Overview of USDA - PL-566 Small Watershed Program - EWP Program Mahoning County FRM Informational Meeting August 16, 2016 Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)

Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations (WFPO) Program Provides technical and financial assistance to project sponsors to develop Watershed Work Plans and implement the planned activities within a specific geographic area for the benefit of the general public - Also referred to as PL-566 Small Watershed Program PL - 566

Eligible Purposes Flood prevention Watershed protection Agricultural water management Water supply Non-ag water management (wildlife and rec) PL - 566

Scope Max watershed size = 250,000 acres Physically, environmentally, socially, and economically sound plan (Environ Assess or EIS) Economic analysis (benefit/cost ratio) Alternative development Document benefits and impacts PL - 566

Responsibilities NRCS: Develop watershed work plan (EA or EIS) Engineering Project administration 100% construction costs for flood control Local Sponsors Lead locally led planning process Landrights or easements Permits and utilities Installed measure O&M PL - 566

PL-566 Projects Structural Measures Dams, channel restoration, diversions, floodwalls, dikes Non-Structural Measures Upland conservation and erosion protection Floodproofing / relocation Permits and utilities Installed measure O&M PL - 566

History - Ohio 30 watershed projects funded Structural measures: 78 dams 308 miles channel improvement 3 miles dikes PL - 566

Funding Appropriations from Congress $2.2 billion national investment for >2,000 projects (1947 – 2010) Program has as not been funded since 2010 Working to obtain funding for existing authorized projects No new project starts PL - 566

Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) Program Response Program- Remove the hazard and restore stream hydrology back to pre-disaster conditions Types: - Floodplain Easement - Recovery EWP

EWP - Floodplain Easement State, local or Privately-owned lands state governments is eligible if it meets one of the following criteria: flooding damage occurs at least once within the past calendar year or have been subject to flood damage at least twice within the previous 10 years Additional land is needed to restore floodplain, flow, or control erosion Structures and buildings to be removed/relocated to restore natural environment and improve flood storage and flow Not available in all areas at all times and is most commonly available in areas recently impacted by a natural disaster such as widespread flooding. EWP

EWP Recovery - Eligibility Natural Disaster (flood, fire, drought, windstorms) Sudden Watershed Impairment (clogged streams, unstable streambanks, eroded upland slopes due to drought or fire) Imminent Hazard to Life/Property Economically, Socially, and Environmentally Defensible EWP

EWP Limitations - Cannot be use for: Pre-existing Conditions O&M Problems Federal Aid Highways Projects Private Transportation Facilities Rebuild infrastructure (roads, bridges, utilities, buildings/structures) EWP

Cost Share Federal Cost Share of 75% of Construction Cost Sponsor Cost Share of 25% Limited resource areas (90% fed / 10% local) Sponsor Cost May Include Cash In-Kind Goods (Materials) In-Kind Services EWP

Funding Not a budgeted line item Supplemental appropriations from Congress on an “as needed” basis Eligible projects are typically put on “wait list” Limited funding for “exigency” projects may be available EWP

Implementation - NRCS Damage Survey Report (DSR) Site investigation to determine work necessary Survey Design and drawings Contracting Construction inspection Cost share EWP

Implementation - Sponsor Local Unit of Government Responsible for landrights Responsible for permits Responsible for O&M Responsible for local cost share (or in kind service) EWP

History Began 1970’s Nationally Over $1.6 Billion Ohio first used in the 1980’s Ohio over $25 Million ( > 60 contracts) Shadyside (1990) Massieville (1992) EWP

Information and Website Contact local service center PL-566 Program: From NRCS homepage > type “watersheds” in search box EWP Program: Ohio NRCS homepage > Ohio Engineering > EWP An Equal Opportunity Provider, Employer, and Lender