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Ranchers in 20 NM counties eligible for disaster reliefALBUQUERQUE (AP)--Ranchers in 20 New Mexico counties now are eligible for federal disaster aid to help them recover from a severe winter storm that hit the state just before the new year. Before Jan. 28, only ranchers in Union and Colfax counties were eligible to apply for the low-interest emergency loans from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Farm Service Agency. "No doubt our producers in these counties need any assistance they can get," said Rick Lopez, state director for the Farm Service Agency. "Our county offices also worked very hard to talk to producers and compile all the necessary data." Sen. Jeff Bingaman, D-NM, and other New Mexico officials had called on the USDA to make all counties affected by the recent storm, which dumped record snowfall in some areas, eligible for disaster aid. Richardson said in a statement Jan. 28 that he is grateful Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns recognized the extensive damaged caused by the storm and acted quickly to help New Mexicans. "This action means that relief is on the way for New Mexico ranchers," he said. "This disaster assistance will enable ranchers to dig out, replenish herds and recover from this record storm." Eligible applicants have eight months to apply for the loans. Funds may be used to restore property, pay part of production costs and refinance certain debts. Six counties--Colfax, De Baca, Guadalupe, Torrance, Santa Fe and Union--all received primary loss designations. Fourteen other counties, which include Bernalillo, Chaves, Harding, Lincoln, Mora, Quay, Rio Arriba, Roosevelt, San Miguel, Sandoval, Socorro, Taos and Valencia are eligible as contiguous counties. After the New Year's storm, Richardson directed the New Mexico National Guard to use helicopters to help with relief efforts in northeastern New Mexico. The Guard checked on residents stranded in their homes and dropped bales of hay to livestock in remote areas. The Guard conducted missions for five days, helping dozens of ranches in eight counties and providing food to thousands of head of cattle. B 13 2/5/07 5 Star OK Date: 2/1/07
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