U.S. Representative Stephanie Herseth Sandlin

For Immediate Release
Contact: Betsy Hart 202-226-8555

USDA SECRETARY DECLARES NATURAL DISASTER IN TEN SD COUNTIES

15 Additional Counties Qualify for Aid as Contiguous Disaster Counties

Washington, DC October 15, 2009- Today, Secretary of United States Department of Agriculture Tom Vilsack announced that sufficient production losses in ten counties in South Dakota warrant a Secretarial natural disaster designation. In addition, 15 counties in South Dakota were named as contiguous disaster areas. Rep. Herseth Sandlin recently hosted Secretary Vilsack to discuss the extensive flood damage in South Dakota and hold a town hall meeting with farmers and ranchers. During the forum, representatives of farming and ranching organizations along with area producers had the opportunity to ask questions of Rep. Herseth Sandlin and Secretary Vilsack.

Today’s announcement follows up on the Secretary’s visit to South Dakota. While in South Dakota, Secretary Vilsack said that he expected that many farmers in South Dakota could qualify for federal disaster relief and get payments for losses by the end of this year.

In response to today's announcement by Secretary Vilsack Rep. Herseth Sandlin said, "After this year’s series of severe weather events, our farmers, ranchers and community leaders continue the long process of clean-up and recovery. I was pleased Secretary Vilsack accepted my invitation to visit South Dakota to learn more about the damage first-hand. This federal disaster assistance is critical for our many affected producers across South Dakota to restore critical infrastructure and provide our farmers and ranchers much-needed relief."

Counties designated as primary natural disaster areas include: Aurora, Brown, Custer, Fall River, Gregory, Hutchinson, Jackson, Marshall, Mellette and Yankton.

Areas designated as contiguous disaster counties include: Bennett, Bon Homme, Brule, Charles Mix, Clay, Davison, Day, Douglas, Edmunds, Faulk, Haakon, Hanson, Jerauld, Jones, Lyman, McCook, McPherson, Pennington, Roberts, Sanborn, Shannon, Spink, Todd, Tripp and Turner.

To read the full letter from Secretary Vilsack, click here or follow the link below.

https://ssl.capwiz.com/agdepartment/attachments/1_SD_Disaster_Designation_10_15.pdf

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