Texas Ag Commissioner Todd Staples Announce Grants to Areas Damaged by Drought, Wildfire

Texas’ agriculture commissioner has awarded several disaster relief grants to communities still suffering the effects of severe drought and wildfire.

Commissioner Todd Staples today announced $1.4 million in federal disaster relief grants to Bastrop County, and the cities of Florence, Llano, and Seymour.

Each will receive a $350,000 grant. Bastrop County plans to use the grant to fund recovery projects related to the Bastrop County Complex fire, and the cities will fund drought-related projects.

More than half the state is still suffering from some degree of drought.

“Through grit and perseverance, our communities are starting to heal,” said Staples. “These funds will assist with the rebuilding effort as they allow local leaders to develop the best strategies and solutions for building the infrastructure needed to prevent or diminish the effects of future disasters.”

The City of Florence plans to use the grant to improve the city’s drinking water supplies, including a new water line, metering station, four chlorination stations, an underground tank, and a water management and monitoring system.

Llano plans to use the funds to develop three alluvial/rock cropping shallow wells to pump water to an upstream reservoir, and Seymour will use the funds to rework idle wells that have struggled with depleting groundwater levels.

Bastrop County will use their grant to remove debris, replenish vegetation, and improve drainage in areas damaged by last year’s wildfires.

The funds come from the federal Community Development Block Grant Program.