Final Environmental Assessment for the Ruth Burnett Sport Fish Hatchery in Fairbanks, Alaska

The State of Alaska Department of Fish and Game is proposing the construction of the Ruth Burnett Sport Fish Hatchery in Fairbanks, Alaska. The proposed hatchery would contribute mainly three types of releases to the environment:

• airborne emissions
• waterborne effluents
• catchable sport fish for stocking lakes in Interior Alaska

This analysis concludes that airborne emissions and waterborne effluents produced by the proposed hatchery would not measurably change the cumulative level of contaminants and would not alter fish habitat in the Chena River. Sport fish production from the proposed hatchery would have a beneficial effect on outdoor recreation and tourism, benefiting the local and regional economy. The proposed hatchery would ensure an adequate and reliable source of sport fish for Interior Alaska.

The cumulative impact assessment concludes that the Proposed Action is not anticipated to contribute to any adverse cumulative impact. It would, however, make a contribution to beneficial impacts on sport fish availability, outdoor recreation and tourism, and the local and regional economy of Fairbanks and Interior Alaska.