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<br />Silver Springs Trout Farm I Sherwood Trust Agenda Item 22a, <br />November 19-20, 2001 (Updated November 26, 2001) <br /> <br />Selected Alternative 3 consists of replacing all earth fish rearing ponds with concrete <br />raceways that can be cleaned. The raceways segments are 12 feet wide and 80 feet long, with <br />a total length of 560 feet. The raceways are constructed of 8-inch thick walls and 12-inch thick <br />floors of steel reinforced concrete. The raceways are in series, but can be isolated from each <br />other and independently supplied with water. The raceway surfaces are smooth concrete that is <br />easy to clean and which provides poor habituate for the whirling disease aiternate host, T. <br />tubifex, Surface drainage is directed away from the raceways. The raceway work was <br />completed in August 1998. <br /> <br />Source water protection consists of installation of 600 feet of 10-inch PVC transmission line and <br />400 feet of 10-inch perforated collection line. Four gate valves will be installed to provide full <br />control, and the system will be tied into the existing pump house and water box. The estimated <br />cost is $41,230. <br /> <br />Predator control consists of constructing a 10' chain link fence and installing a wire mesh (2" by <br />2" openings) to keep the birds out. The estimated cost is $16,600. <br /> <br />The implementation schedule for the source water protection and predator control calls for <br />completion of financing arrangements and final engineering design in fall 2001. Construction <br />will start in fall-winter 2001-2002 and be completed by fall 2002. The SSTF / ST will obtain <br />construction financing elsewhere, and will refinance this debt, as well as other existing debt <br />associated with the project, when the CWCS loan becomes available in summer 2002. <br /> <br />Financial Analysis <br />The total estimated cost of the project is $ 408,000, and the water is used by a commercial fish <br />hatchery to produce trout that are sold on the open market. HS 91-1270 defines this type of <br />commercial operation as "Aquaculture" and further states that "... aquaculture shall be <br />considered an agricultural enterprise.." Staff is recommending that CWCS agricultural rates be <br />applied to loans for rehabilitation of commercial fish hatcheries. Further, because of the great <br />importance of proper management in maintaining the facility free of whirling disease, staff is <br />also recommending that these loans not exceed 15 years in duration. In this case the facility <br />has operated whirling disease free for several years and the owners have exhibited excellent <br />management. For these reasons, Staff is recommending a 15-year loan at 3%, in maximum <br />amount of $365,000 (90% of estimated total project cost.) <br /> <br />Alternative financing sources: The SSTF I ST actively sought alternative financing and was <br />able to obtain a private loan in amount of $350,000 at 8% to finance construction of the new <br />raceways. That loan is amortized over 30 years and has an annual payment of $30,818. <br />However, the loan also has a balloon payment in amount of $311,000 due in ten years (year <br />2009). This private loan does not provide a permanent financing solution, since the Hatchery <br />Company will need to seek new financing in 2009. <br /> <br />Table 2 is a summary of the financial aspects of the project. A CWCS loan of $365,000 would <br />have an annual payment of $33,632 (including the 10% reserve requirement) at the loan terms <br />of 3% for 15 years. <br /> <br />Project Cost $408,000 <br />Number of Shareholders 1 <br />Number of Shares of Stock 50,000 <br />CWCS Loan Amount $365,000 <br />CWCS Loan Payment (includes 10% reserve) $33,632 <br /> <br />Table 2. Financial Summary <br /> <br />3 <br />