In response to a drought-stricken season for New Hampshire farmers, Gov. Maggie Hassan requested Thursday that the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack issue a drought disaster declaration for three of the state’s counties.
The USDA Farm Service Agency’s State Emergency Board voted Wednesday to seek the disaster declaration. In her Aug. 4 letter to Vilsack, Hassan indicates that crop losses of mixed forage alfalfa/grass, pumpkins and blueberries have exceeded 30 percent in Grafton, Rockingham and Strafford counties.
A designation from Vilsack would qualify those three as well as any contiguous counties for any disaster-relief programs or assistance. If drought conditions persist in New Hampshire, more counties will likely reach the 30 percent threshold, and Hassan will request additional disaster declarations and relief.
“New Hampshire’s agriculture industry is critical to our economy and our way of life,” Hassan said, “and a drought disaster declaration for these three counties is critical to minimizing the negative impacts of the recent severe drought conditions to this important industry.”
This request is part of the ongoing response to the drought New Hampshire and much of the Northeast is experiencing this year due to a dry fall, warm winter and spring with below average precipitation.
In July, the National Weather Service measurement at Concord airport measured almost 25 percent less rain and snowfall than normal through the end of the month.
Across the state, more than 100 public water systems have issued outdoor water orders to restrict or ban use, according to the Department of Environmental Services. Some towns, like Henniker, are enforcing restrictions for the first time this year.
(Elodie Reed can be reached at 369-3306, ereed@cmonitor.com or on Twitter
@elodie_reed.)