AGRICULTURE SECRETARY VILSACK EXTENDS DEADLINE FOR FLOODPLAIN EASEMENT ASSISTANCE IN OREGON

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact information:
Dave Dishman, USDA NRCS Oregon EWP Program Manager: (503) 414-3252, Dave.Dishman@or.usda.gov

PORTLAND, OR, March 26, 2009 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that USDA is extending the sign-up period - until April 10 - for floodplain easement assistance, a component of the department's Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP). Up to $145 million has been made available across the U.S. to eligible landowners nationwide through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and includes both technical and financial assistance. This funding will restore frequently flooded land to its natural state; create jobs in rural communities nationwide when landowners establish these floodplain easements; as well as restore and protect an estimated 60,000 acres of flood-prone lands nationwide.

"This extension is part of USDA's plan to mitigate the impact of future flooding by restoring the landscape to its natural hydrology and native vegetation," said Vilsack.

Floodplains generate many public benefits, such as increased flood protection, enhanced fish and wildlife habitat, improved water quality and a reduced need for future public disaster assistance. Other benefits include reduced energy consumption when certain agricultural activities and practices are eliminated and increased carbon sequestration as permanent native vegetative cover is re-established.

All eligible landowners are encouraged to sign-up for the funding by visiting their local NRCS office and submitting an application. Applications will be evaluated and ranked for funding on a state-by-state basis. Because applications could exceed available funding, they will be ranked for enrollment based on priorities established within each state.

Larger cropland and pasture land tracts with a high frequency of flooding and evidence of flood damage will receive funding priority. In Oregon, additional emphasis for funding will be placed on applications that identify an entity to complete yearly upkeep and maintenance of the easement, as will applications to protect riparian, wetland and/or aquatic habitat within designated conservation opportunity areas (these areas can be found at: http://nrimp.dfw.state.or.us/coaexplorer/viewer.htm).

The sign-up, originally announced March 7, will close April 10, 2009. For more information on eligibility requirements, landowners should refer to the Emergency Watershed Protection - Floodplain Easement fact sheet.

More information about floodplain easements and other NRCS conservation programs is available on the NRCS Web site at http://www.or.nrcs.usda.gov or at your nearest USDA Service Center.
 

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