Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack says his department has purchased 17 floodplain protection easements for frequently-flooded agricultural land along the Red River in North Dakota. The easements cover more than 2,100 acres in Pembina, Walsh and Trail counties. USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service administers the nearly $5 million purchase through its Emergency Watershed Protection Floodplain Easement Program.
This funding will permit NRCS and landowners to put projects into action that prevent soil erosion, debris from clogging waterways and other problems that often occur in the Red River area during and after floods. In addition, wetland areas will be restored with native plants that will slow the flow of floodwater. Most of the work will be done along 30 miles of waterways.
"These Recovery Act projects will not only decrease the threat of floods and help the environment, but also promote job creation and improve the quality of life for people in the floodplain," Vilsack said.
Powered by iNet Solutions Group ©2011 All Rights Reserved.