Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Announces $84.8 Million for Vital Watershed Projects

Recovery Act Assistance Will Help Rural Communities

Temple, Texas, April 20, 2009 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the USDA is providing $84.8 million for 55 projects nationwide to improve water quality, increase water supply, decrease soil erosion, and improve fish and wildlife habitat in rural communities as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009.
 
“President Obama is committed to improving water quality, creating more dependable water supplies and decreasing soil erosion and this funding will make a big difference in the lives of the people who live in these rural communities,” Vilsack said.

Texas will receive $21.5 million to repair or mitigate 24 flood prevention dams, primarily in north central Texas. Projects are listed below.
 

County	Project	Funding
Fannin	Caney Creek Dam 3A	399,000
Bell	Elm Creek (Cen-Tex) Dam 5A	61,000
Milam	Elm Creek (Cen-Tex) Dam 34	685,000
Williamson	Lower Brushy Creek Dams 4A and 8	2,502,000
Caldwell	Plum Creek Dam 8	1,335,000
Wise	Trinity – Big Sandy Creek Dam 24C	369,000
Ellis	Trinity – Chambers Creek Dams 75B, 111/112, 108 and 109	4,785,000
Johnson	Trinity – Chambers Creek Dams 32 and 38	2,110,000
Navarro	Trinity – Chambers Creek Dam 128	1,663,000
Grayson	Trinity – East Fork Above Lavon Dam 38	666,000
Denton	Trinity – Hickory Creek Dam 13	658,000
Collin	Trinity – Little Elm & Laterals Dams 16 and 19	1,508,000
Collin	Trinity – Pilot Grove Dam 28	744,000
Ellis	Trinity – Richland Creek Dam 44	992,000
Hill	Trinity – Richland Creek Dam 48	468,000
Navarro	Trinity – Richland Creek Dams 26 and 47	1,665,000
Williamson	Upper Brushy Creek Dam 29	930,000
Total		$21,540,000

Other major benefits include improved community safety and health, flood mitigation, and sediment control.

USDA is directing technical and financial assistance available through this funding toward projects that are ready to begin and that will relieve stress on local economies through the creation of jobs in Texas.

USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has worked closely with sponsors to identify projects that are ready for immediate implementation.

Funding provided through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 is part of the Obama Administration’s plans to modernize the nation’s infrastructure, jumpstart the economy and create jobs. For more information on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, visit www.recovery.gov.

To learn more about the NRCS watershed program, visit the NRCS Texas Web site at www.tx.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/watersheds.

Contact

Lori Valadez, 254-742-9811

Steven Bednarz, 254-742-9871

< Back to 2009 News Releases