Missouri Governor Declares Drought Alert

Missouri Governor Mike Parson announced an executive order to declare a Drought Alert for Missouri on Wednesday.

The announcement in part of the Missouri Drought Mitigation and Response Plan. The action is the first part of a plan that directs state agencies to work together in providing resources to provide drought assistance.

The Executive Order directs the Director of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Dru Buntin, to activate Missouri’s Drought Assessment Committee and requests that all Missouri and federal agencies participate as needed. The Committee’s first meeting will be held next Wednesday, June 7th, at 2 p.m.

Missouri agencies participating on the Drought Assessment Committee include the Department of Conservation, Department of Agriculture, Department of Transportation, Department of Natural Resources, Department of Economic Development, Department of Health and Senior Services, and Department of Public Safety.

The committee will make preliminary recommendations following a drought assessment on Friday, June 9th. Previous recommendations have included a hay lottery program, opening public waters for livestock, and easing hay hauling restrictions among others.

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources is providing information and resources regarding the drought situation online at www.dnr.mo.gov/drought.