Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) Program
EWP Streambank Stabilization
Henderson County is working with USDA-NRCS to implement the Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) program. The watershed impairments that EWP can address are limited to those that create an emergency by impairing flows and threatening lives, public health, or property such as houses, buildings, roads, utilities, structures, and dams. The program is designed to help people and conserve natural resources by relieving imminent hazards to life and property caused by floods, fires, windstorms, and other natural occurrences. EWP-funded measures must also be economically, environmentally, and socially defensible; be designed and implemented according to sound technical standards; and conserve natural resources.
In Henderson County, EWP will assist residents to stabilize stream banks that are damaged/eroded due to Hurricane Helene. The damage must be an imminent threat to life and/or property if not addressed. Properties of greatest concern are homes, businesses, utilities, bridges and access roads. A site visit will be conducted to verify and document the damage. This is only the assessment stage and does not guarantee the site will be recommended for the program.
SURVEY LINK: Please use link or QR code below to complete the EWP survey to request a site visit.
(Recommend completing the Right of Entry/Hold Harmless Agreement prior to submitting the survey.)
What to Expect . . .
After submitting the survey, staff will contact owner(s) within 30 days to schedule a site visit. Prior to the site visit, a Right of Entry/Hold Harmless Agreement must be submitted.
At the site visit, staff will:
- Take photos
- Take measurements
- Discuss access to the site
- Discuss other program details
*Property owner does not need to be present at site visit*
Before a site visit can be performed, a Right of Entry/Hold Harmless Agreement must be signed by the property owner(s) and a witness. The PDF form can be accessed at the link below. Please enter all required information, print the form, and sign it.
Return the form by:
- Uploading it within the above survey;
- Emailing it to betsy.gerwig@usda.gov; or
- Bringing it to the USDA Service Center at 61 Triple Springs Road, Hendersonville, NC 28792.
Contact the Henderson County Soil & Water Office if you have any questions about the EWP Program for Henderson County. Call (828) 697-4949
