Fisheries and Conservation News from the Pacific
Coast Federation of Fishermen's Associations and the Insititute
for Fisheries Resources
PLEASE REPOST TO YOUR NETWORKS
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URGENT ACTION ALERT
VOTE SCHEDULE TODAY (7/23RD) ON RESTORING ESA RECOVERY FUNDING
>>Call your Representatives now and urge them to vote for the <<
Furse Amendment to restore ESA recovery funds.
In the House of Representatives the Commerce Appropriations bill has
proposed massive funding cuts for endangered species recovery programs for
marine species. In the very near future (likely Tuesday, July 23rd) the
House will vote on an amendment proposed by Congresswoman Furse
(D-OR) to restore funding to near FY96 levels. Please call your
Representative ASAP and ask her/him to vote YES on the FURSE AMENDMENT
to restore funding in the Commerce Appropriations bill to protect endangered
species.
The Capital switchboard for both the House and the Senate is:
202-224-3121 or 1-800-972-3524 or 1-800-962-3524
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ALERT ON COMMERCE APPROPRIATIONS -- FURSE BILL
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The US House of Representatives has proposed massive funding
cuts for programs protecting endangered species and promoting their
recovery. Since the National Marine Fisheries Service and NOAA are
part of the Department of Commerce, and they have jurisdiction over
Pacific coast salmon recovery, these cuts strike at the heart of NMFS'
ability to promote a speedy recovery of these species. Your
Representative will vote Tuesday (7/23) on an amendment sponsored by
Congresswoman Elizabeth Furse (at the request of fishermen) to
restore 1996 funding levels to the Commerce Appropriations Bill
for marine species protections and other vital environmental programs,
including Mitchell Act funding for Columbia River hatchery programs.
We have just learned that the US House of Representatives has
decided to bring H.R. 3814, the State, Justice and Commerce
Appropriations Bill, to a floor vote Tuesday (7/23rd). H.R. 3814 contains a
50% cut in endangered species programs for endangered and threatened
marine species. A massive cut such as this would cripple ongoing
efforts for species recovery plans, and allow already threatened salmon
species to slip closer to extinction. These cuts must be stopped.
Furse Amendment Will Return Funding to 1996 Levels
Representative Elizabeth Furse (D-OR) has agreed to offer an
amendment to the Commerce Appropriations Bill that will return funding
levels for endangered marine species recovery plans and other
environmental and fishery management programs back to 1996 levels.
The amendment also offers restored funding for Mitchell Act hatchery
programs -- including the purchase of diversion screens and retrofitting
obsolete fish ladders -- and for the Regional Fishery Management Councils,
which also received a 7% cut in funding.
Restoring Funding is Necessary to Save American Jobs
Cuts to endangered marine species recovery programs would
hurt the United States economy and cost jobs. The Pacific salmon
industry relies on these programs to determine which salmon stocks
are healthy, and which stocks risk extinction. ESA program
funding cuts were also all in the RECOVERY programs -- which means ESA
dislocations will be exacerbated and recovery plans delayed indefinitely
for several salmon species unless funding levels are restored. America
needs healthy marine life to promote a healthy economy.
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Call or fax TODAY, and urge your Congressional Representative to
support the Furse Amendment to the Commerce Appropriations Bill.
The House floor vote on this amendment could occur as early as
late Tuesday, July 23rd, so please call or fax your US Representative right
away!
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END OF ALERT
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