North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum on Sept. 22 issued an emergency declaration extending an hours of service waiver for truck drivers hauling livestock, hay and water supplies for livestock.
The declaration is due to extreme drought conditions, which are considered the worst on record for the state. The order is effective for 30 days beginning Sept. 22.
Due to the drought, “farmers, ranchers and livestock producers have inadequate amounts of essential hay and water supplies to sustain livestock herds,” and “ranchers and livestock producers have been forced to find supplemental feed and water supplies or have hauled livestock to areas where water and hay inventories are more plentiful,” the declaration states.
The declaration provides relief from 49 CFR Parts 390 through 399; North Dakota Century Code § 39-32-02 pertaining to hours of service; and North Dakota Century Code Chapter 39-12 pertaining to weight, hauling width and height restrictions and fees for drivers of commercial motor vehicles transporting livestock, hay and water supplies for livestock on interstate highways and state roadways.