National hatchery closure in Bethel has Vermont officials concerned

This story by Wilder Grimes was first published in The White River Valley Herald on Nov. 12, 2026. Plans to place the White River National Fish Hatchery in Bethel on inactive status have raised concerns among Vermont fishery officials, who say the state’s remaining hatcheries are already operating at capacity and could be affected by changes to federal programs. A letter addressed to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Brian Nesvik from U.S. Sens. Peter Welch, Chuck Schumer, Bernie Sanders and Kirsten Gillibrand, and U.S. Rep. Becca Balint, shared early last month, detailed the federal agency’s plans to place the hatchery on inactive status. The congressional delegation pleaded with the director to rescind that decision, advocating for the necessity of the hatchery in maintaining fish populations in Vermont and New York. Federal officials have not publicly explained how the hatchery’s work would be handled following its deactivation.

This excerpt comes from the named source. Read the original for the full reporting.