The text of Ore.
Governor Ted Kulongoski's executive order for the salmon emergency is below:
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 06-06 DETERMINATION OF A STATE OF EMERGENCY IN TILLAMOOK,
LINCOLN, COOS AND CURRY COUNTIES AND COASTAL PORTIONS OF LANE AND DOUGLAS
COUNTIES DUE TO KLAMATH RIVER BASIN CONDITIONS AND LIMITATIONS ON OCEAN
COMMERCIAL AND SPORT SALMON FISHING Pursuant to ORS 401.055, I find that unexpected
changing ocean conditions, prior drought years and poor water quality and
parasites within the Klamath River Basin have caused a dramatic decline in
Klamath River Basin Chinook Salmon available for harvest by the ocean fishing
industry, resulting in the virtual elimination of a viable commercial salmon
fishing season, and severe restrictions on the sport salmon fishing season,
along the Oregon coast south of Cape Falcon. These conditions have resulted in
an imminent emergency. The commercial salmon fishery has been closed for six
weeks and is not expected to reopen this year in Oregon coastal waters south
of Florence. North of Florence to Cape Falcon, the season is expected to
reopen in June, but will be of an extremely limited scope. On Oregon's
southern coast, the recreational fishery is expected to be open only from
mid-May until July 4, whereas a typical season would last into early
September. These fishing limits will have profound consequences on many
communities, including significant increases in unemployment, human suffering,
financial losses and other stark economic impacts along the Oregon coast. The affected areas are Tillamook, Lincoln, Coos and
Curry Counties and the coastal portions of Douglas and Lane Counties that are
west of Range 8 West, Willamette Meridian. I therefore declare a State of
Emergency in the abovementioned counties and portions of counties. NOW THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED AND DIRECTED: All state agencies shall work in a cooperative and
coordinated manner in order to mitigate the impacts of this emergency, provide
expedited service and resources to persons and business adversely affected by
the emergency, and focus state efforts in a manner most likely to relieve the
unemployment, human suffering, financial loss and other economic impacts of
this emergency. In addition to the specific measures discussed in this
Executive Order, all state agencies are encouraged to think broadly and
creatively about actions that agencies can take to address this emergency and
shall communicate such ideas to the Office of the Governor. Response to the
emergency shall be directed and coordinated by the Office of the Governor. 2. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, which
operates under the direction of the State Fish and Wildlife Commission, is
strongly encouraged to develop recreational and commercial fishing seasons,
consistent with the federal framework, that help mitigate the effects of this
emergency on coastal economies, and to consider establishment of additional
commercial salmon fishing opportunities in state waters, as appropriate. 3. The Department of Community Colleges and Workforce
Development shall pursue all available retraining opportunities for ocean
fishing industry workers wishing to pursue alternative employment and shall
coordinate the timely delivery of state workforce services and other human and
community services to affected workers and families. 4. The Employment Department shall offer
re-employment assistance programs to affected ocean fishing industry workers
and shall work with the appropriate state and federal agencies to help
affected individuals obtain unemployment insurance to the fullest extent
available. 5. The Department of Housing and Community Services
shall work with the Oregon Food Bank to provide additional food and
nutritional support for affected Oregonians. Where possible, the Department is
directed to work with housing partners to provide additional assistance for
emergency shelter, rental housing, and permanent housing for affected
households in need. The Department is further directed to work with local
community based organizations to provide additional energy assistance and
weatherization services to affected Oregonians as appropriate. 6. The Oregon Economic and Community Development
Department shall investigate retraining opportunities for workers in the ocean
fishing industry wishing to pursue alternative employment and provide
technical assistance to public ports and businesses that experience adverse
effects on their operations or revenues due to this emergency. 7. The Oregon Department of Agriculture shall work
with Oregon Sea Grant, a marine research and education program based at Oregon
State University, and their Extension programs, to encourage dialogue between
Klamath Basin farmers and the coastal fishing industry regarding management of
resources within the Klamath River Basin. 8. The Oregon Department of Revenue shall investigate
and pursue options for affected Oregonians to obtain income tax credits and
refunds and other financial assistance. 9. The Oregon Tourism Commission is directed to
actively inform the public of continued recreational fishing opportunities and
other tourism activities along the Oregon Coast and to highlight travel to
Oregon's coast, as appropriate within their overall marketing strategies. 10. The Department of Human Services shall continue
to provide mental health and treatment services, alcohol and drug treatment
services, nutrition programs, domestic violence assistance, and medical
assistance to Oregonians in coastal communities with particular attention to
the increased needs in coastal communities caused by this emergency. 11. The Oregon Watershed Enhancement board shall
provide financial resources to support fish habitat enhancement along critical
salmon streams in Oregon, for the purpose of accelerating the rebuilding of
fish populations and creating new and meaningful work opportunities for
displaced workers. 12. The Office of Emergency Management shall pursue
any and all available federal funding or resources to additionally assist in
the mitigation of the effects of this emergency. 13. All other state agencies are directed to provide
appropriate state resources and to seek any available private and federal
dollars to provide emergency assistance to affected individuals, families,
businesses and communities and to deliver such assistance in the most
expeditious manner. 14. All state agencies specifically referenced in
this Executive Order shall report to me within 60 days of the date of this
Executive Order about progress made under this Executive Order and every 60
days thereafter until conclusion of the emergency. Done at Salem, Oregon this 24th day of April, 2006. Theodore R. Kulongoski GOVERNOR Bill Bradbury SECRETARY OF STATE