Bismarck Tribune - Bismarck News - Drought-aid requests exceed funding

Drought-aid requests exceed funding

Aug 22, 2006 - 02:11:13 CDT

By TOM RAFFERTY
Bismarck Tribune

Requests for drought assistance through a state grant program for ranchers will far surpass the amount of funding available.

Larry Knudtson, program coordinator with the State Water Commission, said the agency has received approximately 300 applications for the Drought Disaster Livestock Water Supply Project assistance program, which provides matching funds for various water projects.

On July 20, the water commission doubled the grants from $200,000 to $400,000.

"We have received a lot more applications than the $400,000 will cover," Knudtson said.

At the July 20 meeting, Dale Frink, director of the commission, said there were about 70 applications.

Ranchers can receive up to $3,500 in matching funds for water projects, including drilling new wells. Knudtson said applicants can receive matching funds for up to three projects and receive a total of $10,500.

The funding comes from within the water commission's budget.

The Drought Disaster Livestock Water Supply Project assistance program was established by the Legislature in 1991.

It also was activated in 2002, when $350,000 was made available. Only projects in counties declared drought disasters by the governor can be eligible. Types of projects include new wells and dugouts, stock dams that are spring-fed or have high water tables, or the development of springs, pipelines and extensions from rural water system connections.

(Reach reporter Tom Rafferty at 223-8482 or tom.rafferty@;bismarcktribune.com.)

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Comments

small town used to be farmer wrote on Aug 23, 2006 12:05 AM:

" I think the people who have a cushy job in the big city and don't have a clue about farming or the farming industry should think about things before they say it. Not everyone has a new pickup sitting in the driveway but on the other hand some of the people that aren't farmers but have links to farming like the truck drivers that haul the grain don't get disaster payments of any kind. They are just expected to borrow more money and buy a different kind of trailer to haul something else, but don't worry cause the diesel you still burn is only $3.19/ gal or so but no one wants to pay you $2.00 a loaded mile to deliver the products. Go figure--Who is gonna make the money. "

whatever wrote on Aug 22, 2006 4:57 PM:

" comment to Farmers comment - how bout a 1981 chevy pickup - debt up the butt - but you're eating my cheap food "

Farmers wrote on Aug 22, 2006 2:07 PM:

" Here we go again Farmers complaining they don't get enough when they have a 2006 ford f350 sitting in there driveway. "

hmmm...... wrote on Aug 22, 2006 8:09 AM:

" To many hogs lining up at the trough??? This is the problem with "Disaster aid". If the projects are needed by farmers/ranchers they should be able to fund it themselves. Once again I say that disaster aid only makes it easier for the large producers to bury the small family farmers. There has to be lower capitalization limits to aid packages, that is about the only way help will be directed to the smaller operators where the help is needed most. "

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