Begich Says Chinook Disaster Funds Yet to be Found

Jay Barrett/KMXT
Senator Mark Begich was on APRN’s Talk of Alaska with Lori Townsend Tuesday, taking phone calls from across the state and discussing a wide variety of topics. Alaska’s junior senator addressed the chinook salmon disaster declared in Western Alaska and Cook Inlet, saying a state declaration helps get the ball rolling in Washington D.C.

— (Begich Fish 1 31 sec “As you know we’ve gone through … hanging out by ourselves.”)

He said when he and his colleagues return in November, they will start seeking the money to fund the disaster declarations:

— (Begich Fish 2 34 sec “We’ve already started to talk to … that have similar situations.”)

One caller, identified as Herman from Aniak, suggested the source of the disasters should be investigated as well.

— (Begich Fish 3 51 sec “They should really look into … organizations from the federal end.”)

Suggesting high-seas illegal fishermen are contributing to the Alaska salmon shortage, Begich said he and Hawaii Senator Daniel Inouye have support for legislation pending to crack down on the high-seas intercepts.

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