Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - June 29, 2001
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Gov. Locke's statement on agricultural disaster relief for Eastern Washington

"We are gravely concerned by the crop damage resulting from Wednesday's
heavy rain and wind storms in the Yakima and Wenatchee Valleys.

"We are coordinating with the Emergency Management Division of the state
Military Department, county emergency managers and the federal Farm Service
Agency to fully assess the extent of the crop damage.

"Once we get the damage reports from the FSA, the state Emergency Management
Division will forward a recommendation to me regarding an agricultural
disaster designation from the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. If approved,
this designation can provide low-interest loans to farmers for crop losses
and U.S. Small Business Administration economic injury loans.

"We are working as quickly as possible to attain all available emergency aid
for Eastern Washington farmers facing significant crop losses in an already
difficult drought year."

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Related Links:
- Farm Service Agency
- Emergency Management Division, Washington Military Department
- Washington State Department of Agriculture

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