United States Department of Agriculture
Natural Resources Conservation Service		 West Virginia Go to Accessibility Information
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Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP)

Overview

The Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) Program provides assistance to local citizens, communities, and agencies of local government to restore damaged land and water resources as a result of natural disasters. The most common application in West Virginia is eliminating threats to life and property by clearing blockages from streams and stabilizing critically eroding streambanks following major floods. West Virginia has a high susceptibility to these types of threats due to its steep topography and concentration of housing and other development along streams.

Joint efforts of the West Virginia Conservation Agency, Conservation Districts, and the Natural Resources Conservation Service provide timely response to disasters and efficient use of both state and local resources. The Conservation Partnership can provide both financial and technical assistance in completing these emergency measures.

2004 Accomplishments

In June 2004, West Virginia received $121,600 in EWP funds to address sites still eligible for the program that resulted from the February 2003 flooding event. With matching funds from program sponsors, $135,000 of funds were available for recovery work at sites in four southwestern counties. This work will be completed in December 2004 and is estimated to result in:

Photo of rip rap
  • 500 feet of stream bank stabilized with rock riprap or gabion baskets.
  • 09 homes protected.

In 2004, West Virginia suffered three flood disasters resulting in Presidential Declarations in 46 of the states 55 counties. While Congress appropriated no EWP funds to recover from these disasters, the NRCS and project sponsors have identified a need for an estimated $2.03 million of EWP funds to address eligible recovery work.

Photo of bank erosion Photo of bank erosion Photo of bank erosion

Raging floodwater damaged homes, eroded stream banks, and deposited debris and sediment into streams.

Using Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) and matching state funds, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and the WV Conservation Agency removed debris from streams to prevent rebound flooding from new storms. Structural work repaired eroded stream banks and protected homes, businesses, and community buildings.

Liability Converted to Asset Cross Lanes Service Center

< Back to 2004 Annual Report