• Recovery Act funding provided to Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Kentucky, and Arkansas
WASHINGTON, DC, Feb. 18, 2010--Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture will provide $9.4 million in additional funding to five states to repair flood control structures, improve water quality, increase water supply, decrease soil erosion, and improve while creating jobs in rural communities as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009.
"Too many of America's watersheds and flood control structures are at risk of infrastructure failure, creating a threat to life and property," said Vilsack. "This announcement will not only help address this problem by providing funding for several important projects around the country, but also create jobs and support local businesses that supply needed materials and construction, products and services."
USDA will deliver this assistance through its Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Program administered by the Natural Resources Conservation Service. Funding is being direct toward the most cost-effective projects with the greatest need. These projects will improve safety to communities by removing hazardous threats to dam structures and provide other benefits including protection of private property, utilities and transportation routes. Other benefits include improved water quality by providing more effective management of potential contaminants.
State and local sponsors will provide 35 percent of the funding for their projects. Sponsors in socially disadvantaged areas, such as Dunloup Creek, are eligible for a reduced rate of 10 percent. The program works with local partners who provide cost-share, land rights, permits and long-term operations and maintenance. Upon completion, these projects are owned and operated by these local partners. Projects and funding amounts:
State Project (County)
| Funding
|
| AR Ozan Creek Site 11 (Hempstead) | $ 145,500 |
| AR Poteau River Site 4 (Scott) | $ 162,500 |
| AR South Fourche Site 1 (Perry) | $ 110,000 |
| KY Mud River Site 12 (Todd) | $ 950,000 |
| MA Cape Cod Watershed (Barnstable) | $ 5,000,000 |
| PA Mill Creek (Clarion/Jefferson) | $ 885,000 |
| WV Dunloup Creek (Fayette/Raleigh) | $ 2,200,000 |
Total
| $ 9,453,000 |
The Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Program was appropriated $145 million under ARRA. The first and second phase of allocations to states totaled $127.1 million. The $9.4 million in funding announced today brings the total ARRA funding for watershed protection and flood prevention up to $136.5 million.
The Recovery Act was passed by congress in 2009 to create jobs, promote economic recovery, and invest in critical infrastructure and environmental protection.
More information about USDA's efforts regarding the Recovery Act is available at www.usda.gov/recovery . More information about the Federal government's efforts on the economic stimulus is available at www.recovery.gov .
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.
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