatchery building. In addition, the HVAC system was replaced and insulation was added to improve energy efficiency of the heating system.

“We replaced the HVAC systems and added new windows, so we now have better moisture control in the building, and hatchery nursery rooms,” Telles said. “With the work geared toward energy efficiency we should see significant energy savings as well.”

The Eagle Creek National Fish Hatchery fish production program is vital to the Nez Perce Tribe’s coho salmon restoration program in the Clearwater River, and the Yakama Nation’s coho restoration in the Yakima drainage.

Photos:

Press Releases: California and Washington companies awarded a combined $335,000 in stimulus funding for upgrades at Eagle Creek National Fish Hatchery

Originally posted 05/12/2010
Page Completed 03/21/2011