Carson City – Governor Jim Gibbons has sent a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Chuck Conner requesting a Secretarial Disaster Declaration for all 17 Nevada counties. Governor Gibbons made the request due to extreme drought conditions, which reduced available forage and contributed to this year’s disastrous fire season.
Nevada’s ranchers have been particularly affected by this year’s wildfires, which resulted in the loss of nearly a million acres of grazing land.
“The exceptionally dry conditions have been disastrous for our ranchers and farmers. This year’s drought resulted in the loss of productive land that is critical to the economies of rural communities around the state,” said Governor Gibbons.
The Disaster Declaration for drought will provide ranchers and farmers in all 17 counties with access to low-interest loans and other federal assistance.
Boyd Spratling, President of the Nevada Cattlemen’s Association, lost several acres due to wildfire damage this year. “Throughout the summer and through the grazing season there has been an extreme lack of moisture across the state compounded by the lack of a substantial snow pack from the previous winter. With dry rangelands and even dryer winter feed there is increased stress on livestock. With stress comes a loss of production and other health issues, which have a large impact on ranching families. I support the Governor’s efforts in requesting this declaration that will allow ranchers to receive funds to compensate for loss of production, and/or transportation of animals to other areas of the country where the feed supplies are more abundant.”
