Emergency Watershed Protection Program (EWP)

Eligibility

Public and private landowners are eligible for assistance but must be represented by a project sponsor. Sponsors include legal subdivisions of the State, such as a city, county, general improvement district, conservation district, or any Native American tribe or tribal organization.

Sponsor’s Obligations

Sponsors are responsible for:

• Providing land rights to implement repair work

• Securing all necessary permits

• Furnishing the local cost share

• Accomplishing required works of improvement to remove the imminent threat to life and property

• Performing any necessary operation and maintenance.

Criteria for Assistance

All EWP works of improvement must reduce threat to life and property; be economically, environmentally, and socially defensible; and be technically sound.'

Emergency Watershed Protection Cost Share

The NRCS contribution toward the implementation of emergency measures may not exceed 75 percent of the construction cost, including work done to offset or mitigate adverse impacts as a result of the emergency measures. However, if NRCS determines that an area qualifies as a limited resource area, the Federal contribution toward the implementation of emergency measures may not exceed 90 percent of the construction cost of such emergency measures. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender. NRCS may provide technical assistance as services and/ or funds to plan, design, and contract the emergency measures, subject to an agreement between NRCS and the Sponsor.