Pennsylvania flood relief - EWP program

By Blake Jackson

The aftermath of the August 9th flooding in Pennsylvania may leave property owners facing significant streambank damage.

To assist with recovery efforts, the USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is conducting a rapid survey to determine if affected areas qualify for the Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) Program.

Who is Eligible?

The EWP program helps communities recover from flooding by providing financial assistance for eligible properties.  Here's a breakdown of eligibility criteria:

• Location: Your primary residence or business must be located within 50 feet of a stream that has experienced severe bank erosion.
• Damage Severity: Examples of eligible damage include significant bank loss, exposed building foundations, or complete failure of existing streambank structures. Detached structures and floodwater damage are not covered.
• Public Utilities: Public utilities threatened by streambank damage within 10 feet may also be considered for assistance.

The EWP program helps fund various streambank restoration projects, including:

• Erosion Protection: Measures to prevent further erosion of stream banks.
• Revegetation: Reseeding damaged areas to restore vegetation.
• Home Buyouts or Easements: In some cases, the program may help acquire flood-prone properties to reduce future risks.

If you believe your property meets the eligibility requirements, complete the EWP Rapid Damage Response Survey by September 17th, 2024. You can find the survey and additional program information on the PA-NRCS EWP website: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs-initiatives/ewp-emergency-watershed-protection/pennsylvania/pennsylvania-emergency

Contact your local NRCS office for assistance completing the survey or for further program details. You can find your local office at https://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app.

Completing the survey doesn't guarantee program availability in your area. If eligible, you will receive further information and next steps.

The EWP Program:

The EWP program provides grant funding (75% of construction costs) to local governments (project sponsors) to support recovery efforts. Individual landowners cannot directly contract with NRCS for assistance.

Photo Credit: usda