Emergency Watershed Protection

The purpose of the Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) program is to undertake emergency measures, including the purchase of flood plain easements, for runoff retardation and soil erosion prevention to safeguard lives and property from floods, drought, and the products of erosion on any watershed whenever fire, flood or any other natural occurrence is causing or has caused a sudden impairment of the watershed.

It is not necessary for a national emergency to be declared for an area to be eligible for assistance. Program objective is to assist sponsors and individuals in implementing emergency measures to relieve imminent hazards to life and property created by a natural disaster. Activities include providing financial and technical assistance to remove debris from streams, protect destabilized streambanks, establish cover on critically eroding lands, repairing conservation practices, and the purchase of flood plain easements. The program is designed for installation of recovery measures. FAQ

Work is authorized by section 216, P.L. 81-516, (33 U.S.C. 701b1) and Sections 403-405, P.L. 95-334, (16 U.S.C. 2203-2205).  Excerpt from Section 216, P.L.81-516 (as amended) that pertains to NRCS EWP Program

"The Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to undertake emergency measures, including the purchase of floodplain easements, for runoff retardation and soil erosion prevention, in cooperation with landowners and land users, as the Secretary deems necessary to safeguard lives and property from floods, drought, and the products of erosion on any watershed whenever fire, flood, or any other natural occurrence is causing or has caused a sudden impairment of that watershed."

Downed Timber Removal Cost-Share Assistance

On December 30, 2005, President George W. Bush signed into law the Defense Appropriations/Emergency Supplemental Act. This Act authorizes funds for the Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) program to assist with the recovery efforts from hurricanes that occurred in 2005. This legislation expanded the authority of Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to reimburse non-industrial forest landowners for costs associated with downed timber removal and associated practices. Florida NRCS has received the state allocation for landowner assistance and is now accepting applications.

Funding will focus on risk reduction associated with wildfire. Eligible sites are areas with a high risk for wildfire and associated smoke concerns, such as near urban interface areas, transportation corridors, or near structures that would be threatened during a wildfire. Landowners in all counties adversely affected by hurricanes Katrina or Dennis, or tornadic winds associated with these events, are eligible to participate.

Reimbursement will be provided to landowners based upon 75 percent cost-share not to exceed $150 per acre.

Funding for applications will be contingent upon fund availability.

Contact Jesse Wilson, State Conservation Engineer, 352-338-9557

EWP Success Stories

2004 Hurricane season

Miami-Dade County EWP Hurricane Recovery

Punta Gorda EWP Hurricane Recovery

Documents require Adobe Acrobat.

EWP Fact Sheet

Florida Program Contact

Jesse Wilson, State Conservation Engineer, 352-338-9557

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