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THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary


For Immediate Release August 2, 1994
        PRESIDENT CLINTON DECLARES MAJOR DISASTERS IN OREGON
            AND WASHINGTON FOLLOWING DAMAGE FROM EL NINO

The President today declared major disasters exist in Oregon and Washington following severe damage to those states' ocean salmon fishing industries caused by the "El Nino" weather pattern and recent drought.

To combat the drop in salmon stock, both commercial and sport fishing along the Oregon coast, Washington coast and Columbia River will be severely restricted from May 1, 1994 (the earliest opening of the Coho and Chinook Salmon fishing season) - March 31, 1995 (the latest closing of the season) by mandate of the Department of Commerce. This is expected to severely impact the livelihoods of individuals, families, businesses and communities throughout both states.

President Clinton's action makes affected individuals in eight Oregon counties and five Washington counties eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance -- a Federal Emergency Management Agency program administered by the U.S. Department of Labor.

This assistance is available to individuals in designated counties who are unemployed as a direct result of the continuing effects of the warm water currents known as El Nino on the Coho and Chinook salmon fishing season. The designated Oregon counties are Clatsop, Columbia, Coos, Curry, Douglas, Lane, Lincoln and Tillamook; designated Washington counties are Clallum, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, Pacific and Wahkiakum.

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