Press Releases
June 17, 2005
Conrad Surveys Flooded Farms
After viewing flood damage, Senator Calls for Emergency Assistance from UDSA
Fargo -- Senator Kent Conrad surveyed waterlogged fields today in eastern North Dakota counties ravaged by severe storms and flooding over the past three weeks. After assessing the damage, Senator Conrad announced that he is requesting the federal government take immediate action to assist area farmers and ranchers who risk severe economic losses as a result of excessive rainfall.
"These heavy rains have taken a heavy toll on many of our farmers and ranchers," Senator Conrad said. "Unfortunately, we can't undo the damage that has occurred. We can however pull together as friends and neighbors to help reduce the economic losses and trauma many North Dakotans are feeling today."
Senator Conrad toured the flooded areas via airplane. He flew over Steele, Traill and Cass counties, assessing the damage to some of the hardest hit areas in the Red River Valley.
Heavy rains have been hammering the Red River Valley for several weeks. According to the North Dakota Farm Service Agency, the excessive rainfall has affected more than 1 million acres of cropland this spring. More than 385,000 acres have been prevented from planting.
Upon landing, Senator Conrad, a senior member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, announced that he sent a letter to Agriculture Secretary Michael Johanns requesting a series of actions be taken to assist North Dakota producers.
In the letter, Senator Conrad urges the USDA to expedite the disaster designation process and coordinate its relief efforts with the Federal Emergency Management Agency. He also asks that both the Farm Service Agency and Risk Management Agency assist in the process for filing crop insurance claims for both prevented planting and insured crop losses.
"From what I've seen today, I believe many North Dakotans need help and they need it now," Senator Conrad said. "These fields are saturated and farmers are going to be forced to skip planting."
