IV

105TH CONGRESS

2D SESSION H. RES. 493

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the Secretary

of Agriculture should provide timely assistance to Texas farmers and

livestock producers who are experiencing worsening drought conditions.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

JUNE 24, 1998

Mr. THORNBERRY submitted the following resolution; which was referred to

the Committee on Agriculture

RESOLUTION

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that

the Secretary of Agriculture should provide timely assistance to Texas farmers and livestock producers who are

experiencing worsening drought conditions.

Whereas drought conditions continue throughout the State of

Texas, and the National Weather Service has reported

that all 10 climatic regions in Texas have received below

average rainfall from March through May, a critical time

in the production of corn, cotton, sorghum, wheat, and

forage crops in Texas;

Whereas the statewide economic impact of the drought on

Texas agriculture could be more than $1,700,000,000 in

losses, according to the Texas Agricultural Extension

Service;
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Whereas the direct loss of income to agricultural producers

in Texas is $517,000,000, which will lead to a loss of another $1,200,000,000 in economic activity for the state;

Whereas the total losses for Texas cotton producers have already reached an estimated $157,000,000;

Whereas, as of May 31, 1998, the condition of nearly half of

the rangeland in Texas was rated as poor or very poor

as a result of the lack of rain;

Whereas the value of lost hay production in Texas will approach an estimated $175,000,000 statewide, leading to

an economic impact of $582,000,000;

Whereas dryland fruit and vegetable production losses in

East Texas have already been estimated at $33,000,000;

Whereas the early rains in many parts of Texas produced a

large quantity of forage that, because of the subsequent

drought conditions, is now extremely dry and a dangerous source of fuel for wildfires; and

Whereas the Texas Forest Service has indicated that over

half of the State is in extreme or high danger of wildfires

due to the drought conditions: Now, therefore, be it

1 Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Rep2 resentatives that, with regard to the drought conditions

3 in the State of Texas, the Secretary of Agriculture

4 should—

5 (1) streamline the drought declaration process

6 to provide relief to Texas farmers and livestock pro7 ducers as quickly as possible;
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1 (2) ensure that Farm Service Agency offices in

2 Texas are equipped with full-time and emergency

3 personnel in drought-stricken areas to assist produc4 ers with disaster loan application packages;

5 (3) instruct the United States Forest Service to

6 assist the State of Texas and the Federal Emer7 gency Management Agency in prepositioning fire

8 fighting equipment and other appropriate resources

9 in affected Texas counties;

10 (4) authorize haying and grazing on acreage en11 rolled in the conservation reserve program; and

12 (5) convene experts within the Department of

13 Agriculture to develop and implement an emergency

14 plan to help prevent wildfires and to overcome the

15 adverse economic impact of the continuing drought

16 so the Department of Agriculture can provide assist17 ance in a rapid and efficient manner for producers

18 who are suffering from drought conditions.

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