OAR 635-007-1000: Carcasses for Stream Enrichment

At least 45 percent of the carcasses from all adult hatchery-produced fish that return to hatchery facilities, averaged over 10 years, must be retained and placed at seasonally appropriate times in natural spawning and rearing areas to enhance nutrient recycling. Distribution of carcasses in any single year will take account of the following: (1) Placement is consistent with requirements of state and federal water quality laws . (2) The Department must review the disease history of the hatchery and particular fish stock, current fish health testing results, geographic location and history of fish disease, and presence of disease agents in the receiving stream and watershed as a whole to minimize the risk of introducing or disseminating disease agents into the receiving waters. (3) Only fish that are killed as excess brood or that survive to spawn may be used for carcass distribution. (4) Carcasses must be placed in the originating river basin or locations identified in hatchery program management plans or other operational or conservation plans. (5) The Fish Division may stop carcass distribution if pathogen levels increase in spawned adult fish during the spawning period.