FISHERIES SECTION ANNUAL REPORT Fiscal Year 2000 July 1, 1999 - June 30, 2000 Wildlife Resources Division Department of Natural Resources Social Circle, Georgia Table of Contents SUBJECT PAGE Overview of Fisheries Section activities 1 Map of Fisheries Section region boundaries 2 Appendices: A. Facts about fishing in Georgia, fisheries related revenues earned, 6 and Fisheries Section expenditures B. Private waters management 10 C. Public waters management 13 D. Trout production and distribution 17 E. Warmwater hatchery production and distribution 22 F. Public fishing area operation 27 G. Resource studies 29 H. Maintenance and construction 32 Fisheries Section Activities Fishing is the most popular wildlife-related activity in Georgia, enjoyed by every age. Around 1.15 million resident anglers use the State's diverse freshwater fishery that offers more than 4,000 miles of trout streams, 12,000 miles of warmwater streams wider than 10 feet, and 500,000 acres of impoundments. Anglers spend more than $1.12 billion yearly on fishing in Georgia with an economic impact of almost $2.3 billion generating an estimated 27,800 jobs. Programs of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Wildlife Resources Division (WRD), Fisheries Section (Section) during fiscal year 2000 (FY2000) included management of public waters, development and management of public fishing areas, technical guidance on private waters, development and maintenance of boating-access facilities, production and stocking of trout and warmwater fish, aquatic education services, and survey projects and studies designed to benefit these resources. The Section's activities are funded primarily through license fees which are appropriated annually from the general fund by the State Legislature and from Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Funds derived from a user tax on fishing tackle and motorboat fuel. Detailed information on the Section's activities and costs are itemized in Appendices A - H. The Section's programs are administered from WRD headquarters near Social Circle and from seven regional offices (Figure 1). Issues of water quality and quantity continue to be of major concern for the Section. The seriousness of these issues across the state was accentuated in FY2000 due to the continuing drought. The Tri-State Comprehensive Study is the focal point for these issues in the Chattahoochee-Flint and Coosa-Tallapoosa river basins. Ground water use, quantity and quality of spring flows and instream flow are major points of concern in the lower Flint River basin due to the precariously low population of the Gulf Coast strain of striped bass juxtaposed with the increasing demand for water by agricultural, municipal and industrial interests in this basin. Similar issues are being considered as part of the Environmental Protection Division's (EPD) legislatively mandated river basin planning process in other river basins. The Section participated on the Tri-State Comprehensive Study Committee and reviewed and provided information to EPD on the river basin planning process. The Section is partnering with the U.S. Corps of Engineers by participating on the harbor committee to study striped bass habitat restoration in the lower Savannah River. This once thriving self-sustaining population continues to be seriously impacted by a number of past and present water quality and habitat degradations. Population restoration efforts have recently increased the striped bass population, but recovery continues to be threatened by proposed habitat alteration projects such as harbor channel deepening. The Section's aquatic education efforts continued to grow in FY2000. Section staff held a total of 538 Kids Fishing Events (KFEs) statewide with 35,177 children attending. Twenty-two percent of the children attending were beginners and 67% caught at least one fish. Three-hundred (56% of the total) "general" events were sponsored by sportsman 1 2 organizations, churches, local governments, civic organizations, the military, and private individuals. Sponsors were encouraged to promote the Section's KFE goals: to have fun, learn how to fish safely, follow rules, catch a fish, and touch a fish. The remaining 238 events were sponsored by WRD staff at DNR facilities. In addition to scheduled KFEs, 290 days of fishing were recorded on ponds at Burton and Buford hatcheries that were set aside for fishing by families with children. Approximately 1,943 children fished these ponds in FY2000 with just over 36% being first time anglers and 74% catching at least one fish. More than 1,320 educators were trained to use Aquatic Project WILD materials at 67 workshops. Two Advanced Project WILD workshops addressing the topics of "Coastal Ecosystems" and "Okefenokee and Carolina Bay Ecosystems" were conducted during FY2000. These weekend workshops drew a total of 56 educators and resource professionals and provided extensive background information and materials for a variety of hands-on outdoor activities. Six lesson plans were developed by educators at each workshop that are available to anyone interested in educating youth or adults on the ecology of coastal, Okefenokee and Carolina Bay ecosystems. Approximately 19,000 children were educated by Section staff. Students were taught aquatic resources, pond and stream ecology, fish physiology, fish life history, managing fish populations, how fish are raised at WRD hatcheries, where and why they are stocked, sport fishing, and the impacts of human activities on aquatic resources. The McDuffie Environmental Education Center, established in FY1997, is a partnership of the Georgia DNR, the Georgia Department of Education (DOE) and the Central Savannah River Resource Conservation and Development Council. DOE personnel from the Technology group at the National Science Center's Fort Discovery and the Central Savannah River Regional Education Service Agency are collaborating with Section personnel at the McDuffie Public Fishing Area and Fish Hatchery to provide a link between the classroom and the environment through technology. Lesson plans are linked to the Georgia Quality Core Curriculum Standards. DNR provides classroom/laboratory facilities, a nature center, interpretive trails, supplies and materials, and computers linked to the Internet. During FY1999, the Center was awarded a 5-year annual grant of $20,000 from the non-game wildlife automobile license tag funds to provide partial salary for an environmental coordinator. Funding was matched by the McDuffie County Board of Education which also solicited funding and participation from six nearby school systems. The center provided a hands-on outdoor learning experience to over 4,600 students and 900 adults/teachers during the 1999-2000 school year. The robust redhorse (Moxostoma robustum), an imperiled fish, was discovered in the Oconee River below Sinclair Dam during the early 1990s. The Section has committed resources and personnel to prevent this species from becoming extinct and has been instrumental in the establishment of the Robust Redhorse Conservation Committee (RRCC). The committee, composed of representatives from several state, federal, educational and private organizations, directs efforts to restore populations of this fish to sustainable levels. Section staff have developed spawning and rearing techniques that 3 have resulted in the production of fingerlings suitable for stocking in natural environments. A total of 26,919 fingerling robust redhorse were harvested in the fall of 1999 from rearing ponds at eight state fish hatcheries in Georgia and South Carolina. These fingerlings were produced from Oconee and Savannah river brood stock captured and spawned in the spring of 1999. Of the fingerlings harvested, 11,426 were stocked at locations in the Oconee River and Ogeechee River basins in Georgia. Other fish were distributed to hatcheries and rearing ponds in Georgia and South Carolina for advanced rearing. Adult robust redhorse were captured by RRCC members sampling in Savannah River shoals at Augusta in the spring of 1998, 1999, and 2000. A major robust redhorse spawning site was located in the Savannah River downstream of the New Savannah River Bluff Lock and Dam. Unauthorized introduction of flathead catfish into the Ocmulgee River in the late 1970s led to an expansion of this species throughout the Altamaha River system by the early 1990s. Since then, the Section has aggressively sought a solution that will please anglers but protect resident fish populations impacted by the invasion of this non-native species. Public concerns have focused on the reduced numbers of redbreast sunfish and bullheads. Activities of staff in FY2000 focused on: 1) removal of flatheads from experimental sections of the Altamaha and Ocmulgee rivers, 2) monitoring of redbreast sunfish populations in the Altamaha-Ocmulgee experimental section to determine if removal of flatheads is having a positive impact, 3) removal of flatheads from the Satilla River and monitoring of native sport fish populations, 4) monitoring of flathead catfish and other fish populations in the lower Altamaha River system. Removal efforts by the Section, increased fishing pressure by anglers, and the effects of drought appear to have reduced the Altamaha River flathead catfish population to 1988 population levels. Electrofishing capture rates of flathead catfish on the Altamaha River decreased from 74 fish per hour in 1998 to 55 fish per hour in 1999 to 44 fish per hour in 2000. The number of large catfish observed during sampling of the Ocmulgee River continues to decrease. The stream survey team assesses stream fish communities across the state. Indices used to assess the community include the index of biotic integrity, a modified index of well-being and a habitat assessment. The index of biotic integrity, a robust measure of 12 community attributes, is capable of detecting the impacts of point and nonpoint pollution. Results were used to identify water quality and habitat problems in 91 streams with impaired fish communities. This year, the team sampled 140 stream segments. EPD was provided with a list of impaired streams and the likely causes of impairments so they may establish total maximum daily loads (TMDL) for each pollutant to return fish community integrity to acceptable levels. The cause of nearly 90% of the impaired fish communities sampled in Piedmont streams was attributed to sediment. Improved water quality and habitat after TMDL implementation will result in better angling opportunities within and downstream of improved stream segments. In related efforts, regional fisheries staff provided EPD more than 881 tissue samples representing 22 species from 25 bodies of water. These samples were provided to EPD for contaminant screening and establishment of fish consumption advisories. 4 The Section expanded the Delayed Harvest trout fishing program this year in cooperation with the National Park Service Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. A 4.75-mile segment of the Chattahoochee River bordering Cobb and Fulton counties was heavily stocked and placed under catch-and-release regulation between November 1 and May 14. This program has proven very popular based upon the feedback we have received from the fishing public. Anglers especially liked the chance to catch a "trophy" (18 to 20-inch) fish, as a portion of the stocking consisted of retired brood fish. Based on the success of this program and continued angler support, the Section will consider expanding Delayed Harvest to other streams as conditions warrant. The Section continued to provide public service in other areas. Sampling continued on Georgia's major reservoirs and streams to detect potential problems and monitor fish populations. Studies designed to identify management needs, assess fish populations, and evaluate ongoing programs continued. As a result of these activities, a reduction in the legal harvest length for largemouth bass was proposed for Lake Walter F. George, efforts were begun to control hydrilla in Lake Seminole and experimental introductions of native aquatic plants were being evaluated at Lake Oconee. Over 4.5 million fingerling fish produced at the Section's warmwater hatcheries were provided for stocking 2,179 privately owned, newly constructed, or renovated ponds to establish fish populations. The Section had another successful year of producing and stocking white bass x striped bass hybrid fingerlings. Over 3.3 million hybrid bass fingerlings were stocked into 23 lakes and reservoirs. Also, over 1.8 million Atlantic and Gulf Coast strain striped bass fingerlings were raised in Georgia hatcheries and stocked into 11 reservoirs. An additional 30,380 oxytetracycline (OTC) marked, 8 inch striped bass were produced and stocked into the Savannah River as part of a continuing effort to re-establish a brood fish population in that system. Monitoring and rehabilitation efforts continued in the lower Savannah River to restore the primary striped bass hatchery broodfish source to historic levels. 5 Appendix A: Tables showing important facts about fishing in Georgia, information on revenue earned, and expenditures for FY2000. 6 Table A-1. Important statistics on sport fishing in Georgia. Item Total freshwater resident anglers 16 years and older Total resident anglers 6 to 15 years old Total annual fishing trips by resident anglers (16 years and older) Total annual days spent freshwater fishing (16 years and older) Annual average days spent freshwater fishing (16 years and older) Total annual expenditures by all resident and non-resident anglers in Georgia (16 years and older) Economic impact of sport fishing on Georgia's economy Estimated number of jobs generated Estimated state sales tax generated from the sale of sport fishing related items Number 805,000 a 348,000 a 10,094,000 a 11,591,000 a 14 a $1,121,278,000 b $2,290,557,000 b 27,800 b $44,851,000 b a 1996 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation - Georgia published by the U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in March 1998. These are the most accurate data available. b The 1996 Economic Impact of Sport Fishing in Georgia published by the American Sportfishing Association. The calculations are based on data from the "1996 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation." 7 Table A-2. Revenue (to the nearest dollar) generated by the Fisheries Section from license sales in license year 1999-2000.a License Sales License Year 1999-2000 (April 1, 1999 to March 31, 2000) Type of License Number Combination Hunting-Fishing 61,120 Sportsman's 30,453 Resident Fishing 498,989 Resident Trout 102,688 One-Day Fishing 65,947 Non-Resident Season Fishing 12,032 Non-Resident 7-day Fishing 33,650 Non-Resident Season Trout 8,116 Revenue 501,504 b 895,087 b 4,194,053 452,733 191,732 281,892 215,867 100,889 Totals 812,995 $6,833,757 a In addition to license sales shown, the Wildlife Resources Division sold 49,158 resident Wildlife Management Area (WMA) stamps for $904,720 and 1,373 non-resident Wildlife Management Area stamps for $98,708. These WMA stamps are required to fish on any Public Fishing Area or hunt on any WMA. It is not practical to determine what portion of this revenue is generated by fishing. b This figure represents only half of the revenue generated by this license. The other half is considered generated by hunters. 8 Table A-3. Fisheries Section expenditures (thousands of dollars) by region and program with total man-days in FY2000.a PROGRAM COST TOTAL TOTAL HQb I II III IV V VI VII COST MAN-DAYS Private Waters Management 41.6 62.8 15.0 65.5 49.0 38.9 98.6 35.9 407.3 1,840 Public Waters Management 616.1 345.1 629.1 518.8 538.3 397.8 656.5 303.5 4,005.2 15,288 Aquatic Plant Control 3.6 31.4 35.0 140 Trout Production/Stocking 110.9 202.1 773.9 1,086.9 3,501 Warmwater Hatcheries 145.6 44.9 40.1 268.0 12.3 404.2 158.7 352.3 1,426.1 5,165 Aquatic Education 141.2 37.8 34.7 80.2 49.7 41.2 36.3 26.7 447.8 1,803 Public Fishing Areas 101.7 290.2 88.6 118.9 397.4 996.8 4,704 Resource Studies 9.6 43.2 41.4 94.2 503 Facility Maintenance and New Construction Total 698.1 24.2 21.4 82.5 753.9 65.5 27.7 23.3 1,696.6 1,868.4 1,007.1 1,514.2 1,146.8 1,553.5 989.0 1,375.2 741.7 10,195.9 c 1,691 34,635 9 a Figures may differ somewhat from the final 6/00 Fiscal Accounting and Control System (FACS) printout since errors in the FACS printout were corrected for this report. b Headquarters office expenses and workdays were prorated to all programs as administrative support with the exception of Public Waters Management, Aquatic Plant Control, Aquatic Education, and Facilities Maintenance and New Construction. These four programs include both specific and prorated Headquarters costs. c This total includes $3,633,007 federal funds allocated to Georgia from the Sport Fish Restoration program. Appendix B: Tables showing information on the Fisheries Section Private Waters Management Program in FY2000. 10 Table B-1. Number of field investigations on private waters in each region in FY2000. Region Aquatic Plant Prestocking General Region Regional Balance Control Fish Kill Checks Management Totals Percentages 11 I 51 1 4 II 16 2 3 III 162 33 15 IV 123 25 19 V 99 11 3 VI 61 46 25 VII 25 18 25 Statewide Totals 537 136 94 % of Totals 53% 13% 9% 56 5% 12 33 3% 27 14 251 25% 12 49 228 22% 4 33 150 15% 10 90 232 23% 1 69 7% 53 199 1,019 100% 5% 20% 100% Table B-2. Total number and acres of private ponds stocked with fingerling largemouth bass, bream and channel catfish in FY2000. Fish provided to pond owners to establish fishable populations in newly constructed or renovated ponds. Region Bass-bream ponds stocked Number Acres Percent stocked at fertilized rate Number Acres Number and species stocked Bluegill Redear Largemouth Channel sunfish bass catfish Catfish only ponds stocked Number Acres 12 I II III IV V VI VII Statewide Totals 77 513 54 134 232 974 0.9% 0.6% 168 715 14.3% 12.9% 283 1,646 6.0% 6.1% 521 3,031 0.6% 0.6% 98 391 1,433 7,402 1.0% 0.4% 3.5% 3.1% 203,260 50,815 53,240 13,310 363,760 91,140 272,120 68,030 660,870 155,530 1,267,760 260,940 164,420 2,985,430 41,355 681,120 7,694 33,456 5,537 14,774 45,155 92,305 38,787 45,015 82,720 126,355 145,510 222,380 13,945 36,475 339,348 570,760 34 30 22 49 134 304 44 133 166 726 293 675 53 125 746 2,042 Appendix C: Tables showing information on the Fisheries Section Public Waters Management Program in FY2000. 13 Table C-1. Aquatic plant management activities conducted statewide during FY2000. Body of Water County Target Pest Control Method Acres No. of Cost of Treated Treatments Treatment Management Objectives; Treatment Effectiveness Treatments in Reservoirs and Lakes Blackshear Crisp, Worth, Dooley & Sumter Giant Cutgrass, Alligatorweed, Water Hyacinth, Primrose, and American Lotus Rodeo, 0.8 gal/acre; Wind Break/Exactrol- More, 0.2 gal/acre 40.6 3 Blackshear Same as above Spiny Naid Aquathol K, 3.0 gal/acre 27.6 2 Blackshear Same as above Lyngbya Cutrine Plus, 40 lbs/acre 15.0 1 Blackshear Same as above Lyngbya K-Tea, 10 gal/acre 5.0 1 Blackshear Same as above Chara Cutrine Plus, 40 lbs/acre 4.0 1 Blackshear Same as above Milfoil, Spatterdock, and various emergents AquaKleen, 175 lbs/acre 1.3 1 Agrirama Lake (Tifton) Tift Willow trees and various emergents Rodeo, 0.8 gal/acre, Exactrol-More, 0.2 gal/acre 9.3 1 Private pond Gwinnett Giant Salvinia Reward (Diquat): 1.0 gal/acre 2.0 1 Reed Bingham Cook Hydrilla Nautique, 10 gal/acre 10.0 1 State Park Reed Bingham Cook Hydrilla Sonar, 40 lbs/acre 60.0 1 State Park Reed Bingham Cook Hydrilla Nautique, 4 gal/acre 100.0 1 State Park $5,243 Impede invasion, improve access; good success with control 3,027 1,404 1,030 1,342 968 1,000 150 4,089 2,715 8,052 Impede invasion, improve access; good success with control Improve access; good success with control Improve access; good success with control Improve access; good success with control Impede invasion, improve access; good success with control Impede invasion, improve access; good success with control Eradicate; excellent success and no regrowth observed Impede invasion, improve access; good success with control Impede invasion, improve access; good success with control Impede invasion, improve access; good success with control Treatments in Streams Diquat, 2 gal/acre; Eradicate; excellent success and Edie Creek Lamar Giant Salvinia Exactrol-More, 0.5 2.0 2 2,341 no regrowth observed gal/acre Grand Total 276.8 16 $31,361 14 Table C-2. Fish kills investigated by the Fisheries Section in FY 2000. Category of Cause Agricultural b Number of Incidents 2 Fish Killed Number Value 19,410 $3,019.18 Industrial d 5 51,278 27,164.69 Municipal e 9 15,234 5,080.18 Transportation f 1 2,482 998.33 Other g 3 514 151.79 Undetermined 8 11,052 8,846.76 Total 28 99,970 $45,260.93 Fines Collected By DNR a NA c NA NA NA NA NA 15 a Fines collected as of June 30, 2000 by the Environmental Protection Division for FY2000 fish kills. b Animal wastes and flow depletion. c Information not available at time report compiled. d Contaminated effluent, fuel spills, and heated effluent from power plants. e Sewage line overflows, chlorine from swimming pools and water systems, and pesticide runoff. f Acid spill from overturned tanker truck. g Blasting and spills of newly poured concrete. Table C-3. Environmental reviews and assessments commented on by the Fisheries Section in FY2000. Agency and Type of Review a Number Georgia Department of Natural Resources ACT/ACF Compact issues. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Environmental Protection Division Permits and Variances Requests to build ponds on trout streams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Stream buffer issues. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Surface mining application. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Trout stream impoundment impact analysis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Wastewater discharge permits. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Georgia State Clearinghouse Project reviews. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 U. S. Government Agency Permits, Projects and Plans Army Corps of Engineers-Plans and Projects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Federal Energy Regulatory Commission-License Issues . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Fish & Wildlife Service Coordination Act Reports. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Forest Service proposed rules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Marine Corps Logistics Base resource management plan . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Local/Regional Government Projects Developments of Regional Impact. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81 a Each project, plan or permit is counted only once, even though the Section may have provided comments on more than one occasion. Only those projects that the Section prepared comments on are included in these numbers. Numerous other documents were reviewed but not commented on. 16 Appendix D: Tables showing information on the Fisheries Section Trout Production Program in FY2000. 17 Table D-1. Catchable trout production (lbs), conversion ratios, and costs at state hatcheries in FY2000. Hatchery Species RAINBOW BROWN Total Cost a Total Per lb Catchables Buford Net weight gain Conversion ratio 149,242 1.50 25,509 1.30 174,751 1.47 $347,314 $1.99 Burton Net weight gain Conversion ratio 126,690 15,282 141,972 296,808 2.09 1.28 1.03 1.25 Summerville Net weight gain Conversion ratio 24,801 1.26 24,801 91,059 3.67 1.26 Total Net weight gain Conversion ratio b 300,733 1.39 40,791 1.20 341,524 1.37 $735,181 $2.15 18 Cost per pound to stock catchable trout from state hatcheries: Production and distribution costs per pound: Fingerlings c Summerville Production of 988,277 fingerling rainbow trout (2.9 inches average length) totaling 13,154 pounds in weight. $82,962 $0.36 $2.51 $6.31 Grand Total Catchable and Fingerling Costs $818,143 $2.67 a Costs do not include administrative costs of the Headquarters staff or costs of capital outlay improvements. b Conversion ratios used in totals are weighted means. c Summerville Hatchery began fingerling production in FY98 and is expected to be the State's primary source of fingerling trout in the future. Small numbers of fingerlings are also produced at Buford and Burton hatcheries, but production costs were not estimated separately. The cost of fingerlings & fry received from federal hatcheries is unknown and not included. Table D-2. Number and weight (lbs) of species of trout stocked into Georgia public waters from state and federal hatcheries during FY2000. Facility RAINBOW Number Weight BROWN Number Weight TOTAL Number Weight STATE HATCHERIES Buford catchables fingerlings Burton catchables fingerlings Summerville catchables 345,174 50,000 373,703 131,261 136,261 1,885 128,966 42,243 67,633 40,000 37,475 125,300 24,089 2,273 12,834 1,453 412,807 90,000 411,178 125,300 131,261 160,350 4,158 141,800 1,453 42,243 19 FEDERAL HATCHERIES Chattahoochee catchables 264,874 86,542 264,874 86,542 TOTAL catchables fingerlings 1,115,012 50,000 394,012 1,885 105,108 165,300 36,923 3,726 1,220,120 215,300 430,935 5,611 Table D-3. Number and weight (lbs) of catchable trout by species and habitat type stocked from all hatcheries in FY2000. RAINBOW Habitat Number Weight STREAMS BY COUNTY Bartow 17,849 Catoosa 2,320 Chattooga 7,568 Cherokee 1,192 Dade 100 Dawson 32,982 Fannin 80,835 Floyd 32,318 Gilmer 22,301 Gordon 2,388 Habersham 25,945 Haralson 9,035 Lumpkin 93,936 Murray 30,393 Paulding 5,280 Pickens 7,896 Polk 2,137 Rabun 139,760 Stephens 44,070 Towns 49,381 Union 83,340 Walker 18,126 White 88,964 Whitfield 400 5,979 703 2,287 379 27 12,152 26,904 10,003 7,886 882 8,964 2,832 31,425 10,450 1,632 2,676 690 49,159 15,387 17,519 27,858 5,507 31,014 133 Sub-total 798,516 272,448 TAILWATERS Blue Ridge Hartwell Lanier 24,400 15,180 215,247 8,039 5,853 86,445 Sub-total 254,827 100,337 RESERVOIRS Burton Seed Sub-total SMALL LAKES Black Rock Conasauga Dockery Nancytown Rock Creek Vogel Winfield Scott 2,475 609 13,085 9,825 11,900 2,075 21,700 867 234 4,468 3,465 4,140 780 7,273 Sub-total 61,669 21,227 GRAND TOTAL 1,115,012 394,012 BROWN TOTAL Number Weight Number Weight 2,655 50 1,415 3,200 7,295 550 3,730 1,450 1,905 8,920 31,170 1,030 96 545 1,143 2,729 191 1,337 505 770 3,366 11,712 17,849 2,320 7,568 1,192 100 35,637 80,885 32,318 23,716 2,388 29,145 9,035 101,231 30,393 5,280 7,896 2,137 140,310 47,800 50,831 85,245 18,126 97,884 400 829,686 5,979 703 2,287 379 27 13,182 27,000 10,003 8,431 882 10,107 2,832 34,154 10,450 1,632 2,676 690 49,350 16,724 18,024 28,628 5,507 34,380 133 284,160 420 53,618 54,038 195 18,184 18,379 24,400 15,600 268,865 308,865 8,039 6,048 104,629 118,716 14,000 2,400 16,400 2,500 1,000 3,500 105,108 4,868 836 5,704 14,000 2,400 16,400 4,868 836 5,704 781 347 1,128 36,923 2,475 609 13,085 12,325 11,900 3,075 21,700 65,169 1,220,120 867 234 4,468 4,246 4,140 1,127 7,273 22,355 430,935 20 Table D-4. Number and weight (lbs) of fingerling trout by species and habitat type stocked from all hatcheries in FY2000. Locations Stocked RAINBOW Number Weight STREAMS BY COUNTY Rabun Stephens White Sub-total TAILWATERS Lanier GRAND TOTAL 50,000 50,000 1,885 1,885 BROWN Number Weight 75,000 50,000 300 125,300 1,399 13 41 1,453 40,000 165,300 2,273 3,726 TOTAL Number Weight 75,000 50,000 300 125,300 1,399 13 41 1,453 90,000 215,300 4,158 5,611 21 Appendix E: Tables showing information on the Fisheries Section Warmwater Hatchery Production Program in FY2000. 22 Table E-1. Total numbers and cost per fish of warmwater species produced at state hatcheries in FY2000. Number Cost Pera Species Acres Number Per Acre Fish ($) Bluegill Fingerling 23.66 5,053,632 213,594 0.040 Channel catfish Fry 7.10 2,178,000 306,761 0.036 Fingerling Intermediate 9.59 18.10 960,139 505,525 100,119 27,930 0.123 0.340 Harvestable 8.17 Hybrid white-striped bass Fry b Fingerling 25.34 Largemouth bass 45,727 11,835,000 3,556,860 5,597 b 140,365 1.813 0.012 0.056 Fingerling Redear sunfish Fingerling Robust redhorse Fry Fingerling Intermediate Harvestable Shoal bass 12.06 6.94 b 2.84 1.46 1.13 701,981 1,052,119 33,255 15,858 2,997 3 58,207 151,602 b 5,584 2,053 3 0.131 0.070 c c c c Fingerling Striped bass Fry Fingerling Intermediate 4.40 b 12.89 5.75 128,001 5,728,000 2,183,362 33,207 29,091 b 169,384 5,775 0.505 0.012 0.039 2.880 Totals (all phases) 139.43 34,013,666 d 122,377 e 0.077 e a Cost of each production phase includes cost of previous phase. b Not applicable, these fry were hatched in jars and placed in aquaria. c A total of $55,313 was expended on the experimental culture of this species. Georgia is the first state to attempt the hatchery culture of this potentially threatened species. d Differences between the production totals in this table and the distribution totals in Table E-4 result from handling, holding, and transport mortalities, the use of surplus fish as forage to maintain spawning stocks, and the stocking of fish produced at federal hatcheries. e Weighted means. Striped bass fry, hybrid white-striped bass fry and all phases of robust redhorse are not included. 23 24 Table E-2. Number of each warmwater fish species produced at state hatcheries in FY2000. Bowens Species Mill Bluegill Fingerling 1,490,040 Channel catfish Fry Fingerling 243,657 Intermediate Harvestable Hybrid white-striped bass Fry Fingerling 330,956 Largemouth bass Fingerling 285,000 Redear sunfish Fingerling 224,760 Robust redhorse Fry Fingerling Intermediate Harvestable Shoal bass Fingerling Striped bass Fry Fingerling Intermediate Total 2,574,413 Burton Richmond Cordele McDuffie Hill Steve Cocke Summerville 939,075 941,499 1,086,000 95,738 2,178,000 207,252 275,203 4,391 206,500 31,348 132,730 31,035 170,000 189,400 9,988 1,696,367 11,835,000 938,516 591,021 69,400 96,398 161,963 269,835 210,072 193,000 43,052 1,455 1,220 31,800 385 3 3,268 86,378 41,623 2,675 4,447,591 5,728,000 769,348 673,155 33,207 2,317,694 20,622,880 536,145 2,979,140 138,790 Walton Total 501,280 5,053,632 9,887 2,178,000 960,139 505,525 45,727 11,835,000 3,556,860 89,220 701,981 111,400 1,052,119 11,370 2,612 33,255 15,858 2,997 3 128,001 204,714 930,483 5,728,000 2,183,362 33,207 34,013,666 Table E-3. Cost per fish (dollars) for warmwater fish species produced at state hatcheries in FY2000.a 25 Species Bowens Mill Bluegill Fingerling 0.033 Channel catfish Fry Fingerling 0.129 Intermediate Harvestable Hybrid white-striped bass Fry Fingerling 0.149 Largemouth bass Fingerling 0.167 Redear sunfish Fingerling 0.064 Shoal bass Fingerling Cordele 0.031 0.117 0.365 2.393 0.030 0.348 Richmond Steve McDuffie Hill Cocke 0.021 0.055 0.050 0.112 1.731 0.146 0.593 0.118 0.209 1.818 0.012 0.094 0.016 0.160 0.222 0.045 0.039 0.063 0.090 0.833 Summerville 0.148 0.114 Walton 0.027 1.340 0.052 0.120 Statewide Weighted Average 0.040 0.036 0.123 0.340 1.813 0.012 0.056 0.131 0.070 0.505 Striped bass Fry 0.012 0.012 Fingerling 0.048 0.044 0.022 0.040 0.039 Intermediate 2.880 2.880 a A total of $55,313 was also expended as part of an experimental effort to determine how to culture the potentially threatened robust redhorse at Burton, McDuffie, Richmond Hill, and Walton hatcheries. Table E-4. Number of warmwater fish distributed from state hatcheries in FY2000. Totals include fish provided by federal hatcheries, surplus brood stock and fish available as by-products of other programs. 26 Species Forage Bluegill Fingerling Channel catfish Fingerling 20,000 Intermediate Harvestable Gizzard Shad Fingerling Grass carp Harvestable Hybrid white-striped bass Fingerling Largemouth bass Fingerling Redear sunfish Fingerling Robust redhorse Fry Fingerling Advanced Fingerling Intermediate Harvestable Shoal bass Fingerling Striped bass - Atlantic Strain Fry Fingerling Intermediate Striped bass - Gulf Strain Fingerling Walleye Fry Total (all sizes) 20,000 Kid's Fishing Events 29,000 5,676 290,049 33,214 Other Fisheries Agencies 6,000 Private Waters 2,985,430 570,760 8,000 105,729 18,120 1,600 45 339,348 681,120 153,750 365,939 285,244 4,576,658 Public Fishing Areas 157,920 4,365 71,380 14,280 3,585 35 12,967 10,725 38,730 313,987 Publicly Owned Small Lakes 713,080 98,617 64,509 6,160 Reservoirs 180,000 14,857 21,250 15,581 11,250 83,300 3,192,398 56,000 5,127 533 1,448,013 998,157 712,989 2,800,000 8,425,507 Rivers & Streams Total a 4,065,430 720,275 447,188 53,654 3,585 35 3,326,675 417,323 811,150 7,890 1,219 968 93 18,120 14,617 1,219 1,546 93 127,978 127,978 505,000 30,380 505,000 1,448,013 30,380 866,739 2,800,000 673,528 15,659,020 a Totals do not include fry or fingerlings distributed to other state hatcheries for later production phases. Appendix F: Tables showing information on the Fisheries Section Public Fishing Area Program in FY2000. 27 Table F-1. Public Fishing Areas cost data for FY2000. Region Area Ownership Number of Lakes Acreage Total Open to Operating Public Fishing Cost ($) I Rocky Mountain Private 2 559.0 290,235 a III McDuffie State 13 66.0 88,594 IV Big Lazer State 1 195.0 10,238 IV Marben Farms State 22 265.5 108,679 VI Dodge County State 1 104.0 106,906 VI Evans County State 3 92.0 82,036 VI Paradise State 60 409.0 206,923 VI Treutlen County Private 1 189.0 1,520 Total 1,879.5 895,131 a Cost of operation includes campground and swimming beach. Cost was funded through a contract with Oglethorpe Power Corporation. 28 Appendix G: Tables showing information on the Fisheries Section Resource Studies in FY2000. 29 Table G-1. Cost for resource studies in each region during FY2000. Region East Central (III) Study Title Investigation of the Trout Fishery in the Chattahoochee River Below Buford Dam Southwest (V) Effects of Flouridone Treatment on Largemouth Bass Movement in Lake Seminole Headquarters Administrative Total Cost ($) 43,233 41,442 9,600 $94,275 30 Table G-2. Final reports and publications completed by the Fisheries Section in FY2000. Author Dr. David Toburen, Virginia King Brady, Jerome F. Germann and Ann Matherly Publication Infusing Education Technology into an Environmental Education Program 31 Appendix H. Table showing the Fisheries Section maintenance and construction projects in FY2000. 32 Table H-1. Facility maintenance and construction projects statewide during FY2000. 33 Project Boat Ramp Construction Boat Ramp Repair and Maintenance (statewide) Buford Trout Hatchery Project Description A double lane concrete ramp approximately 20 feet wide and 200 feet long was constructed on the Altamaha River at Big Hammock Wildlife Management Area in Tattnall County. A gravel parking lot sufficient for 15-20 vehicles adjacent to the ramp and a gravel entrance road approximately 2 -1/2 miles long were constructed. Another new ramp approximately 30 feet wide by 200 feet long was constructed on Lake Seminole in Seminole County. A parking area sufficient to accommodate 50 car-trailer units with four paved spaces for disabled parking and additional unpaved area of 2 acres for overflow parking was constructed. Two floating service piers were installed at the site. Another new ramp approximately twenty feet wide and 150 feet long was constructed on the Flint River in Macon County. A paved parking area sufficient to accommodate 20 car-trailer units and one handicapped space was constructed here. Minor landscaping work and paving of the parking area on the new ramp on the Altamaha River off State Route 169 in Wayne County were continued into this fiscal year. Gravel was spread at the new parking lots of the three boat ramps constructed in Screven County during the last fiscal year. Draft plans have been completed for the site on the Etowah River in Floyd County, the site on Lake Sinclair in Putnam County, the site on Little River in Lowndes County, and on the site on Brier Creek in Burke County. Inspections were completed on all ramps statewide no less than once during the year with most inspected a number of times. A major renovation of the boating access area on the Savannah River at Tuckasee King in Effingham County was nearly completed. A new boat ramp, entrance road, and parking lot were constructed. The parking lot and entrance road were paved. A boat ramp was renovated at Traders Hill on the St. Marys River in Charlton County. The ramp was replaced, the 2-acre parking lot was re-graded and graveled, and a service pier was installed. The boat ramp at Sandy Branch on Lake Walter F. George in Clay County was extended an additional 30 feet because of problems associated with extremely low reservoir levels. The same type of extension was added to the boat ramp on Fox Lake in Jasper County. The boat ramp at Poor Robin Landing on the Savannah River in Screven County was replaced. The old ramp had been rendered useless by a change in the river channel. The gravel parking lot was renovated at this location as well. A new floating service pier was installed at the boat ramp on Bartlett's Ferry Lake in Harris County. A contract with Harris County for expansion of the parking lot at this location was signed. Smaller repairs to parking lots and ramps were made on a number of other state -owned boating access sites statewide. Replace hatchery water supply pump. Total Cost $352,040 463,881 15,045 Table H-1 (continued). Facility maintenance and construction projects statewide during FY2000. Project Charlie Elliot Wildlife Center (Marben PFA) Development Cordele Fish Hatchery Cordele Fish Hatchery Project Description The work plan for FY 2000 was completed and consisted of the following items: constructed ADA parking pad and pathway at Pigeonhouse Pond; piers for fishing, fertilizing, and water quality checks were constructed at Little Raleigh, Upper Raleigh, Allen, Greenhouse, and Hillside ponds; constructed a pavilion with concrete floor at Greenhouse Pond; added aggregate to roads as needed; improved angler access trails at Greenhouse, Allen, Bennett and Lower Raleigh ponds; picnic tables were relocated from Bennett and Hillside ponds to Greenhouse and Fox ponds. Items completed in addition to the work plan include: installed 300' of fencing on Margery Lake spillway; limed and fertilized Fox, Bennett, Margery dams; built and installed gates at Dove, Otter and Pigeonhouse Ponds; built a shelter over ADA picnic platform at Margery Lake; restored electrical service to the tile storage barn and two adjacent structures; poured a concrete pad adjacent to the shop facility for vehicle and equipment maintenance; extended the boat ramp at Fox Lake to forty feet in length; worked with AT&T volunteers to construct a trail from visitor center to Pigeonhouse Pond, general trail improvements in other areas; installed pressure-assisted toilets in activity center; installed fencing to protect archeologically-significant rock wall at activity center; installed hand railing with ADA sections on Clubhouse fishing pier; constructed trail from Pigeonhouse Pond to Greenhouse Pond; and built elevated walkway over siphon structure on Upper Raleigh dam to minimize erosion. Completed the bedroom, bathroom, and closet addition to hatchery manager's residence. Remodeled two existing bedrooms, added new windows, remodeled the kitchen, relocated and expanded an existing bathroom, replaced the electrical wiring, installed a new septic system, replaced the sheetrock, replaced the siding and the roof of the hatchery manager's residence . Procured engineering assistance for pond construction and water supply work at th e hatchery. Placed riprap below a dam and repaired walls of water supply spring. Total Cost 66,087 24,962 20,182 34 Dodge County Public Fishing Area Construction of a pavilion with kitchen, bathrooms, and seating for 100 persons was completed. Evans County Public Fishing Area An office building and public use facility were constructed at this state-owned area. 20,961 50,000 Table H-1 (continued). Facility maintenance and construction projects statewide during FY2000. Project Laurens County Public Fishing Area McDuffie Public Fishing Area McDuffie Public Fishing Area Paradise Public Fishing Area Richmond Hill Fish Hatchery Headquarters Administrative Costs Total Expenditures Project Description Funds were obligated to purchase mitigation property at Big Dukes Pond for this proposed public fishing area. A contract for a pre-engineered metal storage building was signed for construction on the site of the proposed Laurens County Public Fishing Area. A bedroom, bathroom, closet, and concrete steps were added to the existing manager's residence. The Prater Tract adjacent to this State owned area was purchased which included the appraisals, appraisal review, survey, and environmental review. Engineering services were hired and supplies purchased to repair a dam on the area. Engineering services were procured and a contract awarded to the McDuffie County Commissioner's Office for the design, reconstruction, or repair of facilities on the area. Earthworks were repaired on the dams of lakes Charles, Mallard's Rest, and Heron. Replaced leaking skylights in warehouse and repaired deep well pump and motor for supplying water to hatchery ponds. Prorated time and expenses of headquarters staff to manage capital outlay projects. Total Cost 216,315 44,100 255,054 42,300 12,174 113,494 $ 1,696,595 35