USDA expands drought disaster declaration to 38 municipalities

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has expanded the drought disaster declaration in Puerto Rico, designating Barranquitas, Caguas and Guayama as primary areas and another 16 municipalities as contiguous areas.

By THE STAR STAFF

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has expanded the drought disaster declaration in Puerto Rico, designating Barranquitas, Caguas and Guayama as primary areas and another 16 municipalities as contiguous areas, Gov. Jenniffer González Colón announced on Wednesday.

With the new determination and a declaration announced on Aug. 26, a total of 38 distinct municipalities are now covered by federal drought-related designations.

“We have just received notification that the federal Department of Agriculture has approved an additional drought disaster declaration for Puerto Rico, designating three primary municipalities and 16 contiguous municipalities,” González Colón said in a written statement. “This action represents critical additional support for our farmers and producers affected by the conditions our island continues to face.” 

In addition to Barranquitas, Caguas and Guayama as primary areas, the new declaration includes the following as contiguous municipalities: Aguas Buenas, Aibonito, Arroyo, Cayey, Cidra, Coamo, Comerío, Corozal, Gurabo, Naranjito, Orocovis, Patillas, Salinas, San Juan, San Lorenzo and Trujillo Alto.

Eligible agricultural producers in the designated areas may be considered for emergency loans and other assistance tools from the Farm Service Agency, subject to federal requirements.

The designation also allows eligible small businesses and non-profit organizations in the included municipalities to apply for U.S. Small Business Administration economic injury disaster loans, aimed at entities facing economic hardship due to the drought.

A previous declaration had designated the following as primary areas: Cabo Rojo, Coamo, Guánica, Guayanilla, Juana Díaz, Lajas, Peñuelas, Ponce, Sabana Grande, Salinas, San Germán, Santa Isabel and Yauco. Adjuntas, Aibonito, Barranquitas, Cayey, Guayama, Hormigueros, Jayuya, Lares, Maricao, Mayagüez, Orocovis, Utuado and Villalba were previously included as contiguous municipalities. Some of these municipalities appear again under the new designation.

According to La Fortaleza, the latest decision is based on conditions identified by the U.S. Drought Monitor in areas that met the federal criteria for intensity and duration required to trigger the assistance mechanism.

“Since the onset of this emergency, we have worked to ensure that Puerto Rico has access to all tools and resources available from the federal government,” the governor stated. “This new declaration demonstrates that we are continuing to move in that direction and will keep identifying every opportunity for assistance to support our farmers and protect our productive capacity.”

Efforts related to the request were carried out in conjunction with the Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration and in coordination with the island Department of Agriculture.