Rep. Napolitano Asks Pacific Fishery Management Council to Evaluate Potential Salmon Die-Off from GOP Water Bill

Press Release

Today, Rep. Grace F. Napolitano sent a formal letter to the Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) requesting an evaluation of H.R. 1837 The San Joaquin Water Reliability Act's potential economic impact on California's salmon fishing industry. The PFMC is the governing body responsible for managing the health of commercial fisheries in California, Oregon, and Washington, and it was forced to close California's salmon fishery in 2008 and 2009 to protect collapsing salmon populations.

"Over the course of our hearings, not enough information has been requested from the fishing industry," Napolitano said in the letter. "The Pacific Fishery Management Council is in a unique position to review and provide in detail how H.R. 1837, if enacted, will impact salmon populations, habitat, fisheries management, and fishermen, who are dependent on this iconic resource."

H.R. 1837 has sustained a barrage of criticism in recent weeks from editorial boards and concerned citizens across California as a "big gulp" effort to usurp state water laws, roll back environmental protections, and alter water delivery to favor certain agricultural users.

California fishermen have expressed concern that the loss of environmental protections would once again lead to a precipitous decline in the salmon population and a return to 100% unemployment for salmon fishermen.

"This radical bill would cause real economic damage and job losses for California fishermen," Napolitano said. "It overrides our water rights, damages our environment, undercuts decades of agreements, and it almost guarantees the extinction of California's salmon fishing industry."

Napolitano is the Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Water and Power.

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