U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and Mark Udall today requested the U.S. Department of Agriculture expedite emergency resources to help Colorado communities recover from the recent floods. Federal resources through the USDA’s Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) Program, the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) and the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) could help address built-up debris and damage to public water infrastructure.

In a letter to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, the senators wrote, “As you know, the recent floods in our state have caused unprecedented hardship for dozens of Colorado communities.   The floodwaters damaged at least 17,000 homes and other structures—several thousand of which were outright destroyed. Millions of dollars’ worth of public infrastructure were swept away, including over 200 miles of Colorado roads and at least 50 bridges that have been damaged or destroyed.  EWP, ECP and EQIP are particularly well suited to address the vast amounts of debris that have washed into stream channels and caused substantial damage to irrigation equipment and water control structures.”

The EWP program, administered by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), would help conserve the watershed and natural resources in flood-affected areas by relieving imminent hazards to life and property. The NRCS-administered EQIP would help repair water conservation and irrigation infrastructure critical to Colorado’s agriculture industry. Through the Farm Service Agency, ECP would help producers repair damage to farm and ranch land damaged by the floods, including debris cleanup.

Bennet and Udall have worked with the entire Congressional delegation since the flooding began to ensure Colorado communities and agencies have every federal resource they need to save lives, protect homes and start the recovery process.  Shortly after the flooding began, the entire delegation urged the President to declare an emergency declaration to release crucial assistance for affected communities. The delegation also requested the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to expedite assistance through the agency’s Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery program, which would supplement assistance already provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Small Business Administration (SBA).

Today, the Senate passed a bill Bennet and Udall introduced last week that lifts the cap on emergency funds that can be used for infrastructure-related expenses, ensuring Coloradans have access to crucial resources for recovery efforts.  The House passed a similar bill earlier in the day.

Last week, Colorado’s senators also urged the Defense Department to exempt the National Guard from being furloughed, to ensure that active duty Guardsmen would be allowed to continue assisting communities rebuilding from the devastating floods.

Full Text of the Letter:

Dear Secretary Vilsack:

In the aftermath of the horrible floods in our home state of Colorado, we write to ask for the USDA’s expeditious deployment of recovery resources provided under Agriculture Department conservation programs – particularly the Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) Program, the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) and the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).  Prioritizing the swift and continued issuance of these dollars, even in the event of a government shutdown, is critical to Colorado communities as they recover from this terrible disaster.

As you know, the recent floods in our state have caused unprecedented hardship for dozens of Colorado communities.   The floodwaters damaged at least 17,000 homes and other structures—several thousand of which were outright destroyed. Millions of dollars’ worth of public infrastructure were swept away, including over 200 miles of Colorado roads and at least 50 bridges that have been damaged or destroyed.  EWP, ECP and EQIP are particularly well suited to address the vast amounts of debris that have washed into stream channels and caused substantial damage to irrigation equipment and water control structures.

President Obama issued a major disaster declaration for our state in the immediate aftermath of the flooding.  That declaration is already making federal recovery assistance available to households and communities sorely in need of immediate aid.  We therefore request your help in expeditiously dispatching the resources at USDA’s disposal – particularly those funds available in the EWP, ECP and EQIP programs – to struggling Colorado communities.

Thank you for your consideration.