Governor's Payments Help Coastal Communities

Governor's payments help coastal communities

State disperses $500,000 in direct aid to help out-of-work fisherman

Salem, Oregon - Idled coastal fisherman will begin receiving direct state aid in the next few days, as the state distributes $500,000 of Governor Kulongoski's Strategic Reserve Fund, the Governor's office announced today.

"We're working hard to help these communities," Governor Kulongoski said. "These out-of-work fisherman need direct aid, not more loans and debt. I hope this help from the state can serve as a bridge to much-needed federal aid, now that our bipartisan effort has led to a declaration of a ‘fishery failure' from the U.S. Secretary of Commerce."

The Oregon Department of Agriculture expects to disperse all available state funds by the end of the month. The Department processed applications and awarded the funds, based on eligibility criteria the state established in partnership with the fishing industry.

Earlier this year, the federal government imposed salmon-fishing restrictions on 700 miles of Oregon and California coastline to protect depleted stocks of Klamath River Chinook salmon. The restrictions have caused severe economic hardship to many coastal communities.

The state received 360 applications from holders of troll salmon permit holders for the Governor's Strategic Reserve Funds and is distributing funds to 280 fishers. Individual payments range from $75 to $7,500, depending on the amount of an applicant's salmon "landings" and qualified expenses. Applicants who don't meet the minimum qualifications will not receive help.

The state has targeted funds at Oregon's fleet infrastructure, in order to help meet related expenses that individual fishers have incurred this year. Eligible expenses include such items as license fees, moorage fees, payments on boat loan, boat insurance, safety equipment, and other related items.

Governor Kulongoski and a bipartisan, bi-state coalition won a federal declaration of "fishery failure" earlier this month, which covers the commercial salmon industry in Oregon and California, and enables Congress to move forward on direct federal aid.

As part of the Governor's ongoing efforts to help bring relief to coastal fisherman, the Governor has taken the following actions:

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* March 28 - Salmon Summit I. In an emergency meeting, Governor Kulongoski asked members of the fleet, related businesses, and coastal leaders to describe the crisis. The Governor also tasked several state agencies to identify and implement whatever assistance the state could offer.
* April 5 - Letter to Secretary of Commerce Gutierrez. Governor Ted Kulongoski asked the Secretary to conduct an assessment for a fishery resource failure to pave the way for federal assistance.
* April 26 - Executive Order (State of Emergency). Governor Kulongoski issued an executive order declaring an economic disaster in all of Oregon's coastal counties and directed 11 state agencies to take immediate action to render assistance.
* June 1- Executive Order (Employment Opportunities for Fishermen). Governor Kulongoski issued an executive order directing state agencies such as the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department to offer hiring preference for displaced fishers.
* June 2 - FEMA Disaster Request. Governor Kulongoski wrote the President of the United States asking that he declare a federal disaster that would trigger assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The Governor's staff is currently working with FEMA's northwest regional office on this request.
* June 2 - Salmon Summit II. Governor Kulongoski convened the second summit to assess the status of efforts made thus far and to again hear from the fleet and Oregon's coastal communities.
* June 23 (Emergency Board). Governor Kulongoski secured $2.7 million dollars (plus $500,00 in September) to help fishermen.
* $500,000 from the Governor's Strategic Reserve Fund is being distributed via the Oregon Dept. of Agriculture to fishermen in to pay for important infrastructure needs (boat payments, insurance, moorage fees, etc.). The Emergency Board in September will consider giving $500,000 of their emergency funds that they have put in reserve for distribution to fishermen as well.

The Emergency Board awarded $2.2 million for Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB) projects to help the fishermen. The Governor had directed OWEB to submit this request, which provides employment opportunities for displaced salmon trollers to engage in fisheries research and coastal watershed enhancement projects.

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* July 6 - Governor participates in bi-partisan, bi-state conference call with Secretary Gutierrez, urging a ‘fishery failure' be declared.
* August 10 - Governor wins fishery failure declaration from Secretary Gutierrez.
The Governor today also renewed his call for the Secretary of the Interior and Secretary of Commerce to visit the Klamath Basin and join him in discussions concerning long-term water management and salmon issues and challenges.
* August 18 - $440,000 of the Governor's Strategic Reserve Fund is awarded to 280 out-of-work fisherman. An additional $60,000 will be sent next week as tax identification numbers of a limited number of applicants are reconciled.

http://www.governor.state.or.us/Gov/p2006/press_081806.shtml