News Releases
Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - July 3, 2001
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Locke visits Yakima County orchards damaged in severe storms

OLYMPIA – Gov. Gary Locke today visited two orchards in Zillah, Yakima County, to witness crop damage and express his concern over the tragic agricultural losses wrought by last week’s severe storms in Central and Eastern Washington.

Locke toured the RIC Orchard and the Schmidt Orchard with local farmers, Rob Lynch, "Gip" Redman and Ron Schmidt, and Representatives Mary Skinner (R-14) and Jim Clements (R-14).

“I am here to express my concerns over the tragic loss of agricultural resources in the Yakima Valley and elsewhere due to the recent severe storms.”

Last Wednesday’s storms produced hail, strong winds and heavy rains that further damaged a vital state industry already crippled by drought conditions and energy shortages.

The governor has directed the Emergency Management Division of the Washington Military Department to work closely with the federal Farm Service Agency to gather damage assessments from those counties affected by the storms. He is pressing both agencies to gather and process the information as quickly as possibly so that he can expedite a request for assistance from the federal government.

The governor is hopeful that the assessments will be complete by the end of the week.

Should a disaster designation be approved by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Small Business Administration will make low interest loans available to those qualifying and eligible businesses.

Following the tour, the governor held a media availability at the Washington State Fruit Commission.

Related Links:
- Farm Service Agency
- Washington State Department of Agriculture
- U.S. Department of Agriculture
- Washington State Fruit Commission
- U.S. Small Business Administration
- Yakima County
- Congressman Doc Hastings
- Emergency Management Division, Washington Military Department
- Rep. Mary Skinner
- Rep. Jim Clements


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