From staff reports Last week the Oklahoma Emergency Drought Commission met to discuss state-funded drought relief projects and plans for the 2024 fiscal year.
Oklahoma State Forester Mark Goeller gave an update on state fire statistics. Over the last few years, Goeller said, Oklahoma has ranked in the top 10 states for wildfires. Dry conditions haven’t helped, he added.
While Goeller noted that local fire departments are great as first responders, he expressed the Forestry Department’s need for funding to battle the more extensive wildfires.
Trey Lam, executive director of the Oklahoma Conservation Commission, discussed projects funded through the Drought Commission.
Using drought relief funds, Lam said 5,694 practices have been installed: water wells, pond cleanouts, cover crops, forest establishment and more. Six conservation districts have finished their implementations, with 1,993 remaining projects to be completed. Lam noted that 658 of those are pond cleanouts and 494 are water wells.
Due to excessive wait times for contractors, the commission decided that producers implementing pipeline, pumping plant, watering facility or water wells will now have their Dec. 31 deadline for project completion. Projects such as pond cleanouts remain at a deadline of June 30. Producers who fail to complete projects and submit receipts by June 30 will not be eligible for reimbursement but will be first in line for reimbursement in the next round of funding.
Since not all areas of the state may experience drought simultaneously, Secretary of Agriculture Blayne Arthur inquired about the possibility of the regionalized approach. “You may have received moisture in the eastern side of Oklahoma, but if northwestern hasn’t, are there ways we can move those dollars out there?” she asked.
Giving a presentation on drought conditions, state Climatologist Gary McManus said the state is in great condition, but that drought concerns for the spring and summer of 2024 are high due to La Niña. Although La Niña’s foreshadowed strength is unknown, McManus said factors point to drier than normal conditions.
The next Oklahoma Emergency Drought Commission meeting will likely be held in July, Arthur said.