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Congressman Paul Tonko has introduced legislation in the House of Representatives that will provide nearly $340 million in disaster funding through the U.S. Department of Agriculture to assist farmers who suffered losses as a result of recent natural disasters. The legislation, called the Helping Devastated Farmers Act of 2011 (H.R. 3005), would make these funds available to farms through existing USDA programs for any event that is declared a major federal disaster

“Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee had a devastating effect on farmers in my district and throughout the northeast – farmers have lost cattle, crops, and buildings because of the historic flooding caused by these storms,” said Congressman Tonko. “This damage also threatens our rural economies, which are driven by our small farms. I urge House leadership to act quickly on my legislation so we can provide needed assistance to help our famers get back on their feet.”

The Helping Devastated Farmers Act of 2011 would allocate an additional $151 million to the Farm Service Agency’s Emergency Conservation Program, which provides emergency funding and technical assistance for farmers and ranchers to rehabilitate farmland damaged by natural disasters or threatened by severe drought. This includes removing debris, restoring fencing and conservation structures and repairing the land.

The legislation also provides an additional $187.5 million to the Emergency Watershed Protection Program, which is designed to help communities address imminent hazards to life and property caused by floods and other natural disasters.

“The time for political bickering is over, we need to work effectively in government to address those who have been hit the hardest by the recent storms,” added Congressman Tonko. “Farmers in my district and throughout the Northeast are asking for our help, and we need to act swiftly in response to these disasters.”

New York State has estimated that farms sustained more than $75 million dollars in damage due to flooding from Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee. That number is expected to increase, and officials continue to assess the damage.

The Helping Devastated Farmers Act of 2011 has been endorsed by the New York Farm Bureau.

“Our farmers, hit by the recent storms and flooding, have sustained losses that are unimaginable,” said New York Farm Bureau President Dean Norton.“This bill would provide the emergency conservation funding that our farmers need to help repair their farmland and get them back in the business of producing the high quality fruits, vegetables and dairy products that their communities and New York State depend on. The help and support of our representatives like Congressman Tonko has been invaluable and the family farmers of New York Farm Bureau are proud to support this bill.”

The Legislation, which has been referred to the House Appropriations and Budget Committees, has been co-sponsored by Congressman Maurice Hinchey (NY-22), Congresswoman Louise Slaughter (NY-28), Congressman William Owens (NY-23) and Congressman John Olver (MA-1).

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