March 21, 2005

Bill Continues Critical Emergency Drought Relief

Washington, DC – Senator Gordon Smith announced that he has introduced the Reclamation States Emergency Drought Relief Act which would extend the authority of the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Reclamation to provide emergency drought assistance up to the year 2010. Currently that authority is scheduled to end on September 30th of this year.

“Oregon’s drought conditions are going to require emergency attention,” said Smith. “When water is scarce and farmers face bank-busting shortages, drought relief should be bolstered not cancelled. This bill is one of many steps that must be taken to ensure that Oregon growers aren’t devastated by drought this year.”

Smith’s bill extends the relief provisions in the Emergency Drought Relief Act which was passed in 1991. The act extends the authorization for the U.S. Secretary of the Interior to make loans to water users for the acquisition of water and to mitigate losses and damages resulting from drought. It also allows the Bureau of Reclamation to make water available on a temporary basis, both inside and outside of its traditional service areas, and to provide greater flexibility for federal projects to store and deliver water to private water users.

“Agriculture is the backbone to much of Oregon’s economy and policy that helps support the institution of the family farm is prudent and responsible,” Smith said.

Governors of drought ridden states or governing tribal leadership of reservations must request temporary drought assistance for the program to be operable in their respective state or reservation.

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