OLYMPIA -- Snow and ice around the state have prompted Gov. Chris Gregoire to declare a winter storm emergency, activating the National Guard and suspending rules for delivering milk from dairies.

Gregoire's emergency declaration orders the adjutant general to activate whatever units necessary to help cope with heavy snows. It also suspends driver hour rules of service for the milk industry so trucks have more time to get from dairies to processing plants over roads where traffic is slowed by snow and ice.

A copy of the declaration is below.

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