Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

NRCS watershed programs help communities bounce back from natural disasters and prepare for future ones. This includes communities that we’ve historically underserved.   

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provided $918 million for watershed programs administered by NRCS, such as: 

• Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations (WFPO) Program: Helps to address watershed resource concerns;  
• Watershed Rehabilitation (REHAB) Program: Brings high-hazard potential dams to comply with current design safety and performance criteria; and   
• Emergency Watershed Protection Program (EWP): Funds fire recovery, flood assistance and the purchase of floodplain easements in underserved communities.   

As of August 2024, NRCS has invested over $897.5 million of BIL funds in conservation and emergency watershed projects managed by the Watershed Programs Branch. 

WFPO and REHAB BIL funds - $616 million invested in 238 projects in 49 states

WFPO – Preliminary Investigation Findings Reports (PIFRs)

PIFRs provide reasonable assurance that a feasible watershed conservation plan can be developed that addresses one or more of WFPO’s project purposes (as defined by Public Law 83-566) and that there are no apparent insurmountable obstacles that would impact the proposed project. A PIFR, is the first step to implementing a watershed project. Once the proposed watershed plan has been approved, the project moves through implementation – design and construction, over a period of 5-10 years. BIL provided funds for 139 PIFRs of which 105 have been completed.

REHAB

BIL funds were invested in 91 dams considered to be ‘high-hazard potential’ – meaning, in the event of dam failure there would be significant loss of life and property downstream. Two REHAB projects have completed construction.

EWP BIL funds - $281.5 million invested in 29 projects in 20 states

EWP provides disaster assistance for wildfires, flooding, and other severe weather events by applying recovery measures that reduce the threat from additional flooding or erosion. Since BIL funds became available, $218.6 million has been allocated to implement recovery measures throughout the nation.

EWP is also providing 100% of the cost-share for Floodplain Recovery Buyouts in Limited Resource Areas (LRAs) where structural projects, to reduce the threat from additional flooding or erosion, were determined not to be cost effective. To date, over 616 applications have been received and $62.9 million has been allocated for EWP LRA Buyouts.

Currently, $18.5 million remains available for disaster assistance and EWP LRA Buyouts.

As part of implementing the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, NRCS has prioritized underserved communities, while providing ongoing relief to communities impacted by severe weather events such as wildfires, floods, hurricanes, and other natural disasters.  

These investments complement America the Beautiful efforts and implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act.