Oregon Delegation Applauds Administration for Quick Disaster Declaration

The damage to the Port of Brookings-Harbor couldn’t have come at a worse time.

Photo: U.S. Geologic Survey

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Oregon's congressional delegation today applauded President Obama's quick action in declaring a federal disaster in Curry County following the tsunami that severely damaged the Port of Brookings-Harbor. Members of the congressional delegation issued the following statement following the President's formal signing of the federal disaster declaration:

"We applaud the administration for their swift action in issuing a federal disaster declaration and we will continue to make sure that the Port of Brookings-Harbor receives the support and resources they need to rebuild and quickly get back on track.

"This declaration will allow FEMA funds to flow to the damaged areas and help the Southern Oregon coast recover and create jobs. With the coastal economies relying heavily on commercial fishing it is imperative that we get the fishing boats back out on the water. The damage to the Port of Brookings-Harbor couldn’t have come at a worse time but this disaster declaration couldn’t have come at a better time for shrimp and salmon fisherman."

Earlier this week every member of the Oregon congressional delegation wrote to President Barack Obama in support of a disaster declaration for the Southern Oregon coast. The move came the day after Governor John Kitzhaber formally asked the Administration for disaster designation for Curry County.

The letter was signed by U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden and Representatives Peter DeFazio, Earl Blumenauer, Greg Walden, David Wu and Kurt Schrader.

Source: News release from Warner Crowell, Courtney (Merkley)