News Release: MDEQ Affirms with Modification Approval of Permit for Harrietta Hills Grayling Trout Farm

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
May 4, 2018

Contact: Tiffany Brown, MDEQ PIO, 517-284-6716, brownt22@michigan.gov

MDEQ Affirms with Modification Approval of Permit for Harrietta Hills Grayling Trout Farm
Permit includes additional protections for the Au Sable River, consistent with previous ruling

LANSING, MICH. The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) today announced its decision to grant a permit to Harrietta Hills Grayling Trout Farm to expand its hatchery on the East Branch of the Au Sable River.

The MDEQ Water Resources Division issued a permit for the Grayling Fish Hatchery in 2014. The Sierra Club and Anglers of the Au Sable filed petitions for a contested case hearing on the permit approval. The contested case was heard in early 2016, with subsequent procedural actions and remand during the intervening time.

“After a careful, thorough and comprehensive review of the case, the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality adopted, with modification, the previous ruling by the state administrative law judge to allow Harrietta Hills Grayling Trout Farm to expand its hatchery,” said C. Heidi Grether, director of MDEQ. “These modifications provide additional environmental protections for the Au Sable River.”

MDEQ permit modifications to further protect the Au Sable River include requiring:
• Testing for the presence of whirling disease within the hatchery;
• Removal of all fish within the hatchery if whirling disease is detected;
• Modification of the hatchery’s Best Management Practices Plan to include testing of the sediment for the presence of whirling disease downstream from the hatchery;
• Installation of quiescent zones in each of the hatchery’s raceways; and
• Additional testing for ammonia, dissolved oxygen and carbonaceous biochemical oxygen demand.

“This was an extremely complex and important case, so it was very important to conduct a detailed review of the evidence,” Grether added.

The MDEQ determined the application, with the included modifications, meets the requirements for approval under Part 31, Water Resources Protection, of the Michigan Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, MCL 324.3101 et seq., and the associated administrative rules.

For more information view the links below:

Harrietta Hills Grayling Trout Farm Final Decision and Order

Harrietta Hills Grayling Trout Farm background briefing

Harrietta Hills Grayling Trout Farm FAQ

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