ARRA4-Big Springs Tribal Fish Hatchery $5,500,000
Funds are being used to construct the Big Springs Tribal Fish Hatchery [click here for more info about the Hatchery], a coldwater fish hatchery located on Tribal Trust lands. Majority of the construction will be complete by December 2009, with any remaining items finished in summer 2010. Upon completion the hatchery will produce up to 16,000 pounds of fish annually, which will be used to stock fishing waters on the Uintah and Ouray Indian Reservation and to augment native cutthroat trout populations in the region. The hatchery will be owned and operated by the Ute Indian Tribe and meets the commitment to the Ute Tribe in accordance with the Fish Hatchery Production Plan.

News: Construction was initiated in June 2009. The water supply intake pipeline was installed from the hatchery site (the head tank) to a manhole about 150' from the creek. The diversion structure is being pre-cast off-site, will be installed next week. The Roof was completed on Residence #2 except for one panel. Finished installing cedar siding on the Administration building. Administration Building ceiling tile and light installation is ongoing (see photos). Ceramic tile has been delivered and will be installed next week. The Ute Tribe has placed a hatchery information kiosk at the Big Springs Campground area.
Click here to read a Uintah Basin Standard June 16, 2009 news article

-Click here to download the Agreement between the Mitigation Commission and the Ute Indian Tribe for ARRA Construction of the Big Springs Tribal Hatchery
-Click here to download the MOA among the Mitigation Commission, U.S. Department of the Interior and Ute Indian Tribe for Hatchery Construction

ARRA5-Fisheries Development and Enhancement $1,886,553
This project includes constructing covers over outdoor raceways at the Whiterocks State Fish Hatchery [click here for more info about this Hatchery], modifying or replacing two major diversion structures that impair fish migration and stream function on the Duchesne River, and completing parking areas and related facilities to provide public access to many miles of stream acquired for mitigiation on the Strawberry, Duchesne and middle Provo Rivers. Implementation supports fish production, angling opportunities and provides needed mitigation for Central Utah Project (CUP) construction activities.
[Click here for more information about our angler access and diversion dam modification programs along the Strawberry and Duchesne Rivers]
[Click here for more info about our angler access program along the restored middle Provo River (PRRP)]

News: The contract for the Whiterocks job was awarded on August 6. Site excavation began in October. The project is 65% complete (see photos). All of the building framework and the west side wall have been installed. The Contractor is now planning on only a 4 week erection schedule, weather dependent; construction completion is on schedule for the week of March 25. Replacement of two major Duchesne River diversions, "Tabby" and "Jasper Pike", is nearly completed. The contractor completed placing boulder clusters in the channel at the Jasper-Pike site. Rock protection and instream boulders continue being placed at the New Tabby site (see photos). The contractor plans to finish everything except for re-seeding by the end of February. Contracts for angler access enhancements and Duchesne River streambank improvements were awarded the last week in September 2009 and all that work is now complete. Stone monuments were constructed for the Provo River Restoration Project (see photos). And construction on three angler parking areas has been completed [click here to download the Final Inspection Report for two parking areas near Starvation Reservoir].

-Click here to download the Agreement between the Mitigation Commission and the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources for ARRA Raceway Cover Construction at Whiterocks State Fish Hatchery
-Click here to download the ARRA Construction Agreement between the Mitigation Commission and the Duchesne Water Conservancy District for the Rehabilitation and/or Replacement of Two Diversion Structures on the Duchesne River, Utah

ARRA6-June Sucker Recovery $500,000
Funds will be used for improvements and rehabilitation of existing June sucker fish culture facilities. An agreement to design and construct improvements to June sucker facilities located at the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Fisheries Experiment Station in Logan, Utah, has been signed. A recirculating system, among other things, is needed to allow better management of water quality and temperature within the hatchery, which will substantially improve growth and health of June sucker raised at the complex. Utah Division of Wildlife Resources assumed responsibility to rehabilitate/repair/replace several facility items with their own funding, so that ARRA funds will be used exclusively for a recirculation system. This project's implementation will assist in recovery of the endangered June sucker by improving the propagation, production and care of the June sucker for reintroduction into Utah Lake.
[Click here for more information about our cooperation in the June Sucker Recovery Plan]
[Click here for more information about our proposed warm water sportfish and native aquatic species hatchery]

News: Utah Division of Wildlife Resources is responsible for design and construction oversight. The bid opening was February 17, 2010. The contract will be awarded when negotiations are finalized, hopefully within two weeks. The current schedule is for the selected contractor to begin work at the end of February after the contract is awarded. Additional funds may be needed to complete the project. Completion is expected by July 31, 2010.

-Click here to download the Agreement between the Mitigation Commission and the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources for ARRA June Sucker Facility Improvements - Fisheries Experiment Station

ARRA7-Wetlands Conservation and Mitigation $516,430
This project will include wetland rehabilitation and facility construction, including completion of solar panels, a viewing/interpretive trail, a boardwalk, and a wetland education center. Funds will also be used to restore native vegetation and for noxious weed control on the Provo River Restoration Project. A maintenance/storage building will also be constructed for the Utah Lake Wetlands Preserve, which consists of acquired, conserved and restored wetlands near the shores of Utah Lake, a central hub of CUP's water distribution netowork.
[Click here for more information about our wetlands education programs and the Utah Botanical Center ]
[Click here to link to our Utah Lake Wetlands Preserve project page]

News: An agreement to develop "Wetland Discovery Point" at Utah State University's Utah Botanical Center [click here to download poster] was signed and this project is complete as per authorized funding (see photos). The building was officially certified 'Leed Platinum' by the U.S. Green Building Council. An additional $100,000 was obligated so that USU can procure two more solar panel arrays, which will allow demonstration of a completely solar-powered visitor center. Panel installation is several weeks out. Final design drawings are complete for constructing a maintenance/storage building at the Utah Lake Wetlands Preserve. The job is expected to be awarded in February with construction beginning in March. The project to help with weed control at the Provo River Restoration Project has been completed.

-Click here to download the ARRA Agreement between the Utah Botanical Center/Utah State University and the Mitigation Commission for Developing the Utah Botanical Center's Wetland Discovery Point

ARRA8-Lower Duchesne Wetlands $100,000
CUP's Strawberry Aqueduct and Collection System (SACS) develops water supplies in the western portion of the Duchesne River drainage for delivery to populated areas along Utah's Wasatch Front. SACS construction and operation caused wetland losses along the Duchesne River. Affected lands along the Duchesne River are largely owned by the United States and held in trust for the Ute Indian Tribe or individual Tribal members. The Lower Duchesne River Wetlands Mitigation Project (LDWP) provides mitigation of the wetland losses caused by SACS and also fulfills other commitments made to the Ute Indian Tribe for contributing a portion of their water supply to the CUP. LDWP includes wetland enhancement and creation within proposed management areas. Recovery Act funding will be used to purchase equipment used at the LDWP for weed control. Removal and control of Russian olive is a major componenet of the Project. [Click here for more information about the Lower Duchesne River Wetlands Project ]

News: An agreement has been finalized with the Ute Indian Tribe to use Recovery Act funds on these aspects of the Lower Duchesne River Wetlands Mitigation project. A copy of the signed agreement is forthcoming.