DETAILS OF THE EWP    EMERGENCY WATERSHED PROTECTION (EWP) PROGRAM HURRICANE RECOVERY EFFORT DOWNED TIMBER REMOVAL   Focus on risk reduction associated with wildfire in all Secretary designated counties (all of MS) Priority will be given in areas with a high risk for wildfire and associated smoke concerns near transportation corridors and fire concerns near urban interface areas Recommend salvage operation, if possible Cost-share is authorized for downed timber removal, firebreak construction and prescribed burning to reduce the threat of wildfires Reimbursement will be directly to landowners based upon 75% cost-share not to exceed $150 per acre Work completed prior to application is eligible if criteria is met Assistance under this program may impact participation in other Federal or state cost-share programs Work to be completed within 12 months. (extensions approved on case-by-case basis) Apply at any local NRCS field office. SPECIFICATIONS 1. Fire lane construction will comply with the practice standard Firebreak (394). Payment is limited to $0.50 per foot vegetated or $.20 per foot non-vegetated. 2. Downed timber can be removed by cutting, chipping, chopping, burning, or crushing. 3. If downed timber is burned, prescribed burning must be done in compliance with the Mississippi Prescribed Burning Act. 4. Prescribed burning must also comply with practice standard Prescribed Burning (338). Payment is limited to $40 per acre. 5. A Mississippi Certified Prescribed Burner is the only person qualified to burn in Mississippi. 6. A Burning Permit must be issued by the Mississippi Forestry Commission prior to burn. 7. Total cost-share is limited to 75% not to exceed $150 per acre. Receipts are required to determine earnings.

I encourage timberland owners with any degree of storm damage to apply for  the USDA-EWP cost share program, if no tree planting is needed.  If a stand was clear cut, or needs clear cutting, I would consider signing up for EFCRP program

 

This Program is Now Closed 

 

USDA-NRCS

Emergency Watershed Program (EWP)

Cost-share Assistance For Removal of Downed Timber

 

This program is best for stands that have not been clear-cut, or do not require clear-cutting.  

 

Jackson, MS, March 7, 2006 - On December 30, 2005, President George W. Bush signed into law the Defense Appropriations/Emergency Supplemental Act. This Act authorizes funds for the Emergency Watershed Protection Program to assist with the recovery efforts from hurricanes that occurred in 2005.

This legislation expanded NRCS authority to reimburse non-industrial forest landowners for costs associated with downed timber removal. Mississippi NRCS has received the state allocation for landowner assistance.

Funding will focus on risk reduction associated with wildfire. Eligible sites are areas with a high risk for wildfire and associated smoke concerns, such as near urban interface areas, transportation corridors or near structures that would be threatened during a wildfire.

Reimbursement will be provided to landowners based upon 75 percent cost-share not to exceed $150 per acre. Applications are now being accepted.  Funding for applications received after April 7, 2006 will be contingent upon fund availability. 

For more information on this program, please visit your local USDA-NRCS office located at  310 Hwy 26 East, Poplarville, MS  39470, phone no. 601-795-4409 EXT. 3 or visit their website at www.ms.nrcs.usda.gov.

How To Apply for EWP

Use one of the methods listed below:

1. Visit the NRCS office in Poplarville and fill out all the required forms, or

2. Download all forms below, complete and mail to the NRCS office. Make sure that you apply using the name of the property owner as listed in the County Tax Assessors office. 

 

 Application Form   - fill in name, SS#, address, phone, sign and date       

 

 Questionnaire Form  - answer questions you know - leave blank if unsure   

            

 MS Prescribed Burning Act - sign and date  

 

 Direct Deposit Form   - fill out A & B, sign and date 

            

 The Prescribed Burning Act Form from above requires that you have read the Mississippi Prescribed Burning Act.  Click here to read the entire act.

 

Application Deadline for both of the FSA programs is October 20th, 2006  

 

1) USDA-Farm Service Agency (FSA)

Emergency Forestry Conservation Reserve Program (EFCRP)

2005 Hurricane Assistance

 

 

This program is best for stands that have been clear-cut, or require clear-cutting.  

 

If you experienced a 35 percent, or greater, loss to the merchantable timber value and have clear-cut the stand, or desire to clear-cut the stand, you may be eligible to receive cost share funds for site prep, tree planting and 10 years of annual rental payments.  Click on the button above for details. Below are a points to take into consideration before applying for this program: 

• you will be paid a per acre rate for all acres of forest land, not just the clear cut stand

• you cannot clear cut any timber on the entire forestland tract over a ten year period, but may be allowed to do a select cut thinning       

2) USDA-Farm Service Agency (FSA)

Emergency Conservation Program (ECP)

2005 Hurricane Assistance

Basically the same as the above program, less the yearly payments and the ten year "No Clear-Cutting" restriction.

  

 

If interested in receiving cost share money for site prep and  planting cutover sites, use the USDA's EFCRP program or the Mississippi Forestry Commission's FRDP program (red link button below).