Governor Warner Announces State Response to Drought-like Conditions
Governor Warner Announces State Response to Drought-like Conditions
Governor expedites drought designation requests, convenes Drought Task Force, and prepares for fire danger
Governor Mark R. Warner announced today that he has requested drought disaster designations from the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture for eight Virginia localities due to reductions in agricultural production caused by drought-like conditions affecting the Commonwealth.
Fauquier County is the first locality to be designated a primary drought disaster area in Virginia to date. Seven counties adjoining Fauquier -- Clarke, Culpeper, Loudoun, Prince William, Rappahannock, Stafford, and Warren -- have been designated contiguous disaster areas due to drought.
Southampton County's designation request is pending and several other localities including Brunswick, Buckingham, Dinwiddie, Mecklenburg, Pittsylvania, and Pulaski counties have begun the drought designation process. Federal disaster designation makes farmers eligible for low-interest loans and any supplemental relief that may be provided by Congress.
"The water supply tracking we put in place in 2002 has helped us plan for a steady statewide drinking water supply, despite current drought-like conditions," said Governor Warner. "However, the lack of rain is affecting crops in certain areas of the state. My office is working to expedite drought designation requests, and we are monitoring the situation daily. I have directed the multi-agency Virginia Drought Monitoring Task Force to convene immediately to review current conditions and prepare for the necessary next steps should conditions worsen."
The lack of rainfall has complicated construction of the Big Cherry Dam in Wise County, causing localized drinking water supply issues in the Town of Big Stone Gap. Governor Warner has directed the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to review a request from the Town of Big Stone Gap for a Virginia Water Protection permit. DEQ and the Virginia Department of Health have been providing technical assistance to the town, and DEQ has offered to expedite the permit review. The permit will allow the Town to construct a temporary pipeline that draws water from the Powell River to a new water treatment plant temporarily placed near Bullit Park. This temporary system will ensure an adequate water supply for the Town until rainwater replenishes the Big Cherry Reservoir.
Virginia's current dry conditions have heightened awareness of potential fire hazards, including forest fires. During drought conditions of 2001, 995 wildfires burned nearly 11,000 acres of forest across the state.
"We are working to minimize the potential of a drastic forest fire season this year," said Governor Warner. "Several localities across Virginia have already declared open burn bans. I have authorized Virginia State Forester Carl Garrison to declare a statewide open burn ban when he deems it appropriate," said Governor Warner. "We are also urging Virginians to avoid burning during these dry conditions, or take all necessary precautions before doing any burning."
For more information about how to prevent fires go to www.firewisevirginia.org.
http://www.governor.virginia.gov/Press_Policy/Releases/2005/Oct05/1004.htm