Agricultural News
Deadline Set for Applications for Drought Relief
Mon, 28 Oct 2013 14:47:01 CDT
On Oct. 15, Governor Mary Fallin announced emergency drought conditions in five Oklahoma counties: Jackson, Tillman, Greer, Harmon and Texas. This declaration activated the Emergency Drought Commission with opportunity for public entities located in these counties to apply for state assistance. The legislature and Governor agreed last session to make up to $3 million dollars available for drought relief for these public entities. The Oklahoma Emergency Drought Commission held a public meeting last week to discuss the structure of the commission and the current status of applications. The commission consists of Secretary of Agriculture Jim Reese, Executive Director of the Oklahoma Water Resources Board J.D. Strong and Executive Director of the Oklahoma Conservation Commission Mike Thralls.
An initial application deadline was set for Thursday, Oct. 31 at 4 p.m. Applicants are encouraged to submit applications by this deadline. Applicants are asked to summarize their drought emergency request in five pages or less. It should include full justification for the amount of assistance requested, details of any cost-share or matching funds provided by the applicant, ability of the applicant to finance the project without assistance, and the implications should the applicant fail to receive funding for the desired activity or project. Additionally, applications to assist public water supply systems must include information about the system's existing water and sewer rate structure, current indebtedness, and median customer household income.
The commission has the authority to consider requests only from public entities located, or operating, within one, or more of the designated counties. Landowners interested in applying for funding should express their needs and concerns to their local County Conservation Districts, so that they can make their requests known to the Oklahoma Conservation Commission which will be making an application on behalf of the five counties.
For more information on assistance available through the Oklahoma Emergency Drought Relief Fund, please contact Kirby Smith at (405) 521-6479.
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