04/21/2008 GAAS:194:08 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Print Version | Email / Share
Governors of California, Washington and Oregon Request Emergency Appropriations to Address Economic Emergency from Salmon Fisheries Closure
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.
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.
Sincerely,
Arnold Schwarzenegger Theodore R. Kulongoski Christine
O. Gregoire
Governor
of California Governor
of Oregon Governor of Washington
cc: Members of the California Congressional
Delegation
Members of the Oregon Congressional Delegation
Members of the Washington Congressional Delegation
