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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 3, 2004, 10:30 a.m. CT
Gov. Johanns to Declare Drought Emergency; Announces Drought Readiness
and Response Plan
(Lincoln, Neb.) Gov. Mike Johanns announced today that he will sign a
proclamation declaring a drought emergency in the state of Nebraska and
outlined his drought readiness and response plan to ease the impact of
the continuing drought.
Gov. Johanns has been closely monitoring drought conditions. Recent
rains brought welcome moisture, but the western half of Nebraska continues
to
be in severe or extreme drought, according to the most recent U.S. Drought
Monitor.
"Preparations have already begun and work is continuing to ease the
impact of the prolonged drought," Gov. Johanns said. "The lack
of subsoil
moisture and low reservoir levels are deeply concerning, particularly
as western
Nebraska enters a fifth year of drought. Our ag producers depend on
moisture for their livelihood, and our state's economy depends
largely on agriculture."
The Governor's drought emergency declaration activates emergency
funding to address unmet drought-related needs. The declaration also means
that
state government is prepared to assist communities in dealing with drought
related emergencies.
Gov. Johanns' drought readiness and response plan includes three
steps already in progress and three future action steps to address the
continuing drought. The three steps underway include efforts to promote
passage of
a permanent national policy for drought disasters, the announcement of
a
grasshopper cost-share treatment program and the implementation of LB
962, Nebraska's new water stewardship policy.
In March, Gov. Johanns co-authored a letter with Governors Bill
Richardson of New Mexico and Judy Martz of Montana, on behalf of the Western
Governors' Association, to the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural
Resources Committee Chairman Pete Domenici and Ranking Minority Member
Jeff
Bingaman.
The letter outlined the need
for a coordinated, integrated federal
drought policy to ensure a systematic response, as occurs with other natural
disasters. The current situation is described in the letter as causing
confusion at the state and local levels and forcing ad hoc measures to
address drought conditions.
The second step that is already underway, a grasshopper cost-share
treatment program, was announced last month by the Nebraska Department
of Agriculture to encourage producers to be ready by applying early for
the program. Applications are being accepted on a first-come, first-served
basis until next Friday, May 14.
The third preparatory step is the passage of LB 962. The Governor
identified the new water policy legislation as a priority in the 2004
Legislative session, mindful of the continuing drought. LB 962
represents unprecedented compromise and stewardship. It reflects the
recommendations of a diverse, 49-member Water Policy Task Force. Last
month, the
Governor directed the Department of Natural Resources to work as quickly
as
possible to implement the new policy as the 2004 drought outlook began
to take
shape.
The three future action steps that the Governor announced today include
three federally funded drought mitigation projects, increased wild fire
preparedness and emergency standby mode for his drought management
team, as well as enhanced statewide coordination.
The drought assistance funding from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation will
enable the state to move forward with several important projects to
help minimize or mitigate the impact of the drought. U.S. Rep. Tom Osborne
was instrumental in securing the funding. More details will be released
later today in a subsequent news release.
The second future action step is a directive from the Governor to both
the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the State Fire
Marshal's Office to step-up their preparedness for wild fires. Summer
typically
brings hot, windy conditions, lightning storms and camping - all of
which can increase the risk of wild fires, particularly when conditions
are
dry. NEMA will continue to work with the Nebraska National Guard, as they
have since 2000, to ensure that a fire-fighting cadre is prepared for
fire
emergencies. That preparedness will include required training.
The Governor's third and final future action step encompasses several
efforts to ensure a statewide response to the continuing drought. The
Governor today called for members of the Drought Management Team to be
on standby, ready to convene in the event that the recent moisture is
not
sustained. The team includes representatives of the state departments
of Agriculture, Roads, Natural Resources, Health and Human Services and
Environmental Quality. The Game and Parks Commission, Fire Marshal's
Office, NEMA, State Patrol, Attorney General's Office and the
Governor's Policy Research Office are also represented.
The Governor also encouraged the Climate Assessment Response Committee
(CARC) to continue its mitigation efforts as part of his third future
action step, and he requested frequent briefings on those efforts. As
the final part of the statewide response directive, the Governor pledged
the state Department of Agriculture's resources to assist the federal
Farm Service Agency in evaluating and monitoring conditions on a
county-by-county basis.
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