NRCS to Assist Agriculture Producers with Disposal of Dead Animals after Hurricane Rita

News Release

Claude Ross
USDA NRCS EWP Program Manager
101 S. Main Temple, Texas 76501
Phone: 254.742.9800
Fax: 254.742.9939

Temple, TX – In the aftermath of Hurricane Rita, many animals did not survive the storm, especially in those hard-hit areas of southeast Texas. In an effort to deal with the dead animal disposal, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is working under a FEMA assignment to collect and dispose of dead animals, primarily livestock and poultry carcasses.

“We are making resources available to respond to issues that affect public health and safety in the counties affected by Hurricane Rita,” says NRCS State Conservationist Larry Butler. “At this point in recovery efforts, we are focusing on animal disposal.”

Poultry and livestock producers that have experienced death loss due to the effects of Hurricane Rita are eligible to apply for assistance from NRCS, working in cooperation with the local soil and water conservation district. Producers needing assistance should immediately contact the USDA-NRCS office serving their county. The telephone number is listed under USDA in the telephone book. Information can also be obtained by calling (979) 846-0757, x3, or by e-mailing NRCSAssistance@tx.usda.gov. Contact information and application assistance forms can also be obtained on the NRCS Texas website.

Downed power and telephone lines have made communication difficult in the affected areas. If you know of an agriculture producer that may qualify for assistance, please help NRCS spread the word and pass this information along to them.

 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS), in cooperation with local Soil and Water conservation Districts and others, is working with landowners and contractors to collect and dispose of livestock and poultry carcasses in the aftermath of Hurricane Rita. Livestock and poultry producers who have a need for disposal of animal carcasses should call the USDA-NRCS office nearest them. The office location and contact information can be found by clicking on the National Directory link on the tool bar on the left hand side of this page.

The following application requires Acrobat Reader.

Poultry mortality associated with impacts of Hurricane Rita (41.6 KB)

< Back to Rita