Oregon leaders call for federal aid for farmers and ranchers impacted by summer wildfires

by Alex Baumhardt, Oregon Capital Chronicle
August 6, 2024

Gov. Tina Kotek is seeking federal relief for farmers and ranchers in two-thirds of Oregon counties impacted by wildfires and smoke this summer, with the potential to add more counties to the list. 

Kotek first wrote to Tom Vilsack, head of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, on July 31, asking for support for crop and livestock farmers who are grappling with the effects of dozens of fires that have burned more than 1.3 million acres this summer. In the days following, Oregon’s congressional delegation and Oregon House Republicans also wrote to Vilsack backing up the Democratic governor’s requests. 

“Oregon is currently grappling with severe wildfires that have ravaged our communities, working lands and natural resources. The scale and intensity of these fires demand immediate federal intervention to aid in our state’s recovery efforts,” Oregon’s House Republicans wrote. 

Representatives from the U.S. Department of Agriculture did not respond to questions and requests for comment Tuesday. 

In her letter, Kotek asked Vilsack for three things. First, to declare a disaster for 23 of Oregon’s 36 counties, allowing farmers and ranchers to apply for special USDA loans and financial assistance programs. Next, she asked for Vilsack to coordinate with the head of the U.S. Forest Service, Randy Moore, to authorize emergency leniency on federal grazing areas, allowing ranchers flexibility about where and when they can graze to accommodate disruptions from wildfires. 

Matt McElligott, president of the Oregon Cattlemen’s Association, asked Kotek to further extend her request for aid to the U.S. Department of the Interior, which oversees the Bureau of Land Management. He asked that she request the agency open up any vacant or retired grazing permits so ranchers can move some of their cattle onto the public land. Kotek wrote to the agency’s leader, Deb Haaland, requesting assistance Tuesday. 

“You know, there’s over a million acres that have burned, and much of it is rangeland. So those cattle that made it through the fire and got moved off have to have a place to go,” he said

McElligott said he spoke with a rancher who sold off most of his cattle due to the wildfires.

“When you lose all of your grazing ground, you’ve got to find other grazing ground or sell your cattle,” he said. “This isn’t just a right-now problem. When all of your grazing ground burns up, you have no fall feed, you have no winter feed, and you really don’t have any spring feed, because you have to let that grass regrow its roots.”

The last request from Kotek was for Vilsack and Moore to waive rules that require ranchers supply certified weed free hay and feed crops for their animals. Feed crops must still be weed free, according to Kotek’s letter, but waiving the requirement that the feed be certified weed-free will ensure animals are fed and that ranchers don’t turn instead to grazing them on forage that should be kept on the landscape. 

“Our communities look to us for leadership and action in times of need,” Kotek wrote to Vilsack. “The timely review and approval of our request will provide critical support to the affected farmers and ranchers, helping them recover and rebuild.”

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