Udall, Johnson, NFU say shutdown imperils weather response
October 08, 2013 | 03:18 PM
Sen. Mark Udall, D-Colo., front right, visits the St. Vrain and Left Hand Water Conservancy District in Longmont, Colo., to survey flood damage to water infrastructure. Udall heard from local water leaders about how the government shutdown of agencies like the Natural Resources Conservation Service is delaying critical repairs in the wake of Colorado’s historic floods. (Office of Sen. Mark Udall)
The offices of Sen. Mark Udall, D-Colo., and Sen. Tim Johnson, D-S.D., said this week that the federal government shutdown is imperiling assistance in their states after recent weather events, while the National Farmers Union said it is worried about the impact on livestock producers after snowstorms in Colorado, South Dakota and Wyoming.
Udall told CNN on Friday that sections of his state “got hit hard by biblical rains and floods” and that he “was worried people will not have the help they need.”
On Saturday Udall surveyed damage to water infrastructure in the St. Vrain and Left Hand Water Conservancy District in Longmont, and heard from local water leaders about how the government shutdown of agencies like the Natural Resources Conservation Service is delaying critical repairs in the wake of historic floods, an aide said.
“The ongoing and politically driven government shutdown is endangering Colorado’s flood-recovery efforts, from delaying repairs to critical roads and water infrastructure — as we edge closer and closer to winter — to depriving victims of timely access to agencies that can help them back on their feet,” Udall said.
“Our nation is at its best when we stand together to face our shared challenges and help disaster victims,” he said. “Coloradans expect better than short-sighted brinksmanship and partisan game-playing with so much at stake. Let’s get the federal government back online and working for the people.”
Sen. Tim Johnson, D-S.D.
Johnson issued a news release on Monday that a blizzard had killed “huge numbers of livestock” across western South Dakota, but that ranchers had no federal agency to help document the losses because the Farm Service Agency is closed.
“The closure of FSA offices is another demonstration of the real impact the government shutdown is having on South Dakotans,” Johnson said. “Like the snow storm, the government shutdown is causing major disruptions in people’s lives and every day business.”
“While snowstorms happen, government shutdowns are unnatural events,” Johnson said. “The House needs to pass a clean continuing resolution, not just for the sake of South Dakota’s ranchers, but for the good of the country.”
The National Farmers Union noted Monday that Colorado, South Dakota, Wyoming and other areas had seen record amounts of unseasonably early snowfall. With government agencies operating in limited capacity, the residents of these areas were lacking information and saw delays in reports and warnings in order to be prepared for the extreme conditions experienced.
“Early estimates just in the state of South Dakota are showing losses of 15 to 20 percent of entire herds. We are operating with limited information, as U.S. Department of Agriculture offices are not collecting or receiving data, however this is an extremely concerning situation,” NFU President Roger Johnson said in a news release.
“Ranchers do not have access to assistance with the USDA Farm Service Agency offices closed; Livestock Indemnity Program benefits are not available; and other sources of support and information are unavailable,” he said.
“We are only beginning to learn of the impact that these weather disasters have had on our family farmers and ranchers while the government is shutdown,” Johnson said. “It is critical that Congress pass a clean continuing resolution, get the government working again, and also pass a five-year, comprehensive farm bill this year. We cannot afford this standstill any longer.”
