| |
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.
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."
Additional Information
Program Contact
| |
|