Governor's Declaration: Declaration of Agricultural Disaster

Issued: July 30, 2004

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DECLARATION OF AGRICULTURAL DISASTER

WHEREAS, extreme drought has reduced soil moisture in many areas of the state, rendering crop production unproductive for agricultural purposes;

WHEREAS, the U. S. Department of Agriculture's Drought Monitor classifies the drought conditions in the State of Utah as "Extreme and/or Exceptional";

WHEREAS, well below normal snow pack has left the spring snow melt well below normal levels in most areas of the state;

WHEREAS, many agricultural reservoirs throughout the state have not received adequate supplies of irrigation water resulting in low to non-existent levels in some areas;

WHEREAS, insect infestation, hot weather, fire, and wind in many areas of the state have exacerbated the drought conditions;

WHEREAS, many grazing lands that are normally available to livestock owners are not available, or do not offer adequate livestock feed; and

WHEREAS, high forage and feed costs, as well as increased transportation costs, will weigh heavily on an industry already facing a sixth consecutive year of drought;

NOW THEREFORE, I, Olene S. Walker, Governor of the state of Utah, by virtue of the power vested in me by the constitution and the laws of the State of Utah, hereby declare a "Statewide Agricultural Disaster" due to the aforesaid drought and insect infestation in the State of Utah.

IN TESTIMONY, WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the state of Utah this 30th day of July, 2004.

(State Seal)

Olene S. Walker
Governor

ATTEST:

Gayle F. McKeachnie
Lieutenant Governor

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