ARRA4-Big Springs Tribal Fish Hatchery $6,000,000
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: Cost of the facility and equipment was initially estimated at more than $8 million. Bids for construction came in lower than expected. Construction agreements have been signed. Site excavation continues. Foundations are being poured. Footings for the administration building are complete. The Ute Tribe has placed an information kiosk at the Big Springs Campground area. (Click on "Photos" to view).
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 $1,700,000
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: Agreements to construct raceway covers at the Whiterocks State Fish Hatchery and to modify or replace diversions along the Duchesne River have been signed. The contract for the Whiterocks job was awarded following interviews with three prequalified firms. A stream alteration permit has been received for the Duchesne River stream bank rehabilitation. Solicitation to perform the work is being advertised the first few weeks in August. Solicitations to construct angler access parking lots and stone monuements are being advertised concurrently.

-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 $535,000
Funds will be used for improvements and rehabilitation of existing June sucker fish culture facilities. Implementation will assist in the 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: 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. The Utah Division of Facilities and Construction Management is overseeing this project and is awaiting preliminary statement of qualifications from a private engineering firm. No award has been made. A draft project design and construction plan is under review.

-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 $260,000
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 for restoring native vegetation, noxious weed control, and constructing a maintenance/storage building for the Utah Lake Wetlands Preserve, a project to acquire, conserve and restore 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 has been signed. A contractor has been selected and is constructing the wetland boardwalk. Solar panels should arrive at the Center soon. Project completion is scheduled for December 2009. Funds have also been obligated to construct a maintenance/storage building at Utah Lake Wetlands Preserve and to help with weed control at the Provo River Restoration Project.

-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 $270,000
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 construct a building for storage and for maintenance and repair of supplies and equipment used at the LDWP, such as for weed and mosquito control. Other funded activities include noxious Russian olive removal and control. [Click here for more information about the Lower Duchesne River Wetlands Project ]

News: A new agreement and draft scope of work has been finalized with the Ute Indian Tribe to use Recovery Act funds on these aspects of the Lower Duchesne River Wetlands Mitigation project.