USDA AUTHORIZES WATERSHED ASSISTANCE IN FOUR STATES

WASHINGTON, Nov. 8, 2005—U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Chief Bruce Knight today authorized federal assistance for local flood control and watershed rehabilitation efforts in Georgia, Mississippi, Oklahoma and Texas.
“These watershed projects are wise conservation investments that will help local communities with additional flood mitigation,” said Knight. “Through cooperative conservation, they will provide environmental benefits and protect communities from future natural disaster threats.”
Federal assistance for rehabilitation of the following floodwater retarding structures and flood control dams is authorized by the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act (Public Law 33-566). Under this legislation, NRCS provides watershed surveys and planning, watershed protection and flood prevention operations, and watershed rehabilitation. USDA will pay 65 percent of the total cost of each project.
Authorized watershed projects:
Georgia—Floodwater Retarding Structure No. 3, Haynes-Brushy Fork Creek Watershed in Grayson, Gwinnett County: The site does not meet current dam design and safety requirements. The dam was constructed in 1965 as a low-hazard structure to protect downstream agricultural lands from flooding. Exceptional population growth in the area has dramatically changed the land use to predominantly suburban. Local sponsors are the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners, Gwinnett County Soil and Water Conservation District and Upper Ocmulgee River Resource Conservation District and Development District. Estimated cost of the project is $2,831,390.
Mississippi—Floodwater Retarding Structure No. 6A, 6B and 12 of the Second Creek Watershed in Jackson, Adams County: The dams are being rehabilitated to ensure they remain safe and continue to protect people, property and natural resources for the next 100 years. Local sponsors are the Second Creek Watershed Drainage District, Adams County Soil and Water Conservation District and Adams Board of Supervisors. Estimated cost of these projects is $2,933,000.

Oklahoma—three dams:
The Cobb Creek Watershed Flood Control Dam No. 1 in Washita County: The dam is used extensively for water-based recreation. Six homes, a county road and a state highway would be inundated by a breach of the dam. Local sponsors are the Deer Creek Conservation District and Southwest Oklahoma State University. Estimated cost of the project is $2,626,000.

The Caney-Coon Creek Watershed Flood Control Dam No. 2M in Coal County: A breach of the dam would put lives at risk and result in destruction of 12 houses, a state highway, a U.S. highway, the City of Coalgate’s water treatment plant and a sewer lift station. Local sponsors are the Coal County Conservation District, City of Coalgate and Coalgate Public Works Authority. Estimated cost of the project is $3,392,000.

The Sallisaw Creek Watershed Flood Control Dams 15, 16 and 20 in Adair County: A break in the dam would cause destruction of 18 homes, one school, a Cherokee Children’s Mission, one church, two county roads and a railroad. Local sponsors are the Adair County Conservation District, Sequoyah County Conservation District, Cherokee County Conservation District, City of Sallisaw, City of Stilwell and Stilwell Area Development Authority. Estimated cost of the project is $1,449,000.

Texas—Floodwater Retarding Structure No. 1A, 2B, 4 and 17 East Fork above Lavon Watershed of the Trinity River Watershed in McKinney, Collin County: The project will maintain the present level of flood control benefits and comply with current performance and safety standards to extend the service life of the structures. Local sponsors are the Collin County Soil and Water Conservation District, Upper Elm-Red Soil and Water Conservation District, Collin County Commissioners Court, Grayson County Commissioners Court, City of McKinney, City of Van Alstyne and City of Anna. Estimated cost of these projects is $6,751,900.

Eligible measures for the federal assistance announced today include flood prevention, water conservation, recreation, agricultural water management, floodplain easements, municipal and industrial water, and rural water supply.

NRCS watershed rehabilitation information is on the Web at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/WSRehab and on watershed protection and flood prevention at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/watershed.

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