20070725 O'Malley to ask for emergency declaration for drought

O'Malley to ask for emergency declaration for drought

By KRISTEN WYATT, The Associated Press 2007-07-25

ANNAPOLIS, Md. –

Gov. Martin O'Malley will ask federal authorities Thursday to declare a drought disaster in parts of Maryland, hoping to open up federal aid for state farmers hurt by the dry conditions.

Some areas of the state haven't seen significant rain since May, and O'Malley says the drought has been made worse by the fact that high corn prices inspired many farmers to increase acres of the drought-sensitive crop. Corn prices are up because of increased demand for ethanol fuel, which is derived from corn.

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