FROM THE OFFICE OF REPRESENTATIVE DEREK KILMER

Representing Washington’s 6th District



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Jason Phelps

May 24, 2016 (202) 225-3459







Kilmer-Backed Fisheries Provisions Included in Commerce, Justice, and Science Appropriations Bill





WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the House Appropriations Committee passed a bill that includes several provisions authored by Representative Derek Kilmer (D-WA), a member of the committee. The Fiscal Year (FY) 2017 Commerce, Justice, & Science Appropriations Bill contains measures from Kilmer that boost efforts to recover endangered salmon populations and provide for a sustainable fishery in Washington state and encourage advancement in ocean acidification research.



The appropriations bill and the accompanying report provide funding and direction to federal agencies to move forward on issues cited by committee members. The legislation under consideration funds the Department of Commerce, the Department of Justice, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the National Science Foundation (NSF) and other related agencies.



As part of the bill that moved out of committee Kilmer secured language and funding aimed at completing and implementing long - awaited Hatchery Genetic Management Plans (HGMPs) in Washington state and $65 million for the Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund. The Fund was created to aid the recovery of wild salmon and steelhead populations that are listed as threatened and endangered under the Endangered Species Act while maintaining healthy salmon populations. It implements efforts to protect and restore salmon habitat and track the progress of restoration efforts in the region.



Kilmer successfully secured language on the following provisions in the appropriations bill to:



· Complete HGMPs: Funding is included for Pacific Salmon under the National Marine Fisheries Service’s (NMFS) Protected Resources Science and Management sub-program at the level of $63.5, including $5 million dedicated to implementing the Service’s comprehensive plan to address the backlog of hatchery genetic management plans (HGMPs). This includes language directing the agency to contract with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, State Agencies, Tribes, and the Hatchery Scientific Review Group as needed. Failure to approve these HGMPs has exposed NMFS to litigation for failure to fulfill its obligations under the Endangered Species Act. This funding is essential for NMFS to expedite review and approval of the HGMP backlog and prevent hatchery shutdowns in Washington state.



· Support for Salmon Hatcheries: Funding is included for the Salmon Management Activities program at $35.5 million, which is an increase of $4 million from FY2016, to support the operation and maintenance of the Mitchell Act hatcheries. The increase will help meet obligations faced by the Pacific Salmon Commission as well growing demands on the Mitchell Act hatchery system to meet production goals while implementing hatchery reforms.



· Funding salmon recovery efforts: Funding is included for the Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund at the enacted level of $65 million, which will maintain efforts to protect and restore salmon habitat and provide for monitoring to track progress of restoration efforts. This program is the primary driver of efforts to recover wild salmon and steelhead populations listed as threatened and endangered under the federal Endangered Species Act.



Launch innovative research on ocean acidification: The Committee’s Report encourages NOAA to coordinate with the Office of Science and Technology Policy to carry out a program to award funds through prize competitions in order to increase our ability to manage, research, and monitor ocean acidification and its impacts. Ocean acidification is a rising threat to coastal communities and sustainable fisheries in Washington state. Earlier this year, Kilmer reintroduced bipartisan legislation to establish these prize competitions on ocean acidification.