Emergency watershed protection program in archuleta county CO. Protection of infrastructure from flooding including streambank prote ction and debris removal

The Department of Agriculture National Resources Conservation Service awarded County of Archuleta a $720,521.50 Cooperative Agreement on April 8, 2026, under the Emergency Watershed Protection Program (CFDA 10.923) to fund streambank protection and debris removal addressing infrastructure protection from flooding in Archuleta County, Colorado. The award is obligated through September 13, 2026. The Emergency Watershed Protection Program assists sponsors, landowners, and operators in implementing emergency recovery measures for runoff retardation and erosion prevention to relieve imminent hazards to life and property created by natural disasters. Eligible project sponsors include state and local governments, state agencies, and federally recognized tribes with legal interest in threatened watershed values and capability to obtain necessary land rights, permits, and carry out operation and maintenance responsibilities. The program is not line-item funded and relies on emergency supplemental appropriations. Project sponsors must apply to the state conservationist within 60 days of disaster occurrence, and NRCS enters into a Cooperative Agreement specifying sponsor responsibilities, including cost-share, land rights acquisition, permitting, and long-term operations and maintenance. NRCS does not provide funding for work undertaken before agreement execution.