Printer
Friendly Version
Wyden gets disaster declaration for
salmon fishermen into Magnuson-Stevens
Senator removes “hold” on
the major fisheries bill
June
15, 2006
Washington, DC – U.S. Senator
Ron Wyden today removed his hold on the major piece of fisheries
management legislation before the Congress (the Magnuson-Stevens
Fishery Conservation and Management Reauthorization Act of 2005)
after his amendment making salmon fishermen eligible for disaster
assistance was added to the bill; the legislation is expected
to pass the U.S. Senate tonight or early tomorrow.
“After waiting months for a disaster declaration from the
Secretary of Commerce, our salmon fishermen can now finally see
some movement to help address their immediate financial needs,”
Wyden said.
Concerned that Oregon salmon fishermen and their communities were
unnecessarily suffering under a steeply curtailed salmon fishing
season, Wyden on June 6 blocked (“held”) the major
piece of fisheries management legislation moving through the Congress
until the Senate considered steps to help salmon fishermen survive
this disastrous fishing season. His action followed two town hall
meetings on the Oregon coast where he heard from fishermen concerned
about the salmon season.
Wyden and his colleagues will now seek Congressional appropriations
to fund the disaster assistance. The disaster declaration is the
crucial first step that authorizes funding to be spent on direct
assistance to the fishermen and their communities; it also enables
the Department of Commerce to reprogram excess funding in the
current budget into disaster assistance.
“This declaration is an important first step in getting
relief for our salmon fishermen and coastal communities, but it’s
not the last step. We’ll keep at it,” Wyden said.
The Magnuson-Stevens bill now also includes language providing
for a long-term solution to the problem of dwindling fish populations
by authorizing a coordinated, comprehensive research and recovery
plan for Klamath River salmon. That language, inserted by U.S.
Senator Barbara Boxer, is taken from a bill she and Wyden introduced
in April. The final bill also includes language by U.S. Senator
Gordon Smith that limits to four percent the amount of disaster
assistance the Secretary of Commerce may use to cover administrative
costs.
“I’m thankful to my colleagues, particularly Senators
Smith and Boxer, for their contribution to these efforts and their
commitment to the folks who rely on salmon for their livelihood,”
Wyden said. “Their efforts will allow us to begin to address
the long-term health of Klamath River salmon populations and to
keep the administrative costs down as we get relief to fishing
families.”
The full text of Wyden’s statement removing his hold today
follows:
Statement for the Record
Senator Ron Wyden
June 15, 2006
M. President, I wish to thank Senators Stevens and Inouye, the
Chair and ranking member of the Senate Commerce Committee, for
their efforts in incorporating my amendment into the Magnuson-Stevens
Fishery Conservation and Management Reauthorization Act of 2005,
S. 2012. My amendment makes Oregon’s salmon fishermen eligible
for disaster assistance. Their willingness to accommodate my concerns
and help Oregon’s salmon fishers means that I can withdraw
the objection I issued two weeks ago to any Unanimous Consent
request for the Senate to act on the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation Act. I also wish to thank Senator Smith and Senator
Boxer for their important contributions and assistance. I look
forward to swift passage of the legislation, as amended.
The inclusion of the disaster declaration in the Magnuson-Stevens
Reauthorization is an important first step in getting relief for
our salmon fishers and coastal communities that depend on salmon
for their livelihoods. After waiting months for a disaster declaration
from the Administration, our salmon fishers now finally have some
movement to help address their immediate financial needs.
Even with this important language the fight to help Oregon’s
salmon fishermen is far from over, and I will continue to press
for Congressional appropriations to fund the disaster assistance
fishing families and the coastal fishing communities need.
I ask unanimous consent that my statement be printed in the record.
# #
#