Johnson touts drought bill

By Bill Harlan, Journal Staff Writer | Thursday, April 14, 2005

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A "national drought council" could help coordinate federal drought relief for ranchers and farmers, Sen. Tim Johnson, D-S.D., told state reporters Wednesday.

Johnson and Sen. Pete Domenici, R-N.M., have co-sponsored a bill that would set up the council.

The council would be in the Department of Agriculture, but it would work closely with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and other agencies.

The bill also calls for a national network to better predict the onset of drought and to monitor droughts in progress, and it would direct federal agencies to help states respond to droughts.

"South Dakota is experiencing its fifth- consecutive year of drought conditions.  It is time we approach droughts as we do other emergencies like hurricanes, tornadoes and floods with a preparedness plan and a coordinated response," Johnson said.

The National Drought Preparedness Act would cost about $2 million over five years.

"We all know the stories of farmers and ranchers selling off livestock to make ends meet while they wait for Congress to duke out disaster assistance," Johnson said. "It's time to put a plan in place and treat droughts like the emergency situation that they actually are."

Johnson said that despite bipartisan support the bill likely would face opposition from the Bush administration. "Frankly, it will be challenging," he said.

But Johnson also said that the bill did not authorize money for drought relief. Instead, it sets aside a relatively small amount of money to create a national policy on drought relief that included better planning and coordination.

"The goal is to be a step ahead rather than two steps behind," he said.

Contact Harlan at 394-8424 or bill.harlan@ rapidcityjournal.com