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For Immediate Release For more
information Sponsor Letters Due November 22, 2009 USDA-NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE ANNOUNCES SPONSOR MEETINGS FOR EMERGENCY WATERSHED PROTECTION PROGRAM ATHENS, GA Oct. 21, 2009—James E. Tillman, Sr., State Conservationist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced today that four meetings for potential sponsors have been scheduled to assist in flood recovery efforts. “This meeting is for local governments who may want to become sponsors for repairs in their communities,” Tillman said. Individuals must apply for Emergency Watershed Protection Program (EWP) assistance thru the local governments. NRCS administers the EWP. “This is a recovery program designed to assist landowners with the repair of natural resources damage caused by the epic flood of September 2009,” Tillman said. The meeting schedule is as follows: October 28 –
Perry, 10:00 a.m., Houston County Gov't Building, 801 Main St., Room 312| Technical and financial assistance is available in 23 Georgia counties. Applications from local sponsors must be received by November 22, 2009. Individuals who need assistance should contact their local government and make them aware of their need. The local government will decide which projects they can sponsor. NRCS assistance under the Emergency Watershed Protection Program (EWP) is designed to assist with the removal of debris (broken, hanging, and undercut trees) or impending debris along streams, creeks, or bridges that pose a threat to life or property. Assistance can also be provided for severe erosion along stream banks that pose an immediate danger to houses, non-federal roads and other infrastructure. EWP project work must be conducted under an agreement between NRCS and local governments and under specific timeframes. “NRCS helps avoid the disaster after the disaster,” said Tillman. Through the EWP, damaged areas that pose a threat to life or property can be restored to pre-storm condition with the program covering 75 percent of the cost. In some cases, up to 90 percent of the cost can be covered. “The torrential rains that recently occurred in the northern part of Georgia has left trees, branches and other debris in our waterways and has compromised the infrastructure of local roads and property,” Tillman said. "EWP allows us to help local governments make repairs to prevent further damage to waterways, roads, and bridges,” he added. NRCS has damage assessment teams currently assigned to inspect and canvas waterways and structures in the affected counties. If your area has suffered damage from a storm event, you may qualify for assistance. Interested parties should contact the local conservation district or NRCS office. Local sponsors, including county fiscal courts, cities, conservation districts, water districts, State government, and affiliated agencies are eligible. Public and private landowners are eligible for assistance, but must apply for assistance and be represented by a sponsor. The application should be a letter signed by an official of the local government sponsor. The letter must include the nature, location, and scope of the problem and requested assistance for the EWP project. All EWP work must reduce threats to life and property and comply with economic, social and environmental standards. The work must also be sound from an engineering standpoint and be the least-cost alternative. Sponsors are also responsible for furnishing the local cost-share and for facilitating the installation of work. For more information on the EWP program in Georgia, including a sample letter for assistance, please visit http://www.ga.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/emergencyprog.html Letters requesting EWP assistance and containing the information listed above should be sent to the USDA-NRCS State Office. Please address your correspondence to the attention of James E. Tillman, Sr., State Conservationist, USDA-NRCS, 355 E. Hancock Ave., Ste. 200, Athens, GA 30601. If possible, please include this statement on the envelope “2009 EWP Application.” Local sponsors may also fax the letter of application to: 706 546-2275. Sponsors may want to visit with local NRCS personnel. Contact information by county is provided below. Bartow (706) 629-2582
Carroll (770) 832-8942 If you have questions or need further information, please call 706 546-2069 or e-mail mary.mcquinn@ga.usda.gov or visit http://www.ga.nrcs.usda.gov # |
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