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News from U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service
Contact: Jolene Lau, Public Affairs Specialist at 808-541-2600 ext. 135 (Honolulu)

SIGN-UP ANNOUNCEMENT FOR THE EMERGENCY WATERSHED PROTECTION PROGRAM FLOODPLAIN EASEMENT

Honolulu, March 12, 2009 -- Applications for the Emergency Watershed Protection Program Floodplain Easement (EWPP-FPE) are being accepted from private land owners, States and local units of government until March 27, 2009. The American Recovery and Re-investment Act (ARRA) authorized $145 million for Emergency Watershed Protection Program (EWPP) floodplain easements. The purpose of this funding is to acquire new floodplain easements on eligible lands and to restore their floodplain functions and values to natural conditions to the greatest extent practicable. It is critical that these lands be acquired and restored in an accelerated manner in order to address critical resource concerns and to help stimulate the economy. Eligibility includes the 50 states and Territories.

“This program provides an excellent opportunity to restore and enhance degraded floodplains while working to stimulate the economy,” says Lawrence Yamamoto, Director of the Pacific Islands Area for the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). "The EWPP is not a Farm Bill conservation program; therefore, the NRCS has the potential to offer assistance to landowners we would not be able to serve under our other programs," he continued.

The program will prioritize funding applications that have the potential to:

  • Reduce floodplain damage
  • Reduce floodplain damage
  • Link or extend other floodplain or riparian conservation easements or protected areas
  • Provide benefits to Federal or State listed threatened and endangered species
  • Breach Inundation Areas are present on the offered land
  • Landowner is willing to take less for the easement or another source is available to reduce the governments cost of restoration or easement acquisition
  • A preliminary title search shows that there are not any issues with the title that could delay or prevent closing
  • A hazardous substance records search indicates that there are no or limited potential hazardous substance issues existing that would prevent or delay closing
  • An environmental evaluation and cultural resources review indicates there is no or limited potential environmental or cultural resource issues that would delay restoration
  • Conservation partners are ready, willing and able to assist with financial and/or technical assistance to expedite the acquisition and restoration of the easement
  • Valid restoration plan with necessary engineering designs and surveys is in place that will enable restoration to occur as soon after closing on the easement as possible

NRCS will provide technical and financial assistance to help private land owners, States and local units of government design, plan, and implement their conservation measures. Interested private land owners, States and local units of government are asked to call their local NRCS Field Office for more information. To find the office nearest you, visit www.pia.nrcs.usda.gov. USDA is an equal opportunity employer and provider.

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Jolene Lau
Public Affairs Specialist
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
300 Ala Moana Blvd., #4-118
Honolulu, HI 96850
(808) 541-2600 ext. 135

 

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