Rep. Bill Orton, D-Utah, is asking the Clinton administration to declare Utah's San Juan County a drought disaster area to make it eligible for more federal assistance.
Orton wrote to Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman seeking the help because snow was only 36 percent of normal in the county this year, and many areas of it have reported less than one inch of precipitation since Oct. 1."This drought has already been devastating on San Juan County's economy, and unfortunately it may only get worse," Orton said.
Several weeks ago, Gov. Mike Leavitt signed a state drought disaster declaration for the area. The San Juan County Commission has already placed water restrictions in incorporated areas of the county.