# Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations (WFPO) Program

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**WATERSHED PROGRAMS - WFPO**

The Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention (WFPO) Program helps units of federal, state, local and federally recognized tribal  governments (project sponsors) protect and restore watersheds.

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### Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations (WFPO) Program

#### **OVERVIEW**

The **WFPO program** provides technical and financial assistance to States, local governments and Tribal organizations to help plan and implement authorized watershed projects for the purpose of:
                - Flood Prevention
                - Watershed Protection
                - Public Recreation
                - Public Fish and Wildlife
                - Agricultural Water Management
                - Municipal and Industrial Water Supply
                - Water Quality Management

##   WFPO Project Criteria

   - Public sponsorship

   - Watershed Projects ≤ 250,000 acres

   - Agricultural benefits, including rural communities, must be ≥ 20% of the total benefits for the project.

### **Locally Led Watershed Solutions**

Watershed conservation projects are planned and carried out jointly by local, state, and federal agencies with the support of community landowners and citizens in the watershed. Communities identify resource problems to be addressed, practices to be installed, and carry out major portions of a watershed plan, such as obtaining easements, rights of ways, permits and local cost-share funding. **All Watershed Program projects must have a local sponsor**that can act as the fiscal agent, provide project management and oversight throughout the different phases of construction, implementation, and project lifespan. *Learn more* about sponsor eligibility...

Project sponsors initiate a request for assistance thru their local NRCS office to develop a preliminary feasibility study (PIFR) which helps communities consider sustainable climate resilient solutions to address watershed resource concerns. After a feasibility study is conducted, a watershed plan is chosen, reviewed, approved and authorized. Once authorized, projects sponsors gain access to NRCS's financial and technical resources to help implement their plan. ***An approved watershed plan must be in place prior to initiation of any corrective land treatment or structural solutions*.**Project sponsors then help landowners carry out the authorized watershed conservation measures.

Watersheds
Watersheds impact everyone; every community, farm, ranch, and forest. They provide a vital resource for all living things to survive and thrive. All watersheds are interconnected, creating a land-water system that conveys wat...

Pre-Award Sponsor Resources
Step-by-step guide for Sponsors who have entered into an agreement with NRCS

NRCS State Watershed Program Managers
Contact your local NRCS Watershed Program manager for assistance:

National Watershed Program Manual and Handbook
The National Watershed Program Manual provides policy, guidance and suggestions for working through the various stages of watershed projects, from working with potential sponsors to providing project rehabilitation assistance...

Watershed Program Resources for Contractors

### President Biden, USDA Announces $28,388,813 Investment in Duchesne Watershed Infrastructure Project to Benefit Rural and Historically Underserved Community

September 24, 2022

President Biden, USDA Announces $28,388,813 Investment in Duchesne Watershed Infrastructure Project to Benefit Rural and Historically Underserved Community

Utah

### President Biden, USDA Announce Investment in Watershed Infrastructure Project to Benefit Rural and Historically Underserved Communities in northern Maine

April 21, 2022

The Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will invest $420 million in 132 infrastructure projects in 31 states, including an **$803,000 investment in a project in northern Maine**.

Maine

### USDA Announces Investment in Seven Watershed Infrastructure Projects to Benefit Rural and Historically Underserved Communities in Texas

April 22, 2022

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will invest $420 million in 132 infrastructure projects in 31 states, including more than $9.23 million investment in seven projects in Texas. 

TexasWatershed and Flood Prevention Operations (WFPO) ProgramWatershed Rehabilitation

### President Biden, USDA Announce Investment in Watershed Infrastructure Projects to Benefit Rural and Historically Underserved Communities in California

April 28, 2022

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will invest $420 million in 132 infrastructure projects in 31 states, including an investment in one project in California, including rehabilitating dams, flood prevention, and watershed restoration projects.

CaliforniaWaterEnvironmental Quality Incentives ProgramWatershed and Flood Prevention Operations (WFPO) ProgramWatershed Rehabilitation

### President Biden, USDA Announce Investment in 3 Oregon Watershed Infrastructure Projects to Benefit Rural and Historically Underserved Communities

April 21, 2022

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will invest $420 million in 132 infrastructure projects in 31 states, including a $2,770,095 investment in 3 projects in Oregon.

OregonEmergency Watershed ProtectionWatershed and Flood Prevention Operations (WFPO) ProgramWatershed Rehabilitation

### President Biden, USDA Announce $420 Million Investment in Watershed Infrastructure Projects to Benefit Rural and Historically Underserved Communities

April 21, 2022

Today, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack was joined by White House Infrastructure Coordinator Mitch Landrieu and Congressman Sanford Bishop (GA-2) to announce the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will invest $420 million in 132 infrastructure projects in 31 states, including rehabilitating dams

Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations (WFPO) ProgramWatershed Rehabilitation

### President Biden and USDA Invest More Than $166.5 Million in Infrastructure to Protect American Communities

March 03, 2022

“The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to building back better, and this starts with our infrastructure,” Vilsack said.

##   Additional Documents

WFPO Sponsor Request for Assistance(29.32 KB)

Watershed Programs Sponsor Guide(581.54 KB)

NRCS WFPO Fact Sheet 2021(529.12 KB)

##   WFPO Resources

###   Sponsor Requirements

Looking for information on sponsor eligibility?

Learn more...

###   Watershed and Flood Prevention Act

Program governance - Public Law 83-566

Learn more...

###   Success Stories

Discover the incredible work WFPO performs across the nation

Discover...

### National Water Management Center

**Bringing the landscape together: Local community goals and watershed scale planning solutions.** The****National Water Management Center (NWMC), located in Little Rock, Arkansas, serves as a focal point for water resources information exchange. 
Learn More

## Ready to get started?

Contact your local service center to start your application.

## Find Your Local Service Center

    USDA Service Centers are locations where you can connect with Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, or Rural Development employees for your business needs. Enter your state and county below to find your local service center and agency offices. If this locator does not work in your browser, please visit offices.usda.gov.  

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