Letter to Rep. Nita Lowey, Chairwoman of the House Appropriations Committee, and Rep. Kay Granger, Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee - Thompson, CA Delegation Members Defend Key Disaster Provisions for Agriculture Community

Letter

Dear Chair Lowey and Ranking Member Granger,

As the United States Senate prepares a supplemental disaster appropriation package, we urge you support and defend the Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Program (WHIP) funding for disasters in 2017. This funding was included in disaster legislation that passed the House of Representatives and we ask that it not be diverted for any other purpose in a final disaster supplemental agreement.

As you know, in 2017, California experienced what were, at the time, the most devastating fires in its history. Exasperated by longtime and widespread drought, the entire state felt the devastation and impact of the 2017 fire season. According to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, these wildfires burned nearly 1,381,405 acres in California, destroyed 9,470 structures, causing billions of dollars in damage, and, most tragically, took the lives of 47 people.

In the aftermath of any disaster, recovery is slow. In the case of these wildfires, the impacts are still being felt today. Natural disasters, like the wildfires of 2017, have proven especially damaging to agricultural producers, including growers in California.

The WHIP program was originally established in the aftermath of 2017 disasters, and provided crucial assistance to agricultural producers whose harvests were destroyed or tainted by wildfires - including grapegrowers, whose grapes were tainted by wildfire smoke and rendered useless.

As thousands of Americans continue the arduous process of rebuilding their lives, it is imperative that the federal government provide critical assistance to those affected, including the agricultural community. Funding of 2017 WHIP assistance is essential to those recovering from, among other disasters, the Tubbs, Nuns, Thomas, Atlas, and Redwood Valley Complex wildfires.

We therefore ask that you defend the Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Program (WHIP) funding for disasters in 2017 and ensure that it not be diverted for any other purpose in a final disaster supplemental agreement.

Thank you for your consideration. I look forward to working with you to ensure the inclusion of this vital provision. Please do not hesitate to contact me if I may be of assistance.