STATEMENT FROM SECRETARY KAWAMURA ON USDA HEAT WAVE DISASTER DESIGNATION

Declaration Benefits Farmers, Ranchers in Glenn, Tehama and Contiguous Counties

SACRAMENTO, September 29, 2009 – Secretary A.G. Kawamura issued this statement today in response to a heat wave disaster declaration by United States Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack:

“I wish to thank Secretary Vilsack for the declaration of disaster.  We value our partnership with the USDA. This is an important and much appreciated step in helping farmers and ranchers that were damaged by excessive heat.”

Secretary Vilsack designated Glenn and Tehama Counties as primary natural disaster areas due to losses caused by high temperatures that occurred during the period of May 15 through May 31, 2009, with Butte, Colusa, Lake, Mendocino, Plumas, Shasta and Trinity counties named as contiguous disaster counties.

USDA has determined that there were sufficient production losses to warrant a Secretarial natural disaster designation. The designation makes farmers and ranchers in both primary and contiguous counties eligible to be considered for assistance from the USDA’s Farm Service Agency.

This action is in addition to a designation of disaster by Vilsack last week due to drought damage in California.  

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