The Emergency Drought Committee voted to approve a new program aimed to provide emergency drought assistance to Oklahoma producers. The application period opens Nov. 12 and runs through Jan. 31, 2025.

The application will be available at local conservation districts and the Oklahoma Conservation Commission webpage beginning Nov. 12.

Oklahoma State Climatologist Gary Mc-Manus attended the meeting and provided a drought forecast.

“This is the most drought we have seen (in Oklahoma) since February 2023,” McManus said. “We have 79 percent of the state in drought right now and nearly 35 percent of that is extreme drought.”

McManus added that this is the driest October on record in Oklahoma history. The statewide average rainfall total for the month is 0.09 inches.

Producers are eligible to apply for the new program when the total area in D1 drought in their county reaches 25 percent as reported by the National Drought Monitor. The Oklahoma Conservation Commission will distribute a list of eligible counties to conservation districts each Thursday at 9 a.m.

Eligible producers may apply for the following practices: pipeline, heavy use protection area, water well, pumping plant, watering facility, pasture tap, and pond cleanout.

The Emergency Drought Committee previously met in March and set a deadline of June 30 to complete pond cleanout projects. Those applicants who did not complete their pond cleanout projects by June 30 now receive priority in this new program. Applicants have from Nov. 1-15 to alert their local conservation district if they wish to cancel their application, completed their pond cleanout after June 30, or will complete their pond cleanout.

All work regarding priority pond cleanout projects must be completed by Feb. 28, 2025. All other practices must be completed by July 31, 2025.