FISHERIES SECTION ANNUAL REPORT Fiscal Year 2010 July 1, 2009 - June 30, 2010 Wildlife Resources Division Department of Natural Resources Social Circle, Georgia Table of Contents SUBJECT PAGE Overview of Fisheries Section activities 1 Figure 1. Map of Fisheries Section region boundaries 2 Figure 2. Stream Survey Team sampling efforts 7 Appendices: A. Facts about fishing in Georgia, fisheries related revenues earned, and 9 Fisheries Section expenditures B. Private waters management 13 C. Public waters management 15 D. Trout production and distribution 20 E. Warmwater hatchery production and distribution 25 F. Public fishing area operation 30 G. Resource studies 32 H. Maintenance and construction 35 Fisheries Section Activities Fishing is the most popular wildlife-related activity in Georgia, enjoyed by people of all ages. Each of Georgia's 1.29 million resident anglers fish an average of 16 days in the state's diverse freshwater resources that include more than 4,000 miles of trout streams, 12,000 miles of warm water streams wider than 10 feet, and 500,000 acres of impoundments. Anglers spend more than $1.13 billion yearly on fishing in Georgia with an economic impact of more than $1.93 billion generating an estimated 16,881 jobs. Programs of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Wildlife Resources Division (WRD), Fisheries Section (Section) during fiscal year 2010 (FY2010) 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 warm water 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 by the Georgia legislature from the state's general fund. The Section's second major source of funding comes from the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Program. Federal Aid dollars, accumulated by a user tax on fishing tackle and motorboat fuels, are apportioned back to states by a formula based on land area and fishing license sales. Detailed information on the Section's activities and expenditures are itemized in Appendices A through H. The Section's programs are administered from WRD headquarters near Social Circle and from seven regional offices (Figure 1). Reintroduction of lake sturgeon to the upper Coosa River system continued in FY2010, in cooperation with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). Once a unique component of the diverse Coosa River basin fish assemblage, lake sturgeon were extirpated from the system in the late 1960s. This was probably a combined function of habitat degradation, over-harvest, and dam construction. Goals of the reintroduction program are the re-establishment of a self-sustaining lake sturgeon population and eventual creation of a unique sport fishery for Georgia anglers. A total of 5,975 lake sturgeon fingerlings/juveniles were stocked into the Coosa River system in FY2010. This included a second stocking of lake sturgeon fingerlings into Allatoona Reservoir (upper Etowah River). These fish will have access to historic habitat in the Etowah River above Allatoona Dam. Anglers continue to report sturgeon sightings at several locations in the greater Coosa River system to include Weiss, Neely Henry and Logan Martin Reservoirs in Alabama. This extends the current range of the species to its' known pre-1950 range. The state's three trout hatcheries combined efforts with the Chattahoochee Forest National Fish Hatchery to stock more than 1.13 million catchable trout and 118,000 fingerling trout into north Georgia streams, small lakes, reservoirs, and their tail-waters. More than 70,000 catchable-sized trout were stocked into Georgia's five 'delayed harvest' streams where seasonal catch-and-release angling regulations have resulted in excellent catch rates for winter-time anglers. Lake Burton provides Georgia's only reservoir trout fishery where 14,300 rainbow and 21,500 brown trout were stocked last year to boost this put-grow-and-take fishery. More than 28,200 catchable trout were released into the Toccoa River downstream of Blue Ridge Reservoir dam. Water quality improvements of reservoir discharges from this Tennessee Valley Authority dam have enhanced the potential of this 15-mile long tail-water fishery as evidenced by increased angler catch rates of 9 to 14-inch trout. Analysis of data related to the 2005 moratorium on brown trout stocking in the Lanier tailwater section of the Chattahoochee River was conducted in FY2010. Successful brown 1 S@WA(%U(WT$(S0'(SW(UC`6A$kXl!&)q0"mSrn#st&((Ao#(p)&uSQT)Av(cewCA@b0#S$SV'%cUX(@'&&AV2(AU(&%(3A&1x0Cy(C2z'0{#|&(T$&df@W&A3%gVB($(2T@ARh#SBA)0$f$$i'&V13ghXA)(@@i#Cpd(qs&r(A((3A&0)SS((0A'(U(XW(&AYW0@$)@XC('&Y&0A&VAY(CX00@)(V#A45X((U67'8(09&(0d'eTSASU0)&X(0V0D&T(AE&F%VXX#BG0X3H(2))&$)&I&&0P&(&BW(Wa0(bT0B&`cVW'(VAS@`tduA&((0dv&000@(w&SY&AY(T&A@d('V0j@0&Y0(~}BxAd&yXV'`(V0(S(3(C(3U&S3&&0VT@S@V'XXY(A(A`A&j$0$X0BS((VVT3@jBX2&#$$`VdA$&A(T0@@3S@A3 trout spawning has been documented since the 1990s and the potential for a wild brown trout fishery existed. An angler creel survey was completed in late 2008 to explore the impacts of the moratorium on users fishing this section of the river. Annual standardized sampling for young-ofyear (spring) and adult (fall) brown trout was conducted to measure population-level impacts. The Section has also extensively studied water temperature regimes in the trout fishery between Buford Dam and Peachtree Creek to develop a special temperature criterion that would protect the trout fishery. These analyses will provide important information for the future management of this fishery. Researchers from Oklahoma State University began working with the Section to evaluate the impact of shoal bass stockings from 2003-2007 in the Chattahoochee River below Morgan Falls Dam. All stocked fish were marked with oxytetracycline for later identification and aging of fish by otolith examination. Research findings will provide information on natural reproduction and the contribution of stocking, shoal bass age and growth, stocking location fitness, and other variables that will assist managers to ensure the future of shoal bass in the Chattahoochee River. The Section monitors the population size, age structure, and the commercial and sport harvest of American shad in Georgia's coastal plain rivers with emphasis on the Altamaha River system. These monitoring efforts satisfy Georgia's requirements to Amendment 1 of the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Shad and River Herring developed by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission. During 2009, 30,483 pounds of American shad were commercially harvested from Georgia rivers. This was a 2 percent decrease from the 31,032 pounds harvested during 2008. An estimated 144,578 American shad returned to the Altamaha River to spawn during 2009, a 1 percent increase from the estimated 142,866 fish returning in 2008. The shad population and harvest are at lower levels than those observed during the population's peak in the mid 1990's. However, the overall exploitation rate of 0.198 is also extremely low. Thus, there is no evidence that the population is being overharvested in Georgia waters. Alabama shad restoration efforts continued in the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint (ACF) River system in FY2010. Alabama shad migrate into freshwater streams along the northern Gulf of Mexico. It is thought that loss of critical upstream spawning habitat due to migration barriers has caused a population decline in the ACF system. Woodruff Dam at Lake Seminole presents the first upstream barrier to fish moving upstream to spawn. A navigation lock at the dam provides potential for upstream movement, but whether sufficient numbers of fish actually pass through the locks during normal operations is unknown. The present study will focus on estimating present population levels of shad and determining how fish interact with the lock. Developing a viable fish passage plan will be a critical step in the recovery of this and other diadromous species in the ACF system. Alabama shad returning to the Apalachicola River in FY2010 was estimated at 98,469 fish, an almost four-fold increase from the previous year's estimate. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) evaluated the conservation status of Alabama shad in 2010 and cited this research as one of the reasons not to list this species as "threatened". Study results indicate that 40-70% of the returning population have been able to navigate through the lock structure at Jim Woodruff Dam and move upstream. Cooperators on this project include the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Clemson University, and The Nature Conservancy. The Section continues Atlantic striped bass restoration efforts and population monitoring in Georgia's coastal rivers in hopes of re-establishing this species throughout its historical range. Restoration stocking efforts initiated in the Savannah River in 1990 have been very successful in increasing the number of striped bass. After a 17-year closure, the Savannah River striped bass fishery was re-opened to allow for limited harvest in October 2005. Annual monitoring efforts have indicated that current population numbers are near historic levels. The potential negative 3 impacts of proposed habitat alteration projects associated with Savannah harbor expansion and channel deepening threatens the progress of population recovery and continues to be a concern. The Section is also conducting striped bass recovery efforts in the Altamaha River system where Georgia's statewide angling record fish of 63 pounds was caught. A 5-year stocking phase came to a close in the fall of 2007 as the Section stocked over 107,000 6-inch hatchery-reared striped bass. Favorable growth and survival of these stocked fish has led the Section to continue stocking 6-inch hatchery reared striped bass into the system with hopes that the population will become self-sustaining. The genetically unique Gulf strain of striped bass was once common to freshwater rivers entering the Gulf of Mexico. By the 1960's, Gulf strain striped bass had declined significantly due to poor water quality and loss of upstream spawning habitat due to dam construction. The last native population of this species was found to have survived in low numbers in the ApalachicolaChattahoochee-Flint (ACF) river system of Georgia, Florida, and Alabama. For over 25 years, these states and the Federal government have worked together for the protection and restoration of Gulf striped bass in the ACF. As a result of this strong partnership, knowledge of the life history of striped bass has improved, and essential coolwater habitats have been protected or rehabilitated. A large cooperative stocking program was implemented, and anglers have set new records. This work has been a catalyst for striped bass restoration throughout the U.S. Gulf Coast region. A total of seven State and six Federal hatcheries including Georgia's Steve Cocke and Cordele fish hatcheries have produced and stocked over one million fish annually. Additional cooperative species restoration efforts have included cool-water habitat restoration, population monitoring, angler creel surveys, special fishing regulations, tagging and telemetry studies, and research efforts to pass striped above existing dams. Future plans include development of optimum stocking strategies that include producing adequate numbers of fish to meet Gulf-wide stocking goals, protecting the genetic integrity of this species, and expanding habitat restoration efforts to other Gulf states. The Section continues to introduce youth to fishing through the Kids Fishing Events (KFE) program. Section staff held a total of 259 KFEs statewide with 24,288 youth attending. Twentyfour percent of the attendees were beginners and 56 percent caught at least one fish. One hundred thirty-seven KFEs were classified as "general" events sponsored by sportsman organizations, local governments, civic organizations, businesses, private individuals, and the military. 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. Staff at 14 WRD facilities sponsored the remaining 122 events. Special ponds at Burton and Buford hatcheries, set aside for fishing by families with children, also provided a quality fishing experience for 3,693 young anglers in FY2010. Beginners comprised 22 percent of this group with an overall fishing success rate of 63 percent. Aquatic Project WILD training was provided to 795 Georgia educators at 31 workshops conducted statewide. Seventy (70) educators were trained as Aquatic Project WILD facilitators at two workshops in FY2010. Two Advanced Project WILD workshops were also conducted in FY2010 and attended by 54 educators and resource management professionals. A Teacher Conservation Workshop was also conducted for thirty (30) certified teachers. Topics included Pond and stream ecology, stream-side management zones, and the importance of prescribed fire to the quality of riparian habitats. Overall, Fisheries Section staff conducted 84 presentations to more than 6,268 youth on a variety of topics including the importance of aquatic resources, fish identification, fish life history, fish physiology, managing fish populations, fish culture at WRD hatcheries, and aquatic weed management. The Section also annually sponsors and staffs exhibits at the Turkey Hunting, Fishing & Outdoor Expos in Atlanta and Perry, Georgia National Fair, Trout Fishing Primer, Unicoi Outdoor Adventure Day, Arrowhead Environmental Education Center Outdoor Adventure Day, McDuffie Environmental Education Center, Okefenokee Fair, 4 National Wild Turkey Federation Jakes Day at Paradise Public Fishing Area, and Long County Wildlife Festival. It is estimated that a combined total of over 150,000 Georgians attended these events. The Go Fish Georgia initiative, established by Governor Perdue in 2007, seeks to establish Georgia as a national fishing destination through a three-tiered approach: 1) improving the quality of fishing in Georgia waters; 2) improving access to water bodies for fishing in Georgia; and 3) increasing participation through active promotion and marketing of Georgia's exceptional fishing resources. The purpose of the Go Fish Georgia Initiative is to promote and enhance boating and fishing tourism in Georgia and to boost economic development in communities across the state. This initiative will result in quality fisheries resources statewide, including family-friendly fishing and recreation access points that will increase fishing participation throughout Georgia. The centerpiece of the state's efforts to promote fishing and increase participation is the Go Fish Education Center located at the Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter just off Interstate 75 near Perry, Georgia. The Center's design plans call for a LEED certified "green" building incorporating a 15,000 square-foot public facility with live fish, static displays, theater, indoor and outdoor classrooms, public fishing ponds, and interpretive trails. The Center also includes a state-of-the-art working fish hatchery raising fish for Georgia waters. Fifteen alternate locations were evaluated statewide before this site was selected. Factors considered in choosing the site included infrastructure availability, community support, and initiative-related strategic factors. The Georgia facility is expected to attract more than 65,000 visitors per year and is scheduled for opening in the Fall of 2010. The McDuffie Environmental Education Center (MEEC) is operated through a partnership between WRD and four area resource and educational agencies. Originally formed in 1996, the MEEC has provided outdoor educational activities for over 50,000 students and teachers in the East-Central Georgia region. McDuffie County Board of Education funded a program coordinator position for all students visiting from McDuffie County. In addition, the WRD Non-game Conservation Section funded a $36,000 grant to support the visitation of all other public, private, and home school groups. Grant funding was administered through the National Science Center at Fort Discovery that also recruited and hired a certified teacher to perform coordinator duties and develop lesson plans aligned with Georgia Department of Education Performance Standards. Funding from the Watson-Brown Foundation was also used to co-host a teacher workshop at the MEEC. WRD staff annually serve on the MEEC Advisory Board and also 'chaired' that body in FY2010. The MEEC Partnership, Watson-Brown Foundation, Clarks Hill Partnership, and McDuffie County continue working toward developing a funding mechanism to construct a new classroom building at the MEEC to replace two trailers purchased from a local school board in 1999. The robust redhorse (Moxostoma robustum), an imperiled fish, was discovered in the Oconee River in 1991 during a survey conducted for the re-licensing of the Sinclair Hydroelectric Project. Since that time the Section has coordinated efforts of other state, federal, and privatesector participants in a common goal of restoring the robust redhorse to a significant portion of its historic range in the Southeastern United States. Recent efforts have focused improving instream spawning habitat in the Oconee River. Existing gravel deposits at four locations on the river were augmented with 1,019 tons of new gravel between February 2009 and March 2010. Located in Washington, Wilkinson, Johnson, and Laurens counties, these areas had depths and velocities documented from previous observations to provide optimal robust redhorse spawning habitat. A total of 2.5 acres of habitat was augmented and documented through photo and field observations. Gravel has persisted with resulting robust redhorse spawning habitat quality 5 judged from fair to excellent. Initial surveys of robust redhorse use of these areas has been minimal and will continue in FY2011. The presence of flathead catfish in the Satilla River was confirmed in the summer of 1996. The Section continues to monitor the expansion of this invasive species and conduct removal efforts in the Satilla River in order to protect native fish populations. Public sentiment is overwhelmingly in favor of protecting the premier redbreast sunfish fishery that exists on the Satilla River. Waycross fisheries personnel expended 178 hours of electrofishing effort towards the removal of flathead catfish in FY2010. This effort resulted in the removal of 7,815 pounds of flathead catfish from 90 miles of river habitat. Total poundage removed represented a 17 percent decrease from FY2009 poundage despite a similar amount of electrofishing effort. The average size of flathead catfish removed decreased from 5.8 pounds in FY2008 to 2.9 pounds in FY2009 and 1.4 pounds in FY2010. Flathead catfish have negatively impacted native fish populations in the areas of the Satilla where they have become well established. Redbreast sunfish and native catfish species abundance have been reduced by 65 and 87 percent, respectively, in the lower portion of the Satilla River. Positive redbreast sunfish population response to the flathead catfish removal has not been detected by standard monitoring techniques. The Stream Survey Team assesses the status of fish communities in wade-able streams across the state using the fish Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI). This index integrates 12-13 functional and compositional attributes of a fish community at several trophic levels to assess stream health. Two additional assessment tools, the modified index of well-being (Iwb) and a visual habitat assessment, are also employed. The IBI, modified Iwb, and habitat assessments provide information about potential sources of stream degradation for those streams found to have impaired fish communities. The Stream Survey Team sampled 69 streams in FY2010 (Figure 2). These streams were located in 12 of Georgia's 14 major river basins across all five of the state's major eco-regions: Blue Ridge (10), Piedmont (8), Ridge and Valley (4), Southeastern Plains (13), and Southern Coastal Plain (34). Fish bio-monitoring reports on all waters surveyed by the Stream Team are provided to Georgia's Environmental Protection Division (EPD). EPD is tasked with establishing Total Maximum Daily Loads for the causative pollutant(s) in impaired streams. By reducing and controlling pollutant loads, healthy fish populations should be able to re-establish and maintain themselves in these streams. The overall goal is to improve fish diversity, abundance, and health by meeting federal Clean Water Act criteria and returning impaired streams to their designated water use classifications (fishing, swimming, drinking water, etc.). Research initiated in FY2007 aimed at mapping and quantifying in-stream habitat through the use of side-scan sonar technology continued in FY2010. Developments in data collection and processing in ArcView GIS software were refined and a manuscript prepared and published in Fisheries magazine (A Novel Technique for Mapping Habitat in Navigable Streams using LowCost Side-scan Sonar). This publication addressed the application of sonar mapping on Ichawaynochaway Creek and results of a comprehensive accuracy assessment study validating the technique for identifying habitat components of streams. A substrate habitat map was also developed for a 20 km section of the Upper Flint River for an ongoing study on habitat use by three sympatric species of bass. An illustrated step-by-step workshop handbook on Geoprocessing Humminbird Sonar Imagery was developed and made available online for use by other researchers interested in this technique. A habitat mapping workshop focusing on these data collection methods and interpretation was also conducted at the annual meeting of the American Fisheries Society in Nashville, TN. 6 (Insert Figure 2) 7 Over 903,000 fingerling fish, produced at the Section's six warm water fish hatcheries, were provided for stocking in 512 privately owned, newly constructed, or renovated ponds to establish fish populations. Over 2.39 million hybrid striped bass fingerlings were produced and stocked into 19 lakes and reservoirs. Also, more than 1.3 million Atlantic and Gulf Coast strain striped bass fingerlings were raised in Georgia hatcheries and stocked into 15 reservoirs. An additional 51,312 six to eight-inch striped bass were also produced and stocked into the lower Savannah, Altamaha, and Flint rivers as part of a management plan aimed at re-establishing selfsustaining populations in those river basins. Also, 5,886 six to eight-inch Gulf striped bass were stocked into Flint River as part of Gulf striped bass management efforts in the ApalachicolaChattahoochee-Flint River system. Walleye fingerlings have been annually stocked into seven North Georgia reservoirs since 2002. These waters again received 671,261 walleye fingerlings in FY2010 and an additional 8,562 fingerlings stocked into Rocky Mountain Public Fishing Area lakes in Floyd County. 8 Appendix A: Tables showing important facts about fishing in Georgia, information on revenue earned, and expenditures for FY2010. 9 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 908,000 a 381,000 a 10,107,000 a 14,742,000 a 16 a $1,132,885,000 b $1,938,503,000 b 16,881 b $116,709,000 b a 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation - Georgia FHW/06-GA published by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Department of Commerce, Census Bureau in January 2008. b Sportfishing in America: An Economic Engine and Conservation Powerhouse (revised January 2008) published by the American Sportfishing Association. Calculations are based on data from the "2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation." 10 Table A-2. Revenue (to the nearest dollar) generated by the Fisheries Section from license sales in fiscal year 2010.a Type of License Lifetime (new issues) License Sales Fiscal Year 2010 (July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010) Number 2,663 Combination Hunt/Fish 67,751 Combination Hunt/Fish 2-Year 4,499 Sportsman's Combination Hunt/Fish 42,681 Sportsman's Combination Hunt/Fish 2-Year 2,105 Resident Fishing 326,494 Resident Fishing 2-Year 28,555 Resident Trout Fishing 86,779 Resident Trout Fishing 2-Year 5,239 Resident 3-Day Combination Hunt/Fish 16,359 Resident 3-Day Trout Fishing 1,032 Non-Resident Combination Hunt/Fish 20,783 Non-Resident Fishing 18,560 Non-Resident 3-day Combination Hunt/Fish 39,388 Non-Resident Trout Fishing 4,075 Non-Resident 3-Day Trout Fishing 7,222 Revenue 328,835 b 575,884 b 69,735 b 1,173,745 b 110,513 b 2,938,446 456,880 433,895 52,390 57,257 b 3,612 1,039,150 b 835,032 393,880 b 81,493 72,220 Totals 674,185 $ 8,622,967 a In addition to license sales shown, the Wildlife Resources Division sold 42,113 resident Wildlife Management Area (WMA) stamps for $800,147 and 1,394 non-resident WMA stamps for $101,762. A WMA stamp is required to fish on any Public Fishing Area or hunt on any WMA. It is not practical to calculate the portion of this revenue generated by anglers. b This figure represents only half of the revenue generated by this license. The other half is considered generated by hunters. 11 Table A-3. Fisheries Section expenditures (thousands of dollars) by region and program with total staff-days in FY2010.a PROGRAM COST BY REGION TOTAL TOTAL HQb I II III IV V VI VII COST STAFF-DAYS Private Waters Management Public Waters Management General Technical Guidance Habitat Management Surveys and Inventories Aquatic Plant Control Aquatic Education Resource Studies c 1,342.4 241.3 71.6 36.2 464.0 39.5 489.8 482.3 162.8 83.4 18.1 185.8 32.2 518.4 95.3 83.2 55.7 232.7 51.5 554.4 26.8 72.0 19.1 405.4 31.1 614.6 161.7 102.2 102.6 112.0 51.0 85.1 526.7 8.3 58.1 56.9 265.9 13.6 123.9 661.4 227.0 55.3 0.2 338.5 40.4 321.9 129.5 44.8 123.5 24.1 5,022.1 1,052.7 570.6 288.8 2,127.8 283.4 698.8 13,082 2,140 1,813 810 7,332 976 11 Hatchery Production & Stocking Coldwater Hatcheries Warmwater Hatcheries 317.2 146.3 170.9 241.6 227.3 14.3 803.3 792.7 10.6 240.7 240.7 51.9 51.9 413.4 413.4 200.4 200.4 260.7 260.7 2,529.2 1,166.3 1,362.9 6,500 2,856 3,644 Public Fishing Areas 233.0 390.7 177.4 396.9 659.9 1,857.9 6,621 Facility Construction and Maintenance Capital Outlay & New Construction Operations & Maintenance 3,206.4 3,160.7 45.7 52.0 34.1 17.9 12.7 3.4 9.3 40.7 1,196.2 40.7 1,004.6 191.6 47.6 5.4 42.2 58.2 31.2 27.0 34.5 4.1 30.4 4,648.3 4,284.2 364.1 2,246 1,418 828 12 Totals 5,099.0 1,166.6 1,334.4 1,013.2 2,259.6 987.7 1,579.9 617.1 14,057.5 d 28,449 a Figures may differ somewhat from the final June 2010 Fiscal Accounting and Control System (FACS) printout since errors in the FACS printout were corrected for this report. b Headquarters office expenses and staff-days were prorated to all programs as administrative support with the exception of Public Waters Management, Aquatic Education, Resource Studies, and Capital Outlay and New Construction. These four programs include both specific and prorated Headquarters cost. c This category includes contracted studies in addition to Resource Studies conducted by Section personnel. d Total includes $6,911,672 in funding from the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration program. Appendix B: Tables showing information on the Fisheries Section Private Waters Management Program in FY2010. 13 Table B-1. Private Waters Program FY2010 fish distribution by Regional location of pond. Fish are provided to pond owners to establish fishable populations in newly constructed or renovated ponds. 14 Bass-bream ponds stocked Region Number Acres Percent stocked at fertilized rate Number Acres Species and number stocked Bluegill Redear Largemouth Channel sunfish bass catfish Catfish only ponds stocked Number Acres Revenue generated I 17 44 5.9% 2.3% 18,120 4,530 2,215 3,815 II 12 40 7,160 1,790 1,995 2,070 III 42 137 11.9% 17.4% 72,300 18,075 9,114 20,328 IV 38 89 21.1% 27.3% 54,700 13,675 6,839 9,709 V 72 386 132,838 33,147 18,755 29,300 VI 142 719 260,420 66,770 32,835 38,690 VII 36 65 25,920 6,480 2,900 8,905 5 4 $ 2,488 4 6 $ 1,081 21 42 $ 10,915 12 57 $ 7,257 31 85 $ 18,885 49 265 $ 35,362 17 24 $ 4,129 Statewide totals 359 1,480 3.9% 3.3% 571,458 144,467 74,653 112,817 139 483 $80,117 Appendix C: Tables showing information on the Fisheries Section Public Waters Management Program in FY2010. 15 Table C-1. Public Waters - Surveys and Inventory conducted by the Fisheries Section in FY2010. Standardized Sampling Waterbody type Reservoirs/lakes/ponds Rivers/streams Public fishing areas Methodology Electrofishing Gill net Electrofishing Scuba Electrofishing Gill net Waterbodies surveyed 33 28 9 1 33 3 Total stations 300 268 81 10 134 15 Creel Surveys Dates surveyed Angler Angler Waterbody (days of fishing) trips hours Altamaha River Duke's Creek1 03/01/2009 - 10/31/2009 (245) 07/01/2009 - 06/30/2010 (156) 13,888 1,300 66,302 6,310 Satilla River 03/01/2009 - 10/31/2009 (245) 8,636 33,485 Ogeechee River Smith Creek2 Waters Creek3 01/31/2010 - 04/10/2010 (50) 11/01/2009 - 05/14/2010 (195) 03/27/2009 - 10/31/2009 (95) 1,370 339 205 4,977 1,229 926 1 Restricted access trout stream. Fishing allowed Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday year round. 2 Delayed harvest section from Unicoi dam downstream to park boundary only. 3 Restricted access trout stream. Fishing allowed Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday during trout season only. Miscellaneous Surveys and Collections Waterbodies Species Number Samples Survey type surveyed surveyed of fish collected Age & growth Broodstock collection1 5 4 2,317 54 2 3 327 4 Contaminant 11 4 203 14 Food Habits 1 1 44 1 Genetics 6 3 205 6 Population monitoring Public display2 57 25 9,121 399 5 25 150 7 Temperature 30 Water quality 11 40 1 Striped bass, White bass, and Shoal bass. 2 Fish displays at Georgia National Fair, Atlanta and Perry Fisharamas, and Coosa River Basin Initiative Waterfest. 16 Table C-2. Fish kills investigated by the Fisheries Section in FY2010. Category of cause Transportation Number of incidents 2 Fish killed Number Value 66 NA Industrial 2 Municipal a 3 Natural / Disease 12 Undetermined 4 Total 23 2,788 18,924 17,885 28,540 68,203 $364.69 $15,615.11 b NA $1,850.51 $17,830.31 a Includes fish kills caused by sewage discharges from county or city waste treatment facilities. b Estimates of the number of fish killed by disease or natural causes are not normally calculated using accepted fish kill counting guidelines. Estimates for the value of fish are rarely reported. 17 Table C-3. Environmental reviews and assessments conducted by the Fisheries Section in FY2010. Agency and type of review Number a Georgia Department of Natural Resources Requests to build ponds on trout streams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Requests to stock fish in trout streams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Environmental Protection Division - Water quality issues . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Georgia State Clearinghouse Project reviews . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 U.S. Government Agency Permits, Projects and Plans Army Corps of Engineers - Plans and projects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Federal Energy Regulatory Commission - License Issues . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Tennessee Valley Authority Plans and Projects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 U.S. Dept of Interior National Park Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Plans and Projects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Local & Regional Government Projects Developments having regional impact . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Total. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 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 on which the Section prepared comments are included in these numbers. Numerous other documents were reviewed on which comments were not prepared. 18 Table C-4. Information - Education activities conducted by the Fisheries Section in FY2010. Education Event type Career day Student mentorship Student presentation / workshop Number of events 6 1 68 Total attendance 1,851 12 6,268 Fishing Event type Family fishing opportunites Fishing tournaments Handicapped fishing Kids fishing events Nat.Hunting / Fishing Day Senior citizen fishing Number of events 3 5 5 259 10 5 Attendance 3,923 154 170 24,288 2,482 159 Beginners 821 83 5,776 67 - Caught a fish 2,462 37 108 13,503 561 88 Information Event type Fish hatchery / PFA tours Public presentations Special events WRD Public hearing Number of events 23 55 10 1 Attendance 1,202 3,268 1,082 6 19 Appendix D: Tables showing information on the Fisheries Section Trout Production Program in FY2010. 20 Table D-1. Trout production (lbs), conversion ratios, and costs at state hatcheries in FY2010. Hatchery Species RAINBOW BROWN Total Cost a Total Per lb Catchables Buford Net weight gain Conversion ratio 143,556 1.26 20,595 1.15 164,151 1.24 $385,957 $2.35 Burton Net weight gain Conversion ratio 55,913 1.27 74,922 1.10 134,635 1.18 $246,888 $1.83 Summerville Net weight gain Conversion ratio 25,442 0.99 25,442 0.99 $74,282 $2.92 21 Total Net weight gain Conversion ratio b 224,911 1.23 95,517 1.11 324,228 1.19 $707,127 $2.18 Fingerlings c Summerville Cost per pound to stock trout from state hatcheries: Total production and distribution costs per pound: Production of 159,563 fingerling rainbow trout (3.4 inch mean length) weighing 10,965 pounds. $79,935 $0.49 $2.67 $7.29 Grand Total Catchable and Fingerling Costs $787,062 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. $2.84 Table D-2. Species, number, and weight (lbs) of trout stocked into Georgia's public waters from state and federal hatcheries during FY2010. Facility ______B_R_O__O_K______ Number Weight _____R_A__IN_B__O_W______ Number Weight ______B_R_O__W_N_______ Number Weight _______T_O_T_A_L________ Number Weight STATE HATCHERY Buford catchables fingerlings Burton catchables fingerlings Summerville catchables fingerlings 15,050 5,518 347,353 42,550 133,100 6,504 173,840 18,376 68,380 2,325 64,702 26,131 41,327 204,369 15,297 74,826 388,680 42,550 148,397 6,504 393,259 18,376 148,724 2,325 64,702 26,131 FEDERAL HATCHERY Chattahoochee Forest catchables fingerlings 286,944 57,000 99,528 400 286,944 57,000 99,528 400 22 TOTAL catchables fingerlings 15,050 5,518 872,839 117,926 327,139 9,229 245,696 90,123 1,133,585 117,926 422,780 9,229 Table D-3. Species, number, and weight (lbs) of catchable trout by habitat stocked from all hatcheries in FY2010. Locations stocked BROOK Number Weight RAINBOW Number Weight BROWN Number Weight TOTAL Number Weight STREAMS BY COUNTY Bartow Catoosa Chattooga Cherokee Dawson 550 159 Fannin Floyd Gilmer Gordon Habersham 940 349 Haralson Lumpkin 950 342 Murray 800 296 Paulding Pickens Polk Rabun 5,238 1,938 Stephens 1,080 400 Towns 1,020 378 Union Walker --W---h--it-e---------- ----3--,-6-0--8-- --1--,-3--3-6-- --T--o--t-a-l---------- ---1-4--,-1-8--6-- --5--,-1--9-8-- 10,600 3,532 4,175 4,915 1,724 2,117 800 239 29,541 10,910 90,667 32,524 34,378 13,378 18,514 6,413 500 19,830 149 7,292 7,664 3,005 58,393 20,187 9,505 3,560 6,100 2,348 7,250 2,285 1,964 66,187 841 26,141 22,331 9,079 21,749 8,172 64,200 22,290 9,079 3,654 ----6--4-,-4--2--3- -----2--3--,-9-4--7- --5--5--2-,-7--6--5- ----2-0--3--,-7-8--7- 2,350 807 427 149 800 280 1,693 6,444 592 2,433 10,078 3,729 17,276 9,327 6,406 3,442 1,000 336 75,836 12,655 20,903 6,024 27,206 4,721 7,578 2,243 ----2--7--,-2-1--8- -------9--,-7-3--8---1-9--2--,-0-3--1- -----6--9--,-6-6--0- 12,950 4,339 4,175 5,342 1,724 2,266 1,600 519 30,091 11,069 90,667 32,524 36,071 13,970 24,958 8,846 500 30,848 149 11,370 7,664 3,005 76,619 26,935 19,632 7,298 6,100 2,348 8,250 2,621 1,964 147,261 841 55,285 36,066 14,200 43,672 16,128 70,224 24,533 9,079 3,654 --------9-5--,-2-4--9- -----3--5--,-0-2--1- ------7--5-8--,-9-8--2- ----2-7--8--,-6-4--5- TAILWATERS Blue Ridge Hartwell Lanier --M---o-r-g--a--n--F--a--ll-s ------------ ---------- --T--o--t-a-l---------- ------------ ---------- 24,972 8,379 40,650 8,758 216,694 81,265 ----3--7-,-6--3--7- -----1--6--,-6-2--2- --3--1--9-,-9--5--3- ----1-1--5--,-0-2--4- 3,324 12,703 1,050 3,501 ----1--2--,-7-7--5- -------5--,-5-7--6----2--8--,-8-0--2- -----1--0--,-1-2--7- 28,296 9,429 53,353 12,259 216,694 81,265 --------5-0--,-4-1--2- -----2--2--,-1-9--8- ------3--4-8--,-7-5--5- ----1-2--5--,-1-5--1- RESERVOIRS AND SMALL LAKES Black Rock Burton Dockery Nancytown 864 320 Rock Creek Seed Vogel Winfield Scott ------------------ ------------ ---------- Total ------------------ ------------ ---------- GRAND TOTAL 14,186 5,198 1,870 14,315 6,405 3,546 8,100 671 2,800 2,577 1,348 3,028 1,125 382 12,845 5,140 ------------- -------------- 48,206 15,946 ------------- -------------- 920,924 334,757 21,513 9,020 2,000 830 1,350 486 ------------- -------------24,863 10,336 ------------- -------------245,696 90,123 1,870 671 35,828 11,820 6,405 2,577 4,410 1,668 8,100 3,028 2,000 830 2,475 868 12,845 5,140 ---------------- -------------- 73,933 26,602 ---------------- -------------- 1,181,670 430,398 23 Table D-4. Species, number, and weight (lbs) of fingerling trout by habitat stocked from all hatcheries in FY2010. Locations stocked RAINBOW Number Weight STREAMS BY COUNTY Fannin 57,000 400 Rabun 7,000 860 Total 64,000 1,260 TAILWATERS Hartwell Lanier 25,600 16,950 3,977 2,527 Total 42,550 6,504 RESERVOIRS AND SMALL LAKES Burton 11,376 1,465 Total GRAND TOTAL 11,376 117,926 1,465 9,229 BROWN Number Weight - - - - - - - - TOTAL Number Weight 57,000 7,000 64,000 400 860 1,260 25,600 3,977 25,600 3,977 11,376 11,376 100,976 1,465 1,465 6,702 24 Appendix E: Tables showing information on the Fisheries Section Warmwater Hatchery Production Program in FY2010. 25 Table E-1. Total numbers and cost per fish of warmwater species produced at state hatcheries in FY2010. Species Acres Number Number per acre Cost pera fish ($) Bluegill Fingerling Channel catfish Fry Fingerling Intermediate Harvestable Golden shiner Fingerling Goldfish Fingerling Intermediate Hybrid white-striped bass Fry Fingerling Lake chubsucker Fingerling Intermediate Lake sturgeon Fingerling Largemouth bass d Fry Fingerling Adv. Fingerling Intermediate Redear sunfish Fingerling Shoal bass Fingerling Striped bass Fry Fingerling Intermediate Walleye Fingerling Intermediate 13.07 7.10 8.17 21.07 12.69 1.35 1.05 5.39 b 22.30 0.96 0.77 c 1.32 5.21 0.71 1.56 3.74 1.00 b 17.17 12.25 10.20 0.80 2,673,959 1,993,738 652,421 514,373 86,372 5,874 24,447 22,644 9,000,000 2,390,487 36,233 5,571 5,936 510,070 356,440 38,050 679 434,972 15,000 7,840,000 1,521,873 75,403 691,004 379 204,588 280,808 79,856 24,413 6,806 4,351 23,283 4,201 b 107,197 37,743 7,235 c 386,417 68,415 53,592 435 116,303 15,000 b 88,636 6,155 67,745 474 0.045 0.036 0.166 0.390 1.210 2.237 0.364 3.257 0.003 0.026 0.400 0.993 7.287 0.005 0.031 0.047 33.110 0.127 0.213 0.003 0.028 1.484 0.045 13.439 Totals (all sizes) 147.88 28,895,925 e 82,889 f 0.086 f a Cost of each production phase includes cost of previous phase. b Not applicable, these fry were hatched in jars and placed in aquaria and/or vats. c Sturgeon fingerlings were raised in trout raceways at Summerville Hatchery. d Numbers produced include 692,010 largemouth bass F1 hybrids (Florida x northern) raised at Walton fish hatcheries. e 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 on federal hatcheries. f Weighted mean. Striped bass fry, hybrid striped-white bass fry, hybrid white-striped bass fry, walleye fry, and lake sturgeon (all phases) are not included. 26 27 Table E-2. Number of each warmwater fish species produced at state hatcheries in FY2010. Bowens Species Mill Bluegill Fingerling 658,377 Channel catfish Fry Fingerling 80,337 Intermediate Harvestable 9,618 Golden shiner Adv. Fingerling 5,874 Goldfish Fingerling Intermediate 21,832 Hybrid white-striped bass Fry Fingerling Burton Cordele 1,600,000 263,714 187,600 33,000 142,291 McDuffie 392,100 393,738 130,166 30,666 23,925 Richmond Hill 422,745 58,924 94,235 6,300 24,447 9,000,000 1,276,323 Steve Summer- Cocke ville 606,278 119,280 177,325 13,529 971,873 Walton 594,459 24,547 812 Lake chubsucker Adv. Fingerling Intermediate Lake sturgeon a Fingerling Largemouth bass b Fry Fingerling Adv. Fingerling Intermediate Redear sunfish Fingerling Shoal bass Fingerling Striped bass c Fry Fingerling Intermediate Walleye Fingerling Intermediate 36,233 510,070 88,930 38,050 157,361 434,868 29,329 5,571 5,936 99,000 113,550 125,310 89,244 259,872 61,734 7,840,000 759,058 52,012 54,960 679 63,057 15,000 68,075 23,391 100,163 499,778 379 Total (all sizes) 2,041,550 29,329 2,226,605 1,522,082 19,736,838 2,112,768 106,099 1,120,654 a Production of sturgeon for species restoration stockings in the Coosa River. Fish were raised in concrete trout raceways. b Numbers produced include 692,010 F1 hybrid (Florida x northern) largemouth bass raised at Bowens Mill and Steve Cocke Hatcheries. c Numbers produced include 91,466 Gulf Coast strain striped bass raised at Steve Cocke Hatchery. Total 2,673,959 1,993,738 652,421 514,373 86,372 5,874 24,447 22,644 9,000,000 2,390,487 36,233 5,571 5,936 510,070 356,440 38,050 679 434,972 15,000 7,840,000 1,521,873 75,403 691,004 379 28,895,925 28 Table E-3. Cost per fish (dollars) for warmwater fish species produced at state hatcheries in FY2010. Species Bowens Mill Burton Cordele McDuffie Richmond Hill Steve Cocke Summerville Bluegill Fingerling Channel catfish Fry Fingerling Intermediate Harvestable Hybrid white-striped bass Fry Fingerling Golden shiner Adv. Fingerling Goldfish Fingerling Intermediate Lake chubsucker Adv. Fingerling Intermediate Lake sturgeon Fingerling Largemouth bass a Fry Fingerling Adv. Fingerling Intermediate Redear sunfish Fingerling Shoal bass Fingerling Striped bass Fry Fingerling Intermediate Walleye Fingerling Intermediate 0.044 0.219 3.059 2.238 3.254 0.400 0.005 0.040 0.047 0.130 0.027 0.249 0.036 0.093 0.248 0.644 0.086 0.046 0.039 0.230 0.607 1.603 0.993 0.008 0.061 0.032 0.039 0.050 0.273 0.448 1.205 0.003 0.020 0.364 0.033 0.059 0.003 0.023 1.452 0.065 0.166 0.349 0.582 0.025 0.052 0.351 0.213 0.075 1.556 7.288 0.088 a Numbers produced include 181,940 F1 hybrid (Florida x northern) largemouth bass fingerlings raised at Bowens Mill Fish hatchery. Walton 0.023 1.287 3.338 33.110 0.025 13.439 Total 0.045 0.036 0.166 0.390 1.210 0.003 0.026 2.237 0.364 3.257 0.340 0.993 7.288 0.005 0.031 0.047 33.110 0.127 0.213 0.003 0.028 1.484 0.045 13.439 Table E-4. Warmwater fish distributed from state hatcheries in FY2010. Totals include fish provided by federal hatcheries, surplus brood stock, and fish available as by-products of other programs. Species Kid's fishing events Other fisheries agencies Private waters Public fishing areas Publicly owned small lakes Reservoirs Bluegill Fingerling 24,960 571,458 630,689 395,545 162,120 Channel catfish Fingerling 5,770 112,817 230,305 74,357 25,001 Adv. Fingerling 90,350 1,700 Intermediate 253,256 10,166 2,000 75,800 Harvestable 36,652 5,170 17,793 6,329 Golden shiner Fingerling 5,874 Goldfish Fingerling 24,447 Adv. Fingerling 3,000 Intermediate 812 Harvestable 21,832 Grass carp Intermediate 415 Harvestable 838 Lake chubsucker Intermediate 42,804 Lake sturgeon Fingerling 1,000 Adv. Fingerling Largemouth bass Fingerling 74,653 10,240 114,515 Adv. Fingerling 156 254 Intermediate 100 277 400 Redear sunfish Fingerling 1,240 144,467 48,448 44,030 Shoal bass Fingerling Striped bass - Atlantic strain Fry 1,200,000 Fingerling 809,413 Intermediate Striped bass - Gulf strain Intermediate 17,505 Striped-white bass hybrid Fingerling 1,990,113 White-striped bass hybrid Fry 283,270 Fingerling 9,500 8,581 Adv. Fingerling 1,497 Walleye Fingerling 8,194 671,261 Adv. Fingerling 368 Total (all sizes) 421,828 1,498,606 903,395 999,882 612,673 3,835,358 a Totals do not include fry or fingerlings distributed to other Georgia hatcheries for later production phases. Rivers & streams 196,533 90,381 4,936 39 35,000 13,000 57,198 397,087 Totala 1,981,305 538,631 92,050 341,222 65,944 5,874 24,447 3,000 812 21,832 415 838 42,804 5,936 39 234,408 410 777 238,185 13,000 1,200,000 809,413 57,198 17,505 1,990,113 283,270 18,081 1,497 679,455 368 8,668,829 29 Appendix F: Tables showing information on the Fisheries Section Public Fishing Area Program in FY2010. 30 Table F-1. Public Fishing Area operational costs for FY2010. Region Area Ownership I Rocky Mountain a III McDuffie IV Big Lazer IV Flat Creek IV Ocmulgee IV Marben Farms VI Dodge County VI Evans County VI Hugh M. Gillis VI Paradise Total Private State State State State State State State State State Number of lakes Acres open to public fishing Total operating cost ($) 2 559.0 390,673 7 109.0 177,396 2 196.0 37,537 1 108.0 95,887 1 106.0 99,649 14 279.3 163,785 1 104.0 109,360 3 122.0 129,643 1 109.0 131,817 60 525.0 289,088 92 2,217.3 1,624,835 a Operational costs of public fishing area, campground, and swimming beach is annually funded through a contract with Oglethorpe Power Corporation. 29 Appendix G: Tables showing information on the Fisheries Section Resource Studies in FY2010. 32 Table G-1. Expenditures on resource studies and contracts by Region during FY2010. Region West Central (IV) West Central (IV) & Southwest (V) Headquarters Headquarters Headquarters Headquarters Headquarters Headquarters Headquarters Headquarters Headquarters Headquarters Headquarters Headquarters Headquarters Study Title / Work Contracted Relations Between Shoal Bass and Sympatric Congeneric Black Bass Species in Georgia Rivers with Emphasis on Movement Patterns, Habitat Use, and Recruitment Alabama Shad/Gulf Striped Bass in the Chattahoochee/Flint River Basins Dr. Carl Quertermus - compilation and analysis of B.A.S.S. tournament fishing data Auburn University, SE Cooperative Fish Disease project diagnostic services, workshops and consultant services Auburn University - Southeastern Cooperative Fish Genetics, Genetics and Breeding of Fish in Georgia University of Georgia, Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit - research and education of fishery students University of Georgia - Limnological classification on sportfish production in lakes on Georgia's public fishing areas University of Georgia Research Foundation - Center for Remote Mapping Science - electronic mapping and database services MARIS Cooperative Agreement - for monies granted, provide fish sampling database records in format specified by MARIS Dr. Carol Johnson - verification of less common minnows and darters captured and identified by Fisheries Section Stream Team crews Southeast Aquatic Resources Partnership (SARP) - support of Southeastern States coordinator Boating Infrastructure Grant - Cooperative project for the purpose of constructing a floating dock as part of the Savannah Riverwalk extension and dredging at Delegal Creek Clean Vessel--cooperative agreement to fund the installation of sewage pumps at marinas Waldon, Ashworth & Accociates, Inc. - Water Supply Reliability and Walleye Culture Facility Study-engineering services to evaluate options for the addition of a Walleye culture facility at the Walton fish hatchery and water supply reliability in support of hatchery expansion Administrative project review and support services Cost 85,058 123,914 2,780 12,000 20,000 13,334 9,999 21,830 9,450 2,546 126,339 173,725 56,371 11,500 29,971 Total $698,817 33 Table G-2. Final reports and publications completed by the Fisheries Section in FY2010. Author Bahn, R., J. Fleming, D. Harrison, and B. Deener Publication The Anchored Gill Net Shad Fishery of the Altamaha River, Georgia. Proc. Ann. Conf. SEAFWA 63:183-187. Bonvechio, T., D. Harrison, Population Changes of Sportfish Following Flathead Catfish and B. Deener Introduction in the Satilla River, Georgia. Proc. Ann. Conf. SEAFWA 63:133-139. Evans, J. Preliminary Results of Gravel Augmentation Projects on the Oconee River, Georgia. Proc. Ann. Conf. SEAFWA 63:204. Hakala, J. Angler Catch and Exploitation of Spotted Bass in Allatoona Reservoir, Georgia. Proc. Ann. Conf. SEAFWA 63:210. Ingram, T., J. Tannehill, and Age, Growth, Fecundity, Abundance, and Passage of J. Isely Alabama Shad in the Apalachicola, Chattahoochee, and Flint River System. Proc. Ann. Conf. SEAFWA 63:212. Jamison, N. and R. Weaver Evaluation of the Supplemental Stocking of Largemouth Bass fingerlings into Lake Nottely, Georgia. Proc. Ann. Conf. SEAFWA 63:119-124. Kaeser, K. and T. Litts A Novel Technique for Mapping Habitat in Navigable Streams using Low-Cost Side Scan Sonar. Fisheries 35(4):163-174. Kaeser, K. and T. Litts Sonar Imagery Geo-processing Workbook - An Illustrated Guide to Geo-processing Low-Cost, Side Scan Sonar Imagery Obtained with the Humminbird Side Imaging System. Georgia Dept. Nat. Resources 12 pp. Kaeser, K. and T. Litts A Low-Cost Approach for Capturing and Processing Side Scan Sonar Imagery to Map Habitat in Navigable Rivers and Streams. Proc. Ann. Conf. SEAFWA 63:205. Kaeser, K. and T. Litts An Assessment of Shoal Habitat throughout the Lower Flint River using Low-cost Side Scan Sonar and GIS. Proc. Ann. Conf. SEAFWA 63:206. Marcinek, P. Development of a Fish Index of Biotic Integrity within the Coosa and Tennessee Basins of Blue Ridge Ecoregion, Georgia. Proc. Ann. Conf. SEAFWA 63:214. 34 Appendix H: Table showing the Fisheries Section maintenance and construction projects in FY2010. 35 Table H-1. Facility maintenance and construction projects statewide during FY2010 36 Project Boat Ramp Construction (statewide) Boat Ramp Repair and Maintenance (statewide) Rocky Mountain PFA Buford Fish Hatchery Project Description Planning and coordination activities were conducted on a number of potential sites around the state. A 16'X90' concrete boat ramp, a 30'X8' service pier and a single access handicap parking space were constructed at Panic Pond on Silver Lake WMA in Decatur County. In addition, a 14'X85' concrete ramp and 20'X8' service pier were also constructed at Frog Pond on Silver Lake WMA. Engineering services were contracted to prepare plan and secure project permits for the Oostanaula River boat ramp at SR156 in Gordon County. Gravel was also purchased for this ramp. Electrical service to an out-building, a drinking fountain, chiller, exhaust ventilation system, and single access concrete handicap parking space were installed at Flat Creek PFA in Houston County. Inspections were completed on all ramps statewide no less than once during the year. Routine inspections included mowing grass, trash collection and removal. Replaced existing ramp with a 20'X110' concrete ramp and double-access handicap parking space on the Satilla River at SR121 in Pierce County. Replaced existing ramp on the St. Marys River in St. George/Charlton County with a 20'X110' concrete ramp. A 120'X15' concrete ramp and 30'X8' service pier were installed at Dairy Pond and a 80'X20' concrete ramp and 30'X 8' service pier were installed at Shepherd Pond on Marben PFA in Jasper County. Repairs were made to a section of the existing ramp at Burton Fish Hatchery. A 20'X8' service pier was installed at Dodge County PFA. Service piers were additionally installed at both Fox Lake (60'X8') and Margery Lake (40'X8') at CEWC. At the Richard B Russell Lake Dry Fork Ramp a one acre graveled parking lot was paved. Handicap parking spaces were striped at several lakes and facilities at the CEWC, including Margery, Fox, and Shepherd Ponds; and at the fish cleaning station and at Education Building. The parking spaces at the newly paved lot at the Richard B. Russell Dry Fork boat ramp was also striped. The Flat Creek PFA parking lot and handicap parking was striped as well as the Lake Harding/Bartlett's Ferry Ramp parking area. Storm damage repairs were made on the Chattahoochee River/Campbellton Ramp in Fulton County that included repairing a pipe and driveway damaged by floodwaters. Storm damage repairs were also made on the Altamaha River/Eason's Bluff boat ramp in Appling County where a drainage ditch was repaired. Gravel was added to projects at McDuffie PFA, Paradise PFA, CEWC, Flat Creek PFA, Ocmulgee PFA, Silver Lake WMA, Oconee River/SR112 in Baldwin County, Oconee River/below Sinclair Dam in Baldwin County, Altamaha River/Eason's Bluff in Appling County, Savannah River/Ebenezer Creek in Effingham County, St. Mary's River/Traders Hill in Charlton County, and the Ocmulgee River/SR83 in Jasper County. Concrete sidewalks were constructed at Margery Lake to connect a service pier and fishing pier to handicap parking, at Flat Creek PFA to connect the restroom and fish cleaning station to handicap parking, and at Fox Lake (CEWC) to connect the restroom and service pier to handicap parking. Steel pole barn for equipment storage at Rocky Mtn. PFA. New structure measures 40'x100'x16'. The project was awarded to and constructed by Georgia Steel Buildings, Inc. and 100 percent funded by Oglethorpe Power Company. Repairs on the septic system at Buford Fish Hatchery. Total Cost 179,459 897,666 21,525 20,000 Table H-1 (continued). Facility maintenance and construction projects statewide during FY2010. Project Hartwell Boating/Fishing Access McDuffie Fish Hatchery Go Fish Center HQ Administrative costs Total Expenditures Project Description Two boating access facilities and a fishing pier constructed on Lake Hartwell with funding from the Sangamo PCB settlement. Total Cost 2,352,284 Removal and replacement of kitchen cabinets in Assistant Manager's residence ($6,975). Prather house demolition - Asbestos abatement and structural removal ($6,450). Resurfacing of two driveways; Manager's and Assistant Manager's residences ($11,400). Go Fish Center Construction (Phase II) development , production, and installation of interior exhibits to include galleries, interactive displays and educational activities, fish mountings and an outdoors walkthrough exhibit of Georgia aquatic habitats highlighted by a 180,000 gallon aquarium. 24,825 627,244 Pro-rated expenses of headquarters staff to manage capital outlay repairs and maintenance projects. 161,128 $4,284,131 37