Additional EWP Information (Floodplain)

Updated 02/08/2006

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 the purchase of flood plain easements.  The program is designed for installation of recovery measures.

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).

The following is an 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."

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