State Requests Disaster Declaration from Drought

The Governor has moved ahead with the request for a federal disaster declaration for farmers.

August 25, 2007

COUNTY NC NEWS -- The Governor has moved ahead with the request for a federal disaster declaration for farmers whose crops and livestock are suffering from the ongoing drought. The Governor has asked U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Michael Johanns, to declare 85 North Carolina counties disaster areas because of drought-related crop losses. USDA Loss Assessment Reports show most of the counties in North Carolina with a 30 percent or greater loss of at least one significant crop.

North Carolina Governor Mike Easley said, "This drought is devastating our farms, which are a significant part of the North Carolina economy. Our farmers need our help, and this disaster assistance may make a difference whether some of them can afford to stay in business."

If the disaster declaration is approved, it would authorize the Farm Service Agency to make low interest emergency credit loans available to eligible producers. Under USDA rules, if a county is declared a disaster area, then contiguous counties are also eligible for disaster aid. The governor could also amend the request if crops continue to deteriorate to include the following 15 counties.

• Camden
• Carteret
• Currituck
• Dare
• Hyde
• Martin
• New Hanover
• Onslow
• Pamilco
• Pasquotank
• Pender
• Person
• Pitt
• Tyrrel
• Washington

All other North Carolina counties are included in the request for federal disaster relief. In addition, the counties included in the request were based on unofficial estimates of crop losses gathered by the State Emergency Board of the N.C. Food and Agriculture Council. Major losses that have been reported on corn, cotton, hay, pasture, peanuts, soybeans and tobacco. Many farmers have already exhausted their winter hay supplies and are now looking for other sources of feed for cattle.

Furthermore, the governor is asking all citizens to cut back their water consumption 20 percent since the drought is not expected to let up anytime soon. Governor Easley said, "Stream flows and groundwater levels are approaching their lowest levels in recorded history and many of our reservoirs are declining by one foot every 10 days. We all must conserve if we are to, in any way, minimize the impact of the drought."

The Federal Drought map released on Tuesday shows the drought has spread to all 100 of the state's counties:

• Exceptional drought is now in 12 counties in western North Carolina.
• Extreme drought has moved from the Piedmont to the coastal plain and is affecting 28 counties.
• Severe drought is in 44 counties and has spread to Wilmington and other southeastern communities.
• The remaining 16 counties are in moderate drought.

Meanwhile, weather forecasters predict no immediate change in the drought that is drying reservoirs, devastating farm crops and threatening livestock with dehydration. As well as the drought destroying homeowners lawns and gardens, reduced water levels have forced the closing of some recreational facilities at state lakes. Finally, with the lack of rain severely drying out vegetation, the North Carolina Division of Forest Resources has imposed a statewide ban on open burning and cancelled all burning permits.

Although drought conditions are expected to improve in the future, citizens should clearly understand that a drought can last for years, even through winter seasons with little relief. Therefore, individuals are urged to heed both North Carolina leaders and the governor's call to conserve water.