Stop Hatchery Development in Warm Springs Bay (Southeast Alaska)

UPDATE: AS OF MARCH 28TH THE APPLICATION FOR HATCHERY DEVELOPMENT HAS BEEN DENIED. THANKS TO ALL WHO SIGNED THE PETITION. 

Southeast Alaskans love Warm Springs Bay. It's a favorite destination for fishermen and recreational boaters from the region and world. The bay is a spectacular place, featuring snowy peaks, lush forest, a powerful waterfall flowing from a glacial lake, and of course multiple hot springs. These springs are open to the public and beautifully situated within the natural landscape.

Warm Springs Bay is threatened by a massive private hatchery project which stands to transform the peaceful bay into an industrial hub.The hatchery facility would be the prominent feature of the bay, situated where there's now a boardwalk and public bathhouse. The footprint of the facility would dwarf all other structures, and the bay and lake would be cluttered by net-pens and docks.

This project is in the late stages of the application process. All that is left before the project is considered for approval or denial by the Commissioner is a single public hearing (held in Sitka on February 23rd), and public comment period which will be accepted until March 10th. Please take the time to email your personal comments to: lorraine.vercessi@alaska.gov

Here are just a few reasons why this proposed project is a bad idea:

• Alaskans love Warm Springs Bay the way it is. Fishermen, and other Alaskans visit Warm Springs for its healing waters, unparralled scenery, and peace. An industrial salmon hatchery would irrevocably diminish this wonderful place.
• The water requirements for this project are immense. So much water would be diverted from the lake to the hatchery that the powerful waterfall at the head of the bay is predicted to run dry at times. Low water levels would jeopardize the water rights of other citizens, and threaten the cutthroat trout and other species that live in Baranof Lake. The stream flow data used in the project's application is 46 years old and doesn't take into account the impact of changing rain and snow patterns on the glacially-fed lake.
• Yet another hatchery? Just several miles north of Warm Springs Bay, the Hidden Falls Hatchery run by NSRAA has recently suffered notable failures due to challenges that include high predation from humpbacks and pollock, and low marine survival. The proposed facility would face these same challenges so it's unlikely that this project would offer much economic benefit to commercial fisheries.
• There is significant local opposition to this project. This project in previous applications has been rejected by the community of Warm Springs Bay, the Northern Southeast Regional Aquaculture Association, and by commercial fishing groups.

Add your name to let Commissioner Sam Cotten and Hatchery Program Coordinator Lorraine Vercessi know that you don't want private hatchery development in Warm Springs Bay.