Courtesy USDA/NRCS
While Hurricane Michael didn’t affect all areas in Florida, it did some. And no matter when a natural disaster may strike, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) wants landowners to know if your area suffers damage, the Emergency Watershed Protection Program (EWP) can help relieve imminent hazards to life and property. This includes damage caused by hurricanes, floods, fires and windstorms. Aid may include financial and technical assistance to remove debris from streams, protect destabilized stream banks and establish cover on critically eroding lands, repair conservation practices and also purchase flood-plain easements.
While public and private landowners are eligible for assistance, they must be represented by a project sponsor like as a city, county, conservation district or a Native American tribe or organization. NRCS does provide technical assistance and pays up to 75 percent of the construction. Local sources contribute the remaining portion in the form of cash or in-kind services.
To learn more about EWP simply contact your local NRCS office.