Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP)

EWP was set up by Congress to respond to emergencies created by natural disasters and assists in relieving hazards to life and property from floods and the products of erosion created by natural disasters that cause a sudden impairment of a watershed. A sudden watershed impairment results from a single natural occurrence or a short-term combination of occurrences. For the watershed to be eligible for assistance, the impairment must significantly exceed that which existed before the disaster.

The EWP program work continues in Alabama on repairs to damaged infrastructures in many areas and removal of downed timber on forest lands. The Alabama Forestry Commission, local soil and water conservation districts, and Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Councils are working with NRCS to remove downed timber on non-industrial land. Priority is being given to removal of downed timber in areas with a high risk for wildlife.

In fiscal year 2006, Alabama disseminated over $33.5 million through the EWP to protect land that was in jeopardy due to natural disasters. Traditional EWP work included stabilization of road banks and bridge abutments, debris removal from streams, and control of caving gullies that threatened infrastructures such as homes, gas and power lines, and road ways.

When natural disasters strike, the EWP program provides assistance to protect community infrastructures. Hurricanes over the past years left a lot of timber on the ground and a great deal of timber damaged but still standing. This timber represents wealth, jobs, and the future for Alabama producers. Everyone recognizes that getting the salvage underway as quickly as possible will reduce the amount of the loss. Damaged timber is dangerous; dangerous to leave standing, dangerous to cut, and dangerous even after it is on the ground. Under the authority of EWP Program, NRCS is working to ensure that the salvage activities are handled in the most effective manner. In fiscal year 2006, NRCS obligated over $14.6 million to remove downed timber from 295,114 acres of timber land. The landowners, the loggers, the consuming mills and federal agencies are in this recovery process together. Business cooperation among these stakeholders will ensure that Alabama recovers from the storm damage and builds a better future for all of us.

EWP assistance is authorized by sections of Public Laws 81-516, 94-344, and 104-127.  All of the work under EWP is  implemented by local NRCS offices and coordinated from the NRCS State Office in Auburn (334-887-4533).

EWP in Action - Before and After in Dale County

Downed Timber Removal Cost-Share Assistance

Hurricane Katrina Aftermath

Additional Information

EWP Construction and Material Specifications, E-Field Office Tech Guide -- (will open in a new window.)Construction specifications consist of two parts.  The standard portion is called the "Parent Specification."  The section that is normally modified to tailor the specification to a particular job is called the "Items of Work."  If the user elects to modify the Parent Specification, they should remove "NRCS" from the footer of the specification and insert an identifier for the sponsoring organization or other appropriate identifier.

These documents require Adobe Acrobat. 

Sponsor's Guide to EWP, USDA-NRCS (will open in new window)
EWP (Emergency Watershed Protection Program in Alabama) - Black & white, tri-fold 8 1/2 x 11 brochure

Success Stories

Some of these stories require Adobe Acrobat.

EWP Funds Help the City of Jackson Repair Infrastructure, Land and Water, July/August 07 (text only)
EWP Rule Change Will Impact Six Alabama Counties, Alabama County Commissioner 10/05
EWP Program is Like a Shot in the Arm for Rural County (Geneva County) Land and Water 1-2/05; Alabama County Commissioners Fall 04

Last Modified: 05/30/2008