3 Okla. congressmen ask for disaster declaration
3 Oklahoma congressmen ask for disaster declaration

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By The Associated Press
Published: July 3, 2008

WASHINGTON - Three Oklahoma congressmen are asking the U.S. agriculture secretary for an agriculture disaster declaration for drought-stricken counties in northwestern Oklahoma and the Panhandle.
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Senators Jim Inhofe and Tom Coburn and Rep. Frank Lucas sent a letter Thursday to Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer.

The congressmen say a declaration is needed for Cimarron, Texas, Beaver, Harper, Woodward, Ellis, Roger Mills, Dewey and Woods counties.

A disaster declaration would make farm operators in those counties eligible for low-interest loans through the Farm Service Agency's Emergency Loan Program and payments from other federal programs.

It also would provide federal tax considerations to ranchers who sell livestock early because of drought conditions.

Last week, the U.S. Drought Monitor upgraded the situation in the Panhandle to its most severe drought rating, which is "exceptional."

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Related Topics: Drought, Weather, Agriculture Policy, Domestic Policy, Political Policy, Politics


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I couldn't agree more...They wouldn't know what a drought was if it hit them in the face. Jason, Griggs
Jason, DALHART - Jul 6, 2008 1:57 PM
• Report: Offensive language
In consideration of the current drought, it's asinine to include any Oklahoma counties east of the Oklahoma Panhandle. Some of those in Southwest Kansas and the Texas Panhandle maybe, but there is absolutely no reasonable way possible that Woods county should be mentioned with the likes of Texas and Cimarron counties.
Brock, Beaver - Jul 3, 2008 11:46 PM
• Report: Offensive language