Bush Administration's Gross Mismanagement of Klamath Led to Shortened Salmon Season

North Coast Congressman Mike Thompson released the following statement today in reaction to the Pacific Fishery Management Council's decision to limit this year's salmon season.

“The Bush Administration's incompetence and gross mismanagement of the Klamath River led to this year's shortened salmon season. The Administration manipulated the Klamath for political gain and as a result the livelihoods of thousands of California and Oregon residents now hang in the balance.

“Last year's salmon season was slashed, yet the administration failed to offer any assistance to the affected fishermen. Last week I organized a meeting with the Departments of Commerce and Interior at which administration officials showed little if any interest in assisting the affected fishermen or working together to find a basin-wide solution to the Klamath's dire state.”

Thompson represents the First Congressional District, which includes the southern Klamath Basin. In the fall of 2002, after Interior Secretary Gale Norton refused to meet with Thompson to discuss the fish kill of 80,000 adult salmon, Thompson dumped 500 pounds of dead salmon on the steps of the Interior Department during a press conference calling attention to the problem.