Funding the Mitigation#
Municipal utilities in Fort Collins and Greeley continue to collaborate on the management and costs of mitigation for non-federal lands in the Poudre watershed, and are working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and other groups to acquire federal assistance.
NRCS recently granted an extension of funding, allowing rehabilitation efforts to resume in July 2014.
Ultimately, utilities customers may pay higher rates for their water to cover the remediation efforts.
The NRCS Emergency Water Protection program works in partnership with local sponsors and provides cost-share assistance designed to assist landowners to relieve imminent threats to life and property caused by natural disasters, including wildfires.
History of Mitigation Funding
- Congress passed legislation in early March 2013 to provide nearly $20 million in Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) funding for mitigation efforts.
- The EWP funding recognizes that management of restoration will be performed by co-sponsors, including Larimer County, and the Cities of Fort Collins and Greeley.
- The Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) will control the restoration project management and fund distribution based on agreements with co-sponsors
- Larimer County and the Cities of Fort Collins and Greeley will again work in partnership, as lead sponsors, for post-mitigation activities and the $7.3 million of NRCS EWP funds will be divided based on work activities.
- Of the approximate $3.5 million cost of treatment, NRCS contributed $1.3 million from their EWP funds. The balance was provided by a partnership between Greeley, Fort Collins and the Tri-Districts.
- High Park Fire Restoration to Begin Early July, Wrapping up in August - June 25, 2014, News Release
- High Park Fire Mitigation Work to Begin August 18 – August 16, 2013, News Release
Did You Know?
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