Governor's Executive Order 2005-0017: Declaring a State of Emergency to Provide Relief to Displaced Victims from Hurricane Katrina

Declaration of Agricultural Disaster

WHEREAS, lightning strikes in Washington County caused numerous range fires from June 26, 2005 to August 1, 2005;

WHEREAS, according to the United States Department of Agriculture those fires damaged or destroyed more than 6,200 Animal Unit Months (AUM's) which is a calculation of the grazing value of public lands;

WHEREAS, such fires have inflicted significant monetary damage to 30 livestock owners who rely on those AUM's to support their livestock businesses;

WHEREAS, those 30 ranchers sustained losses greater than 30 percent, and in some cases, losses reached 80 to 99 percent; and

WHEREAS, the monetary value of those losses is calculated to be more than $500,000;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Jon M. Huntsman, Jr., 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 do hereby declare an "Agricultural Disaster" for Washington County due to the aforesaid fires 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 26th day of August, 2005.

(State Seal)

Jon M. Huntsman, Jr.
Governor

ATTEST:

Gary R. Herbert
Lieutenant Governor