The entrance to the Deer Mountain Fish Hatchery is seen last summer. The raptor center’s eagle flight cage is in the background. That was removed to allow more space for the Southern Southeast Regional Aquaculture Association to expand the hatchery operations.
The Ketchikan City Council meets Thursday, and one of the items on the agenda are two motions related to the transfer of the city-owned Deer Mountain Hatchery to the Southern Southeast Regional Aquaculture Association, or SSRAA.
The city has been negotiating with SSRAA to take over operations at the hatchery, which was operated for many years by Ketchikan Indian Community. KIC ended that program last year, citing financial issues.
According to a memo from city engineering technician Matt Brown, the operation plan submitted by SSRAA calls for using the Deer Mountain Hatchery as an extension of the Whitman Lake hatchery’s king salmon program. It will produce about 500,000 fish on site, and of those about 100,000 will be released into Ketchikan Creek. The rest will be taken to Neets Bay for release at that hatchery.
The plan also calls for tourism and educational programs. The hatchery is located in City Park, next to Ketchikan Creek and the city’s Totem Heritage Center. It’s a popular area for tourists.
The city received an insurance settlement for the hatchery because of damage after a pipe burst in February. Another motion in front of the Council Thursday will transfer that $107,000 settlement to SSRAA to use for repairs.
The Council also has an executive session planned at the end of the meeting to discuss City Manager Karl Amylon’s annual evaluation.
The meeting starts at 7 p.m. Thursday in City Council chambers. Public comment will be heard at the start of the meeting.
