Early in October, Representative Kat Cammack (R-FL) spearheaded a letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) demanding they assist farmers after Hurricane Helene. On Thursday, USDA announced they would follow through, which Representative Scott Franklin (R-FL) applauded in a recent statement, saying it "could be a game-changer."
The original letter, led by Rep. Cammack and supported by the Florida Delegation to Congress, called for block grants, Farm Service Agency (FSA) strike forces, and improvements in measuring rainfall as farmers recovered from Helene with Milton close behind.
On Thursday, USDA announced they were "taking steps to streamline and provide flexibilities for environmental compliance requirements for 2024 hurricanes Debby, Helene, and Milton, allowing the Farm Service Agency (FSA) to expedite approval of payments and practice implementation for Emergency Conservation Program (ECP), Emergency Forest Restoration Program (EFRP), and Tree Assistance Program (TAP) applicants impacted by these three named storms in 2024."
Other provisions include waiving ECP and EFRP requirements for restoration cost-share assistance payments and FSA requirements for receipts and documents related to land restoration.
"USDA's announcement today could be a game-changer in helping Florida agricultural producers who've been pummeled by storm after storm the last few years. Granting FSA employees the authority to waive unnecessary and onerous requirements will expedite disaster applications and get aid out much more quickly. My office will continue to work to reduce red tape at USDA and ensure our growers and ranchers receive the resources they need while recovering," said Rep. Franklin in his statement.
The announcement came as Rep. Franklin and Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) made a bipartisan call for the modernization of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) "hurricane hunter" fleet of aircraft, which are set to retire in 2030.
"NOAA's hurricane hunter fleet is critical to delivering real-time data to improve the accuracy of forecasts and inform emergency management efforts. During Hurricane Milton, I joined the crew of NOAA 42 and saw firsthand the importance of this life-saving weather tracking technology. Congress must fund the modernization of NOAA's aging planes to help protect our communities," said the Florida Congressman.
