Salmon

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 »

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    » read more »

04/10/2008 -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger took a number of steps to aid an industry severely impacted by poor ocean conditions and other environmental factors following today's recommendation by the Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) that the U.S. Secretary of Commerce close the commercial and recreational salmon fisheries in California for the 2008 season.

Fall salmon run near Sacramento, California: Photo by ascharf (CC)    » read more »

April 11, 2008 -- OLYMPIA – Washington Governor Chris Gregoire today issued the following statement on the Pacific Fishery Management Council’s decision to reduce the number of wild salmon that can be harvested off the coast of Washington this year:

“The large reductions in fishing opportunity for commercial and recreational fishing must be made to protect returning salmon this year.

Salmon on display at a Washington fish market: Photo by Christopher (CC)    » read more »

Governor dedicates $500,000 in strategic reserve fund dollars to help affected communities

April 10, 2008 -- (Salem) – Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski today declared a state of emergency for affected areas of the Oregon coast due to anticipated curtailment of the ocean salmon fishing season. Executive Order 08-10 directs state agencies to take immediate action to help mitigate the impact on Oregon’s communities and fishing related businesses on the coast.

Fish Peddler's Market, Newport, Oregon: Photo by biskuit (CC)    » read more »

April 7, 2008 -- OLYMPIA – Washington Governor Chris Gregoire said today she will press for federal economic assistance for fishing communities if the Pacific Fishery Management Council declares a shutdown or serious restriction of salmon fishing off the West Coast.

Salmon, Seattle, Washington: Photo by Maureen Reilly (CC)

The PFMC is meeting this week in Seattle to decide whether to restrict wild salmon fishing due to the apparent collapse of wild salmon runs along the California and Oregon coasts.    » read more »