Congressman Denny Rehberg

WASHINGTON, DC - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg (R), has helped pave the way for federal disaster assistance for Montana families and communities who have experienced financial difficulties brought about by the affects of long-term drought conditions.

On Monday, Rehberg, a member of the U.S. House Committee on Agriculture Committee, requested the relief in a letter sent to United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Ann Veneman. Today, Secretary Veneman declared 35 Montana counties primary natural disasters areas, while the reaming counties are eligible for assistance as contiguous counties. The designation makes qualifying farm and ranch operations eligible for low-interest loans, capital gains relief, and other disaster assistance plans.

“This is good news for our producers. There was a bit of foot dragging by the USDA on this, but I’m glad we were able to help shake this assistance loose,” said Rehberg, who is also supporting legislation (H.R. 3157) to create a USDA disaster assistance liaison responsible for coordinating with state and local officials responding to a declared disaster.

Following a USDA damage assessment review, the agency determined the 35 Montana counties sustained a 30 % or greater production loss in a single enterprise due to the natural disaster, declaring those counties as primary natural disaster areas. Montana’s remaining 21 counties are eligible for assistance as contiguous counties. Similar declarations have been made for all or parts of Montana since 2000.

Letter:

December 1, 2003
Secretary Ann Veneman
United States Department of Agriculture
200 Administration Building
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250

Dear Secretary Veneman,

I would like to bring to your attention a situation that is very important to Montana agriculture producers.

This past year, many parts of the United States finally received much needed rainfall and saw the end to drought conditions. Unfortunately, portions of Montana did not and are still crippled by many years of continuous drought — creating prolonged hardship for our farmers and ranchers. Last year’s disaster program saved many family farms, but more assistance is needed.

With Montana’s producers in mind, I urge you to issue a disaster declaration for the state of Montana. With this declaration, our farmers and ranchers will be able to take advantage of programs such as low interest loans and capital gains tax extensions for those forced to liquidate due to the drought.

Thank you for your time and attention to this matter. If I can be of further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

Denny Rehberg
Montana’s Congressman