Contact:  Matt Stout, NOAA             FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
          Jim Petterson, Dept. of Ag.  6/19/96

COMMERCE ANNOUNCES CONTINUATION OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES IN NORTHWEST

In a continuing response to the collapse of salmon fishery resources in the Northwest, the Commerce Department will provide a total of $7.35 million in two grants to boost investment in salmon restoration and protection. This action continues a similar relief program of $8 million that started in 1995.

The first grant of $4.7 million, which the Department of Agriculture will administer, will help fund restoration of Northwest salmon and steelhead trout spawning habitat on privately owned land. The work will be done by fishermen who have been displaced because of harvest cutbacks.

The second grant of $2.65 million, which the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission will administer, also will employ displaced men and women in the fishing industry. The funds will be used to help state and federal scientists measure the health of salmon populations, providing fishery data collection services.

"This action underscores the Clinton administration's commitment to the development of a sustainable commercial fishery," said Vice President Al Gore. "We are continuing our efforts to ensure and enhance the region's environmental and economic growth."

"The program we have embarked upon in the Northwest truly represents a dynamic, proactive way of dealing with natural resource disasters," said Commerce Secretary Mickey Kantor. "We are providing critical training to individuals who wish to leave the fishing industry, and through our research and restoration efforts will accelerate the recovery of salmon stocks for those who wish to remain."

These funds, issued through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the National Marine Fisheries Service, are part of a comprehensive Northwest Emergency Assistance Plan designed to provide short-term economic assistance to dislocated fishermen and long-term environmental benefits for the fishery resources.

"This joint initiative between the two departments is another example of the Clinton Administration's efforts to enhance the cooperation between government agencies," said Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman. "This is a win-win situation -- these grants will help put people to work and, at the same time, improve the environment."

Under last year's program, more than 300 displaced fishermen were employed in jobs paying between $10-15 per hour. In addition, 296 salmon permits were permanently retired in the state of Washington under a $4 million relief allocation. NOAA and state officials are currently working on a second year of funding for the permit reduction program ($5.25 million).

In May 1994 Commerce announced a $12.7 million emergency assistance plan to help Northwest fishermen, their families, and fishing communities adversely impacted by restrictions on salmon harvest. These new funds represent a continuation of this effort, and are expected to cover employment of an additional 350 fishermen.

Final changes to the program, which will expand eligibility criteria, are expected to be published in the Federal Register within two weeks.

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