NRCS to help Northeastern properties damaged by storm

SCRANTON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced that funds have been made available to help private residents and businesses that received damage during the September 2023 storm.

Approximately $879,000 has been awarded to residents in Luzerne, Lackawanna, and Wyoming Counties.

Through its Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) Program, NRCS will be able to provide assistance to nine sites that faced severe erosion, putting primary residences and businesses at risk for future storm damage.

“EWP provides immediate assistance to communities to mitigate potential hazards to life and property resulting from disasters and particularly the severe erosion and flooding that occurred in September,” said Denise Coleman, State Conservationist for NRCS in Pennsylvania. “We look forward to helping a damaged watershed so that lives and property are protected while preventing further devastation in the community.”

The approximately $879,000 from NRCS covers 75% of the cost of emergency measures. The remaining costs (approximately $293,000) will be provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

EWP requires a local unit of Government to sponsor each eligible project (project sponsors) and can be in the form of cash or in-kind services. For these projects, the Luzerne, Lackawanna, and Wyoming County Conservation Districts will sponsor the projects in their respective county. The City of Scranton is also sponsoring a project.

These nine sites will help protect 16 private residences and business owners.