The Neosho National Fish Hatchery was established in 1888 and is the oldest operating Federal fish hatchery in the country. The hatchery raises pallid sturgeon, an endangered species, for recovery efforts in lower Missouri River, rainbow trout for Lake Taneycomo, cave fish and several species of native mussels.
It's new visitor center and headquarters opened in December 2010 after being completely rebuilt. The Gold rating comes from energy efficiency and building materials that make this building the first of the US Fish & Wildlife Services to be so named.
Building Materials
- Environmentally friendly, natural materials including fiber cement siding, wood framing, metal roof, stained concrete and marmoleum flooring.
- Low VOC (volatile organic compounds) emitting materials selected to reduce indoor air contaminants and provide a healthy environment for occupants.
- Regionally extracted and manufactured materials utilized.
- Materials selected for high recycled content.
- Polished concrete floors with stainless steel fish in-lays reduce maintenance.
Energy Efficiency
- Building configuration and windows strategically placed to maximize natural sun light and views.
- Low-e insulated glass minimizes solar heat gain while maximizing visible light transmittance.
- Double hung, aluminum clad windows for ease of maintenance.
- Building systems and enclosures designed to achieve 30% or better energy savings over ASHRAE 90.1 requirements.
- Insulation R-values meet energy code values - exterior walls (R-19), interior walls (R-11), ceilings (R-38) and nail base insulation (R-38).
- Geothermal wells provide 60 degree glycol to HVAC heat pumps for heating and cooling of fresh supply air.
- Zoned heat pumps are controlled by individual thermostats to maximize thermal comfort.
- Mechanical ventilation treated separately by an energy recovery unit to recover energy and maximize energy savings.
- Lighting control system including occupancy sensors, time sensors and dimmer panels designed to minimize energy use.
- Operable windows utilized for individual control of ventilation.
- Sixteen photovoltaic panels contribute up to 3.5 KW to the energy used on site.
