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Project Titles:
- Replace Raceway Covers 6 & 9 (FFS #R4PF)
- Replace Raceway Cover 5 (FFS #R4PG)
- Replace 62 Energy Inefficient Lights (FFS #R4QJ)
State: Tennessee
Initial Project Description: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS, the Service) will use American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act) funds to replace raceway covers 5,6, and 9 at Erwin Nation Fish Hatchery (NFH). Raceways are the large concrete troughs where hatchery personnel raise fish.
The Service contracted with Weather Port, Inc. to build and install three large white vinyl shelters to cover and protect the raceways. The covers should be installed by the end of September 2009.
According to Hatchery Manager, John Robinette, “The custom-made tents not only provide shade for the fish, they protect them from fish-eating birds. They also save [the Hatchery] money by reducing predation, replacement fish, and fish food. This small investment will provide a major benefit for the fish industry, keeping people working and research moving forward.” In addition, Robinette noted, “These shelters also eliminate contact with fish-eating birds, preventing the introduction of any contamination or diseases.”
The Service also awarded $7,700 in Recovery Act funds to Beebe Commissioning of Birmingham, Alabama to replace 62 light fixtures in two hatchery buildings at Erwin NFH.
The Service established Erwin NFH in 1897. The hatchery produces 10-14 million disease-free rainbow trout eggs annually for federal, state, and tribal hatcheries throughout the nation. Erwin NFH also provides eggs to research centers and universities. More than 50,000 people visit the hatchery in eastern Tennessee every year.
August 2011 Project Update: Beebe Commissioning completed the replacement of 62 light fixtures at Erwin NFH in spring 2010. According to Robinette, “The old fluorescent fixtures needed frequent parts replacement. The new system, a technology called T8 lighting, is more energy-efficient, provides better lighting, and is more environmentally friendly because it uses less mercury in the bulbs. The upgrade in efficiency will [also] save the hatchery money on utility bills.”
Weather Port, Inc. completed the construction and installation of two raceway covers, to cover raceways 6 and 9, in October 2009. The new covers protect the fish in the raceways from diseases associated with fish-eating birds. According to Robinette, “If viruses were to hit our hatchery, the hatcheries we support could not use the eggs we produce.”
Recovery Act funds enabled the Service to start the project to cover raceway 5; the project will be completed with non-Recovery Act funds.
Photos:
 Erwin National Fish Hatchery shelters to be replaced with Recovery Act funding |
Want to learn more? Visit the Erwin National Fish Hatchery website!
Originally posted 09/24/2009
Updated 09/30/2009
Updated 10/13/2010
Page Completed 08/18/2011
