The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service – PA (“NRCS”) is taking applications for funding from its Emergency Watershed Protection Program for watershed projects in counties impacted from summer flooding (after July 21, 2018), including York, Lancaster, Dauphin, and Lebanon counties. The funding is intended to assist local government entities in stabilizing severely eroding stream banks that threaten homes, businesses, and utilities. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has announced that it will pay the 25% share normally paid by municipalities for these emergency funds.
Typical streambank restoration projects funded under the Emergency Watershed Protection Program include removing debris from waterways, protecting eroded stream banks, reseeding damaged areas, and in some cases, purchasing floodplain easements on eligible land. Maintenance and repair of existing structures along a waterway are not eligible for funding. Eligible sites must have a home (permanent residence) or business located within 50’ of a stream and have experienced severe streambank damage. Examples include several feet or more of bank loss, exposed foundations, or the total failure of existing streambank structures.
Funding applications will be taken until October 15, 2018. Interested parties should contact their local NRCS office.