BISMARCK – Ranchers in 36 counties are eligible to apply for livestock assistance through North Dakota State Water Commission’s Drought Disaster Livestock Water Supply Program.

A livestock operation must be in the governor’s most recent disaster proclamation or an adjacent, eligible county to qualify for cost-share assistance. Operations can apply for assistance with new water wells, rural water system connections, pipeline extensions, pasture taps and associated labor, materials and equipment rentals for work completed by the producer to develop new water supply projects.

An applicant may receive up to 50 percent of the cost of a project, to a maximum of $3,500.

Application forms and additional information are available on the commission’s website at swc.nd.gov.