Salmon

06/17/2008 -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Oregon Governor Theodore Kulongoski and Washington Governor Christine Gregoire sent a joint letter to President George Bush today expressing strong opposition to the Administration's proposal to remove $70 million in emergency disaster assistance for fishing families, communities and businesses impacted by the closure of the salmon season, and they urged President Bush to reconsider his opposition to helping these families in need.    » read more »

Bush administration plans to cut funding by $70 million

June 12, 2008 -- OLYMPIA – Washington Governor Chris Gregoire today issued the following statement on the Bush administration’s plan to shrink federal funding set aside to help Pacific coast salmon fishing families and small businesses:

“I am angered and deeply discouraged that the Bush administration would even consider reducing the emergency aid dedicated to Pacific salmon fishers. This action represents complete disregard for the thousands of families who rely on a strong salmon season for their livelihoods.    » read more »

Agreement will drastically boost salmon returning to Puget Sound and Columbia River

May 22, 2008 -- OLYMPIA – Washington Governor Chris Gregoire today hailed the news that representatives from the United States and Canada have agreed to recommend their governments approve new coast-wide fishing arrangements under the Pacific Salmon Treaty.

The new ten-year agreement outlines each nation’s fishery management plans for Chinook, Coho, chum, and some pink and sockeye stocks from 2009 to 2018. The treaty, if approved, will result in approximately one million fewer Chinook salmon harvested in Canada and Alaska. About half of those fish saved originate from Washington and Oregon waters.    » read more »

May 23, 2008 -- SACRAMENTO -- California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced a $6 million settlement with MCM Construction, resolving allegations that the company was operating diesel cranes, pile drivers, and other portable engines without the required air district pollution permits.

“The company was operating construction equipment, without the necessary permits, which is potentially very damaging to the environment,” Attorney General Brown said. “Under today’s settlement the company will obtain the necessary permits and submit the equipment to careful inspection.”    » read more »

Legislation would end 19 years of litigation over the San Joaquin River

May 7, 2008 -- Washington, DC – The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee today approved legislation sponsored by U.S. Senators Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer (both D-Calif.) that would implement a settlement to restore the San Joaquin River and reintroduce the California Central Valley Spring Run Chinook Salmon to the river.

Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta: Photo by brothergrimm (CC)

Companion legislation was approved by the House Natural Resources Committee last fall.    » read more »

05/01/2008 -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today issued the following statement regarding the U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez's declaration of a commercial fishery failure due to a fishery resource disaster in California:

"I commend the Secretary of Commerce's decision today based on the alarmingly low number of salmon returning to the rivers of California, Washington and Oregon. The salmon industry contributes greatly to our economy and way of life, and this news couldn't come at a more critical time for the fishermen and businesses that will be hurt by the loss of the salmon season."    » read more »

April 22, 2008 -- Salem – Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski, together with Governors Schwarzenegger (CA) and Gregoire (WA), sent a letter to U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi asking Congress to begin working on securing emergency appropriations for ocean salmon fishermen and related businesses that will be affected by the expected closure of much of the West Coast commercial and recreational ocean salmon fishing season.

Salmon sculpture, Oregon: Photo by p medved (CC)    » read more »