Wildlife chief makes most of first year

Asked if the stress of being named new director of Utah's wildlife agency one year ago had gotten to him yet, Jim Karpowitz chuckled and answered, "I haven't had time for stress."

Karpowitz took over the helm of the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources a year ago, at a time when, as he was quick to point out, "There were some huge challenges."

Among them were budget shortfalls, the loss of key personnel, whirling disease at fish hatcheries, widespread loss of habitat, invading plant species and infectious diseases showing up in animal life.

"We haven't solved all of the problems, but we've made giant strides forward. It's been difficult and challenging at times, but also very rewarding and that has made it all worthwhile," he said.

"I set five goals to be met in the next five years and we've made some real progress on all five, and particularly in three areas — work within the agency, our wildlife resources and community relations."

He explained:

• The agency has made great progress in its habitat restoration program.

"This past year we were able to complete 122,000 acres in habitat restoration. We took $2 million the legislature gave and found partners for another $6.5 million. With the $8.5 million we have invested in habitat programs that will pay off long-term for fish, game and non-game in every region of the state," he said.

"And we expect to keep this work going for the next several years. We've got the money, the programs and the people, so there's no reason we can't do as much or even more."

• Three of Utah's 10 fish hatcheries were hit hard in recent years by whirling disease. The extended drought also resulted in reduced production.

Last May the disease was found in the Springville hatchery. Nearly a million fish were lost. It was found in Midway in 2000 and Fountain Green in 2002.

"With the hatcheries we have coming back on line, we expect to produce 1.2 million pounds of fish to be stocked in our streams and reservoirs. This will be a big increase over what we were able to do last year," Karpowitz explained.

"We were also fortunate enough to receive $5 million from the general fund this past legislative session to rebuild the Midway hatchery, which will produce another quarter million pounds when it is fully on line, so we're pretty excited about the

great strides we've made for fishing."