The USDA is accepting applications for natural disaster recovery efforts in 15 Pennsylvania counties.
Applicants in Berks, Bradford, Bucks, Chester, Huntingdon, Luzerne, Lycoming, Monroe, Montgomery, Pike, Snyder, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga and York counties are eligible for the NRCS funding, which will help restore streams whose natural flows were disrupted by the flooding from Tropical Storm Ida. The storm hit Pennsylvania on Sept. 1-2, 2021, bringing excessive rainfall and flooding.
Eligible sites must have a home or business located within 50 feet of a stream and have experienced severe streambank damage. Examples of severe streambank damage include several feet of bank loss, exposed foundations, or the total failure of existing streambank structures. Complete eligibility details are available on the USDA website.
Typical streambank restoration funded under the NRCS Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) Program include protecting eroded streambanks and reseeding damaged areas. Through EWP, NRCS provides up to 75% of the construction funds needed to restore areas damaged by flooding.
Applications will be accepted until Dec. 8, 2021.