County seeks disaster declaration for drought

Area farmers have harvested most of their crops have been harvested, with yields lower than normal in Nez Perce County.

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Story Published: Aug 27, 2008 at 10:05 PM PST

Story Updated: Nov 21, 2008 at 12:19 AM PST

By Matt Loveless

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LEWISTON – Disastrously low yields on local crops have led Nez Perce County commissioners to ask for some help.

This season, farmers encountered just about every element, or lack thereof, and Nez Perce County Commission Chair Ron Wittman said he and his fellow commissioners are asking the governor to declare an emergency.

"In Nez Perce County, we've had drought conditions that have affected basically all of the crops," said Wittman. "From apples to wheat to honey to everything in between. The only thing it didn't affect was the Kentucky Bluegrass."

Wittman said six out of the last seven years, the county has had to declare emergency drought conditions, but the problem hasn't been this widespread. Crops yields are at a rate 30 percent lower than normal, and two weeks ago, the commission voted to send the request for a disaster declaration to Governor Butch Otter. Since then, they've found drought wasn't the only problem.

"They've named drought, high winds, frost, a cooler than normal spring, excessive heat days," said Wittman. "It's really compiled through the whole growing season from last fall when those crops were planted."

The commission will vote again Monday to send the amended request to the Governor's office. Wittman said the hope is to get some relief for local farmers through, among other things, low-interest programs.

"If there are farmers out there that are affected, make sure they contact their local farmer service agency," said Wittman.

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