Current Status Bill Number:708 Type of Legislation:Concurrent Resolution CR Introducing Body:Senate Introduced Date:19950405 Primary Sponsor:Alexander All Sponsors:Alexander and Martin Drafted Document Number:gjk\21655sd.95 Residing Body:House Current Committee:Invitations and Memorial Resolutions Committee 24 HIMR Subject:Walhalla National Fish Hatchery, Oconee County
Body Date Action Description Com Leg Involved ______ ________ _______________________________________ _______ ____________ House 19950426 Introduced, referred to Committee 24 HIMR Senate 19950425 Adopted, sent to House Senate 19950420 Committee report: Favorable 07 SFGF Senate 19950405 Introduced, referred to Committee 07 SFGFView additional legislative information at the LPITS web site.
COMMITTEE REPORT
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.
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.