Pennsylvania is currently taking applications for natural disaster recovery efforts in Berks, Bradford, Chester, Columbia, Dauphin, Lackawanna, Lancaster, Lebanon, Luzerne, Lycoming, Montour, Northampton, Schuylkill, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Wayne, Wyoming and York counties.

Applications will be taken until Oct. 15. The funding will enable the Natural Resources Conservation Service to assist local government entities in stabilizing severely eroded stream banks that threaten homes, businesses and utilities. This funding will be used to help restore streams whose natural flows were disrupted by the flooding from the July 21 storm or later. 

The funding is being made available through the NRCS Emergency Watershed Protection Program. EWP assists with the implementation of critical emergency measures needed to address public safety and restoration efforts.

Typical streambank restoration projects funded under EWP include removing debris from waterways, protecting eroded stream banks, reseeding damaged areas and, in some cases, purchasing floodplain easements on eligible land. Maintenance and repair of existing structures along a waterway are not eligible for funding.

Eligible sites must have a home — permanent residence — or business located within 50 feet of a stream and have experienced severe streambank damage. Examples include several feet or more of bank loss, exposed foundations or the total failure of existing streambank structures. Damage to homes and businesses caused by high floodwater is not eligible for assistance. 

Through EWP, NRCS provides up to 75% of the construction funds needed to restore areas damaged by flooding. The community, local or state sponsor for the work must pay the remaining costs, which can be provided by cash and in-kind services. Program policy does not allow NRCS to directly contract with individual landowners.

Contact your local NRCS office at offices.usda.gov for more information.

Source: NRCS