USDA Commits $1.2 Million to Stabilize Nodaway River at Highway C

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is providing $1.2 million in Emergency Watershed Protection Program (EWP) funds to aid in bank stabilization efforts necessary after a damaging storm went through Nodaway County in 2015.  Serving as project sponsor, the Missouri Department of Transportation will pay an additional 25 percent of the funding necessary to make repairs along a 2,000-foot stretch of Nodaway River at Highway C.

 “A terrible storm tore through Nodaway County in July of 2015,” State Conservationist J.R. Flores said.  “Flooding endangered an access road used to transport farm products to market and put several hundred people at risk. The funding we’re providing will help make the necessary repairs both up and downstream on the Nodaway River.”

Flores added that EWP funds are vital to communities, allowing people to rebuild after damaging natural events while also making improvements to reduce future damage from natural disasters.

EWP provides technical and financial assistance to reduce hazards to life and property from floods, ice storms, earthquakes, tornadoes or other watershed impairments caused by a natural event.  Work must be sponsored by a state agency, a city, county or local government.

Nationally, NRCS will invest $93 million in EWP assistance to help state and local governments carry out much needed recovery projects to address damage caused by floods, hurricanes, wildfires and other natural disasters.

For more on this program, visit the NRCS Missouri website at www.mo.nrcs.usda.gov or contact your local NRCS office.