News Release

AFTER HEAVY RAINS AND FLOODING, NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE ANNOUNCES THE AVAILABILITY OF ASSISTANCE TO LOCAL GOVERNMENTS FOR EMERGENCY WATERSHED PROTECTION (EWP) EFFORTS

Updated 05/20/2009

United States Department of Agriculture

Natural Resources Conservation Service

771 Corporate Drive Suite 210

Lexington, KY 40503

Phone: 859-224-7350

Web: http://www.ky.nrcs.usda.gov

Lexington, Ky., May 15, 2009 — Tom Perrin, State Conservationist for NRCS in Kentucky declared portions of eastern Kentucky counties eligible under the EWP disaster status when prolonged rains resulted in severe flooding on May 9 and 10. Perrin has received funding for counties including, Breathitt, Estill, Floyd, Grayson, Knott, Lee, Leslie, Madison, Magoffin, Owsley, Perry, and Pike.

Tom Perrin, State Conservationist for NRCS in Kentucky said, "Once again, Kentucky has suffered with natural disasters and once again NRCS has secured Emergency Watershed Protection funds to provide assistance to local sponsors with eligible emergency needs. The flooding that has occurred in the eastern part of the state is threatening our waterways and compromising the infrastructure of local roads and property."

NRCS assistance under EWP is limited to the removal of debris (broken, hanging and undercut trees) or impending debris along streams, creeks, or bridges that pose a threat to life or property. Assistance can be provided for severe erosion along stream banks that poses an immediate danger to houses, non-federal roads and other infrastructure. EWP project work must be conducted under an agreement with NRCS and under specific timeframes.

NRCS has damage assessment teams currently assigned to inspect and canvas waterways and structures in the affected counties. If your area has suffered damage from a storm event, you may qualify for assistance. Interested parties should contact the local conservation district or NRCS office.

The application should be a letter signed by an official of the local government. Local sponsors, including county fiscal courts, cities, conservation districts, watershed conservancy districts, State government, and affiliated agencies are eligible. Public and private landowners are eligible for assistance, but must apply for assistance and be represented by a sponsor. The letter must include the nature, location and scope of the problem and requested assistance for the EWP project.

In this instance of EWP funding, some areas may be eligible for up tp 90% of the construction costs. While NRCS usually assumes 75 percent of authorized construction costs and the local sponsor 25%, State Conservationist Tom Perrin has determined the area falls under the “Limited Resource Community” definition of the EWP regulations.

All EWP work must reduce threats to life and property and comply with economic and environmental standards. The work must also be of benefit to more than one person, sound from an engineering standpoint, and be the least-cost alternative. Sponsors are also responsible for furnishing the local cost share and for facilitating the installation of work

For USDA Service center addresses, phone numbers, and facsimile numbers go to: http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app.

Letters requesting EWP assistance and containing the information listed above should be faxed to the USDA NRCS State Office or the NRCS Service Center in your county for immediate consideration.

For more information on the EWP program, please contact your local NRCS office or visit NRCS Web site at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/ewp/
 

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