NRCS SIGNS AGREEMENT WITH DAVIESS COUNTY FOR DEBRIS REMOVAL FROM PANTHER CREEK UNDER THE EMERGENCY WATERSHED PROTECTION (EWP) PROGRAM

Updated 06/24/2009

Lexington, Ky., June 18, 2009— During the January 2009 ice storm, debris plugged many Kentucky waterways causing an immediate threat to life and property. At that time, the original EWP funds were allocated for exigency situations. Exigency conditions are those which demand immediate attention to avoid potential loss of life and property. Since the storm, NRCS has completed exigency projects in 26 counties at a cost of $1,044,315.

While the immediate threat was removed, numerous non-exigency sites were in need of attention. With the additional funding of $6.7 million, NRCS can accommodate the previously identified non-exigency projects. Non-exigency projects are those damaged sites that pose a serious but not immediate threat to life and property. Clean-up efforts are planned for non-exigency projects in as many as 25 counties.

Tom Perrin, State Conservationist for NRCS in Kentucky said, "Kentucky suffered a natural disaster this past winter and with the additional Emergency Watershed Protection funds, NRCS will be able to provide assistance to local sponsors with eligible emergency needs. Clearing our waterways of debris and preventing the flooding of our streams is a priority."

NRCS, administers EWP which is an emergency response program that addresses threats to life and property due to damaged watersheds following natural disasters. It is funded through Congressional supplemental appropriations only after disaster strikes. The EWP program pays 75 percent of the debris clean-up while the local sponsor, Daviess County Fiscal Court, is responsible for the remaining costs. EWP projects are completed in a 10-day turnaround period once a contract is put in place. NRCS provides technical and financial assistance based on a Damage Survey Report that describes potential damages, environmental impacts, and suggested solutions.

There are 113 additional sites located on various creeks throughout the county that will be contracted for removal in the near future. Two exigency projects were completed in April.

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Daviess County Non-Exigency Project(s) 

Listing of Exigency and Non-Exigency Projects 

For more information on the EWP program, please contact your local NRCS conservationist or Jacob Kuhn, NRCS EWP Program Manager, (859)-224-7371.  For more information regarding Emergency Watershed Protection, visit NRCS Web site at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/ewp/

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