Letter to the Hon. Sonny Perdue, Secretary of the Department of Agriculture - Rep. Axne Requests USDA Authorize Disaster Recovery Programs to Help Iowa Farmers

Letter

Dear Secretary Perdue,

Iowa is suffering from devastating flood damage. I am asking that USDA administer assistance to Iowa farmers within the Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) program, the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP), the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), Environmental Quality Inventive Program (EQIP) and Farm Loan Program (FLP). Nebraska experienced similar flooding and on March 25, 2019, USDA announced that ECP and CRP grazing was authorized due to flooding. I request this same authorization be given to Iowa.

On March 23, 2019, the President issued a Major Disaster Declaration for the Iowa counties impacted by this severe flooding. While the total cost of this flooding is still unknown, early estimates put the total damage at $1.5 billion dollars. It is clear that Iowa has met the requirements for needing EWP, ECP and CRP assistance. This natural disaster has devastated farmland and has threatened the livelihood of farmers impacted and farmers cannot afford to wait any longer.

Additionally, I urge the Department to open a targeted sign-up and expedited award process for flooded counties in Iowa for the EQIP. This will help producers pay for flood recovery activities including debris removal, waterway restoration, animal carcass disposal and more.

And, I encourage you to continue the flexibilities from FSA Notice FLP-790 and provide them to producers with FLP loans who are now suffering from catastrophic flooding in Iowa and other states in the Midwest. This additional flexibility can help farmers who are expected to continue to make FLP loan payments but lost their stored grain, have seen their farm equipment ruined and their fields flooded.

Iowans need financial and technical assistance to repair levees and dams, stabilize roads and bridges, and remove debris. Farmers need immediate monetary relief and land restoration assistance. I request that you direct USDA to authorize EWP, ECP, EQIP, FLP, and CRP grazing assistance to the Iowa counties that were most significantly impacted.

Sincerely,

Cindy Axne

Member of Congress

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