AMHERST, Mass. — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is encouraging local sponsors to submit project requests for funding through the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) offers several programs to help communities improve land and water resources within watersheds, as well as relieve imminent hazards to life and property created by a natural disaster.

Programs include the Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations Program (WFPO), Watershed Rehabilitation Program (REHAB) and Emergency Watershed Protection Program (EWP).

Funding is available for new projects, as well as those already submitted to NRCS. NRCS will give additional consideration to projects in historically underserved communities that directly benefit limited resource areas or socially disadvantaged communities. NRCS will continue to review as long as funding is available.

Eligible project sponsors include state government entities, local municipalities, conservation districts, and federally recognized tribal organizations.

Massachusetts sponsors are encouraged to reach out to Deron Davis, NRCS State Conservation Engineer and Watershed Program Manager at 413-835-1277 or deron.davis@usda.gov with watershed concerns as soon as possible to ensure their project request is in the funding queue for consideration.

Fact sheets, trainings and other resources for NRCS watershed programs are available on the NRCS website.

NRCS is a federal agency that works hand-in-hand with the people of Massachusetts to improve and protect soil, water and other natural resources. The agency has offices in USDA Service Centers in Greenfield, Hadley, Holden, Pittsfield, Westford, Wareham and West Yarmouth, which work with local conservation districts and other partners to serve farmers and landowners in their area.

–USDA NRCS Massachusetts