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Home > Current News > 2008

News: 2008

Dec. 1 Deadline Approaching for Hurricanes Katrina and Rita Fisheries Assistance Program
Posted: 11/18/08

Fishermen who were affected by hurricanes Katrina and Rita have until Monday, Dec. 1, 2008, to submit their application for the Federal Economic Assistance program the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) announced today.

“Those fishermen, vessel license holders, seafood dealers and charter boat fishing guides who are eligible for the federal economic assistance program and have yet to send in their applications should do so right away,” said LDWF Secretary Robert Barham. “We want to make sure all eligible participants apply so as not to lose out on funding that is critical to the recovery of the fishing industry.”

Since LDWF announced the extension of the program in late October, 43 additional participants have been able to submit their applications for assistance. So far LDWF has paid out $21 million to over 4,400 applicants since the application process began in May.

LDWF sent out 9,000 information packets in May to those participants who were determined pre-qualified for the program. This week LDWF will mail out final reminders to eligible participants who have yet to submit their applications for the federal economic assistance program.

Those who think they may be eligible and have not received an information packet may contact South Central Planning and Development Commission (SCPDC) at 1-800-630-3791 or 985-655-1051 (local) or mailing SCPDC at P.O. Box 1240, Gray, LA 70359-9902 or visiting the SCPDC Web site at www.scpdc.org/fisheriesassistance. SCPDC and affiliated planning districts are receiving and processing all information about this assistance program.

LDWF officials stress that this is a deadline to apply, not the deadline of the entire program. Fishermen, vessel license holders, seafood dealers and charter boat fishing guides who have already applied for the program may contact SCPDC to check on the status of their applications.

It is estimated that the total infrastructure and economic loss from hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005 and hurricanes Gustav and Ike in 2008 totaled over $750 million. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries was charged with the coordination and distribution of federal recovery funds.

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