NRCS Flood and Tornado Damage Assistance May Be Available

Salina, Kansas, June 23, 2008 – "Individuals and communities in portions of Kansas that sustained damages from tornadoes or flooding might be eligible for federal assistance from the Natural Resources Conservation Service through the Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) Program," said Eric B. Banks, State Conservationist, for the NRCS in Kansas. NRCS is an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

NRCS administers the EWP Program that responds to emergencies created by natural disasters. It is not necessary for a national emergency to be declared for an area to be eligible for assistance.

The EWP Program is a recovery effort aimed at relieving imminent hazards to life and property caused by floods, tornadoes, and other natural occurrences. Recovery efforts include clearing debris-clogged stream channels, stabilizing streambanks, or other measures that will restore an impaired watershed to its pre-disaster condition. The measures that are taken must be environmentally and economically sound and generally benefit more than one property owner.

Federal funds may cover up to 75 percent of the construction costs of eligible recovery measures. Local sponsors are required. Sponsors must be a legal subdivision of state government, the state itself, a local unit of government, a levee or drainage district, a conservation district, or a county commission. Sponsors may provide their share of construction costs in the form of cash, in-kind services such as labor or equipment, or a combination of cash and in-kind services.

To request EWP Program assistance or to get more information about the program, contact your local NRCS office. A brochure and EWP Program information is also available on the Kansas NRCS Web site.

Last Modified: 06/25/2008