2005 Section 32 Hurricane Disaster Programs

The Farm Service Agency (FSA) issues this interim final rule in response to emergency agricultural situations caused by the 2005 Hurricanes Dennis, Katrina, Ophelia, Rita, and Wilma in certain counties in Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, and Texas. The named hurricanes severely limited the purchasing power of farmers engaged in the production of agricultural commodities. This rule provides for the establishment of four hurricane disaster programs and one grant program using an estimated $250 million in funds available under section 32 of the Act of August 24, 1935, to be administered by FSA in order to provide funds to eligible producers who suffered eligible losses, thus reestablishing these producers' purchasing power. The grants will be provided to the respective States to enable them to assist aquaculture producers having losses related to the aforementioned 2005 hurricanes.