State and county declarations of drought disaster are already seeing a response at the federal level as the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration issued its own emergency declaration, which allows for the transport of hay, feed, livestock, supplies and equipment into and out of North Dakota and South Dakota.
said Hoeven.
“We cannot afford delays on the delivery of relief during such a severe disaster," said Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D., chairman of the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Committee.
Morton County followed with a drought disaster declaration Thursday morning, and Stutsman County Commission’s chairman signed a similar declaration on Tuesday.
“Our hope is that this disaster declaration is another step that may lead to some additional state or federal resources,” said Morton County Commission Chairman Cody Schulz of the county’s own declaration.
Most of Morton and Burleigh counties are in extreme drought with the western edge of Morton County in exceptional drought, according to the Drought Monitor’s data.
Overall, 93 percent of North Dakota is at least abnormally dry with nearly 46 percent of the state in extreme drought.
“We have staff from my office, as well as the county extension and the county highway department, doing everything we can to respond to the ag-related impacts, as well as the increased demands on our area firefighters,” said Tom Doering, the emergency manager for Morton County.
Last week, the governor waived fees for commercial vehicles hauling hay, water and livestock supplies in drought-affected counties.
Rainfall to date this year in the Bismarck area measured 6.47 inches with .60 inch falling in the past week, according to data provided by the Weather Underground.