Some fishing disaster relief held up

Some fishing disaster relief held up

Cut of $100 million available to those affected by salmon ban; $70 million kept for census costs


By MICHAEL COIT
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT


Published: Thursday, September 18, 2008 at 5:52 a.m.
Last Modified: Thursday, September 18, 2008 at 6:12 a.m.
Fisherman can apply for disaster relief from this year's ban on commercial salmon fishing, but a major portion of the federal aid announced Wednesday has been held back.


The National Marine Fisheries Service is releasing $100 million to salmon fisherman and businesses dependent on fishing in California, Oregon and Washington. Agency officials said an additional $70 million included in the federal budget for relief from the season's closure won't be available until later this year.
Bush administration officials said the remaining money is needed to pay higher-than-expected costs for the 2010 U.S. Census. But Congress must approve such a diversion, and no such measure has been proposed, prompting an outcry from West Coast legislators.

"The Bush administration has once again put politics ahead of people," said Rep. Mike Thompson, D-St. Helena. "Congress appropriated $170 million in federal disaster relief, but this latest proposal by the Bush administration to withhold a large portion of these funds shows no regard for hardworking fishing families nor their livelihood."
Fisheries Service officials said the $100 million will be enough for the commercial fishermen with salmon permits in the three states. The remaining money was held back, they said, until the total amount of requests from all fishing-related businesses has been determined.
"There will not be any holdup in any payments," said Brian Gorman, a Fisheries Service spokesman.

A total of 4,229 applications for assistance have been sent to fishermen, processors, wholesalers and charter boat owners in the three states, according to the Pacific States Marine Fishery Commission, which is administering the payments.
Aid amounts for fishermen in California will range up to a maximum of $225,000, according to the application.
The commercial salmon season normally would be nearing the end of its five-month run this month, but the season didn't even get started. The ban -- the most restrictive ever -- followed the collapse of the adult salmon fishery from the Sacramento River.
The cause remains contentious. While fishing and environmental leaders primarily blame water diversions, federal scientists cite poor ocean conditions for the salmon decline.

Damages from the closure totaled $289 million based on estimates the three states provided to Congress, with California the hardest hit.
Congress took up the aid package after the federal Commerce Department affirmed the salmon fishing ban in May. The agency oversees the Fisheries Service and the Census Bureau.
The $170 million was included in the farm bill appropriation in June. The money was not available until agreements were reached on how it would be distributed.

"We have been hoping all along to get something done by the end of September. I don't think anybody can fault us on the speed."
What angered Thompson and other Congress members and salmon advocates is the decision to split up the funding with a major portion held back at a time when fishermen and related businesses are suffering.
"It's just a terrible thing, and it's going to hurt a lot of people," Thompson said.

Federal officials said the $100 million available now will meet the immediate needs of those directly affected.
"Will the money be there when the people apply for it? The answer is yes," said Bob Lohn, the Fisheries Service northwest administrator.

The remaining $70 million was being delayed until the new federal budget year that begins Oct. 1, Lohn said.

The aid package eclipses the $60.4 million provided to California and Oregon fishermen and related businesses due to low salmon runs during the 2006 season. That had been the worst salmon harvest on record.