The State - News from Aug. 25, 1988

Gov. George Deukmejian has granted drought-stricken status to the Oakdale Irrigation District in San Joaquin and Stanislaus counties so it can tap water stored in the New Melones Reservoir. Deukmejian made the emergency declaration because Oakdale Irrigation District ran out of water last week, cutting off supplies to 65,000 acres of pasture and farmland. The declaration now goes to the U.S. Interior Department, which controls New Melones. The governor had been asked to declare drought emergencies in 12 Northern and Central California counties but decided to act on the situation considered most serious.