October 2001
Contact: Doug Williams (360) 902-2256

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is considering expanding its Chelan Fish Hatchery through the purchase of 227-acre parcel of land. The land, known as the Dole property, essentially surrounds the existing hatchery facility.

By purchasing the property, WDFW hopes to expand and improve its existing hatchery operations, which are critical for popular Columbia Basin freshwater fisheries, as well as preserve and enhance critical fish and wildlife habitat and make it available for a variety of public recreational and educational purposes.

The Washington State Legislature this year appropriated $786,000 to WDFW to purchase the property. The Department presently is having the property appraised, a process that could take several months.

Once the appraisal is complete and the property has been toured by WDFW Director Jeff Koenings, the Director and the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission will determine whether to move ahead with the purchase.

Currently, about 19 acres of the 227 acres is used as an orchard. The remaining land is not being used, although some of it previously had been planted as orchard.

The existing Chelan Fish Hatchery produces hundreds of thousands of trout for some of the most significant recreational fishing opportunities in eastern Washington.

Fry ranging in size from just a few fractions of an ounce all the way up to legal-sized fish are reared at the facility, including German brown, eastern brook, kokanee, rainbow and cutthroat trout. These fish are distributed throughout the Columbia River basin.

Purchase of the Dole property would allow the hatchery to have expanded use of spring water that runs through the property to raise more trout and salmon, including fish stocks protected under the federal Endangered Species Act.

Besides water for expanded hatchery operations, the Dole property holds tremendous fish and wildlife value. The parcel, which has more than one mile of Columbia River frontage, includes both a spring and creek that could be developed and restored to improve critical habitat for native fish and wildlife species.

In addition, numerous species currently protected under state and federal Endangered Species Act rules use the Dole property. Endangered spring chinook salmon and summer steelhead spawn and rear in the hatchery outlet stream on the Dole property. Other listed species that use the property include western gray squirrels, bald eagles, and coho salmon.

Acquisition of the property would also provide WDFW with an opportunity to make improvements to the land to provide for these species and others.

In addition to increased fishing opportunity, expanded hatchery operations and fish and wildlife habitat restoration on the property could also be expected to provide economic benefits to the local and regional economy through increased tourist revenue.

The hatchery and adjoining property are highly visible, sitting along heavily-traveled U.S. Highway 97. The hatchery already hosts a significant number of visitors each year. By making improvements to the hatchery facility and adjoining land, including interpretive signage, viewpoints, trails and other amenities, the number of visitors would undoubtedly increase.

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