HomeMy WebLinkAboutres1991-023WHATCOM COUNTY COUNC AGENDA BILL
NO. 91 -132
CLEARANCES
Initial
Date
Date Received in Council Office:
Agenda Date
Assigned To:
Originator- Tom Burton
4/9/91
P &D /Council
Division Head -
Department Head -
Prosecutor Review -
Purchasing /Budget Dir.-
Executive-
kYIIVIl"
Resolution endorsing efforts to seek a greater U.S. share of Fraser River salmon and Federal funds for
salmon enhancement
ATTACHED OR ON FILE:
- Resolution proposed for adoption
-Draft resolution brought forward by Burton (on file)
- Letter /proclamation from Island County Commissioners (on file)
Public Hearing Needed? Yes//No/pLI
SUMMARY STATEMENT.•
According to the Island County Commissioner's resolution and other documents on file, between the
period of 1930 -1984 the harvest by U.S. and Canadian fishermen of Fraser River salmon was governed
by the Fraser River Convention, signed at Washington D.C. in 1930. The Convention was the basis for
bilateral cooperation in Fraser River salmon management. In 1985 the two governments signed the Pacific
Salmon Treaty, which superseded the Convention for the period of 1985 -1992, and greatly reduced the
U.S. catch from historic averages (the 1930 agreement provided for a U.S. harvest of 35 percent; the 1985
agreement provided fishermen in 1990 with a 12 percent catch). The Island County proclamation urges
Congress to obtain higher levels for U.S. fishermen under the Pacific Salmon Treaty, beginning in 1993.
ORIGINATOR'S RECOMMENDED ACTION•
Burton recommends passage.
COMMITTEE ACTION (including dates):
COUNCIL ACTION (including dates):
4 -9 -91: Council approved
Related File Numbers. Ordinance or Resolution Number. R91-023
salmon.res 4/3/91 SPONSORED BY: Consent
PROPOSED BY: Tom Burton
INTRODUCTION DATE: 4/9/91
1 RESOLUTION NO. 91- 0 2 3
2 ENDORSING EFFORTS TO SEEK A GREATER U.S. SHARE OF FRASER
3 RIVER SALMON AND FEDERAL FUNDS FOR SALMON ENHANCEMENT
4 WHEREAS, the annual harvest by U.S. Indian and non - Indian fishermen of the
5 sockeye and pink salmon returning through U.S. waters to the Fraser River is vital to the
6 survival of Puget Sound commercial salmon fisheries, the associated fish processing, supply
7 and service industries, and to the communities in which they are located; and
8 WHEREAS, the U.S. and Canada have a long and established history of bilateral
9 cooperation and equal sharing in investment in and in harvest of Fraser River salmon yet
10 despite this history, the U.S. percentage of the catch of Fraser River salmon has greatly
11 diminished since ratification of the U.S. - Canada Pacific Salmon Treaty of 1985 to the
12 injury of U.S. fisheries; and
13 WHEREAS, at the time of negotiation of this Treaty, Northwest Washington
14 fishermen were given assurance by officials of the Federal Government that substantial
15 Federal investment would be made in the enhancement, restoration, and rehabilitation of
16 U.S. Pacific salmon runs and authority for appropriation of funds for such investment was
17 specifically granted by Congress in the Pacific Salmon Treaty Act of 1985, Public Law 99 -5
18 of March 15, 1985, Sec. 12(c), yet to date and despite a clear need, no such investment has
19 been made;
20 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Whatcom County Council that the
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U.S. President, Congress, and appropriate State and Federal agencies are urged to seek and
obtain higher U.S. catches of Fraser River salmon under the Pacific Salmon Treaty for the
years 1993 and beyond; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Federal authorities are urged to fully
appropriate the funds authorized under the Pacific Salmon Treaty Act of 1985 for the
enhancement, restoration, and rehabilitation of U.S. salmon runs in complete fulfillment of
the spirit and letter of U.S. obligations under the Pacific Salmon Treaty and of promises
made to Washington fishermen at the time the Treaty was negotiated.
APPROVED this 9th day of April 1991.
ATTEST:
12 x zz'__
13 Ramona Reeves, -Council Clerk
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APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Civil Deputy Pros. Atty.
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Kpl"""aI4 ,4"'-
banfer M. Warner, Chairman
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