Flood Information Abounds n Here’s Some of It

By Joan Sanstadt, News Editor
Wednesday, June 25, 2008 12:44 PM CDT

Rod Nilsestuen, Secretary of Agriculture

Flood information is available from many sources; but not all of it is useful to farmers.

We’ve put together a sampling of some of the items producers may find most helpful. Read on.

NRCS

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has announced that farmland conservation practices damaged or destroyed during the recent flooding may be repaired through its Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).

Conservation practices, such as grassed waterways, buffers, structures or other practices, can be repaired with cost-sharing through EQIP. If these practices were originally installed through EQIP, funds may be available immediately to begin repairs.

If the practices were installed through other programs or without assistance, then farmers can apply for cost-sharing to repair them through the Emergency Conservation Program at the USDA Farm Service Agency.

New erosion problems that have become apparent after the recent rains can be addressed through 2009 EQIP funding, which will be available late this fall. Contact the NRCS office at the USDA Service Center in your county for more information.

DATCP

Rod Nilsestuen, secretary of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) last week visited flood-damaged farms and rural communities in Iowa, Richland and Vernon counties to show support for the agricultural community and to observe flood-damage first hand.

“This was the worst flood in my memory and I am truly impressed by the resilience shown by the farmers and communities I visited. People are working together night and day to clean up and recover, but it will be a trying year for all. Our heart goes out to them,” said Nilsestuen. He visited Avoca, a small, rural community in Iowa County with extensive flood damage; Viola in Vernon County; a 235 cow dairy and grain farm and a 2,600-acre grain farm near Avoca; a crop farm along the Kickapoo River and a 40-cow dairy in Vernon County. The farm home had been flooded.

Nilsestuen said state government is working to partner with local and federal agencies to get help to people in crisis. Many farmers will lose income, he said.

“It is too early to know what all the agricultural resources will be to help mitigate losses and I do not want to over-promise what will be available. But U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer assured me on Wednesday that no one will have to shoulder all the losses alone.”

In addition to crops losses, much valuable top soil has been washed away.

“The flood highlights the absolute need and value of making conservation practices a priority,” he said. “We need to think about how over the long run we’re going to rehabilitate and improve.”

This week the U.S. Senate will consider more than $480 million funding for agriculture in response to flooding in the Midwest. The package offers assistance with rehabilitating farmland and rebuilding infrastructure: more than $89 million for emergency conservation and $390 million for emergency watershed protection such as rebuilding dams and levees.

“I thank our Congressional delegation for taking quick action,” said Nilsestuen.

Warning

Vernon County officials say people are posing as fake representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

In a news release, county Emergency Management officials say there is a report of people trying to enter homes to evaluate damages. Vernon County is one of 20 counties declared federal disaster areas after severe flooding.

Officials are telling residents that if anyone shows up posing as a FEMA representative, they should ask for FEMA-issued photo identification. Also, if their license plate can be safely seen, officials ask residents to write it down.

Notes

- There have been plenty of reports about Midwest flooding over the last 15 years, including a 272-page report issued during the Clinton Administration. But few changes have been made and there is a lack of coordination about levee planning that has been done along the rivers, including the Mississippi.

- The State DOT has taken over temporary ownership of the county highway destroyed earlier this month when Lake Delton emptied. The temporary arrangement will last while the highway is reconstructed.

- Officials last week closed Tyson Foods Inc.’s processed meat plant in Jefferson. The company, which employs 500 workers, will remain closed indefinitely due to flooding problems.

Contacts

State agencies have consumer protection warnings for state residents who have been inundated by the recent storms and flooding.

Among the warnings, one of the most important comes from the consumer protection staff at the DATCP. Rod Nilsestuen, DATCP secretary, is urging people to use local contractors whenever possible. For more information about specific contractors contact the DATCP at the number listed below.

The Office of the Commissioner of Insurance can help with filing insurance claims. Anyone wishing help can call the number listed below.

- Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, http://www.datcp.state.wi.us, 800-422-7128

- Office of the Commissioner of Insurance, http://www.oci.wi.gov, 800-236-8517

- National Flood Insurance Program, http://www.floodsmart.gov, 888-379-9531

Emergency Food Assistance

Last week Secretary Karen Timberlake of the Department of Health and Family Services announced the expansion of emergency food assistance for the residents of Dodge, Green, Washington, Waukesha, and Winnebago Counties, affected by severe weather and flooding.

“We encourage those impacted by the floods to apply for emergency food assistance services,” said Secretary Timberlake. “This is a difficult time for many and even basic food assistance can make a difference in easing the burden during this time of recovery.”

Residents of these counties will have from June 23 through July 1 to apply for food assistance at their local county or tribal agency. If residents are temporarily staying or living in a different county, they can apply in that county instead. The State’s FoodShare Program will help flood victims purchase food.

Below is the address, phone number, and operating hours for the location in each county where residents can go to apply for emergency food assistance:

- Dodge County Department of Human Services, 143 E. Center Street, Juneau, WI 53039, 920-386-3760, Open 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (MondaynFriday)

- Green County Human Services, N3152 State Road 81, Monroe, WI 53566, 608-328-9393, Open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (MondaynFriday)

- Washington County Department of Social Services, 333 E. Washington Street, Suite 3100, West Bend, WI 53095, 262-335-4610, Open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (MondaynFriday)

- Waukesha County Health and Human Services (Elderly, Blind or Disabled Persons), 500 Riverview Avenue Waukesha, WI 53188, 262-548-7280, Open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (MondaynFriday)

Disaster funding

Agriculture Under Secretary for Rural Development Thomas C. Dorr announced June 16 that funding is available to individuals and organizations recently hit by natural disasters in several states in the Midwest. The funds will go to areas that have been designated as Presidentially-declared disaster areas due to the impact of floods and tornadoes.

"USDA is encouraging residents and business owners to immediately apply for funding to help them to begin their recovery from these devastating storms," Dorr said. "Rural Development has a number of programs that can be used by citizens to help them get back on their feet. These programs can literally assist in building a community from the ground up and we stand ready to help our fellow citizens in the affected states rebuild their communities and their lives." For the full story visit: http://www.usda.gov/newsroom.

Tax relief

The federal government has declared a state of disaster in 22 Wisconsin counties. As a result, affected taxpayers in that area qualify for an extension to Aug. 13 for return and report filing, tax payment and other deadline-sensitive actions. As additional counties are declared eligible for assistance, the relief provisions will apply to affected taxpayers in those counties.

“Affected taxpayers” include taxpayers whose principal residence or principal place of business is located in the covered disaster area, taxpayers whose books or tax records or whose tax professionals’ offices are located in the covered disaster area, and relief workers affiliated with a recognized government or philanthropic organization assisting with the relief activities in the covered disaster area. The relief provisions include:

- Income tax returns of taxpayers other than corporations - Affected taxpayers have until Aug. 13, 2008, to file their state and federal returns for the tax year 2007 for both federal and Wisconsin purposes. When filing the Wisconsin income tax return with the extension to Aug. 13, taxpayers should enter the number “03” in the Special Conditions box on the front of the return and write “Wisconsin flooding” on the line provided.

- Estimated tax payments of taxpayers other than corporations - Affected taxpayers with an estimated tax payment due on or after June 5 and before Aug. 13, receive an extension to make the payment until Aug. 13.

- Corporation franchise or income tax returns - For federal income tax returns of corporations, affected corporations with a due date that falls on or after June 5 and before Aug. 13 are granted an extension of time to file. These corporations are allowed an additional 30 days beyond Aug. 13 to file their corresponding Wisconsin returns.

- Corporation estimated tax payments - Affected corporations with an estimated tax payment due on or after June 5 and before Aug. 13 receive an extension to make the payment until Aug. 13.

- State sales and use, withholding and excise tax returns, reports and payments - For reporting periods with a due date that falls on or after June 5 and before Aug. 13 an affected taxpayer may request a 30-day extension of time to file by contacting: Registration Unit, Wisconsin Department of Revenue, PO Box 8949, Madison, WI 53708-8949.

Taxpayers with questions about their particular tax situations may contact the Department: Individual taxpayers at 608-266-2772 or business taxpayers at 608-266-2776.

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