Nixon extends drought state of emergency

Despite recent rainfall, Gov. Jay Nixon extended the state of emergency for Missouri he declared in July because of heat, fire risk and prolonged drought affecting the state.

The extension, announced via news release Monday, lasts 45 days through Nov. 15, while also extending the deadline to help Missouri livestock producers and farmers complete water projects approved under Nixon's drought relief program established July 23. Since then, the governor's office says more than 5,800 projects have been approved under the emergency cost-share program to drill new wells, deepen existing wells or undertake other projects to get water to animals and crops. More than 4,400 projects have been completed, are under construction or have been scheduled for construction.

In order to be eligible for this extension, a landowner with an approved project must try to get the project completed by the earliest possible date. The program covers 90 percent of the cost of an emergency water project, such as digging or deepening a well or connecting a farm to a rural water supply.

Funding for this emergency program comes from unallocated reserve funds provided by the Missouri Soil and Water Districts Commission and state resources.