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What is the Disaster Assistance Program?
The Washington State Conservation Commission (SCC), following direction from the legislature, established the Disaster Assistance Program (DAP), a short-term disaster recovery financial assistance program for farmers and ranchers sustaining physical damage or incurring expenses as a result of a natural disaster. It may partially reimburse eligible disaster recovery expenses or fund the implementation of best management practices that restore and/or increase disaster resiliency.
How does DAP work?
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SCC, following legislative direction, has established the Disaster Assistance Program— a short-term disaster recovery financial assistance program for farmers and ranchers who sustained physical damage or incurred expenses during a natural disaster. It may partially reimburse eligible disaster recovery expenses or fund the implementation of Best Management Practices that restore and/or increase disaster resiliency. The program was first activated in 2021 in Whatcom County due to flood impacts.
2023 Proviso language states, “one-time funding is provided solely to support the continued development of the disaster assistance program established in RCW 89.08.645, which provides short-term financial support for farmers and ranchers during disasters. Funding must be prioritized for farmers and ranchers who are most economically vulnerable.”
RCW 89.08.645 requires SCC to coordinate with the Washington State Department of Agriculture and local conservation districts to conduct outreach to farmers and ranchers to increase awareness and understanding of the program and to ensure that farmers and ranchers are aware of other disaster relief assistance available through the state and federal government.
This program is different from other SCC grant programs. Rather than operating project-by-project, funding is held in readiness until the commission decides to “activate” the program.
- Once the commission decides to activate DAP in response to a specific natural disaster in a specific geography, SCC engages with the affected district(s) to provide technical assistance (TA) funding and other support (see Guidelines for details).
- Robust outreach is conducted to alert potentially eligible producers of DAP and other assistance they might be eligible for.
- A review committee is formed for each activation of the program to provide local knowledge, technical expertise, accountability, and oversight. The committee includes both local and statewide representation (see Guidelines).
- The committee reviews applications and recommends awards to SCC for approval.
What types of expenses may qualify?
Loss of anticipated income is not eligible for reimbursement. This program may partially reimburse producers for documented disaster recovery costs. Examples of potentially qualifying expenses include replacement or repair of damaged fencing, costs of debris removal in agricultural fields, replacing ruined hay and feed, damaged or lost equipment and more. Documentation is required. See the application for more information.
Contact:
Please direct any questions about the program to Bill Eller at beller@scc.wa.gov. If you have questions about whether a particular disaster would be a fit for the program, please contact your Regional Manager or Bill Eller to discuss options.
