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Show Feds commit to hatchery Pushed into a corner by several lawsuits, the Senate Appropriations Committee has approved a $50,000 supplemental sup-plemental appropriation to operate the Jones Hole Federal Fish Hatchery, 30 miles northeast of Vernal. The committee said in its report on the Interior appropriations bill that it intends to provide $350,000 to operate Jones Hole in the fiscal year begining Oct. 1 because lawsuits have been filed fil-ed claiming the United States has a responsibility to continue Jones Hole operations. Congress voted last December to close Jones Hole and several other hatcheries. hat-cheries. State officials offered to take over its operation, financing its costs by selling fish to surrounding states. Sen. Jack Gam, R-L'tah, said earlier this month, however, that after consultations con-sultations with Gov. Scott M. Matheson and Interior Secretary James Wat', he believed it would be in the best interest of the West for Congress Con-gress to reconsider closing the facility. Rep. Howard Nielson, R-L'tah said Continued on page 2 Jones Hole... Continued from page 1 that he thought the state would do a better job at operating the hatchery, but should Utah take over the facility a deal should be worked out with Daggett Dag-gett County to continue present fish stocking at Flaming Gorge. |