Emergency Watershed Protection Program

The objective of the EWP Program is to assist 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 a natural disaster

Public and private landowners are eligible for assistance but must be represented by a project sponsor. Project sponsor means a State government or a State agency or a legal subdivision thereof, local unit of government, or any Native American tribe or tribal organization as defined in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450b), with a legal interest in or responsibility for the values threatened by a watershed emergency; is capable of obtaining necessary land rights, and permits; and is capable of carrying out any operation and maintenance responsibilities that may be required. Sponsors are also responsible for furnishing the local cost share and for accomplishing the installation of work. Work can be done either through Federal or local contracts. Emergency watershed protection is authorized in the 50 States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa.

Local communities benefit from the EWP recovery measures for watershed emergencies created by floods, wildfires, windstorms, and other natural occurrences that threaten life and property.

Sponsors must submit a formal request to the State Conservationist for assistance within 60 days of the natural disaster occurrence, or 60 days from the date when access to the sites becomes available. Requests must include a statement that the sponsors understand their responsibilities and are willing to pay its cost-shared percentage as well as information pertaining to the natural disaster, including the nature, location, and scope of the problems and the assistance needed.

All EWP work must reduce threats to life and property and must be economically, environmentally, and socially defensible and sound from a technical standpoint. NRCS may bear up to 75 percent (90 percent within limited resource areas as identified by the U.S. Census data) of the construction cost of emergency measures. The remaining 25 percent (10 percent within limited resource areas) must come from local sources as cash or in-kind services.

Continues until all EWP Program recovery measures are installed or their installation is terminated by mutual agreement.

Potential sponsors submit formal requests for assistance to the NRCS state conservationist.

EWP projects are eligible when it is determined that the current condition of the land or watershed impairment poses a threat to health, life, and property. Assistance includes EWP practices that provide runoff retardation and soil erosion prevention, safeguard lives and property, and relieve an imminent threat that is a result of a sudden impairment of a watershed due to a natural disaster.

Project sponsors seeking EWP assistance must apply to the STC in writing within 60 days of the natural disaster occurrence. Project sponsors may use SF 424 Application for Federal Assistance but must ensure that following information is provided: (1) A description of the problems encountered; (2) Assistance needed, including the following: Nature of the problem; Location; Scope of the problem; Commitment by the sponsor to assume the following responsibilities: local cost-share; Land rights; acquisition; Permits; Operations and Maintenance (O and M), A statement indicating that funds have either been exhausted or are insufficient to provide adequate recovery measures from the applicable hazards; A statement identifying any other State or Federal funding received or application submitted. On receipt of a formal request for EWP assistance, the State Conservationist or designee shall immediately investigate the emergency situation to determine whether EWP is applicable and to prepare an initial cost estimation for submission to the NRCS Chief or designee. The cost estimation will be submitted no later than 60 days from receipt of the formal request from the sponsor. NRCS may not commit funds until notified by the Chief, or designee, of the availability of funds. Before the release of financial assistance, NRCS will enter into a Cooperative Agreement with a sponsor that specifies the responsibilities of the sponsor under this part, including any required operation and maintenance responsibilities. NRCS will not provide funding for activities undertaken by a sponsor prior to the signing of the agreement between NRCS and the sponsor.

Timeline is dependent upon when funding is appropriated. The EWP program is not a line-item funded program and is reliant upon emergency supplemental appropriations.

Only NRCS decisions relating to eligibility for the EWP Program can be appealed. These decisions may be appealed in accordance with 7 CFR Part 614 and 7 CFR 11, as applicable.