Emergency watershed program protection - wythe CO, VA. DSR 51-05-25-5035-080. Remove debris and sediment, restore hydraulic capacity, and protection channels from additional erosion

Wythe County, Virginia received a $1.39 million Cooperative Agreement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) under the Emergency Watershed Protection Program (CFDA 10.923), awarded on September 17, 2025, with completion scheduled by May 1, 2027. The agreement funds post-disaster recovery and watershed protection measures in Wythe County, specifically addressing debris and sediment removal, restoration of hydraulic channel capacity, and implementation of erosion protection measures to prevent additional channel degradation. These services are designed to relieve imminent hazards to life and property resulting from natural disaster impacts to the local watershed.

The Emergency Watershed Protection Program, under which this award was made, finances recovery measures that provide runoff retardation and soil erosion prevention following natural disasters including flooding, hurricanes, wildfires, and tornadoes. As the project sponsor, Wythe County is responsible for obtaining necessary land rights and permits, securing local cost-share commitments, and managing long-term operations and maintenance of completed improvements. The 20-month project timeline reflects typical Emergency Watershed Protection Program completion schedules, which range from three months to two years depending on project complexity and scope.