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“THE MINNESOTA FLOODS OF 2000” mentioning the U.S. Dept of Agriculture was published in the Senate section on pages S6251 on June 30, 2000.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
THE MINNESOTA FLOODS OF 2000
Mr. GRAMS. Mr. President, I rise today to discuss the devastating storms of last week that are affecting much of northwestern Minnesota. We are experiencing some of the worst flash flooding in over 100 years. These storms dumped more than 7 inches of rain in the Moorhead, Minnesota and Fargo, North Dakota area in an eight-hour period, swamping hundreds of basements, and streets, and acres of farm land.
This past weekend, I had the opportunity to see first hand the effects of the storm when I visited the communities of Ada, Borup, Perley, Hendrum, and Moorhead. Actually, I had originally planned before the storm on being in the area to celebrate the grand opening of the Ada Hospital following its destruction during the Floods of 1997. Just three short years ago, Ada was hit with the worst flooding in 500 years. They are still recovering from that flood.
How do you explain floods like these? They don't just happen once in a while contrary to reports of 100 or even 500-year floods, they've been happening every year in northwestern Minnesota. Last year, Ada experienced severe hail storms and a Labor Day flood. In 1998, there were three floods in February, May and June. In 1997, of course, there was the huge flood in the Red River Valley.
Swollen from the heavy rains, the Wild Rice River became a huge pool of water 25 miles wide and 30 miles long that flowed steadily overland through northwestern Minnesota, drowning millions of dollars worth of crops in its path. The pool developed as heavy runoff collected at higher elevations in Becker and Mahnomen counties, then flowed into the Red River Valley toward Ada. You have to realize that this land is very flat, dropping only about one foot per mile, so the water moves slowly, but causes severe crop damage. Several rivers converge and flood prevention measures have failed to funnel excess water into the Red River. I intend to work with representatives from the watershed districts, and the Army Corps of Engineers to see whether past flood control measures have resulted in what has become constant flooding in this area of northwest Minnesota and what can be done to alleviate this problem in the future. I saw fields with three or four feet of water that had been planted with wheat, soybeans, and sugar beets earlier this year. Now, these crops are all destroyed, and the stench of rotting crops has begun.
Earlier this week, Governor Ventura declared this area a state of emergency so that federal, state and local emergency management officials can work together to assess the damage and see whether federal assistance will be required. As if this wasn't enough, eight counties in southeastern Minnesota were declared emergency areas and Governor Ventura has asked the federal government for money to help with their recovery following rainstorms of May 17th. I was happy to support the Governor's request and to learn that President Clinton has declared this region a disaster so that they are eligible for federal funding. This region of Minnesota received 5 to 7 inches of rain on May 17th, followed by another heavy storm May 31. Since then, even small rainfalls have resulted in overflows and drainage problems.
It's too early to tell the extent of the damage in northwestern Minnesota. Preliminary estimates include damage to 430 houses, primarily in the Moorhead area, and $10 million damage to crops in Becker and Mahnomen counties.
But losses will go much higher. The greatest crop damage appears to be in Clay and Norman counties. There, crops have been damaged or destroyed on more than 500 square miles of land, according to county officials. That could mean $50 million in lost crops, and half that again in out-of-pocket planting costs.
Flooding remains a serious blow to farmers in Minnesota. There are about 300 commercial farmers left in Norman County in northwestern Minnesota. They've been losing 20 or 30 farms every year recently. It's too late to plant any cash crops in that part of the state. Some farmers will plant a ``cover crop'' to control erosion; others simply will try to control weeds and start planning for next year.
As in every disaster that my state has faced, I've been inspired once again by the people of Minnesota, who rally together for their communities when tragedy strikes. It's during critical times such as these that we finally understand the importance of neighbor helping neighbor. At a time when we all too often fail to make the effort to get to know and appreciate our neighbors, Minnesotans in a great many of our communities have formed lasting bonds over this past week and found their civic spirit has been restored.
Mr. President, I intend to work with Governor Ventura to examine the need for federal funding to help those Minnesotans devastated by this most recent flooding. I also want to work with the Governor, the Farm Services Administration, and the Department of Agriculture in anticipation of federal funding needs for farmers who have had severe crop losses. I stand together with my colleagues in the Minnesota delegation, and with our colleagues from North Dakota who are facing destruction in their states equal to our own. When disaster strikes, we are not Republicans or Democrats. We are representatives of the people, and we will do whatever we must to protect our citizens when their lives, homes and property are threatened.
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