NEWS RELEASE

San Luis Obispo, CA, June 27, 2006 – The County Board of Supervisors proclaimed a Local Emergency today due to the impact of the federal government's severe restrictions on salmon fishing along the coasts of California and Oregon.

Local fishermen are suffering severe economic losses, as are fishermen throughout the State due to these restrictions. It is hoped that the proclamation of Local Emergency will help with the County’s request to Governor Arnold Schwarzeneggar to add San Luis Obispo County to the list of ten counties included in a June 6 proclamation of a State of Emergency due to the impact of the restrictions. The governor’s proclamation included direction to activate the Small Business Disaster Assistance Loan Guarantee Program to guarantee loans to prevent business insolvencies and loss of employment.

It is also hoped that by adding San Luis Obispo County to the Governor’s proclamation any potential future federal assistant could be provided to local fishermen and others impacted by the restrictions.

County Emergency Services Coordinator Ron Alsop noted that the impact of the restrictions affects not only salmon fishermen, but also those who provide services to the fishing fleet, among other indirect impacts.

Alsop said he did not know when a decision would be made at the State level on the County’s request to be added to the Governor’s proclamation of a State of Emergency.

Editor’s Note: Additional information can be found in the Governor’s news release and his State of Emergency Proclamation, dated June 6, 2006, which can be found in the “Press Room” on his Web site: http://www.governor.ca.gov