[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 81 (Tuesday, May 16, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S6748]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                          SOUTH DAKOTA FLOODS

  Mr. PRESSLER. Mr. President, once again, Mother Nature's fury is 
challenging the spirit and perseverance of South Dakotans. For the past 
several weeks, persistent rains have brought flooding conditions to 
much of the State for the third straight year. As a result, 38 counties 
already have been declared disaster areas. More counties may be added 
in the days ahead. Just by way of comparison, in July 1993, 33 counties 
were disaster areas due to the heavy rainfall and flooding that made 
front page headlines nationwide.
  Flooding has made vital roads and bridges impassable, placing the 
assurance of basic services at risk. Rivers and streams overflowing 
their banks have wreaked havoc in urban and rural areas across South 
Dakota--basements, fields, and roads are inundated with water. Damage 
to public and private property threatens the well-being of farmers, 
small business men and women, families, and individuals.
  On Monday, Gov. Bill Janklow requested that the President declare the 
State a disaster area and provide Federal emergency assistance in 
excess of $16 million. The devastation appears already to have 
surpassed that caused by the so-called Great Flood of 1993. Some areas 
of the State already are experiencing their wettest springs in history 
with 3 weeks remaining in the season.
  An end does not appear to be in sight. National Weather Service 
reports indicate heavy precipitation will continue through the end of 
this month and maybe into this summer. If this is the case, South 
Dakota once again may resemble the Great Lake of the Midwest.
  South Dakotans clearly are experiencing hard times. The Governor's 
office has informed me that the State is using all the resources it can 
to assist those in need. Federal help is critical. As South Dakota's 
senior Senator, I intend to do all I can to ensure that the President 
and our Federal agencies respond to South Dakota's disaster needs 
swiftly and diligently. The people of South Dakota deserve and should 
expect no less from their Government.
  I already have written to the President, the Federal Emergency 
Management Agency [FEMA], and the Small Business Administration [SBA], 
and the Federal Highway Administration, alerting them of South Dakota's 
urgent situation and urging quick approval of the Governor's aid 
request.
  I also invited the Administrator of the Federal Highway 
Administration, Rodney Slater, to personally assess the damage of our 
flood-damaged roads and bridges and to give immediate consideration to 
a request from the State for assistance. Having endured $1.2 million of 
damage to roads and bridges last year, additional damage to roads and 
bridges makes FHWA assistance even more critical this year.
  Administrator Slater for some time has planned to survey damaged 
roads and bridges in South Dakota. Unfortunately, he has not scheduled 
a visit. Now is as good a time as any for him to see just how serious 
the situation is.
  South Dakotans have no time to waste. The Federal Government should 
act, and act fast. South Dakota deserves the same response other areas 
of the Nation receive in times of need. I intend to see that this 
action is taken.
  What kind of action can be taken at the Federal level? Plenty. In 
fact, a number of initiatives can be taken without a Presidential 
disaster declaration--initiatives that are critical to South Dakota 
farmers and ranchers. First and foremost, the Department of Agriculture 
and the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation must provide far greater 
flexibility in the administration of the Crop Insurance Program to 
South Dakota farmers.
  The Crop Insurance Program, which has replaced disaster payments as 
the central means for emergency relief, is predicated on the planting 
of crops. However, as we all know, the clear problem caused by the 
recent rain and floods for crop farmers is that they are unable to 
plant. Consider the percentage of crops planted, as of May 8, 1995, as 
compared to the 5-year average: corn--1 percent, 5-year average--19 
percent; spring wheat--17 percent, 5-year average--89 percent; oats--12 
percent, 5-year average--85 percent; barley--6 percent, 5-year 
average--84 percent.
  I already have written to Agriculture Secretary Glickman, urging 
administrative flexibility for the Crop Insurance Program. Specifically 
the Secretary needs to take the following steps:
  First, provide prevent planting coverage on crops that producers paid 
premiums on. If a producer was unable to plant the insured crop by the 
final planting date, crop insurance should pay the prevented planted 
indemnity and permit the producers to plant any subsequent crop 
possible and insure that crop.
  Second, provide crop insurance coverage for producers who aerial seed 
this year's crop. With the degree of wet conditions occurring in South 
Dakota, aerial seeding needs to be considered a usual practice.
  Third, withhold penalties against producers by permitting prevented 
planting coverage even if a producer enters the 0/92 program.
  Fourth, release Conservation Reserve Program [CRP] acres for haying 
and grazing.
  Fifth, extend immediately the May 15 deadline for calving on CRP 
acres. I am pleased that Secretary Glickman has responded to this 
request, and has extended the deadline.
  Sixth, permit the following crops to be planted this year without the 
loss of farm program benefits: millet, soybeans, buckwheat, sunflowers.
  FEMA, SBA, and the FHWA also should be equally responsive, fair, and 
flexible to the needs of South Dakotans should the Governor request 
Federal assistance.
  The need for equitable treatment in response to disasters is very 
important to me. In recent years, I have been very critical of what I 
believe to be the apparent discriminatory administration of Federal 
emergency assistance. It seems that disaster aid is always quick in 
coming to States and localities with major media markets and big 
electoral votes. However, whether you are from Humboldt, CA, or 
Humboldt, SD, a disaster is a disaster--a lost home, business, or 
income due to Mother Nature is hard for all Americans, regardless of 
where they live. Thus, treatment of these disasters should be fair.
  Once again, the wrath of Mother Nature is challenging the people of 
our great State. Times are tough, but I know South Dakotans will 
persevere. The pioneer spirit and sense of community within all South 
Dakotans will rise to the occasion. In the last few days, my wife 
Harriet and I have talked to a number of our friends in South Dakota. 
We have heard the difficulties they have faced. Our hearts and our 
prayers are with them--the farmers, ranchers, business men and women, 
and the families impacted by the flooding. I intend to do all I can to 
ensure that the Federal Government stands side-by-side with all South 
Dakotans during this difficult time. The President can begin this 
effort by approving Governor Janklow's request and send assistance 
where needed. I urge him to do so without delay. Again, the people of 
South Dakota should expect and deserve no less.


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