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White House To Grant $110 Million To Drought-Stricken States

White House To Grant $110 Million To Drought-Stricken States
Reuters
Visitors walk on a bridge over a dry riverbed at the Yosemite National Park in California on June 3, 2015. It is one of America's most popular natural wonders. But even Yosemite National Park cannot escape the drought ravaging California, now in its fourth year and fueling growing concern. At first glance the spectacular beauty of the park with its soaring cliffs and picture-postcard valley floor remains unblemished, still enchanting the millions of tourists who flock the landmark every year. But on closer inspection, the drought's effects are clearly visible. AFP PHOTO/MARK RALSTON (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images)
Visitors walk on a bridge over a dry riverbed at the Yosemite National Park in California on June 3, 2015. It is one of America's most popular natural wonders. But even Yosemite National Park cannot escape the drought ravaging California, now in its fourth year and fueling growing concern. At first glance the spectacular beauty of the park with its soaring cliffs and picture-postcard valley floor remains unblemished, still enchanting the millions of tourists who flock the landmark every year. But on closer inspection, the drought's effects are clearly visible. AFP PHOTO/MARK RALSTON (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The White House said on Friday that it would spend an additional $110 million to help farmers and communities in western states hit hard by drought and wildfires.

The drought has affected a third of the western United States, and President Barack Obama was slated to discuss it with western governors in a video conference on Friday.

The Agriculture Department will expand crop insurance, providing about $30 million in relief this year and $42 million next year, the White House said.

The Labor Department will provide up to $18 million in grants to California, a state where as many as 18,000 jobs have been lost to drought.

The White House said the money will be used to create up to 1,000 jobs for up to six months working on drought and wildfire projects.

The Interior Department will spend $10 million on projects designed to lessen the risk of major firefires, the White House said.

The new spending is on top of the more than $190 million spent by federal agencies this year on drought. The USDA also projects it will spend at least $1.2 billion in aid to livestock farmers.

(Reporting by Roberta Rampton; Editing by David Gregorio)

Before You Go

Rick Pappas / Flickr
At Beal's Point on Folsom Lake in Northern California the water has almost disappeared. We are in the midst of a severe drought and for much of the Sacramento area this is it's water source.Edit: Since writing this 12 days ago, we've had major fires near Yosemite Park and the 4000 acre Sand Fire east of Sacramento.
Davor Desancic / Flickr
Coyote Hills RP, Fremont, CA July 13, 2014.
Eric / Flickr
We may be going through a stretch of beautiful January weather right now in California, but our rivers, lakes and streams are quickly drying up... not good. #OurDroughtIsReal
Hans Proppe / Flickr
California Drought: Ducks and Geese in East Jesus
Rick Pappas / Flickr
This empty picnic table which looks out over Folsom Dam in Northern California is indicative of the dearth of visitors. This is just one small facet of California's drought.
Rick Pappas / Flickr
As I stepped onto the forest floor to shoot this I could hear the pine needles crack and could feel the thick dry duf give way under my feet. California is so dry...so primed for fire that one worries about what August and September will bring.
Davor Desancic / Flickr
Coyote Hills RP, Fremont, CA July 23, 2014
Davor Desancic / Flickr
Coyote Hills RP, Fremont, CA July 23, 2014
@xsuzi00 / Twitter
Planted this tree fifteen years ago, nursed it to maturity, it died this spring .
Davor Desancic / Flickr
Coyote Hills RP, Fremont, CA July 23, 2014
Cat Connor / Flickr
Very low water levels at Horseshoe Lake in Mammoth due to the ongoing drought in California, on July 9, 2014.
Cat Connor / Flickr
Tuolumne Meadows, Calif. on July 5, 2014.
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