Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 16, 2008

CONTACT: Leslie Shedd
(202) 225-5565

Counties in Oklahoma Granted Disaster Designation by U.S. Department of Agriculture

Washington, DC - Congressman Frank Lucas applauds Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer’s decision today to declare nine counties in Oklahoma primary disaster areas and five counties in Oklahoma contiguous disaster areas due to the severe drought that has hit the state.  This follows a decision by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) earlier this month that granted a contiguous disaster designation to Texas and Cimarron counties in the panhandle of Oklahoma.

“These counties in Oklahoma are suffering through one of the worst droughts since the Dust Bowl,” stated Lucas.  “Farmers and ranchers are the backbone of our American economy and USDA has made the right decision to assist them by granting these designations.”  

A federal disaster declaration will make farmers and ranchers in these counties eligible for low-interest emergency loans from the USDA Farm Service Agency.  In addition, farmers and ranchers who are forced to liquidate their livestock will be allowed to postpone payment on the capital gains from the forced sale, with a potential to negate all payment due.

“Oklahoma farmers and ranchers need every opportunity available to help them through this drought,” stated Lucas.  “This disaster declaration is a step in the right direction to getting them the assistance they need.”

Lucas joined Senator Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) and Senator Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) earlier this month in a letter to Secretary Schafer urging approval of the request made by Governor Henry for this disaster designation.  The counties in Oklahoma given primary disaster designation are Cimarron, Texas, Beaver, Harper, Woodward, Ellis, Roger Mills, Dewey and Woods counties.  The counties in Oklahoma given contiguous disaster designation are Alfalfa, Beckham, Blaine, Custer and Major Counties.

# # #