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Court authorizes environmental reviews as NRCS buyout program expands by 15 properties
Summary
Franklin County approved contracting steps to add 15 properties to an NRCS Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) home buyout program and authorized an RFQ for environmental reviews; county staff said owners were notified and most accept an 80% federal buyout share with a $31,000 allowance to help cover local match gaps.
Franklin County fiscal court on May 13 authorized advertisement for environmental-review services to support the next phase of a federal buyout program after federal partners approved 15 additional properties.
Erin with ER Assist said the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) signed contracts adding the second group of properties to the county’s EWP home buyout program and staff sent titles to a closing company to begin processing. She told the court that environmental reviews were not contracted for all properties earlier because of cost and asked the court’s permission to issue a request for quotes so reviews can proceed.
Why this matters: the EWP program can remove repeatedly flooded homes from harm and reduce future emergency response costs. Erin said the federal share is generally 80 percent; property owners are responsible for any local match unless a separate grant covers it. To reduce hardship while match details are clarified, county staff said they will include a $31,000 allowance in many offers and can accept closings at 80 percent with the option to supplement owners later if additional funding arrives.
County members asked how deed restrictions would be handled after buyouts. One magistrate requested deed language that clarifies permitted future uses — for example, trails or river-access points — and asked whether federal rules allow such specifications in perpetuity. Erin said she will review federal guidance and follow up with proposed language prior to final closings.
The court voted to advertise for environmental-review services for the Group 2 properties so appraisals, title work and environmental reviews can move forward toward closings expected to begin next month.
What happens next: staff will publish an RFQ for environmental reviews, continue title and appraisal work, and schedule closings as reviews and titles are completed. The court and staff said they would return with recommended deed-language options and any updates on supplemental grant funding to cover local matches.
