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A juvenile sucker in one of the U.S. Geological Survey’s Upper Klamath Lake mesocosms. Fish released by the Fish and Wildlife Service’s Gone Fishing sucker hatchery are slightly more mature than this when released into the lake.

 H&N Photo by Alex Schwartz

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has opened a public comment period concerning the proposed construction of a new hatchery to rear endangered C’waam and Koptu (suckers). Community members may submit comments through September 28.

The proposed hatchery would significantly increase FWS’s rearing capacity for suckers to align more closely with goals stated in the 2013 Sucker Recovery Plan. The service released a draft environmental assessment (EA) Monday detailing the expected impacts of the new facility and its construction on its immediate environment. Public comments should concern information communicated in this document.