Historic Uvalde Hatchery Buildings May Be Removed

The United States Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is issuing this public notice as part of its responsibilities under 36 CFR Part 800, the implementing regulations of Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (NHPA), as amended. The NHPA requires Federal agencies, including the USFWS, to identify and consider the potential effects its actions may have on historic properties. Under the NHPA, Federal agencies are responsible for providing an opportunity for members of the public to express their views on how adverse effects to historic properties resulting from a proposed Federal action should be addressed. The views of the public are essential to the Service in making informed decisions during the Section 106 process.

The Service is proposing to demolish nine (9) historic buildings at Uvalde National Fish Hatchery “Live-Work” area due to ongoing safety and environmental concerns from the deteriorating conditions of the buildings. Uvalde National Fish Hatchery is an approximately 104-acre facility located roughly three-and-one-half miles southwest of downtown Uvalde, Texas. The facility is comprised of earthen hatchery ponds, various support resources, and a roughly 3.75-acre concentration of Live-Work resources on the south side of the facility directly north of Highway 481/South Old Eagle Pass Road. The facility was constructed in two phases between 1935 and 1939 by the Works Progress Administration (WPA), including the Live-Work area that provided onsite residences for employees. The Service, in consultation with the Texas State Historic Preservation Officer and the Executive Director of the Texas Historical Commission, has determined the 104-acre hatchery property is eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places as a Historic District for its clear association to WPA agriculture and conservation efforts and for its design as a WPA-era facility. The demolition of the buildings constitutes an adverse effect to the historic property under the NHPA.

As mitigation for resolving adverse effects from the proposed action, the USFWS plans to complete a Historic Context to be made available to the public through the Uvalde National Fish Hatchery website. The archival research conducted as part of the development of the Historic Context will be used to inform the development of interpretive history panels to be located within the Visitor Center at Uvalde National Fish Hatchery. The existing Live-Work area will be converted into a pollinator garden with meandering walkways for the use and benefit of pollinators and visitors.

If you would like to comment on the proposed mitigation measures or wish to receive more information, please contact Natalie Sanford, USFWS Regional Archaeologist at natalie_sanford@fws.gov or 505-238-4496 by March 14, 2023.