The Chief Joseph Hatchery (CJH) is the fourth hatchery obligated under the Grand Coulee Dam/Dry Falls project, originating in the 1940s. Planning of the Chief Joseph hatchery began in 2001, and it received its first broodstock in 2013. Dr. Wolf was a founding steering committee member and served as the lead for development of the monitoring and evaluation program for the Master Planning phases of this project. Then, beginning in 2010, he served as the Science Program Manager for the final design, construction and implementation phases for this project.
The Chief Joseph Hatchery’s science and operating programs and designs were structured under integrated recommendations from the Congressional Hatchery Reform Project and recommendations from the Hatchery Science Review Group since planning began. The hatchery was also subject to review under the Northwest Power and Conservation Council’s (NPCC’s) 3-Step Master Plan process and from the Independent Scientific Review Panel.
The project was a coordinated effort done in conjunction with the Colville Tribes; The Chelan, Douglas and Grant Public Utility Districts; Bonneville Power Administration and the Northwest Power Planning Council. Capital expenditures exceeded 100 million dollars with an annual operating budget of 7 million dollars supporting 35 staff.