Bedford may join drought aid calls

By: Justin Faulconer | Lynchburg News and Advance
Published: August 09, 2010

The Bedford County Board of Supervisors is expected to pass a resolution tonight asking Gov. Bob McDonnell to seek a disaster declaration for the area because of recent weather.
The board is likely to vote on the measure during its 7:30 p.m. regular meeting at the county administration building in Bedford.
Rainfall levels have been less than normal and “unseasonably” high temperatures since March have negatively impacted farmers, said Scott Baker, the county’s extension agent, in a letter to supervisors.
Sporadic rains have not done much to alleviate the effects, he said.
“Pastures have deteriorated throughout recent weeks and many producers have begun feeding hay,” Baker wrote to supervisors. “This may result in producers not having sufficient supplies to carry their livestock through the winter. There is also concern that persistent dry conditions may cause water sources to be impacted.”
Crops including hay, corn and soybeans were negatively impacted, he said.
“These conditions have and continue to cause financial loss to the farmers of Bedford County,” a resolution going before the supervisors’ review tonight states.
The disaster declaration would provide a means for those affected to qualify for some relief assistance.
Also tonight, supervisors are expected to pass a resolution recognizing 2010 as the 75th anniversary of the opening of the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Bedford County shares the most mileage of any county in Virginia with the 469-mile parkway, the resolution states.
In other business, the board is holding a public hearing on a special use permit to allow a private water and sewer system for three planned subdivisions at Smith Mountain Lake.
Another public hearing will address a separate special-use permit for community docks at one of those lake subdivisions.
Tonight’s meeting takes place at 122 East Main St. in the city of Bedford. A board work session is set for 5 p.m.
To view the agenda, visit www.co.bedford.
va.us and click on Board of Supervisors.

Bedford may join drought aid calls

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