"We Celebrate Our Past While Looking Forward to a Future of Opportunities"

Dr. Dan SebertExecutive Director

National Watershed Coalition

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1968 2018

Presenter

Presentation Notes

And next comes the part i really had to dig for...do you recognize this famous Kansas Watershed personality, then and now?

Herb – Then? Herb – Now?

A Few Milestones in the Watershed Program

Flood Control Act of 1936

Flood Control Act of 1944 (Public Law 78-534)

1948 – Nation’s First Upstream Flood ControlDam Built in Cloud Creek Watershed,

Washita County, Oklahoma

1950 – Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP)Program was Established (Sec. 216 of PL -566)

1954 - Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act (Public Law 83-566)

1957 - First Multi-Purpose Dam BuiltUnder PL-534 Program, Lake Humphreys,

Stephens County, Oklahoma

2000 - First Rehabilitation Project of aWatershed Dam, Sergeant Major Creek

Dam No. 2, Roger Mills County, OK.

2000 - Watershed Rehabilitation Amendments of 2000 (PL-566 Program)

More than 11,800 dams have been constructed by NRCS and project sponsors with assistance from the NRCS

Watershed Program since 1948.

These dams make up an estimated $15 billion infrastructure that provides $2 billion nationally in annual benefits.

The Watershed Program is not just dams. Millions of conservation practices have been applied to the land within watershed projects to help control erosion and sediment.

“Declining support from federal and state agencies is a key challenge. Since 2010, no federal funds have been allocated to watershed districts for new construction (NRCS 2015).”

In 2018 $150 million was appropriated to NRCS for Watershed Operations. The 2019 appropriations bill currently contains an additional $150 million for Watershed Operations.

From the Kansas Watershed District Story:

2014 Farm Bill – 2014 Appropriations$262 Million

2015

It is okay to look back at the past…. Just don’t stare

Looking ahead to current and future watershed opportunities……

2018 Farm Bill Watershed Highlights and Opportunities PL-566 Funding RCPP – PL-566 Authorities Secretary PL-566 Watershed Plan Waiver

PL – 566 FundingThe 2018 Farm Bill makes one-half billion dollars available to NRCS for Watershed Operations and or Rehabilitation at a rate of $50 million in mandatory funds per year for ten years.

The bill makes this mandatory Watershed Program funding permanent.

These mandatory funds are outside of the annual appropriations process i.e. any watershed funds secured through the normal appropriations process are in addition to these mandatory funds.

Using Watershed Program Authorities in the RCPP Program

The bill allows PL-566 to be used across the country and not in just Critical Conservation Areas (CCAs).

The bill makes Pl-566 a “covered program” allowing the program regulatory flexibility.

The bill provides funding flexibility. The bill directs the Secretary to offer a more simplified

application process. The bill gives RCCP $300 million in mandatory funds and these

funds are no longer linked to certain programs which should make it easier for projects to get funded through RCPP.

The bill contains language allowing the waiving of the watershed plan if the Secretary determines it is “unnecessary or duplicative”…..

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NWC – NASCA Joint National MeetingSeptember 29-October 3, 2019

Lexington, Kentucky

Remember – 2039 is just around the corner…

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