Fresno County may be declared disaster area

SACRAMENTO
June 19, 2009 4:20pm

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Friday afternoon activated the California Disaster Assistance Act for Fresno County and called for the federal government to make a federal disaster declaration for the county.

But unlike most such declarations, this one has nothing to do with floods, wildfires or earthquakes. This one is largely economic.

The executive order activates the California Disaster Assistance Act, which lets the state provide temporary supplemental assistance to local governments and non-profit organizations that supply food and other aid to those who are impacted by the drought statewide. The order also waives the one-week waiting period for unemployment insurance.

“California’s Central Valley is our nation’s agricultural engine and unemployment here is devastating the economy and hurting the people of California,” says Mr. Schwarzenegger. “These are dire circumstances – no water means no work – and no work means people cannot feed their families. This drought is truly an emergency, and the actions we are taking today show how government can still work for the people when they need it most.

The drought has been coupled with federal court orders restricting the pumping of fresh water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta to the Central Valley south of Tracy. Much of the west side of the valley has depended on water from the Central Valley Project and the State Water Project for crop irrigation.

In February, Mr. Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency due to drought conditions statewide and ordered immediate action to manage the crisis. Friday’s executive order builds on the earlier proclamation and allows for additional assistance.