SENATOR COLLINS MAKES REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR NOAA

Washington, DC—Today, Senator Collins asked two of her colleagues to increase funding for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Senator Collins made her request in a letter to Senators Judd Gregg (R-NH) and Ernest Hollings (D-SC), the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, State, and the Judiciary who have jurisdiction over NOAA funding.

NOAA provides resources to keep oceans and fisheries healthy around the country and in Maine.

Senator Collins is concerned that NOAA will not get the full funding they need, especially after their funding was slashed by nearly $400 million in the House of Representatives.

Senator Collins wrote:

"These cuts are particularly troubling in light of the recent U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy report, which recommended substantial increases in funding for oceans-related activities. Many of these funding cuts are aimed at NOAA's oceans and fisheries programs. Recent federal funding has led to substantial progress in oceans and fisheries areas, such as cooperative research, observer coverage, and by-catch reduction."

Senator Collins commented, "With more than 300 miles of coastline, Maine's economy is dependent on healthy oceans and fisheries. If NOAA fails to get the full funding they deserve, our State will be impacted."

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