Barbara Boxer: “I am very pleased to be introducing the Pacific Salmon Recovery Act to grant Federal funding for salmon recovery efforts…”

“I am very pleased to be introducing the Pacific Salmon Recovery Act to grant Federal funding for salmon recovery efforts in California, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, and Alaska. The Salmon Recovery Act authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to provide $350 million during each of the next six fiscal years to these five western States and the Tribes in that region. In California, as in much of the West, wild salmon stocks have collapsed. Their precipitous decline is the result of habitat destruction, overfishing, pollution, and dams that block the passage of fish to and from their spawning areas. The results have been tragic. Fishermen have lost their jobs. Tribes have lost species that are their religious and cultural icons. And, the environment is suffering. This bill would help to remedy these problems by investing in the restoration of these economic and culturally important fish. Specifically, it will provide funds to support projects in coastal waters and river habitats that will help restore and recover wild salmon.”