Governors Request Emergency Appropriations to Address Economic Emergency from Salmon Fishery Closures

04/21/2008 -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Oregon Governor Theodore R. Kulongoski and Washington Governor Christine Gregoire today sent a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi asking her for assistance in obtaining emergency appropriations to help address the economic emergency resulting from the Pacific Fisheries Management Council recommendation to close commercial and recreational salmon fishing because of the near record-low levels of salmon fish.

Seattle fish market: Photo by ashatsea (CC)

April 21, 2008

The Honorable Nancy Pelosi
Speaker of the House
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Madam Speaker,

As you are no doubt aware, the Sacramento River fall Chinook salmon population has been decimated, resulting for the first time in history in a Pacific Fisheries Management Council recommendation to close commercial and recreational fishing for this species. Additionally, populations of Columbia River Chinook and Coho are near record-low levels, and the Council has also significantly reduced fishing for these species. The economic impact on our three states totals $290 million and includes the loss of more than 4,200 jobs.

As the federally designated conservation thresholds will not be met this year, our states have also taken action to eliminate recreational salmon fishing for this species in state waters. California has further had to eliminate inland recreational fishing in the Sacramento River system. This is a West Coast-wide issue, and our three states are united in working with you on behalf of our fishing communities.

These closures and reductions have had a catastrophic effect on both commercial and recreational fishermen and women, and the people, businesses and communities that they support. As a result, we have requested that Commerce Secretary Gutierrez declare a federal fishery resource disaster pursuant to Section 308(d) of the Interjurisdictional Fisheries Act of 1986, and a commercial fishery failure under Section 312a of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1976.

Due to the particularly difficult impacts resulting from this closure in the State of California, the state has declared a state of emergency likely to exceed the capabilities of California to handle. Similarly, earlier this month Oregon declared a state of emergency in anticipation of the severe economic impacts of the closure on coastal counties. Oregon and Washington have also mobilized state agencies to work with the affected individuals and businesses to ensure that vital economic assistance reaches them.

We turn to you now for assistance in obtaining emergency appropriations to help our states address this economic emergency. We cannot sustain the affected families, businesses or communities without this much-needed federal support.

Thank you very much for your help in addressing this very significant issue for our states. Please do not hesitate to contact any one of us if you require additional information or our further assistance in meeting this request.

Source: California Governor

Bookmark/Search this post with:

 •    •    •    •    •    •    •    •    •    •    •    •