Dan Knoll (503) 947-6023       
Bob Hudspeth (503) 392-3485

Fax: (503) 947-6009

SALEM, Ore — Local anglers dug a ditch, installed a pipeline and provided funds to help Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife personnel make improvements to a larger settling pond at Cedar Creek Hatchery near Hebo.

The abatement pump and pipeline project will use 850 feet of pipeline to pump water from a small settling pond to a much larger pond. A settling pond is used to settle out heavier particles and solids from pond cleaning operations so cleaner water flows back into the stream. The Tillamook Anglers paid for rental of a backhoe and the Nestucca Anglers supplied the operator and laborers to excavate and install the pipeline. The final pieces of the project are installation of a water pump to move water from the existing pond to the larger pond, electrical power to run the system, backfilling and re-dressing the slopes. The project started Jan. 30 and will be finished by the end of June.

“This project will help us pump cleaner water back into the stream which will benefit fish and wildlife.” said Cedar Creek Hatchery Manager Bob Hudspeth. “We couldn’t have completed this project without the volunteers. Their expertise and hard work were a big help and this partnership is very important to the success of our hatchery.”

The North Coast Salmon Steelhead Enhancement Fund, Wildlife Heritage Foundation and Nestucca Anglers each contributed $10,000 for the project. Tillamook Anglers gave $11,000 and the Tillamook Peoples Utility District provided an $8,000 grant. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Restoration and Enhancement Board supplied $97,000 for the $146,000 project.

The three man crew of hatchery manager Bob Hudspeth, assistant manager Charles Baker and technician Joe Hulburt provide fish for anglers by rearing and spawning summer and winter steelhead and spring and fall chinook salmon. The hatchery is located 21 miles west of Valley Junction and 1.5 miles east of Hebo on Highway 22.

The mission of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is to protect and enhance Oregon's fish and wildlife and their habitats for use and enjoyment by present and future generations. The agency consists of the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission, a commission-appointed director and a statewide staff of approximately 950 permanent employees. Headquartered in Salem, ODFW has regional offices in Clackamas, Roseburg, Bend, and La Grande with ten district offices located throughout the state. For additional information, please visit: www.dfw.state.or.us.