Governor Declares Drought Alert

(Jefferson City, MO) Missouri Governor Mike Parson is declaring a Drought Alert by signing Executive Order 2305 declaring a Drought Alert in the State of Missouri in accordance with the Missouri Drought Mitigation and Response Plan. A Drought Alert, part of Missouri's Drought Plan, is the first step for the Governor to direct state agencies to work together to provide as many resources and as much assistance as possible. 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 7 at 2 p.m. DNR will coordinate additional meeting details. The Committee will further assess drought conditions and make preliminary recommendations to Governor Parson by Friday, June 9. Recommendations could include actions similar to those taken in the past, including a hay lottery program, opening public waters for livestock, easing hay hauling restrictions, etc. Currently, the U.S. Drought Monitor indicates that all or portions of 60 Missouri counties are experiencing moderate, severe, or extreme drought conditions. The Executive Order declares a Drought Alert in these Missouri counties and any other county that begins experiencing drought conditions.  A variety of helpful resources are online at  dnr.mo.gov/drought.