6/27/2008,
Daily Astorian
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Oregon approves $1 million allocation to help fishermen
SALEM -
Coastal fishermen will receive $1 million in state aid from
the Legislature and the Governor's Strategic Reserves to
defray the impacts on coastal communities following the
closure of the salmon fishery this summer.
details were announced Friday afternoon by Democratic State
Reps. Deborah Boone, Brad Witt, Jean Cowan and Arnie Roblan.
A request for funding made to the Legislative Emergency Board
was approved earlier in the day, paving the way for $500,000
in general funds and $500,000 from the Governor's Strategic
Reserve Fund to find its way quickly to coastal communities
affected by the closure.
"Our coastal caucus has worked hard to ensure that members of
the E-Board understood the dire situations facing coastal
families. And we are very pleased that this state aid will
quickly find its way to our communities," said Roblan, D-Coos
Bay.
Members of the E-Board adopted a proposal that will establish
an advisory committee charged with allocating the funds. A
similar process was adopted following the salmon closure in
2006.
"We believe the advisory committee is a smart way to allocate
funds, allowing for a public process, specific requests for
aid and an on-the-ground support system for those families
needing funds," said Cowan, D-Newport.
Along with the state aid, Rep. Boone said the coastal
legislators were continuing to work on federal funding through
the recent disaster declaration issued by Gov. Ted Kulongoski.
"We continue to see positive results out of our efforts in
lobbying Washington and our congressional delegation," said
Boone, D-Cannon Beach. "Even people 'inside the Beltway'
understand what a devastating effect this fishery closure has
had on the Oregon Coast."
Witt, D-Clatskanie, said federal funding for the West Coast
could mean as much as $25 million more in aid for coastal
residents, according to legislation recently approved by
Congress.
"This additional million dollar allocation from state funding
will get to the ground quickly, allowing these families to
stay afloat as we await the federal dollars that will provide
the funds so they can recover some of their economic losses,"
said Witt. |
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