MADISON (WKOW) -- Governor Scott Walker declared a state
of emergency in 42 Wisconsin counties Monday due to drought conditions.
This will allow farmers to get expedited permits to
temporarily use stream or lake water for irrigation.
"Wisconsin Agricultural Statistics Service reports this
week that most of the land in these counties is short or very short of soil
moisture, and this week's U.S. Drought Monitor for the first time reported the
southern tiers of Wisconsin counties to be in drought," says Walker.
Once the farmer requests the permit, the DNR must
inspect the stream or lake in question within 72 hours to assure that fish and
other aquatic life will not be harmed by the diversion.
Walker says, "Agriculture adds more than $59 billion to
our economic output every year, and accounts for 354,000 jobs. One in every 10
Wisconsinite depends on agriculture for employment. It's a vital sector of our
economy that we need to protect."
The emergency declaration covers these counties: Adams,
Brown, Buffalo, Calumet, Clark, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Fond Du Lac,
Grant, Green, Green Lake, Iowa, Jackson, Jefferson, Juneau, Kenosha, Kewaunee,
LaCrosse, Lafayette, Marquette, Manitowoc, Milwaukee, Monroe, Outagamie,
Ozaukee, Portage, Racine, Richland, Rock, Sauk, Sheboygan, Trempealeau, Vernon,
Walworth, Washington, Waukesha, Waupaca, Waushara, Winnebago and
Wood.
The governor also encouraged farmers to report crop
conditions to their local U.S. Farm Service Agency office.
Farmers can also turn to the
Wisconsin Farm Center, housed in the Department of
Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.
The Farm Center staff can provide referrals and
information about available services, including such things as finding feed,
financial planning assistance, and mediation between farmers and creditors.
Farmers can call the center toll-free at 1-800-942-2474,
or email
farmcenter@wisconsin.gov. The center is
staffed 7:45 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. weekdays.
