Relief and Recovery

WSDA does not offer direct drought relief funding but works closely with decision makers to support those affected. The Department of Ecology can issue a drought declaration, allowing access to emergency relief options to help serve Washington’s people and environment during a water supply shortage.  This includes:

• Emergency water permits

• Temporary water right transfers

• Grants and loans for:

  • Leasing water rights to protect streams

  • Drilling or deepening wells

  • Installing pumps, pipelines, and measurement tools

  • Securing alternative or emergency water sources

Apply for aid: Drought response grants - Washington State Department of Ecology

United States Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources Conservation Service are here to support you during and after drought. Learn more at farmers.gov.

Available Programs:

• Farm Service Agency (FSA): Offers financial and technical aid for crop, livestock, tree, and farmland losses. Use the Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool to explore your options.

• Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP): Helps producers improve soil health, water quality, and drought resilience.

• Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP): Provides emergency help to communities facing threats to life or property due to disasters like drought.

• Rural Utilities Service: Supports rural communities in developing water and waste disposal systems.

• Small Business Administration (SBA): Offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans to eligible small businesses and nonprofits in drought-declared areas.

• FSA Emergency Loans & Programs: Includes aid for:

  • Loan repayment support

  • Recovering from production and physical losses

  • Livestock and forage loss recovery

  • Restoring damaged land and forests