COLUMBIA, MO, February 22, 2008 – Individuals and communities in portions of Missouri that sustained flood damages in May 2007 might be eligible for additional federal assistance from the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).

Roger Hansen, state conservationist, said Missouri has been approved for an additional $1.5 million under NRCS’ Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) program to repair levee breaks, remove logjams and debris from streams, remove sediment and debris from drainage ditches, and to stabilize streambanks. Federal funds may cover up to 75 percent of the costs of eligible repairs.

“I appreciate the work that Missouri’s congressional delegation did to secure this funding,” Hansen said. “We have already provided some financial and technical assistance to address the flood damages, but there still is much work to do. This additional funding will help meet the needs of the people and communities affected by the 2007 floods.”

Hansen said Missouri has provided $735,000 in Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) funding to repair damages caused by flooding along the Missouri River and its tributaries May 7-12, 2007. He said the new funding is for uncompleted work in Andrew, Atchison, Bates, Boone, Buchanan, Carroll, Chariton, Daviess, Gentry, Harrison, Holt, Lafayette, Livingston, Nodaway, Platte, Ray and Saline counties.

Assistance under EWP requires local sponsors. Sponsors must be a legal subdivision of state government, the state itself, a local unit of government, a levee or drainage 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 assistance or to get more information about the program, contact the NRCS office serving your county. Look in the phone book under “U.S. Government, Department of Agriculture,” or access this website: http://offices.usda.gov. Information about NRCS programs is also available online at http://www.mo.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/ewp/ewp.html

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