Thompson Introduces Salmon Disaster Relief Bill to Congress
By Nathan Rushton, The Eureka Reporter
January 5, 2007

U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson’s office announced the Congressman kicked off the 110th Congress by introducing legislation to provide federal disaster relief to California and Oregon’s salmon fishing industry.

According to a news release, the bill authorizes the appropriation of $60.4 million for the fishermen, tribes and businesses that were impacted by the federally designated commercial fishery failure in 2006.

Although similar appropriations efforts weren’t successful last session, Thompson (D-St. Helena) has indicated previously that he is optimistic that the new Democrat-controlled Congress will help steer the country in a new direction.

Ann Warden, communications director for Thompson, said Thursday that Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D¬-San Francisco) is “very aware” of the plight of West Coast fishermen and has been very supportive of making Thompson’s salmon disaster relief legislation a priority.

Eleven representatives joined with Thompson to co-author the bill, which also saw companion legislation introduced by Sen. Barbara Boxer in the Senate Thursday.

In a news release from her office, Boxer blamed the Bush administration’s mismanagement of the Klamath River for why coastal communities have already had to wait too long to get the disaster relief they need.

“By introducing this legislation on the first day of Congress, we are letting our communities and families know that getting them financial assistance is a top priority this year,” Boxer said.

Thompson said it is up to the Congress to do everything it can to help the thousands of families and businesses that are suffering from the largest commercial salmon fishery disaster in our nation’s history.

“The devastating impact this disaster has had on California’s North Coast has been obvious for years, and it is time we help bring this important industry back to life,” Thompson said.

Thompson blames the current fisheries disaster, in part, on poor federal management of the Klamath River, which caused an estimated 80,000 adult salmon to die in 2002.

As a result of record low returns of spawning salmon in the Klamath River, the Pacific Fisheries Management Council cut the commercial fishing season by more than 90 percent in 2006 — the largest restriction ever in California’s history — and is also likely to significantly reduced the season in 2007.

Although getting the fishermen and salmon businesses back on their feet is a top priority, Thompson indicated it is also important that the government stays focused on restoring the salmon population in the Klamath Basin to avoid future disasters.

As part of that commitment, Thompson joined with Boxer during the last legislative session in adding an amendment to the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, which sets a six-month deadline for a finalized comprehensive recovery plan for salmon on the Klamath River.

In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, and as defined under the provisions of "fair use", any copyrighted material herein is distributed without profit or payment for non-profit research and for educational use by our membership.

Bills Could Provide Federal Relief to California
Ukiah Daily Journal Staff
January 8, 2007

In the first two days of the new legislative session, two companion bills were introduced, that if passed, would provide federal disaster relief to California and Oregon's fishing industry.

The legislation -- SB 145 authored by Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) and HR 234 authored by Rep. Mike Thompson (D-Calif.) -- would authorize the appropriation of $60.4 million for fisherman, tribes and businesses impacted by the commercial fishery failure declared in August 2006 by Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez.

"It is our responsibility to do everything we can to help the thousands of families and businesses that are suffering from the largest commercial salmon fishery disaster in our nation's history," Thompson said. "The devastating impact this disaster has had on California's North Coast has been obvious for years, and it is time we help bring this important industry back to life."

According to Thompson, the fisheries disaster was due in large part to poor federal management of the Klamath River, which caused 80,000 adult salmon to die in 2002. Since then, the salmon population has continued to deteriorate, forcing the Pacific Fisheries Management Council to reduce the fishing seasons in 2005 and 2006. As a result, the commercial fishing season was cut by more than 90 percent in 2006, costing fishing families and associated fishing businesses more than $60 million.

"Our coastal communities have already waited too long to get the disaster relief they need as a result of this administration's mismanagement of the Klamath River," Boxer said. "By introducing this legislation on the first day of Congress, we are letting our communities and families know that getting them financial assistance is a top priority this year."

There is also an expectation that the commercial salmon season will be significantly reduced in 2007, Thompson said.

"We can not allow one disastrous salmon season to turn into a long-term tragedy, yet that is what will happen if we don't take immediate action," Sen. Rod Wyden (D-Ore.), who co-authored Boxer's bill, said. "Our fishing and coastal communities are counting on Washington, D.C. to survive. We must not let them down."

"Getting our fisherman and salmon businesses back on their feet is a top priority for me and my colleagues from California and Oregon," Thompson, whose legislation was co-authored by 11 other representatives, said. "But it is also important that we stay focused on restoring the salmon population in the Klamath basin so this disaster does not continue into the future."

In December, the House and Senate passed a bill setting a six-month deadline for a finalized comprehensive recovery plan for salmon on the Klamath River. The provision was included in the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act at the request of Thompson and Boxer. It is the first time Congress has ever required the implementation of a recovery plan.

"I look forward to monitoring the government's progress," Thompson said.

In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, and as defined under the provisions of "fair use", any copyrighted material herein is distributed without profit or payment for non-profit research and for educational use by our membership.