Rio Blanco County commissioners on Oct. 17 directed staff to prepare and submit an application to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service for the Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) program to address flood- and erosion-related damage in a local watershed.

County staff reported NRCS’s preliminary estimate of eligible work at roughly $7,200,000 for a package of projects that would include landfill and gulch stabilization, road and culvert repairs, ditch cleaning and other watershed-stabilization work in areas described to the county as contributing to damage on roads and private property. A county staff member said NRCS would pay 75% of eligible costs if the project is accepted; the county would be responsible for the remaining share unless other state funding is obtained.

“NRCS will pay 75% of that,” a staff speaker told the board, adding that the county would not be reimbursed until agreements are signed and NRCS releases funding. Staff also cautioned that competition for state funds to cover the remaining 25% is high this year because of larger flood-damage claims elsewhere in the state.

Commissioners discussed timing and the application process. Staff advised the board that the EWP application materials include standard federal assurances and suspension-and-debarment statements and that submitting the application places the county in the NRCS project queue. The staff presentation noted that each project would receive specific approvals and that the county would not be committed to all projects until final agreements are executed. “If he gets the money promised from DC … then we can sign the agreement, and we can start getting reimbursed,” a county official said during the meeting.

Commissioners asked whether EWP work duplicates FEMA activity; staff said the programs are separate. The county’s FEMA application, staff said, is also currently in a federal queue and had moved up to a higher priority number but remains subject to federal review and prioritization.

Board members directed county administration (Vicky) to prepare the EWP application and supporting documents so the county could get in the NRCS queue; staff said final authority to accept funds and sign agreements would return to the board. Staff estimated the EWP scope now at about $7.2 million and said the program’s timeline is driven by federal processes; project windows and deadlines would be confirmed as NRCS review proceeds.

Commissioners and staff discussed implementation timing and practical considerations for on-the-ground stabilization, including seasonality and seeding recommendations. Staff said some seeding and stabilization work is best timed with snow to encourage establishment of vegetation and thus better erosion control. Commissioners asked that finalized paperwork and any necessary board approvals be placed on the next regular meeting agenda if NRCS moves the project forward.

No formal grant award was approved at the Oct. 17 meeting; the board’s direction was to prepare and file the application so the county would be positioned for NRCS review and potential funding.