County Grant

In response to Sheryl Stolberg’s article “Fishermen Win Support in City Actions” (Metro, Feb. 11) I would like to correct an error in naming the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation as grantor of a $500,000 sum to the City of Los Angeles to assist the local commercial fishing industry. The correct granting agency is the Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors.

The county was awarded $5 million in federal grant money to allocate for coastal activities adversely affected by future offshore energy (oil and gas) development. Because of its jurisdiction over and focus on coastal dependent activities, the Department of Beaches and Harbors was designated as the lead agency. The department has since developed a comprehensive program to address the many aspects that offshore energy production presents to the Southern California region and has already allocated for funds for coastal resources inventories and enhancement, including those for local commercial fishing.

Since the coastal dependent fishing industry and its often precarious fisheries resources are further capable of being impacted by offshore energy development, it is vital to the fishing industry that it be assured of its viability and growth through loans made possible by grant programs, such as created by Senate Bill 959.

TED REED

Director, Department

of Beaches and Harbors

Los Angeles County