USDA Invests $1 Million in Infrastructure to Rehabilitate Dams in Añasco, PR

(en Español)

USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is working with local communities in 23 states, including Puerto Rico, to invest in new dam and flood prevention projects and in repairs on existing watershed infrastructure, which are all part of USDA’s broader national infrastructure investment.

Through this first round of projects under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, NRCS prioritized projects in communities heavily impacted by natural disasters as well as historically underserved and limited resource communities.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, signed in November by President Biden, provided $918 million for NRCS watershed programs, which includes the Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations (WFPO) Program, Watershed Rehabilitation Program (REHAB) and Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) Program. Through NRCS watershed programs, NRCS works with local, eligible sponsors including state government agencies, local municipalities, conservation districts and federally recognized tribal organizations.

In the Caribbean Area, the IIJA is funding a REHAB project to repair Ajies and Daguey Dams in Añasco, PR, which were severely damaged during Hurricane María in Sept. 2017.

IIJA also provides EWP funds for communities to respond to natural disasters. NRCS will continue to assist communities as it receives disaster requests.

“The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to building back better, and this starts with our infrastructure,” Vilsack said. “Protecting our watersheds and saving lives is paramount. These investments in our watershed programs will provide much needed support for communities to build resilience in the face of climate change. We can extend financial assistance to underserved communities that live in constant fear of flooding, help with the effects of severe weather events, and put systems in place that will ensure a climate resilient future to help communities thrive in the years to come.”  

A full list of projects is available on NRCS’ Watershed Rehabilitation Program webpage.

Implementing the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

Since the bill was signed into law, NRCS has hosted training webinars focused on educating potential sponsors and historically underserved communities about the funding opportunities provided by the new legislation. NRCS conducted an assessment of current needs for watershed protection and flood prevention work. This assessment supported the establishment of priorities that focused funding on the most critical and highest priority projects for improving the Nation’s land and water resources.

In the Caribbean Area, NRCS encourages local sponsors to submit requests for funding through NRCS Caribbean Area State Conservation Engineer, Yilia Baucage-Bou, at 787-342-6916, or Yilia.BaucageBou@usda.gov. NRCS will compile any additional requests received and develop a second list of projects as funds are available. For more information on NRCS Watershed Programs, visit the NRCS’ Watershed Rehabilitation Program webpage.

More Information

Since their enactment in 1948, NRCS’ watershed programs have designed and built 11,000 dams, constructed water storage structures, flood management systems, bank stabilization, moved towns, redirected stream flows, re-established wildlife habitat and more to save lives and protect watersheds.

USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. Under the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit usda.gov.

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