[env-trinity] Contra Costa Times

[Byron]

Lawmakers plan aid for salmon fishermen

At rally, representatives lay out bill that would help fix environmental
issues, soften strain from season cut short by regulators

Contra Costa Times - 4/25/06

By Denis Cuff, Staff Writer

 

SAN FRANCISCO - Bay Area congressional representatives today will roll out
an $81 million disaster relief bill for troubled West Coast salmon
fishermen.

Commercial salmon fishermen need a helping hand to soften the hardships from
an expected federal slashing of the salmon season this year, lawmakers told
a rally of 100 fishermen Monday at Fishermen's Wharf.

 

The bill also would provide $45 million to help fix Klamath River
environmental problems that spurred the shortened season, Rep. Mike
Thompson, D-Napa, announced at the rally.

 

"The (Bush) administration isn't offering any assistance to the affected
fishing communities nor do they have a plan to restore the salmon," Thompson
said.

Another federal lawmaker, Rep. Lynn Woolsey, D-Santa Rosa, attended the
rally, while several others pledged support for the legislation.

The Bush administration denied California and Oregon salmon fishermen's
pleas for assistance last year when they suffered heavy losses from a
shortened season.

This year's season limits are more severe, the most restrictive ever
proposed on the West Coast.

 

A federal expert panel has urged the Commerce Department to limit the season
to weeks in various coastal areas, and restrict commercial boats to a catch
of 75 salmon a week. A decision is expected by Monday.

 

Federal experts say the limits are needed to protect dwindling Klamath River
salmon runs.

Fishermen say they are victims of a federal government that failed to
protect salmon by allocating too much river water to farms and failing to
fix river environmental problems.

 

The relief bill would give the Commerce Department six months to devise a
Klamath River restoration plan, and $45 million to carry out early measures.

Rep George Miller, D-Martinez, a bill co-sponsor, said it's important to
restore the salmon stocks that coastal communities rely upon.

"Those of us who care about the Pacific Coast's salmon face a number of
serious challenges," Miller said, "but if we work together, we can fix this
situation."

 

 

Byron Leydecker

Chair, Friends of Trinity River

Advisor, California Trout, Inc

PO Box 2327

Mill Valley, CA 94942-2327

415 383 4810 ph

415 383 9562 fx

bwl3 at comcast.net

bleydecker at stanfordalumni.org

http://www.fotr.org

http:www.caltrout.org 

 

 

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