Press Release - Disaster Designation for Chaffee County
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OFFICE OF GOVERNOR BILL RITTER, JR
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2009
CONTACTS:
Christi Lightcap, 719. 924.0154, christi.lightcap@ag.state.co.us
Evan Dreyer, 720.350.8370, evan.dreyer@state.co.us
FEDS ISSUE DISASTER DESIGNATION FOR CHAFFEE COUNTY
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has issued a secretarial disaster designation for Chaffee County because of severe weather conditions in 2008 that caused excessive crop losses. Six neighboring counties also were named as contiguous disaster counties as well. Agriculture Secretary Thomas J. Vilsack announced the disaster declaration in a letter received by Gov. Ritter today.
Here is the complete text of the letter:
The Honorable Bill Ritter, Jr.
Governor
State of Colorado
Denver, Colorado 80203
Dear Governor Ritter:
Thank you for your letter of January 16, 2009, to former Secretary of Agriculture Edward T. Schafer, requesting a disaster designation for Chaffee County, Colorado, due to losses caused by severe weather that occurred during the 2008 growing season.
The Department of Agriculture (USDA) has reviewed the Loss Assessment Report, along with the additional information submitted by the State Executive Director, Farm Service Agency (FSA). Based on this review, USDA has determined that there were sufficient production losses to warrant a Secretarial disaster declaration. Therefore, I am designating Chaffee County, Colorado, as the primary natural disaster area due to losses caused by excessive spring snowfall, followed by below normal suffer temperatures, and an early fall front that occurred during the period April 15 through October 30, 2008.
In accordance with section 321 (a) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, the following additional areas of your State are named as contiguous disaster counties: Fremont, Gunnison, Lake, Park, Pitkin and Saguache.
This designation makes farm operators in both primary and contiguous counties eligible to be considered for assistance from FSA, provided eligibility requirements are met. This assistance includes FSA emergency loans and the Supplemental Revenue Assistance Program, which was approved as part of the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008. FSA will consider each application on its own merit by taking into account the exent of losses, security available and repayment ability.
Local FSA offices can provide affected farmers with further information.
Sincerely,
Thomas J. Vilsack
Secretary