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NRCS ACTIVITIES AT THE COAL SEAM FIRE

IMMEDIATE NEWS RELEASE For additional information contact
Petra Barnes
State Public Affairs Specialist
720-544-2808-OFFICE
720-544-2965-FAX
www.co.nrcs.usda.gov
petra.barnes@co.usda.gov

Media Alert 7/12/02

NRCS ACTIVITIES AT THE COAL SEAM FIRE

The following is a current project and/or activity involving Colorado wildfires and the NRCS rehabilitation work. Any publicity you can give to this activity would be greatly appreciated. For further questions please call Petra Barnes at 720-544-2808 or e-mail me at petra.barnes@co.usda.gov

Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) continues its rehabilitation efforts on all Colorado fires including damage assessment surveys on private lands to determine what, if any, Federal funding will be requested for applying practices to mitigate imminent (today or tomorrow) threats to life and/or property (i.e., urgent and compelling projects).

Through the Emergency Watershed Protection Program (EWP), NRCS provides relief on private lands with imminent hazards to life and property caused by hurricanes, floods, fires, windstorms, and other natural occurrences. The program allows for the installation or repair of conservation measures that control flooding and prevent soil erosion as needed to protect life and property. Conservation measures may include reseeding, tree felling, repairing sediment basins, and road culvert protection.

Continue damage assessment and implementation of URGENT and COMPELLING Projects practices:

Five sites have been identified and approved as having URGENT and COMPELLING needs for assistance under the EWP program. It is estimated that the damage assessment report will indicate many more sites eligible for EWP assistance associated with the Coal Seam Fire; however, 5 sites to date have been identified as urgent and compelling, and recommended practices are being implemented.

Applied treatment for the sites include:

  • Construct diversion to protect home
  • Construct crib wall or concrete wall to divert water and mud around structure
  • Install 2,500 feet of barriers and sandbags along residences and creek

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