Remove and replace existing oxygen generation equipment at both of alaska department of fish and games state operated hatcheries: ruth burnett sportfish hatchery and william jack hernandez sportfish…

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Region 7, awarded $1,456,805 to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) under the Sport Fish Restoration program (CFDA 15.605) on July 1, 2025, with completion targeted for June 30, 2027. The award funds the removal and replacement of oxygen generation equipment at two state-operated sportfish hatcheries: Ruth Burnett Sportfish Hatchery and William Jack Hernandez Sportfish Hatchery. The existing oxygen generators, manufactured by OSI and in continuous operation for fourteen years, have exceeded their useful life and lack manufacturer maintenance support and replacement parts. The original manufacturing company has been sold, the equipment models have been discontinued, and the successor company no longer provides technical support or parts availability, creating operational challenges for maintenance staff.

This Formula Grant award directly supports hatchery operations by delivering critical infrastructure replacement necessary to maintain the facilities' capacity to produce sport fish populations. The replacement of obsolete oxygen generation systems will restore reliable operational capability at both hatcheries, ensuring continuity of the ADF&G's fisheries management and sport fish conservation efforts in Alaska consistent with the Sport Fish Restoration program's mission to enhance and maintain sport fish resources and public access to recreational fishing opportunities.

Remove and replace existing oxygen generation equipment at both of alaska department of fish and games state operated hatcheries: ruth burnett sportfish hatchery and william jack hernandez sportfish hatchery. The oxygen generators at both facilities have exceeded their useful life and have no manufacture maintenance support. All mechanical systems, even with regular operation and maintenance, have a life expectancy. Both facilities employ the same make and model of oxygen generators and have been in continuous operation for fourteen years. The manufacturing company, OSI, has been sold and the installed models discontinued. The new company has discontinued supporting the oxygen generators and producing replacement parts. Maintenance staff are experiencing greater difficulty in maintaining the equipment and retrofitting non-original equipment manufacturer parts.