Press Room
Sen. Whitehead Supports Disaster Assistance in Montrose
Friday, August 6 2010
Federal Aid Will Mitigate Economic Damage to Crops
Senator Bruce Whitehead (D-Hesperus) thanked Governor Bill Ritter for asking for Disaster Designation for Montrose County in the wake of the spring freeze that struck in April, 2010.
“The freeze we experienced earlier this year devastated the sweet cherry crop,” said Sen. Whitehead. “I appreciate Governor Ritter taking this step to bring much needed assistance to Montrose County to mitigate the damage. I join him in asking the Agriculture Secretary to take action to help the farmers in this community.”
According to a release sent by Gov. Ritter’s office on Friday, Gov. Ritter requested federal disaster assistance for Montrose and Otero counties after severe weather destroyed crops. He sent a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to ask that the counties receive Secretarial Disaster Designation.
The freezing temperatures destroyed nearly 100% of the sweet cherry crop in Montrose County.