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Columbia County accepts NRCS Emergency Watershed Protection funding for storm-related debris removal — $31.65 million construction award
Summary
Columbia County accepted Emergency Watershed Protection Program funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service to remove storm-generated debris, with $31,653,911 allocated for construction and $2,374,043.33 for technical assistance.
Columbia County commissioners approved an agreement with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to accept Emergency Watershed Protection Program funding to remove storm-generated debris that threatens infrastructure following Hurricane Helene and related storms.
NRCS has approved $31,653,911 for construction work to clear debris and $2,374,043.33 for technical assistance (engineering, administration, inspection and monitoring). County staff told commissioners NRCS has the funding already allocated and that the county will be reimbursed for eligible work; payments typically take about 30 days after submission of reimbursement requests.
County staff said the application identified over 50 locations for work and that the county submitted the application about two to two-and-a-half weeks after initial NRCS outreach. The agreement gives the county 120 days from execution to complete the work; staff said NRCS has granted an additional 90 days in recognition of approval delays. Staff recommended approval and noted the work will address downed trees and creek obstructions residents reported after the storm.
Commissioners discussed the timeline and funding. A staff member confirmed NRCS had the funds available and that FEMA has delegated oversight of this program to NRCS for this grant; FEMA is not managing the award. Staff also said the county has already coordinated with procurement, finance and emergency management and expects a current contractor to complete the work by fall; the additional NRCS extension could move the deadline into winter.
The agreement allocates construction and technical‑assistance funds for work and county administration; the transcript states reimbursements typically take about 30 days. Staff recommended approval; the motion on consent moved the item forward.
The transcript does not include a detailed project schedule, a list of the 50+ specific sites, nor the procurement specifics for every subcontractor that will perform the work. Staff stated the county will have 120 days to complete the project from execution, and added NRCS granted an additional 90 days because of approval delays. For residents who reported debris in waterways, staff said crews would begin work following contract execution and local procurement steps.
