The Emergency Watershed Protection Program is a disaster recovery program that can be used to remove debris, protect eroded streambanks, fix damaged drainage infrastructure, repair levees, restore vegetative cover, buy out properties, and purchase floodplain easements.

	Does not require a cost share or matching funds
	Gives special consideration for small communities
	Allows in-kind services to contribute toward nonfederal cost share requirements
	Supports nature-based solutions
	Requires a Presidential Disaster Declaration

Application cycle: Applicants must apply within 60 days of the disaster event. This requirement may be waived for property buyouts taking place in NRCS-defined limited resource areas.

Summary: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service’s (NRCS) Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) Program helps state, local, and tribal governments recover from disasters by addressing urgent problems in a watershed that lead to flooding, like debris-blocked drainage or unstable streambanks. Unlike other federal disaster recovery programs, EWP does not require a Presidential Disaster Declaration (although a Declaration can unlock additional funding resources), making it a useful option for communities affected by smaller flood events. NRCS also provides funding to buy out flood-prone properties and restore the natural floodplain as a nature-based solution.

Eligible applicants: States and local governments, soil and water conservation districts, flood and water control districts, and county, city, town, or tribal governments.

Eligible activities: 

• Recovery (EWP-Recovery): Removal of debris from stream channels, road culverts, and bridges; reshaping and protection of eroded streambanks; correction of damaged or destroyed drainage facilities; establishment of vegetative cover on critically eroding lands; and repair of levees and structures.
  • As a disaster recovery program, EWP funds can only be used to alleviate immediate threats from flooding. Federal funds can only be used to repair flood protection to the level of protection that existed before the disaster occurred.
  • Any improvements to the pre-disaster level of protection are at the project sponsor’s expense.
• Property acquisition: When EWP-Recovery measures are not cost-effective or beneficial to reduce additional flooding, property owners can voluntarily sell their land through related EWP programs. The land will be restored to open space, supporting nature-based solutions.
  • Floodplain Easements (EWP-FPE): NRCS purchases a floodplain easement from a voluntary landowner. NRCS then removes unnecessary structures such as dams or dikes, replants permanent vegetative cover, and restores the land to its natural state, helping it absorb floodwaters and reduce future flood risks.
  • Property Buyouts: NRCS provides funding for eligible EWP applicants to purchase a flood-damaged property from a voluntary landowner. The purchased land is restored to open space, allowing it to absorb runoff and reduce future flood risks. Bought-out land can be used for parks, wetlands, grazing, rain gardens, and conservation practices that reduce flooding and erosion.

Funding: Generally, no federal statutory maximums exist for eligible activities. For example, NRCS awarded $29,500 for 60 feet of streambank stabilization and $1.2 million to stabilize 846 feet of severely eroded hillsides in Wisconsin. In Colorado, EWP supported a $5.2 million EWP project that stabilized streambanks, established vegetative cover, and enriched riparian habitat.

Cost share:

• 75% federal / 25% nonfederal, for implementation projects.
• 90% federal / 10% nonfederal, for implementation projects in limited resource areas. 
• 100% federal, for Property Buyouts in limited resource areas.
• 100% federal, for technical assistance to plan, design, and contract EWP emergency measures.
• The nonfederal cost share may consist of cash or in-kind services.

Application process: 

• Applicants can apply by submitting a formal request for assistance letter to their local NRCS office within 60 days of the disaster occurrence. A sample letter is available online.
• NRCS will not fund activities performed by a sponsor before the EWP agreement between NRCS and the applicant/project sponsor is signed.
• Learn more about EWP by reading the EWP Sponsor Guide or visiting USDA’s website.