drought

The City of Enid has received $8 million in federal funds for water infrastructure projects.

Oklahoma City and the OKC Water Utilities Trust have filed a lawsuit against an oil company for stealing the city’s water and harming protected lands at the Stinchcomb Wildlife Refuge.

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt has approved $20 million for the Emergency Drought Relief Fund to help farmers and ranchers who have suffered crop and livestock loss during the drought.

With the drought continuing, the Oklahoma Conservation Commission adopted a plan proposed by the Emergency Drought Commission to deliver $33,000 in emergency funds to each Oklahoma county. The legislature also allocated an additional $20 million for the second phase of the plan, which is also on its way to farmers and ranchers.

The Oklahoma Conservation Commission unanimously approved a $3 million cost-share program for farmers and ranchers.

Drought remains a dire concern in Oklahoma. Dry conditions have wreaked havoc on crops and livestock, and it has some producers feeling déjà vu.

Most of the state’s American Rescue Plan Act money centered on upgrades to broadband internet infrastructure. Oklahoma lawmakers also dedicated $20 million from unallocated funds for drought relief.

Livestock producers across 64 Oklahoma counties are eligible to receive drought recovery assistance through the Livestock Forage Disaster Program, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced.

Black Mesa State Park in the Oklahoma panhandle is without water while its well undergoes repairs. But even through this summer’s heat, drought and water problems, state park visitation remains high.

When temperatures rise and the ground dries out, Johnsongrass can become toxic with prussic acid and kill cattle almost instantly when they eat it.