Agriculture & Natural Resources, University of Wisconsin-Extension

Tuesday, August 19, 2003
Contact: Jessica Erickson, Governor's Office (608) 261-2156
Mary Ellen Vollbrecht, DNR, (608) 264-8554


Governor Doyle Declares Statewide Drought Emergency to Help Wisconsin Farmers

Governor Jim Doyle today issued an Executive Order declaring a statewide drought emergency as farmers throughout the state continue to experience extreme drought conditions due to the lack of rain this month.

Last week's dry weather spell and temperatures several degrees above normal have added to existing hot, dry conditions, stressing crops statewide and causing soil moisture conditions to decline drastically, according to the Wisconsin Agricultural Statistics Service. Areas of Western Wisconsin are over 5 inches below normal rainfall since the beginning of the growing season, and dry conditions are coinciding with a critical time for the development of the corn and soybean crop.

"Wisconsin's drought conditions are causing extreme damage to crops, and continued lack of rain will result in even greater damage to our crops and severe economic losses for our farmers," Governor Doyle said." This Executive Order will allow our farmers to access the water they need to irrigate their parched crops and ensure a plentiful harvest."

The Executive Order means that Department of Natural Resources (DNR) water officials will expedite farmers' requests for temporary irrigation permits to divert stream or lake water to irrigate their parched crops, while assuring that fish and other aquatic life and water users aren't hurt by the requested diversions. The order requires DNR staff to conduct a field inspection of the stream or lake proposed for diversion within 72 hours of receiving the request.

The order also means that DNR staff who consider irrigation requests do not have to notify the public and other potentially affected users about the request. Wisconsin State Statues presently require that certain lake and stream diversions for agricultural purposes must be accomplished pursuant to a permit issued by the DNR, a process that requires notice and hearing provisions too lengthy to be responsive to the existing drought conditions.

Regardless of when they are granted, the temporary irrigation permits are good only until the 30-day emergency declaration ends on September 18, unless extended by a joint resolution of the Legislature. The last statewide drought emergency was declared in July 2001.

"Agriculture is the backbone of Wisconsin's economy, generating about $40 billion a year and accounting for one in five jobs in Wisconsin," Doyle said. "Wisconsin's farmers are facing a tough time right now, and I assure our farmers that my administration will do everything it can to help them get through this drought emergency, save their crops, and protect our farm economy."

A copy of the Executive Order (EO #21) can be found on the Governor's web site at http://www.wisgov.state.wi.us/execorders.asp.