S 0708 Concurrent Resolution, By Alexander and Martin

Similar(H 3721)
 A Concurrent Resolution memorializing the Congress of the United States to
 provide sufficient funding over a five-year period for the State of South
 Carolina to take over the ownership and operation of the Walhalla National
 Fish Hatchery in Oconee County which the United States Fish and Wildlife
 Service of the Department of the Interior is scheduled to close in November,
 1995, or in the alternative, Congress is requested to continue to provide
 sufficient federal funding to keep open and operate this unique resource.

   04/05/95  Senate Introduced SJ-9
   04/05/95  Senate Referred to Committee on Fish, Game and Forestry SJ-9
   04/20/95  Senate Committee report: Favorable Fish, Game and
                     Forestry SJ-17
   04/25/95  Senate Adopted, sent to House SJ-33
   04/26/95  House  Introduced HJ-12
   04/26/95  House  Referred to Committee on Invitations and Memorial
                     Resolutions HJ-12

April 20, 1995

S. 708

S. Printed 4/20/95--S.

Read the first time April 5, 1995.

To whom was referred a Concurrent Resolution (S. 708), memorializing the Congress of the United States to provide sufficient funding, etc., respectfully

That they have duly and carefully considered the same, and recommend that the same do pass:

DONALD H. HOLLAND, for Committee.

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

MEMORIALIZING THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES TO PROVIDE SUFFICIENT FUNDING OVER A FIVE-YEAR PERIOD FOR THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA TO TAKE OVER THE OWNERSHIP AND OPERATION OF THE WALHALLA NATIONAL FISH HATCHERY IN OCONEE COUNTY WHICH THE UNITED STATES FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR IS SCHEDULED TO CLOSE IN NOVEMBER, 1995, OR IN THE ALTERNATIVE, CONGRESS IS REQUESTED TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE SUFFICIENT FEDERAL FUNDING TO KEEP OPEN AND OPERATE THIS UNIQUE RESOURCE.

Whereas, the members of the General Assembly are very concerned to learn that beginning with its 1995-96 fiscal year, the federal government will not provide funding for the continued operation of the Walhalla National Fish Hatchery in Oconee County; and

Whereas, this fish hatchery has been owned and operated by the federal government for over sixty years and is the sole source of trout used to stock the streams, lakes, and rivers of South Carolina; and

Whereas, the economic impact of closing this fish hatchery would be devastating to South Carolina and our adjoining sister states and would adversely impact the economy of the Upstate region of our State where many communities rely heavily on hunting and fishing and the tourism and sportsmen it brings; and

Whereas, the State of South Carolina is very desirous of taking over ownership and control of the Walhalla National Fish Hatchery if it is closed. However, because of the high initial cost, South Carolina would need a five-year transition period in which the federal government would provide funding for the State to take over this facility, and thereafter the cost of operating this facility would be solely the responsibility of the State; and

Whereas, the members of the General Assembly, by this resolution, declare their belief that this unique wildlife resource should be saved and maintained for the benefit of future generations, and that the alternatives to closing this facility as contained in this resolution should be utilized. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:

That the members of the General Assembly, hereby memorialize the Congress of the United States to provide sufficient funding over a five-year period for the State of South Carolina to take over the ownership and operation of the Walhalla National Fish Hatchery in Oconee County which the United States Fish and Wildlife Service of the Department of Interior is scheduled to close in November, 1995, or in the alternative, Congress is requested to continue to provide sufficient federal funding to keep open and operate this unique resource.

Be it further resolved that copies of this resolution be forwarded to the United States Senate, the United States House of Representatives, and the members of South Carolina's Congressional Delegation.