(Elkins, WV), July 19, 2019 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director Mark (Tony) Shaver today announced that Randolph and Tucker Counties are accepting applications in the Dry Fork districts of both counties for the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) to address damages from (Flash Flooding, June 29-30, 2019). ECP signup will begin on August 5, 2019, and end on September 6, 2019.
The approved ECP practices under this authorization include (EC1) Removing debris from farm land, (EC2) Grading, shaping, releveling or similar measures, (EC3) Restoring permanent fences and (EC4) Restoring conservation structures and other installations.
ECP assists producers with the recovery cost to restore the agricultural land to pre-disaster conditions. Approved ECP applicants may receive up to 75 percent of the cost of approved restoration activity.
“Dealing with natural disasters is never easy, especially when you have to consider the health and safety of livestock, but it’s important for producers to call our office before they take any action,” said Shaver.
Producers with damage from such events must apply for assistance prior to beginning reconstructive work. FSA’s National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and environmental compliance review process is required to be completed before any actions are taken. Submitting an application after reconstructive work has been completed may not qualify for ECP.
FSA county committees will evaluate applications based on an on-site inspection of the damaged land, taking into consideration the type and extent of the damage. An on-site inspection does not guarantee that cost-share funding will be provided.
The use of ECP funds is limited to activities to return the land to the relative pre-disaster condition. Conservation concerns that were present on the land prior to the disaster are not eligible for ECP assistance.
For more information on ECP, please contact the High Country FSA office at (304) 633-6703 or visit https://www.farmers.gov/recover.
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