Dan Vogler at the old Grayling state fish hatchery. (Photo by Michigan Radio) FISH FARM HEARINGS: AuSable Hatchery Expansion Plans Raise Anglers' Hackles
December 7, 2015
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The "holy waters" of the AuSable River are heating up over a proposed fish farm that would discharge more than 8 million gallons of water daily into the river.
Fly fishing anglers and conservation purists are up in arms, considering such a plan that might sully the holy waters a "sacrilegious" invasion of the traditional sportsmen's sanctuary.
It would reportedly be Michigan's biggest fish farm, according to michiganradio.org, that has been covering the dispute.
Hearings by the DNR are slated in February concerning a plan by Dan Vogler of the Harrietta Hills Trout Farm to raise 300,000 pounds of fish annually in the old Graying Fish Hatchery.
The Grayling Fish Hatchery existed as a quaint tourist attraction in Grayling from 1914 until it was closed in 1960. Recently state officials granted a permit allowing Harrietta Hills Trout Farm to used the old hatchery to raise 300,000 pounds of fish annually.
Anglers of the AuSable (AOTA), a 600-member group fears potential damage to the river from proposed release of fish waste and uneaten food. AOTA and the Sierra Club have filed appeals to the permit. Hearings are slated in Lansing February 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 24 and 25.
"As many have been quick to point out, this is one of the biggest threats, if not the biggest threat, to the Au Sable River that anyone can remember," says Joseph Hemming, attorney for AOTA.
Anglers has spent over $100,000 to date on contesting this permit, officials of the group said. Costs include fees of lawyers and various experts, water studies, records, etc.
Vogler believes Michigan could produce much more fresh, locally produced fish, adding value to the state's economy and enhancing residents' diets.
But many in the community worry about the farm's potential impact on such a pristine fishery. Josh Greenburg owner of Gates Lodge fly-fishing camp and fly shop on Au Sable's Holy Waters, and others worry about all the fish poop (and phosphorus) the farm would deposit in the river, the potential for the farmed fish to spread disease into the wild trout population, and particularly how and how often the state would monitor water quality.
"Every bit of it is going to be of concern to anyone that loves fishing the wild trout on the river," Greenburg said, "That's many more people than will likely profit from a fish hatchery."
"We're not opposed to the hatchery in principal because it's really a landmark in Grayling," said Tom Baird of the AOTA. "We just want to make sure it's done right so as not to create a threat to the Au Sable river."
Baird said his group wants to see stricter sampling than the proposed weekly self-monitoring schedule.
Vogler says he understands the concerns, but doesn't think adding more sampling will do anything to improve the state's ability to monitor the proposed fish farm's effluent.
"We've been in the trout business for 17 years and we manage our facilities well. It is not in our best interest to be known as the people that destroyed the Au Sable River. So we will take care of the river," Vogler said.
Michigan's Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) has drafted a permit that would allow the farm to discharge up to 8.64 million gallons of water into the Au Sable River each day.
The DEQ admits the water quality would decrease, but that the decrease is necessary to support "important social and economic development in the area."
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