Thompson: Salmon Announcement Opens Door for Disaster Relief
August 10, 2006
Statement made today by North Coast Representative Mike Thompson (D-CA) in response to U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez's announcement that the Klamath River has been named a commercial fisheries failure:
“Today's long-awaited announcement opens the door for the West Coast's salmon fishing communities to receive the relief they so desperately need. I applaud Commerce Secretary Gutierrez's decision to finally declare the Klamath River a federal fisheries failure, and I thank Senators Boxer and Feinstein for working so hard with me to help aid the thousands of families who depend on the commercial salmon fishing industry. However, despite this massive step forward, there is still a tremendous amount of work that needs to be done to help these families get back on their feet and restore one of Northern California's most important industries. First, we must appropriate the funds needed to help the thousands of families that lost their livelihood. Next, we must take steps to restore the salmon population by ensuring a clean and adequate supply of water. Over the coming weeks, I will be working closely with my colleagues in the House and Senate to ensure these funds are appropriated as quickly as possible.”
The Commerce Secretary made his announcement during a conference call today with Thompson, U.S. Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Gordon Smith (R-OR) and Ron Wyden (D-OR), California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski and members of the California Congressional Delegation and Oregon Congressional Delegation.
“Today's long-awaited announcement opens the door for the West Coast's salmon fishing communities to receive the relief they so desperately need. I applaud Commerce Secretary Gutierrez's decision to finally declare the Klamath River a federal fisheries failure, and I thank Senators Boxer and Feinstein for working so hard with me to help aid the thousands of families who depend on the commercial salmon fishing industry. However, despite this massive step forward, there is still a tremendous amount of work that needs to be done to help these families get back on their feet and restore one of Northern California's most important industries. First, we must appropriate the funds needed to help the thousands of families that lost their livelihood. Next, we must take steps to restore the salmon population by ensuring a clean and adequate supply of water. Over the coming weeks, I will be working closely with my colleagues in the House and Senate to ensure these funds are appropriated as quickly as possible.”
The Commerce Secretary made his announcement during a conference call today with Thompson, U.S. Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Gordon Smith (R-OR) and Ron Wyden (D-OR), California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski and members of the California Congressional Delegation and Oregon Congressional Delegation.
Issues:Energy & Environment