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<br />" <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />STATE OF COLORADO <br /> <br />EXECUTIVE CHAMBERS <br /> <br />136 State Capitol <br />Denver, Colorado 80203-1792 <br />Phone (303) 866-2471 <br /> <br />April 22, 2002 <br /> <br />Honorable Ann Veneman <br />Secretary <br />U.S. Department of Agriculture <br />14th and Independence Ave., S.W. <br />Washington, D.C. 20250 <br /> <br />Via Facsimile to 202/270-5437 <br /> <br />Dearsecret~eman: ~'^ .- <br /> <br />As you are certainly aware, a large portion of the Southwestern United States is in the <br />grips of a drought that is extending into 2002, and Colorado's farmers and ranchers are <br />experiencing an emergency situation. I hereby request that the entire state of Col~rado <br />receive emergency drought designation. <br /> <br />Farmers and ranchers throughout the state are suffering the effects of this multi-year <br />drought. Farmers who raise wheat, com, sunflowers, millet and other grains on non- <br />irrigated farmlands face the prospect of su~stantially lower yields, if in fact, those acres <br />yield any crop whatsoever. Ranchers throughout the state will find drastically reduced <br />forage for livestock on their private lands and on Federal lands where they may have <br />grazing permits. Many of our reservoirs were drained last year to keep crops alive, and <br />the lack of adequate snowfall this winter makes this a serious crisis. <br /> <br />Many farmers are in need of the emergency assistance that drought disaster designation <br />makes available. I urge you issue disaster designation for the State of Colorado as soon <br />as possible. <br /> <br /> <br />\ <br /> <br />CC: Lewis Frank, Colorado SED <br /> <br /> <br />Bill Owens <br />Governor <br />