The project is to remove debris from the peace creek located in polk county and the flint creek located in hillsborough county, due to hurricane milton through the EWP program

The National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) awarded a $2.2 million Cooperative Agreement to the Southwest Florida Water Management District (Swfwmd) under the Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) Program (CFDA 10.923) on July 10, 2025. The award funds debris removal and emergency recovery measures for two Florida waterways impacted by Hurricane Milton: Peace Creek in Polk County and Flint Creek in Hillsborough County. The project is scheduled for completion by April 8, 2026.

Under this cooperative agreement, Swfwmd will implement emergency watershed protection practices focused on runoff retardation and erosion prevention to mitigate imminent hazards to life and property resulting from hurricane damage. The EWP Program provides financial and technical assistance for post-disaster recovery efforts that relieve threats to infrastructure and communities through debris removal, streambank stabilization, and watershed restoration activities. As the project sponsor, Swfwmd assumes responsibility for project implementation, local cost-share contributions, land rights acquisition, permit procurement, and long-term operation and maintenance of the completed work.