Alaska State Legislature
News from the House Majority

Jerry Ritter, House Majority Press Secretary
State Capitol
Juneau, AK 99801
Phone: (907) 465-3804
web site: http://www.akrepublicans.org
Actuality line: 1-800-478-6540

Help on the Way for Bristol Bay Fishermen

Senate Passes Measure Authorizing Expenditure of Federal Funds

For Immediate Release: April 2, 1998 Contact: Rep. Ivan Ivan at (907) 465-4942.

Juneau -- The Alaska Senate today passed House Bill 370, which authorized expenditure of $7 million in federal funds through the Magnuson-Stevens Act for relief of the 1997 fisheries disaster in Bristol Bay and on the Kuskokwim River. The vote was 20-0.

The appropriation funds a loan program to Bristol Bay, Chignik, and Kuskokwim permit holders in financial crisis.

"These loans will go directly to fishers in these areas who need help to get ready for the coming fishing season," said Representative Ivan Ivan (D-Akiak), Chairman of the House Committee on Community and Regional Affairs, which sponsored the measure. "Loan applicants will have to provide collateral such as a permanent fund dividend check," Ivan said.

The funds can also be used for certain community grant programs as well as for economic planning for the Kuskokwim region.

"This bill authorizes these programs to help fishers prepare for the coming fishing season," said Ivan. "Besides taking care of these immediate concerns the bill also makes an effort to keep the same thing from happening again by providing money for economic studies and for fisheries research," Ivan said.

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Broadcasters note: Comments in both English and Yupik from Rep. Ivan are available on the House Majority Line (800) 478-6540.
= Ivan Ivan in english, 47 K = Ivan Ivan in yupik, 66 K