Division of Conservation
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service to spend $900,000 for Storm Cleanup in Kentucky

The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) recently secured Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) funding in the amount of $900,000 for storm recovery efforts in Kentucky.  The Jan. 28 ice storm devastated many areas, leaving piles of debris in streams and drainage ways and eroded streambanks.  The Kentucky Division of Conservation (DOC), an agency within the Department for Natural Resources (DNR), is working with local conservation districts to assist the NRCS in contacting county officials in these storm damaged communities to ensure that they are aware of the availability of this aid.   In addition, many local district employees have helped with damage surveys and documentation to help communities qualify for funding.

The Kentucky Conservation District Partnership commends the leadership of NRCS in seeking these additional disaster funds from the federal government. Their rapid response in the wake of the storm will protect water and drainage ways across the commonwealth from potential flood problems in the future.  The Kentucky DOC, the local conservation districts and the NRCS have a long history of collaboration in their efforts to manage, enhance and promote the wise use of the commonwealth's natural resources by offering technical and financial assistance to Kentucky landowners. 

To date, 193 damage sites have been evaluated through applications from 46 counties and cities.  Work has begun with EWP Funding in 27 counties for an estimated $635,000 in assistance so far to Kentucky.  “Thanks to the many hours of hard work by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, local conservation districts and the Division of Conservation, much needed assistance to clean up damage from the recent ice storm is being accomplished,” said DNR Commissioner Carl Campbell.

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