Bismarck, ND – The Drought Disaster Livestock Relief program, a critical state initiative to support ranchers facing persistent dry conditions, has exhausted its $4.1 million in funding. The program, activated by an executive order from North Dakota’s governor, saw its funds distributed roughly a month after its launch.
Reice Haase, director of the Department of Water Resources, informed lawmakers on the Water Topics Overview Committee last week that the program successfully helped fund 470 projects proposed by 369 ranchers across the state. Haase clarified the program's intent, stating it "is intended to provide relief and cost share for individual ranchers across the state to fund water projects for long-term drought resilience."
For residents in Burleigh and Morton counties, particularly those west of the Missouri River and south of Lake Sakakawea, the program's focus has direct relevance. A significant portion of the approved projects are located in these western regions of the state, according to a map presented in Haase’s report. This indicates that local ranchers, including those in Morton County which lies west of the Missouri River, were among the hundreds who sought and received aid to secure water sources for their livestock. Ranchers could apply for up to $10,000 in cost-share assistance per project to help fund essential items such as new water wells, pipeline extensions, pasture taps, and connections to rural water systems. These infrastructure improvements are designed to create lasting solutions for water access.
North Dakota Governor Kelly Armstrong activated the program via executive order on August 18 and expanded it a week later. The swift response from ranchers meant a demanding review period for state staff. Haase reported that his team dedicated "late nights, weekends and 'a significant amount of overtime'" to review more than 500 applications within a two-week span following the program's activation.
Haase confirmed the rapid allocation of resources, stating, "At this point we have exhausted all funding available that the water commission had approved for this." He further emphasized the lasting impact of these projects, explaining that the assistance would provide permanent relief and offer crucial support during future drought events.
This rapid utilization of funds underscores the severe and widespread drought conditions gripping North Dakota. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor’s September 17 update, nearly 92% of the state is affected by drought or abnormally dry conditions. Within this, approximately 31% of North Dakota is categorized as being in severe drought. An even more critical situation, rated as extreme drought, affects almost 14% of the state, primarily concentrated in the southeast and southwest regions. The demand for water resilience projects highlights the ongoing challenges faced by livestock producers across the state as they navigate these prolonged dry periods.
