Emergency Watershed Protection

Overview

The Emergency Watershed Protection-Floodplain Easement Program goal is to reduce the recurring cost of flood damage in areas prone to flooding while restoring or protecting fish and wildlife habitat, especially wetland habitat, and the species that use these habitats such as migratory waterfowl and songbirds. The program will accomplish this goal by acquiring perpetual easements from interested landowners and, where necessary, restoring the hydrology and vegetation of the floodplain.

Accomplishments

Approximately $2,734,237 dollars were expended in fiscal year 2003 to purchase Emergency Watershed Protection floodplain easements on 14 tracts of land totaling 4,165 acres of agricultural land. Total restoration costs were $613,529.Program Benefits

The Emergency Watershed Protection-Floodplain Easement Program provides environmental benefits such as fish and wildlife habitat restoration, protection of wetland functions and values, and water quality restoration through the abatement of soil erosion. Economic and social benefits are accrued through flood damage reduction, the protection of life and property, and recreational benefits such as waterfowl hunting and bird watching.

The floodplains of the following rivers or watersheds are designated priority areas in Arkansas in order to maximize environmental benefits. These areas have a high tendency to produce flood damages and, in the case of the Buffalo River, its designation as a National River further supports its designation as a priority area.

• L’Anguille River and Departee Creek Watersheds
• Bayou Bartholomew
• St. Francis River/Little River Floodway
• Mississippi River, White River, Black River, and Buffalo River

Additional Information

• Emergency Watershed Protection
• Success Story

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