LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Governor’s Office of Emergency Services has released the list of eligible counties given disaster designation resulting from the drought.

This designation is a result of the final rule announcement for the USDA Designation Process which includes nearly automatic approval for those counties that meet established drought intensity levels for at least eight weeks as reported on the U.S. Drought Monitor.

According to UC Cooperative Extension Director Greg Giusti, both Lake and Mendocino counties have been designated as eligible to receive disaster relief.

“Ag families, dependent on water supplies, have been critically impacted over the past years. This will provide some hope to those who want to take advantage of this opportunity,” Giusti said.

Giusti said the programs are available to farmers and ranchers who conduct family-sized farming operations.

He added, “The program will provide up to $500,000 for emergency loans for those who have suffered both physical or crop production losses as a direct result of the disaster.”

The program is being administered through the Farm Services Agency. The office that services Lake and Mendocino Counties is located in Ukiah, telephone 707-468-9223.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s Target Center at 202-720-2600.