Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. press release, January 11, 1999

MEWS FROM Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. Second Congressional District of Maryland 1 407 York Road, Suite 304 Lutherville, Maryland 2 1 093 315 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT: Jill Homan January 1 1 , 1 999 202/225-306 1 Congressman Ehrlich Announces Funding To Aid Recovery in Harford County From Hurricane Floyd WASHINGTON, D.C.— Congressman Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. announced today the U.S. Department of Agriculture Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) Program has made available $242,250 in Federal funds to Harford County farmers and land owners for erosion damages caused by Hurricane Floyd. Congressman Ehrlich stated, “I am pleased by this award of federal funding to Harford Countians who have suffered the effects of this devastating hurricane. My hope is this money will help in their recovery efforts.” The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), part of the US Department of Agriculture (USD A), will manage the EWP restoration work. While commonly known as a natural resources conservation agency that works primarily with farmers to reduce soil erosion and improve water quality, NRCS also repairs watershed damage that affects life and health through the EWP Program. The EWP Program provides assistance to remove debris from stream channels, road culverts and bridges; reshape and protect eroded streambanks; correct damaged drainage facilities; reseed damaged areas; and purchase floodplain easements. The NRCS in Maryland will provide 75 percent of the costs to repair the damage, while Harford County will pay the remaining 25 percent of the project’s costs. Congressman Ehrlich added, “As USDA’s lead conservation agency, NRCS brings state, federal and local agencies together through the EWP Program to restore natural resources and infrastructures after disasters, such as flooding and storm damage caused by hurricanes, storms, or flooding from snowmelt.” (Continued)