[env-trinity] Congressman Mike Thompson's Salmon Disaster/Restoration Legislation

[Byron]

Undoubtedly you've seen media reports on rallies in San Francisco and Eureka
in support of Salmon Disaster/Restoration legislation Congressman Mike
Thompson introduced yesterday.   The legislation will not have a number
until later this week.  My understanding is that Senator Boxer will
introduce a similar bill in the Senate.  A copy of the bill is attached.
Below is a summary of what the legislation would achieve.

 

This legislation will need broad public support if it is to be passed.  I'll
let you know to whom letters and other contacts should be directed in the
next several days.

 

Thompson's bill will do the following:

1. EMERGENCY APPROPRIATIONS - $81 MILLION: Through the Department of
Commerce, provide emergency appropriations to the Pacific States Marine
Fisheries Commission to efficiently distribute the funds to the impacted
commercial fishermen, tribes and related businesses in the region. This
number was calculated by the state's based upon a complete closure. Commerce
has yet to finalize a season, which would normally start next Monday - May
1.

2. IMMEDIATE CONSERVATION MEASURES - $45 MILLION: The Department of Commerce
has 6 months to complete its recovery plan for the Klamath's Coho salmon
(they were tasked to complete this plan in 2002, but have not finished it
yet). After completion, the conservation funds will be distributed until
expended to install and update: stream gauges and monitoring equipment, fish
passage projects (i.e. road work/culverts, fish screens), riparian buffers,
and add additional NOAA Fisheries staff and resources to better track and
study the Klamath River's salmon in the ocean and rivers. Such projects are
aimed at providing the "biggest bang for the buck." Counties and the states
are working together to prioritize the projects and will get them to
Commerce as they complete their Coho recovery plan.

3. REPORT ON CONSERVATION PROJECTS: For the first time, the Department of
Commerce will be required to report back to Congress each year on how their
conservation projects have increased water quantity, improved water quality,
increased salmon populations and specifically benefited salmon spawning
habitat. 

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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