NRCS Provides Emergency Assistance to Camarillo Springs Community

News provided by

USDA - Natural Resources Conservation Service

Dec 22, 2014, 03:05 ET

CAMARILLO, Calif., Dec. 22, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has provided nearly $1 million to the City of Camarillo to install a number of emergency protection measures in the Camarillo Springs community. This federal funding, through the Emergency Watershed Protection Program (EWP), is designed to relieve imminent hazards to life and property created by a natural disaster.

"Our engineering staff has been working with NRCS to implement the recommended mitigation measures that will help the Camarillo Springs community," said John Fraser, a representative for the City of Camarillo.

The funding will go towards installing three large debris catch basins, more than 2,000 feet of concrete barriers (known as K-rails), and additional protections to prevent more soil and debris from moving into residential zones and imperiling further homeowners. NRCS engineers will also continue to work with City officials to provide technical guidance and resources as needed.

"We are pleased to be able to provide relief assistance to Camarillo Springs for this emergency," said Carlos Suarez, NRCS California state conservationist.

EWP is designed to help conserve natural resources by relieving imminent hazards to life and property caused by floods, fires, windstorms, and other natural occurrences. All EWP projects require a sponsor to apply for assistance, which the City of Camarillo did during the week of December 8.

NRCS may bear up to 75 percent of the construction cost of emergency measures. The remaining 25 percent must come from local sources and can be in the form of cash or in-kind services.

NRCS has provided leadership in a partnership effort to help America's private landowners and managers conserve their soil, water and other natural resources since 1935.

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nrcs-provides-emergency-assistance-to-camarillo-springs-community-300013325.html

SOURCE USDA - Natural Resources Conservation Service