The Eureka Reporter

Lawmakers to introduce Salmon Relief bill

June 30, 2006

North Coast lawmakers joined with the Schwarzenegger administration on Thursday to provide financial relief to the men and women whose livelihoods have been put at risk because of the depleted stock of salmon in the Klamath River.

Under a freshly drafted bill, the state Department of Fish and Game would create a $5 million emergency grant program for commercial fishermen and commercial vessel operators, waive certain licensing fees and create the legal framework for a zero-interest loan program.

With the governor’s backing, Assemblywoman Patty Berg, D-Eureka, joined with state Senators Wesley Chesbro, D-Arcata, and Sam Aanestad, R-Grass Valley, to move the bill through the Legislature.

The measure comes as lawmakers struggle to help those who are hardest hit by federal restrictions on salmon fishing this year.

The salmon season in California waters has all but been eliminated in an attempt to allow Klamath River salmon populations to bounce back after years of decline.

The bill was announced the same day the state Assembly unanimously approved a resolution by Berg calling on the federal government to provide more assistance for the commercial fishermen and women and the businesses that serve them.

“All of this hardship on these people, and none of it is their fault,” Berg said. “I truly hope this is just the beginning of what we can do for them.”

Earlier this month, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger issued a disaster declaration about the salmon shortage and has repeatedly called on federal officials for assistance.

The measure announced Thursday would put $5 million into a grant fund, and establish a $20 million revolving loan program that would make interest-free loans available to the fishing community.

It also would provide state money to help leverage other borrowing opportunities, and would relieve salmon fishermen and women of having to pay for their licenses this year. “All of this is good for the short term,” Berg said. “But in the long run, we are going to have to go back to basics, back to the health of the rivers and the health of the salmon population.”

Schwarzenegger said the salmon shortage could “literally wipe fishermen out if they don’t get help.”

He also said the emergency package totaled $35 million and would be “a tremendous help to the community.”

The bill will begin moving when the Legislature reconvenes in August.