Federal Flood Damage Assistance May Be Available

COLUMBIA, MO, March 25, 2008 – Individuals and communities in portions of Missouri that sustained damages from recent flooding might be eligible for federal assistance from the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Roger Hansen, state conservationist, says a request for funds under NRCS’ Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) program is pending.

However, since applications for EWP assistance must be received within 60 days of the flood that caused the damage, Hansen says people should contact their local NRCS offices now to request assistance. Requests received now will be kept on file until funding is available, Hansen says.

If the EWP funds are approved, landowners, land managers and land users could receive assistance to repair damage caused by heavy rains March 18-19. EWP assistance can be used to repair levees, remove sediment from drainage ditches and streams, remove logjams, and stabilize streambanks.

Federal funds may cover up to 75 percent of the construction costs of eligible emergency measures. Local sponsors are required. 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

Missouri EWP information

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