Disaster Declaration Sought For Southern Utah
Farmers and Ranchers

An example of farmland flooding in Southern Utah. Roughly 5,000 acres were damaged or destroyed by flooding by the Santa Clara and Virgin Rivers and surrounding creeks. Landowners are encouraged to report any damage to their local FSA office.

Flood damage to Southern Utah farm and ranch land has reached an estimated $5 million, prompting Utah Commissioner of Agriculture and Food, Leonard M. Blackham to request State and Federal Agricultural Disaster Declarations.

"Today I am officially requesting that Governor Huntsman issue an Agricultural Disaster Declaration for Washington and Iron Counties," said Commissioner Blackham. "At the same time, we are seeking a federal Disaster Declaration from the U.S. Department of Agriculture," he said.

The declarations will make emergency programs and low interest loans available to qualified farmers and ranchers struck by record flooding.

In his letter to Governor Huntsman, Commissioner Blackham wrote, "I have received documentation from the Washington and Iron County USDA Emergency Boards, and must report to you that the flooding event of January 9, 10 and 11, 2005 has caused severe damage to numerous agricultural land owners in Washington and Iron Counties. Rainfall, estimated to be three to four times the normal precipitation amounts, triggered severe flash flood events."

According to damage assessments conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Farm Service Agency, approximately $5 million dollars damage has been incurred by 60 to 75 farms and ranches along the Virgin and Santa Clara River areas of Washington and Iron Counties. The flooding also caused an estimated $1.5 million damage to an additional 20 to 30 farms and ranches in Clark County, Nevada.

Irrigation systems have been washed out and farm areas are covered with debris and sediment. A few small farms have been wiped out and are now part of the river channel. Concern also exists that 2,300 acres of valuable crop land will not receive irrigation water, causing a loss of income to several farmers.

Farmers and ranchers in the affected areas are encouraged to contact their county FSA office to report losses and sign up for the agency's Emergency Conservation Program (ECP). Visit http://www.fsa.usda.gov or contact Washington County FSA office at (435) 673-2381 or the Iron County FSA office at: (435) 586-7274.

The UDAF can offer two loan programs designed to assist farmers in need. The agency's ARDL program can help mitigate damages resulting from natural disasters, and the Rural Rehabilitation Program can help farmers and ranchers restructure debt while landowners are rebuilding their businesses. Information about both programs is available at: http://ag.utah.gov/conservation/agloans.html.

Visit the UDAF website for more disaster relief information.