08/13/08 06:54 AM
WASHINGTON
USDA declares counties eligible for disaster aid
WASHINGTON — Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N. Y., Tuesday praised the Department of Agriculture for declaring that farm operators in Erie, Genesee and 15 other upstate counties are eligible for disaster aid because of their losses in a severe hail storm June 16.
Farmers may be eligible for permanent disaster payments depending on damage suffered. Other nearby counties also may be eligible for aid or low-interest loans. Sen. Charles E. Schumer, D-N. Y., joined Clinton’s request to the department for speedy approval of the disaster declaration request made by Gov. David A. Paterson.
