EXECUTIVE ORDER
18-05

WHEREAS, I have been advised by the Director of the Department of Natural Resources that parts of the State of Missouri have suffered a prolonged period of low precipitation since May 2017; and

WHEREAS, the U.S. Drought Monitor indicates all or portions of 47 counties are in severe or extreme drought; and

WHEREAS, early response to pending drought can greatly reduce negative impacts upon Missouri citizens; and

WHEREAS, state and federal agencies have many interdependent roles in identifying and mitigating drought impacts; and

WHEREAS, the State Water Resources Plan established pursuant to section 640.415, RSMo, has authorized the development of the Missouri Drought Response Plan; and

WHEREAS, the Missouri Drought Response Plan calls for intergovernmental communication, cooperation, and coordination of efforts in drought mitigation activities.

NOW THEREFORE, I, MICHAEL L. PARSON, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF MISSOURI, by virtue and authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the State of Missouri, do hereby declare a drought alert for the counties of Adair, Andrew, Audrain, Barry, Barton, Boone, Buchanan, Caldwell, Callaway, Carroll, Chariton, Clark, Clay, Clinton, Cole, Cooper, Dade, Daviess, DeKalb, Gentry, Grundy, Harrison, Howard, Jackson, Jasper, Knox, Lafayette, Lawrence, Lewis, Linn, Livingston, Macon, McDonald, Mercer, Moniteau, Monroe, Newton, Nodaway, Platte, Putnam, Randolph, Ray, Saline, Schuyler, Scotland, Sullivan, and Worth.

I further direct that as additional counties enter severe, extreme or exceptional drought according to the U.S. Drought Monitor, they shall be declared in drought alert.

I order and direct the Director of the Department of Natural Resources to activate and designate a chairperson for the Drought Assessment Committee and request that all Missouri and federal agencies participate as needed.

All state agencies are hereby directed to examine how we may assist affected communities, as well as those communities that may be affected in the future, through temporary suspension of administrative rules, appropriation, or other means of support to mitigate the effects of the drought conditions.

This Executive Order shall be effective immediately and shall remain in effect until December 1, 2018, unless terminated or extended by subsequent order.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Missouri, in the City of Jefferson, on this 18th day of July, 2018.

[Michael L. Parson's signature]
Michael L. Parson
Governor

[Jay Ashcroft's signature]
John R. Ashcroft
Secretary of State

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