Provide operation and maintenance of the big springs hatchery and address facility maintenance needs

The Ute Indian Tribe received a $676,866.80 Cooperative Agreement from the Bureau of Reclamation under the Upper Colorado River Basin Fish and Wildlife Mitigation Program (CFDA 15.535) effective July 2, 2025 through September 30, 2029. The award funds operation and maintenance of the Big Springs Hatchery in Utah, with the recipient responsible for performing routine daily and periodic activities necessary to maintain the facility and associated equipment in productive condition for fish production and stocking operations.

The recipient's responsibilities encompass all operational and maintenance activities required to sustain hatchery productivity, including personnel costs, utilities, fish food, vehicle fuel and repairs, fish production chemicals, fish health testing and certification, and cleaning supplies. The funding enables the Tribe to maintain the hatchery's infrastructure and equipment free of operational impairments while producing the desired quantity and quality of fish for stocking purposes, supporting the broader program objective of protecting, restoring, and enhancing ecosystems for fish and wildlife conservation in the Upper Colorado River Basin.

The recipient will perform routine actions needed to keep the hatchery and associated equipment in a state of productive existence, free of impairments to active operations so that IT can produce the quantity and quality of fish desired. The recipient will perform routine, daily or periodic activities necessary to operate the hatchery to produce fish for stocking. Expenses associated with operations would include, but not be limited to, personnel, utilities, fish food, fuel for and repair of vehicles, fish production chemicals, fish health testing and certification, and cleaning supplies.