Fishing industry gets disaster relief

More than a year after one of the worst salmon fishing seasons in decades, the state this week has begun disbursing $33 million in long-awaited federal disaster relief to the commercial fishing industry.

The money, authorized in a bill by Rep. Mike Thompson (D-St. Helena), is meant to offset the dismal catch of 2006, which was barely one-tenth of normal.

Last year's troubles were caused by a 2002 fish die-off on the Klamath River, a once robust spawning ground now sullied by dams and reduced flows because of farm diversions.