Coudersport, Pennsylvania, October 3, 2024  — The Farm Service Agency (FSA) is accepting applications for the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) in Potter and Tioga counties to address flooding damages from Hurricane Debby.  ECP signup will begin on October 7, 2024, and end on December 6, 2024.

The following counties are eligible for ECP assistance: Potter and Tioga.

ECP helps you with the cost to restore the farmland to pre-disaster conditions. You may receive up to 75 percent of the cost of approved restoration activity. Limited resource, socially disadvantaged and beginning farmers and ranchers may receive up to 90 percent cost-share. A 25 percent advance payment will be allowed for repair or replacement of fencing. The payment limitation for ECP is $500,000 per disaster, and the funds are limited to activities to return the land to the relative pre-disaster condition.

The approved ECP practices under this authorization include EC1-Removing Debris from Farmland, EC2 – Grading, Shaping, Releveling, or Similar Measures, EC3 – Replacing or Restoring Permanent Fences, EC4 – Restoring Conservation Structures and Other Installations, and EC7- Dairy Relocation

You must apply for assistance prior to beginning reconstructive work.  In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), FSA must complete an environmental compliance review prior to producers taking any actions. Submitting an application after reconstructive work has been completed may not qualify for ECP. Conservation concerns that were present on the land prior to the disaster are not eligible for ECP assistance.

FSA county committees will evaluate applications based on an on-site inspection of the damaged land, taking into consideration the type and extent of the damage. An on-site inspection does not guarantee that cost-share funding will be provided.

For more information on ECP, contact either the Potter County USDA Service Center at 814-274-8522, the Tioga County USDA Service Center at 570-724-4812, or visit farmers.gov/recover.