National Emergency watershed protection (EWP) program briefing

Watershed Dam rehabilitation Protecting Properties and saving lives, plus moreKevin L. Farmer, PE - National Program Manager USDA NRCS, Washington DC 202-720-3413

United States Department of Agriculture

Watershed Rehabilitation ProgramProvides federal assistance towards completing work necessary to extend the service life of USDA assisted dams and to ensure that they meet applicable safety and performance standards.

Watershed Rehabilitation ProgramThe rehabilitation work may result in: Protecting the integrity or extending the life of a dam Correcting catastrophic damagesCorrecting the abnormal deterioration of structural components Upgrading the dam to meet changed land use conditions or new safety criteriaRemoval of the structure and stabilizing the siteIncreased water supply

Equal Opportunity InitiativesEqual treatment of groups protected by the Civil Rights Act

Equal access to the benefits of the Watershed Program

Watershed Rehabilitation Program complies with Executive Order 12898

Watershed Rehabilitation Program complies with Departmental Regulation 5600-002

NRCS Watershed Rehab Program Stories

NRCS - OK TribalRock Creek Site #2Watershed Rehabilitation project located in the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma

Promise Zone Community

OK - Rehab Assistance(Promise Zone Area)Watershed Rehabilitation ProjectChoctaw Nation of Oklahoma City of Talihina (Project Sponsor)$6.4million in watershed rehab funding. Address rural water supply need.Supports infrastructure strategy for economic growth.Supports Presidents Promise Zone Initiative

Talihina, OKRock Creek Dam #2

OK - Rehab Assistance(Promise Zone Area)City of Talihina Demographics

Talihina, OKRock Creek Dam #2

RacePopulation %White51646.3American Indian 44439.9Two or more races 1019.1Hispanic 312.8Black211.9Asian10.09Total Population 1,114

34% of residents living in poverty

Median household income: $21,278Source city-data.com

NRCS - TN Limited ResourcePine Creek Site #2Watershed Rehabilitation project located in the Scott County Tennessee

Strike Force County

TN - Rehab Assistance(Strike Force Community)Watershed Rehabilitation ProjectScott County, TN Strike Force Entrenched long-term economic conditionsCity of Oneida (Project Sponsor)$2.4million in watershed rehab funding. Address rural water supply need.Reduce treatment cost of polluted existing raw water supply.

Oneida, TNPine Creek Dam #4

TN - Rehab Assistance(Strike Force Community)City of Oneida DemographicsOneida, TNPine Creek Dam #1RacePopulation %White3,65597%American Indian 40.1%Two or more races 511.4%Hispanic 330.9%Other20.1%Asian70.2%Total Population 3,752

27% of residents living in poverty

Median household income: $25,432Source city-data.com

Watershed Rehab Program StatusAs of March 2015:

274 - approved projects (in 30 States)

131 - completed projects (in 21 States)

61 - projects are being implemented (in 16 States)

82 projects being planned (in 24 States)

Watershed Program OverviewSince 1948:

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has assisted watershed project sponsors in the construction of more than 11,800 flood control dams in 1,300 watersheds in 47 States.

These projects provide an estimated $2.2 billion in annual benefits in reduced flooding and erosion damages, recreation, water supplies and wildlife habitat.

Rehab SummaryNRCS is authorized to provide sponsors with technical and financial assistance for rehabilitating their dams. Rehabilitation is to extend the service life of the dams, bring them into compliance with safety standards, or to decommission the dams threat to life and property. NRCS provides technical assistance and 65 percent cost shareThe 2014 Farm Bill authorized $250 million in mandatory funds and Congress appropriated an additional $12 million in discretionary funding for FY 2014. Many of the 11,800 flood control dams were built in the 1960s-70s and now are 40 to 50+ years old.

If You Have Questions, Please Contact Your Local Natural Resources Conservation Service office at www.nrcs.usda.govAn Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer

United States Department of Agriculture