Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - July 9, 2001
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Locke requests agricultural disaster assistance for farmers in six Washington counties

OLYMPIA - Gov. Gary Locke today asked U.S. Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman
to declare an agriculture disaster in Asotin, Chelan, Klickitat, Lincoln,
Stevens and Yakima counties.

The governor made the request following a U.S. Farm Service Agency survey,
which indicated that several devastating weather conditions had adversely
affected the farms and crops in these counties.

A contributing factor is the statewide drought that began a year ago. The
drought has been particularly devastating in Eastern Washington.

In his letter to Veneman, Locke noted that below average monthly rainfall
combined with excessive high temperatures in March have exacerbated existing
drought conditions. In addition, low reservoir levels may have a
significant impact on irrigation.

Affected farms have estimated losses between 30 percent to 50 percent for
wheat, barley and hay. Estimated losses to range land and dry land pasture
range from 20 percent to 50 percent.

In addition to the drought, unusually cold spring weather and spring storms
have also taken their toll on crops. According to the FSA survey, a late
spring freeze in Lincoln County affected wheat, grass seed, alfalfa, canola
and peas. In addition, a June hailstorm in Chelan County damaged the pear
and apple crops.

The FSA survey must indicate at least a 30 percent loss to a crop in a
county before the governor can request an agriculture disaster declaration.

The declaration could provide emergency low-interest Farm Service Agency
loans as well as assistance to cover production and farm property losses to
farmers and ranchers in these counties.

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Related Links:
- U.S. Department of Agriculture
- Washington State Fruit Commission
- Emergency Management Division, Washington Military Department
- Asotin County
- Klickitat County
- Stevens County
- Gov. Locke's letter to U.S. Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman
- Farm Service Agency
- Washington State Department of Agriculture
- U.S. Small Business Administration
- Yakima County
- Chelan County
- Lincoln County

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