Byelle, Gymbal, Other Lawmakers Survey Drought Damage In Lial

GNN NEWS--Politics

Cleaven Ames, LIA--President Byelle made his first visit of the year to the state of Lial to survey the damage being wrought on Lial farmers following three months of a severe drought that has plagued much of the western-central portions of the state.

Byelle's visit comes nearly a month after Lial Governor Gavin Gymbal (CON) declared a state of emergency and asked the president for federal aid.

Many have criticized President Byelle for his seemingly slow response to take action. Governor Gymbal expressed similar criticisms during a July 17th news conference, in which he called Collester's response "anything but rapid."

But Byelle has not been ignoring the situation in Lial, says spokeswoman Dana Jensen. He simply has had more pressing concerns to deal with.

"President Byelle has not ignored the situation or downplayed it. In fact, he immediately dispatched and allocated $14 million in emergency aid to Lial farmers directly following Governor Gymbal's declaration of emergency status. He was unable to come in person until now, however, because he has been dealing with more pressing concerns, such as the war in Iraq, and the conflict in Afghanistan."

At the time Gov. Gymbal declared a state of emergency, Byelle did free up $14 million in aid for Lial farmers. He also sent Sec. of Agriculture Cynthia McKennue and Sec. Emily Savage of the Department of Energy, the Environment, and Protected Lands to the affected regions.

This time, Byelle was surrounded by a large group of lawmakers and government officials. McKennue and Savage joined him, as did several members of Lial's congressional delegation: Dlgs. John Morandi (NAT) and John BiGadi (CON), Reps. Katie Bronure (CON), Paul Cumberland (NAT), Andrea Doorfield (CON), Emily Guddenelly (CON), Luke Gymbal (CON), Stephanie Manning (NAT), Ryan Moore (CON), Pat Nelson (NAT), and Hans Phickinson (CON). Several state lawmakers also joined the group. Gov. Gavin Gymbal led the tour of the devestated counties.

Gymbal is asking Byelle for $6 million more in emergency funding, and asking for special federal subsidizing for affected farmers.

At a news conference after the tour, President Byelle said he will work hard to aid the situation.

"We're going to do everything we can to alleviate the suffering of these farmers and to restore their crop," he said.

He added, "Lial's agriculture industry is vital to our nation's economy, and extremely imperative to Lial's economy and economic independence."

Dlg. John Morandi called the drought "devestating."

The drought has harshly affected many residents in Rep. Katie Bronure's district. Bronure said, "This is possibly the worst natural problem in our state this year, and we are going to do everything in our power to remedy the situation to the best of our human abilities."

Closing the press conference, Gov. Gavin Gymbal said the drought has intensified and needs to be dealt with immediately.

"We can't have any more half-hearted responses. We must act now to save the crops and help these poor farmers."