The tax relief comes at a time when the Western United States is experiencing “widespread drought conditions,” according to a Sept. 3 post by the National Integrated Drought Information System.
This year, 65.5 percent of the Western United States has been in drought, and 14 percent has reeled under “Extreme or Exceptional” drought, it said.
“Current drought coverage and intensity pales in comparison to peak drought conditions in the early 2020s—59.5 percent of the West was in Extreme or Exceptional Drought (D3-D4) in July 2021,” the post said.
“This record-setting Western U.S. drought in the early 2020s, plus the southwestern megadrought dating back to 2000, has left Western U.S. water supplies in a perilous position.”
For instance, 100 percent of the Colorado River Basin is in drought, reservoir levels in Utah are showing a “drastic decline,” and the state of Washington issued a drought declaration for the third straight year in June, it said.
“As most water in the West originates from runoff due to melting winter snow, the upcoming water year will be crucial for water supplies—and normal won’t suffice,” said the post.
“Many key headwaters need above-average precipitation, in some cases over multiple years, to bring water supplies back to sustainable levels.”
Persistent drought conditions are afflicting livestock farmers. As of Sept. 5, 44 percent of U.S. cattle were impacted by such conditions, according to a Sept. 6 Facebook post by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.
“The Department of Agriculture is stepping up to support livestock producers by expediting disaster payments when drought and wildfires strike. Under President Trump’s leadership, USDA has the backs of ranchers, and that’s why we are delivering much-needed emergency relief ahead of schedule,” Rollins said at the time.
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