Alaska fishery disaster funds stalled at OMB despite congressional approval

Federal fishery disaster relief funds approved by Congress in December 2024 for Alaska and West Coast communities remain unreleased, with NOAA officials unable to provide a timeline for when the money will reach fishing families waiting for relief from disasters that occurred up to five years ago.

Congress provided $300 million in fishery disaster relief funding in December 2024, but none has been distributed. NOAA has approved spending plans but says funds are held up in the Office of Management and Budget review process.

Ranking Member Val Hoyle pressed NOAA Assistant Secretary Timothy Petty for specific dates during a House subcommittee hearing Wednesday. Petty committed to provide updates to her staff but could not commit to a calendar date.

"The money is there and NOAA already approved the spending plans. Yet west coast and Alaska fishing communities are being told to just keep waiting on OMB and these families are waiting for relief for disasters to happen five years ago," Hoyle said.

Petty acknowledged the importance of the disaster funds but said the administration is working through each case at different stages. He offered to work with Hoyle's staff on specific timelines but could not provide concrete dates.

The 2024 salmon disasters in California were recognized and approved but funds have not been allocated.