The Emergency Watershed Protection Program offers technical and financial assistance to help local communities relieve imminent threats to life and property caused by floods, fires, windstorms and other natural disasters that impair a watershed. EWP does not require a disaster declaration by federal or state government officials for program assistance to begin. The NRCS State Conservationist can declare a local watershed emergency and initiate EWP program assistance in cooperation with an eligible sponsor. NRCS will not provide funding for activities undertaken by a sponsor prior to the signing of a cooperative agreement between NRCS and the sponsor. **Recovery projects** begin with a local sponsor or legal subdivision of state or tribal government. Eligible sponsors include cities, counties, towns, conservation districts, or any federally-recognized Native American tribe or tribal organization. Interested public and private landowners must work through a sponsor. In communities impacted by constant flooding or severe erosion due to a natural disaster, a [property buyout](https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs-initiatives/emergency-watershed-protection-ewp-program-buyouts) might be the best solution. EWP buyouts are used where structural projects to reduce threats from flooding and erosion are not cost-effective and/or beneficial. Once NRCS determines that buying a flood-prone property (for example) would provide the pivotal solution and sustainable course of action for a community, EWP has the authority to provide local sponsors with financial assistance to purchase and restore the property. In some situations,Landowners can directly apply for assistance through a floodplain easement at the local NRCS office when project funding for floodplain easements becomes available. States will hold a signup period for the impacted communities and the local NRCS offices will publicize that information in the affected communities. #### Resources  [EWP Sponsor Resource page](https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/resources/guides-and-instructions/ewp-sponsor-resources "EWP Sponsor Resource Page")  ![[EWP Sponsor Resource_thumbnail.png|300]]