The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will allocate up to $103
million for disaster recovery efforts in this fiscal year.
The funds will assist state,
local and tribal governments in removing debris, stabilizing streambanks and
other projects to protect lives and property.
“America’s communities rely upon the stability USDA
emergency programs provide when unpredictable disasters hit,” Acting Deputy Agriculture Secretary Michael Young said in a press release.
“The Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) Program funds will support
diverse recovery projects including clearing debris-clogged waterways,
stabilizing streambanks and repairing damaged water-control structures in local
communities to make them resistant to future threats.”
The EWP Program will provide financial and technical
assistance to local units of government as they repair damage caused by natural
disasters. Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina will be able to
take advantage of the program to repair damage caused by Hurricane Matthew last year.
Up to $3.1 million will be used in Florida for Hurricane Matthew-related damages. Georgia will receive up to $97,000, while North Carolina will get $908,000 and South Carolina will receive up to $5.7 million for Hurricane Matthew damages.
In addition, approximately $65 million will be used in Louisiana by the USDA’s
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to purchase floodplain easements.
