PIERRE, S.D.(KCCR)- The Hughes County Commission has approved a drought disaster declaration for the County.  A resolution with the request was presented to Commissioners Monday morning by Hughes/Stanley County Emergency Manager Rob Fines.

Fines says they waited as long as they could on the action to see if weather conditions would change.

Commissioner Tom Rounds says he’s heard from farmers urging the passage of a drought disaster resolution to open up haying opportunities.  County Manager Kevin Hipple says on county roads haying can take place.

Governor Kristi Noem signed an emergency executive order at the beginning of July to waive mowing rules on state right-of-ways.   The last update of the U-S Drought Monitor shows D-3 Extreme drought extending into most of Stanley County and southeast Hughes County along the Missouri River with D-2 Severe drought in the remainder of both counties.