Wyden gets disaster
declaration for
salmon fishermen into Magnuson-Stevens
Senator removes “hold” on the major
fisheries bill
June 15, 2006
Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Ron Wyden today
removed his hold on the major piece of fisheries management legislation before
the Congress (the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management
Reauthorization Act of 2005) after his amendment making salmon fishermen
eligible for disaster assistance was added to the bill; the legislation is
expected to pass the U.S. Senate tonight or early tomorrow.
“After waiting months for a disaster declaration from the Secretary of
Commerce, our salmon fishermen can now finally see some movement to help
address their immediate financial needs,” Wyden said.
Concerned that Oregon salmon fishermen and their communities were
unnecessarily suffering under a steeply curtailed salmon fishing season, Wyden
on June 6 blocked (“held”) the major piece of fisheries management
legislation moving through the Congress until the Senate considered steps to
help salmon fishermen survive this disastrous fishing season. His action
followed two town hall meetings on the Oregon coast where he heard from
fishermen concerned about the salmon season.
Wyden and his colleagues will now seek Congressional appropriations to fund
the disaster assistance. The disaster declaration is the crucial first step
that authorizes funding to be spent on direct assistance to the fishermen and
their communities; it also enables the Department of Commerce to reprogram
excess funding in the current budget into disaster assistance.
“This declaration is an important first step in getting relief for our
salmon fishermen and coastal communities, but it’s not the last step.
We’ll keep at it,” Wyden said.
The Magnuson-Stevens bill now also includes language providing for a long-term
solution to the problem of dwindling fish populations by authorizing a
coordinated, comprehensive research and recovery plan for Klamath River
salmon. That language, inserted by U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer, is taken from a
bill she and Wyden introduced in April. The final bill also includes language
by U.S. Senator Gordon Smith that limits to four percent the amount of
disaster assistance the Secretary of Commerce may use to cover administrative
costs.
“I’m thankful to my colleagues, particularly Senators Smith and Boxer, for
their contribution to these efforts and their commitment to the folks who rely
on salmon for their livelihood,” Wyden said. “Their efforts will allow us
to begin to address the long-term health of Klamath River salmon populations
and to keep the administrative costs down as we get relief to fishing
families.”
The full text of Wyden’s statement removing his hold today follows:
Statement for the Record
Senator Ron Wyden
June 15, 2006
M. President, I wish to thank Senators Stevens and Inouye, the Chair and
ranking member of the Senate Commerce Committee, for their efforts in
incorporating my amendment into the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and
Management Reauthorization Act of 2005, S. 2012. My amendment makes Oregon’s
salmon fishermen eligible for disaster assistance. Their willingness to
accommodate my concerns and help Oregon’s salmon fishers means that I can
withdraw the objection I issued two weeks ago to any Unanimous Consent request
for the Senate to act on the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation Act. I also
wish to thank Senator Smith and Senator Boxer for their important
contributions and assistance. I look forward to swift passage of the
legislation, as amended.
The inclusion of the disaster declaration in the Magnuson-Stevens
Reauthorization is an important first step in getting relief for our salmon
fishers and coastal communities that depend on salmon for their livelihoods.
After waiting months for a disaster declaration from the Administration, our
salmon fishers now finally have some movement to help address their immediate
financial needs.
Even with this important language the fight to help Oregon’s salmon
fishermen is far from over, and I will continue to press for Congressional
appropriations to fund the disaster assistance fishing families and the
coastal fishing communities need.
I ask unanimous consent that my statement be printed in the record.