Friday, September 15, 2006
Contact: Jessica Robinson, 573-751-0290
Blunt Requests Disaster Declaration for Counties Battling Drought
JEFFERSON CITY–Gov. Matt Blunt today sent a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns requesting 96 Missouri counties be declared natural disaster areas for agricultural loss due to drought.
“The effects of this drought are taking a serious toll on Missouri farm families and communities,” Blunt said. “Though we cannot eliminate the drought’s effects, a disaster declaration will give Missourians access to all available resources as they work to recover from yet another season of reduced crop yields, scorched pastures, and dry ponds.”
Based on crop damage assessment reports finalized by the USDA Farm Service Agency, Blunt requested a natural disaster area be declared in Adair, Andrew, Atchison, Audrain, Barry, Barton, Bates, Benton, Boone, Buchanan, Caldwell, Callaway, Camden, Carter, Carroll, Cass, Cedar, Christian, Clark, Clay, Clinton, Cole, Cooper, Crawford, Dade, Dallas, Daviess, DeKalb, Dent, Douglas, Franklin, Gasconade, Gentry, Greene, Grundy, Harrison, Henry, Hickory, Holt, Howard, Iron, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Johnson, Knox, Laclede, Lafayette, Lawrence, Lewis, Lincoln, Linn, Livingston, McDonald, Madison, Maries, Marion, Mercer, Miller, Moniteau, Monroe, Montgomery, Morgan, Newton, Nodaway, Osage, Ozark, Pettis, Phelps, Pike, Platte, Polk, Pulaski, Putnam, Ralls, Randolph, Ray, Reynolds, St. Charles, St. Clair, St. Francois, St. Louis, Ste. Genevieve, Schuyler, Scotland, Shannon, Stone, Sullivan, Taney, Texas, Vernon, Warren, Washington, Webster, Worth, and Wright Counties.
Blunt requested the disaster declaration to ensure Missouri’s drought stricken counties have access to federal assistance to help with income loss associated with drought conditions.
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View copy of Gov. Blunt's Letter to Secretary Johanns