Right: (Inspector) Johnny Pervis, (Inspector) Connie Sturgill, (Chief Engineer) Bill Thomas and (Inspector) Phillip Combs.

These individuals have devoted many long hours working with the Breathitt County Fiscal Court and Contractors to rebuild the streambanks in Breathitt County through the Emergency Watershed Protection Program (EWP).

 Joe Little Fork

Thomas Brothers Construction

Left:  Joe Trusty,  Wallace Thomas, Willard Thomas, Sammy Noble, Bradley Thomas

Curt Road

 Hardshell Caney Project

Marshall Construction

Back Left: Stevie Marshall, Danny Marshall

Front Right: Sherman Noble, Nathan Noble, David Noble, Jason and Wilburn

Puncheon Creek

Right: Don Hurst, Johnny Pervis and Randy Taylor have led the way for success with the EWP program in Breathitt County. Many hours of hardwork and dedication have been put forth.

 Old Buck

 Smith Branch

Ganderbill 

Jetts Creek

Moore Construction

Left: Ed Robinson, Greg Moore, Glenn Neace, George Costello and Steve Moore

NRCS Watershed Operations

The Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) program is administered by the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service and provides technical and financial assistance in reducing hazards to life and property from floods, ice storms, earthquakes, tornadoes, or other natural events. All practices must be economically and environmentally defensible and project work must conform to NRCS technical standards. Typical work in Kentucky includes removal of debris from creeks and waterways, removal of logjams that could cause damage to property or public infrastructure, and installation of streambank stabilization.

All projects undertaken must be sponsored by a political subdivision of the State, such as a city, county, township or conservation district. In response to the ice storm that hit Kentucky on January 27, 2009, NRCS staffs are currently working to assess damage in multiple western and central Kentucky counties.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Is financial assistance available?

EWP is a cost-share program, so NRCS may pay up to 75 percent of the construction cost of the installed emergency measures. The remaining 25 percent must come from local sources but can be in the form of cash or in-kind services.

What are the criteria for assistance?

Specific criteria apply for EWP work including: the project must reduce threats to life and property, be environmentally sound, yield benefits to more than one person, and be the least cost solution to address the emergency. 

Who is eligible?

Public and private landowners are eligible for assistance but must be represented by a project sponsor. The project sponsor must be a public agency of state, county, or city government, or a special district, such as a conservation district.

What does the sponsor have to do?

Sponsors are responsible for acquiring any landrights needed to complete the emergency work.  Sponsors must also obtain any necessary local, state, and/or federal permits.   Work can be done through local or federal contracts, but sponsors are responsible for a portion of the cost and for ensuring the project is completed according to specifications. 

What kind of work can be done?

EWP work depends on the site and situation.   EWP work can include: removing debris from stream channels, road culverts, and bridges; reshaping and protecting eroded banks; correcting damaged drainage facilities; reseeding damaged areas; and purchasing floodplain easements.

 What can't EWP do?

EWP cannot fund routine operation and maintenance work, or repair private or public transportation facilities or utilities.  In addition, EWP funds cannot be used to perform work on measures installed by another federal agency (other than NRCS).   The EWP program cannot be used to solve waterway problems that existed before the disaster or to increase the level of flood protection above that which existed prior to the disaster.

How do I get assistance?

Information is available from NRCS offices to explain the eligibility requirements for the EWP program.  In most cases, you will contact your city or county government or soil conservation district -- the most common sponsors of EWP projects. The sponsor’s application should be in the form of a letter signed by an official of the sponsoring organization, that includes information on the nature, location, and scope of the problem for which assistance is requested.