Enrollment Open for Emergency Watershed Protection Program – Floodplain Easements (EWPP-FPE)

CHAMPAIGN, May 26, 2026 -

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Illinois is now accepting applications from eligible landowners in the Dogtooth Bend area of Alexander County for the Emergency Watershed Protection Program - Floodplain Easements (EWPP-FPE).

This program provides an opportunity for landowners whose property has been impacted by severe or repeated flooding to voluntarily enroll land into floodplain easements. Through EWPP-FPE, NRCS works with landowners to restore natural floodplain functions, reduce future flood risks, and improve environmental quality, while removing their property from production.

The Dogtooth Bend area, located at the southern tip of Illinois along the Mississippi River, has experienced extensive flooding due to multiple levee breaches between 1993 and 2019. These events caused widespread damage, resulted in Federal Disaster Declarations, and left many agricultural lands no longer economically viable for production-even with potential levee repairs.

"Floodplain easements offer a long-term solution for frequently flooded lands," said Patrick Mitsdarfer, District Conservationist for Alexander County. "By restoring these areas to their natural condition, we can reduce risk to life and property, while also improving water quality and wildlife habitat."

Under the program, NRCS may purchase permanent or temporary easements from willing landowners. Easement compensation is based on fair market value, and NRCS covers restoration costs to return the land to a natural floodplain system. Restored lands help store floodwaters, reduce downstream impacts, and filter sediments and nutrients-providing significant conservation benefits to local communities and ecosystems.

Eligible lands include those that:

• Have been damaged by flooding or are located within the designated floodplain (see attached map)
• Are subject to repeated or severe flooding events
• Would benefit from restoration to natural floodplain conditions

Landowners interested in applying are encouraged to contact NRCS as soon as possible, as funding is limited and applications will be processed in the order received or by ranking criteria, depending on program demand.

Applications for the EWPP-FPE program in the Dogtooth Bend area will be accepted through June 26, 2026.

Contacts

For more information, including eligibility requirements and application details, visit the Illinois NRCS Floodplain Easement webpage or contact:

Patrick Mitsdarfer, District Conservationist
USDA-NRCS Illinois
Phone: 618-747-2305 ext. 3
Email: [email protected]

About NRCS

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service provides technical and financial assistance to farmers, ranchers, and landowners to help conserve natural resources. Through voluntary conservation programs like EWPP-FPE, NRCS helps protect working lands while enhancing environmental quality for future generations.

More Information

To learn more about NRCS programs, producers can contact their local USDA Service Center. Producers can also apply for NRCS programs, manage conservation plans and contracts, and view and print conservation maps by logging into their farmers.gov account. If you don't have an account, sign up today.

For 90 years, NRCS has helped farmers, ranchers and forestland owners make investments in their operations and local communities to improve the quality of our air, water, soil, and wildlife habitat. NRCS uses the latest science and technology to help keep working lands working, boost agricultural economies, and increase the competitiveness of American agriculture. NRCS provides one-on-one, personalized advice and financial assistance and works with producers to help them reach their goals through voluntary, incentive-based conservation programs. For more information, visit nrcs.usda.gov.

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