News Releases for July 2002
July 1, 2002
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Hoeven Issues Drought Emergency Proclamation, Obtains Commitment From U.S.D.A. For Drought Emergency Action
Executive Order 
(142kb pdf)
Drought Emergency Proclamation (158.4kb pdf)
BISMARCK, N.D. - Governor John Hoeven today contacted Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman’s office to request that Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acreage be opened to haying as well as grazing for North Dakota ranchers. He also requested that the agency approve Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) funds to help ranchers secure feed and water for cattle and other livestock.
“The U.S.D.A. will announce tomorrow that CRP acreage in counties already approved for grazing will be opened to haying for our ranchers,” Hoeven said. “We have also requested Emergency Conservation Program funds to help ranchers to build or deepen wells, haul water and take other actions necessary to provide for livestock. We hope to have an answer on ECP funds tomorrow.”
Hoeven asked that CRP grazing and haying be opened be opened statewide so that ranchers in the drought stricken counties could go to areas in the state with adequate grass to obtain grass for livestock. The Farm Service Agency and the U.S.D.A. are evaluating taking that further action.
The news came as Hoeven today issued a drought emergency proclamation after his tour of drought stricken southwestern and south central North Dakota. A number of counties in the state have declared a county-level drought emergency. Fifteen counties are currently listed in the “extreme” category and an additional nine are in the “very high” category on the U.S. Weather Service fire index, a measure of weather conditions and ground moisture content. Hoeven toured eight drought stricken counties in southwestern and south central North Dakota last Friday.
“This year’s drought is one of the worst,” Hoeven said. “A timely response by the U.S.D.A. will enable ranchers to obtain hay and provide other feed and water assistance for their livestock,” Hoeven said.
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