[Excerpts from June 25, 2004 Governor Hoeven Press Release]
Gov. John Hoeven today issued a statewide agricultural emergency declaration in response to drought conditions in the southwest and excessive precipitation in the northeast and north central, which have seriously affected the agricultural industry and its related service providers statewide.

On March 29, 2004, Hoeven issued a flood emergency declaration for 10 North Dakota counties and the Spirit Lake Indian Reservation. The declaration was upgraded to a disaster declaration on April 20, 2004, when Governor Hoeven requested President Bush issue a Major Presidential Disaster Declaration for North Dakota. Six northern counties were added to the original declaration on June 9. Counties include Benson, Bottineau, Burke, Cavalier, Grand Forks, Griggs, Mountrail, Nelson, Pembina, Ramsey, Renville, Steele, Towner, Traill, Walsh and Ward.

U.S. Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND) cosponsored a bill he and Senator Kent Conrad introduced in the U.S. Senate June 24th that is aimed to provide financial assistance to farmers and ranchers who have suffered crop losses from this year’s severe weather conditions. It would make farmers who experienced crop losses over 35% eligible for disaster payments. Ranchers who suffered grazing losses over 40% for three consecutive months would be eligible for payments to reimburse feed costs.

Full Release
Agricultural Emergency Proclamation
Agricultural Emergency Executive Order
Senator Dorgan Press Release

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