Executive Order 04-03

State of Montana
Office of the Governor

EXECUTIVE ORDER AUTHORIZING INCIDENT RESPONSE AUTHORITY IN THE STATE OF MONTANA

WHEREAS, on March 7 through March 9, 2003, record or near record snow fall occurred across portions of the state; and

WHEREAS, on March 12 and March 13, 2003, record or near record warm temperatures occurred across the same areas of the state causing flooding conditions in several jurisdictions as well as unstable snow pack in others; and

WHEREAS, the State Emergency Coordination Center has received numerous reports of road closures, damage to bridges and roadways, snow slides and other snow and flood related reports; and

WHEREAS, it is important for the State Emergency Coordination Center to monitor the flood and unstable snow activity across the state to be able to provide quick coordination and response of state resources to local jurisdictions if needed to protect life, property and the environment; and

WHEREAS, Lewis and Clark County has declared a disaster to exist in their jurisdiction because of widespread flooding; and

WHEREAS, Gallatin County has declared an emergency to exist in their jurisdiction because of widespread flooding; and

WHEREAS, the availability and utilization of all necessary state government services, equipment and supplies under this proclamation will further the efforts to protect health and safety and to preserve the lives, property and resources of the people of the State of Montana; and

WHEREAS, a proclamation of an incident, as that term is defined in Section 10-3-103(7), MCA, requires action by disaster and emergency services personnel, and Section 10-3-310 authorizes the Governor to expend funds from the general fund to prevent or minimize loss of life or damage to property or natural resources.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Judy Martz, Governor of the State of Montana, pursuant to the authority vested in me as Governor under the Constitution of the State of Montana, Title 10, Chapter 3, MCA, and under other applicable statutes, hereby declare an incident to exist in the State of Montana.

This Order is effective March 13, 2003.