Disaster Relief and Assistance for Families and Businesses
Participants in both the salmon and groundfish fisheries have faced serious declines in recent years. Commercial and recreational salmon fishing has been cut back to protect Klamath River stocks, and groundfish fishing has been cut back to protect and rebuild certain overfished groundfish stocks. Vessel owners and crew, processors and suppliers are all affected, as well as fishing families and communities as a whole. There have been official disaster declarations in the recent past for both groundfish (2000) and salmon (2006). Disaster declarations are important because they open the way for federal funding, including direct cash reimbursements, training programs, and jobs programs.
Salmon
Both the federal and state governments have declared salmon disasters, opening the way to low interest loans and other programs. Efforts are underway to increase the amount of relief provided to salmon fishermen.
On July 6, 2006, the Secretary of Commerce announced a “fishery resource disaster” under the Interjurisdictional Fisheries Act. This opens the way for the Small Business Administration (SBA) to provide low-interest (4%) Economic Injury Disaster Loans. More information on these loans is listed below by state. Completed loan applications must be submitted by April 6, 2007 to:
U.S. Small Business Administration
National Processing and Disbursement Center
14925 Kingsport Road
Fort Worth, TX 76155
On August 10, 2006, the Commerce Secretary declared this year's salmon season an economic disaster. This formal declaration makes it possible for members of Congress from Oregon and California to seek up to $80 million in aid.
The declaration applies from Cape Falcon on the northern Oregon Coast to Point Sur near Monterey, California. More details will be posted as they become available.
State governors have also declared state disasters. Further information is provided below.
Washington
Federal low-interest loans are available through the Small Business Administration in Wahkiakum County, Washington.
For more information:
Oregon
Federal low-interest loans are available through the Small Business Administration in Clatsop, Coos, Lincoln, Curry, Tillamook, Douglas, and Lane Counties, and adjacent counties.
For more information:
On a state level, Governor Kulongoski has also declared a salmon disaster, providing $1 million in direct cash assistance to fisherman, among other efforts (see press release (http://governor.oregon.gov/Gov/p2006/press_062206_a.shtml). The Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board also was granted $2.2 million for five projects that would employ fishermen in salmon research or restoration work.
In Lincoln County, funds are available to pay moorage fees for salmon fishermen (application due September 1, 2006):
http://www.co.lincoln.or.us/Salmon%20Fishers%20Aid%20Program%20Application.pdf
Port outreach specialists have been trained to help salmon fishermen deal with paperwork and issues regarding state financial aid. They are:
In Coos Bay/Bandon:
Michelle Winfield
3425 Fir St.
North Bend, OR 97459
Home: (541) 756-7232
Cell: (541) 260-1998
wnfld@yahoo.com
In Florence/Winchester Bay:
Lindsay Giles
558 W. Fir
Coos Bay, OR 97420
Home: (541) 267-2446
Cell: (541) 297-2224
jcjjlreev@earthlink.net
In Port Orford:
Leesa Cobb
P.O. Box 679
Port Orford, OR 97465
Work: (541) 332-0627
Home: (541) 332-5250
poort@carrollsweb.com
In Depoe Bay/Newport:
Jennifer Wimpress
728 N.E. Benton St.
Newport, OR 97365
Phone: (541) 264-0614
jenwimpress@yahoo.com
In Brookings/Gold Beach:
Lynn Dairy
96465 Coverdell Road, No. 45
Brookings, OR 97415
Home: (541) 469-5900
Cell: (541) 251-0440
troller21@charter.net
In Garibaldi/Pacific City:
Valerie Folkema
302 Mooring Basin Road
Garibaldi, OR 97118
Home: (503) 322-3312
Cell: (503) 812-2973
vfolk@oregoncoast.com
In Astoria:
Gayle Parker
P.O. Box 171
Astoria, OR 97103
Home: (503) 338-5700
Cell: (503) 440-7292
gparker@pacifier.com
Questions also can be directed to:
The Oregon Salmon Commission
Nancy Fitzpatrick
P.O. Box 983
Lincoln City, OR 97367
Office/Fax: (541) 994-2647
Cell: (541) 921-8309
njf@class.oregonvos.net
The Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board
Tom Shafer
13408 E. Alsea Highway
Tidewater, OR 97390
Office: (541) 528-7451
tshafer@teleport.com
California
Federal low-interest loans are available through the Small Business Administration in Humboldt, Del Norte, Monterey, Sonoma, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, Mendocino and Santa Cruz, San Luis Obispo, and Santa Barbara counties, and counties adjoining these, in California.
For more information:
On a state level, Governor Schwarzenegger of California has declared a salmon disaster in Humboldt, Del Norte, Marin, Mendocino, Monterey, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, Sonoma and Siskiyou counties. This opens the way for more loan opportunities. Fishermen who can't otherwise get credit can qualify for up to $500,000 at between the prime interest rate to the prime interest rate plus 3 percent, according to information from the governor's office. For more information, (click here).
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Other help for fishing families and businesses
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PFMC
06/26/08
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