Kentucky Ag Connection - Emergency Watershed Protection Program in Pike County

Kentucky Ag News Headlines

Emergency Watershed Protection Program in Pike County
Kentucky Ag Connection - 07/29/2010

On July 18, Governor Beshear declared a state of emergency and on July 21, requested disaster relief from the President for the Pike County area.

On July 19, Thomas A. Perrin, State Conservationist for Natural Resources Conservation Service, declared a local emergency to put in place the USDA NRCS Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) program for the Pike County area. County Judge Executive, Wayne T. Rutherford has requested assistance from NRCS for Pike County.

NRCS staff were on-site Sunday, July 18, immediately after the storm, to assess damages to roadways, stream banks and waterways in the hardest hit watershed of Pike County. EWP program provides technical and financial assistance in reducing hazards to life and property resulting from floods, ice storms, earthquakes, tornadoes, or other natural events. Funds are provided for assistance to local sponsors with eligible emergency needs.

In Pike County, numerous bridges and roads suffered damage as well as homes, damaged or washed away. NRCS provided $1.5 million of EWP assistance funds to address qualified damage. Clean-up work is underway.

EWP assistance is limited to 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.

NRCS also provides assistance to stabilize severe erosion along stream banks that pose immediate danger to houses, non-federal roads and other infrastructure. EWP project work must be conducted under an agreement with NRCS. All EWP work must reduce threats to life and property and comply with economic and environmental standards.