Wyo. Gov. Requests Drought Disaster Designations

Wyoming Gov. Dave Freudenthal has requested drought disaster designations for two Wyoming counties from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The commissions of both Johnson County and Converse County wrote Freudenthal recently asking for his help in obtaining the declaration from the USDA, which would make them eligible for increased federal benefits and assistance. The governor, in turn, contacted Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman to request the declaration.

“While the emergency assistance that attends the disaster declaration requested cannot fully ameliorate the damage that the drought has caused in Wyoming, I am hopeful that it will supply some degree of relief for the people of the state,” Freudenthal wrote.

If drought conditions warrant, counties that have not yet done so should reportedly contact the governor, the U.S. Department of Agriculture or their local Farm Services agency for information on obtaining the designation.