WASHINGTON – Senator Chuck Grassley today sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack asking him to grant Governor Chet Culver's August 11th request to declare a Secretarial Disaster Designation for 23 Iowa counties as a result of severe storms that damaged crops and resulted in production losses. The counties affected include Allamakee, Benton, Bremer, Buchanan, Butler, Chickasaw, Clarke, Clay, Clayton, Decatur, Delaware, Fayette, Howard, Iowa, Jackson, Jefferson, Keokuk, Lucas, Mahaska, Van Buren, Wapello, Wayne, and Winneshiek.
"Severe storms have caused an enormous amount of damage throughout a large section of Iowa," Grassley said. "I hope Secretary Vilsack acts on Iowa's request as soon as possible."
Grassley expects additional counties to be considered for assistance in the upcoming days following more devastating storms that crossed portions of the state early this week.
A copy of the text of Grassley's letter can be found below or by clicking here. A copy of Culver's letter can be found by clicking here.
August 12, 2009
The Honorable Tom Vilsack
Secretary
United States Department of Agriculture
1400 Independence Ave, SW
Washington, DC 20250
Dear Secretary Vilsack,
As you know, the State of Iowa has suffered from severe storms again this summer which has damaged crops and resulted in production losses. While I am encouraged that many producers in Iowa have purchased crop insurance for their own risk management, disaster declarations from your office are still needed.
I write in support of Governor Chet Culver's August 11, 2009 request for Secretarial disaster declarations for the following counties: Allamakee, Benton, Bremer, Buchanan, Butler, Chickasaw, Clarke, Clay, Clayton, Decatur, Delaware, Fayette, Howard, Iowa, Jackson, Jefferson, Keokuk, Lucas, Mahaska, Van Buren, Wapello, Wayne, and Winneshiek. Producers need to know that when the Supplemental Agricultural Disaster Assistance (SURE) becomes finalized later this year that they will be eligible to receive support.
I understand that additional loss assessment reports are being compiled and will be reviewed in the coming weeks for storms that have occurred during August. I expect additional requests will be sent to your office containing additional county requests.
Thank you for your timely consideration of Governor Culver's request.
Sincerely,
Charles E. Grassley
United States Senator