From Staff Reports
The Fayette Tribune
March 1, 2010 — Additional 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding has been granted for the Dunloup Creek Voluntary Floodplain Buyout program, according to a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) press release.
USDA will provide $2.2 million to reduce risk to life and property and improve the quality of life in the Dunloup Creek floodplain. West Virginia is one of five states receiving the additional funding.
The purpose of the Dunloup Creek Watershed Project is to address repetitive flooding in the communities of Kilsyth, Mount Hope, Glen Jean, Red Star, and Harvey. Approximately 290 properties and associated infrastructure have suffered repeated flooding, with devastating events in 2001 and 2005. The project is a voluntary floodplain buyout option and includes a phased approach, targeting the most vulnerable properties first.
USDA will deliver this assistance through its Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Program administered by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).
“Flood damages will be reduced 100 percent for those property owners that participate in the voluntary buyout and relocate outside of the floodplain,” said Stephen G. Carpenter, acting West Virginia state conservationist.
Applications have also been received for rental properties, commercial buildings, churches, businesses, vacant residences and lots.
State and local sponsors will provide 10 percent of the funding for the project. The program works with local partners who provide cost-share, permits, long-term operations, and maintenance. Upon completion, these projects are owned and operated by these local partners. Local project sponsors include the Fayette County Commission, the City of Mount Hope, the West Virginia Conservation Committee, and the Southern Conservation District. The Dunloup Creek Watershed Association is the driving force behind the project and provides coordination between the residents and project sponsors.
Planning for the Dunloup Creek Watershed was reinitiated in 1995 in response to repeated flooding to the communities along Dunloup Creek. The project was planned under the authority of the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act (PL-93-566, as amended). Measures such as dams, channels, floodwalls, dredging, and floodproofing were evaluated in an effort to find a solution to the flooding. The most cost-effective and feasible option for the communities is a voluntary floodplain buyout.
Sen. Robert C. Byrd (D-W.Va.) expressed his pleasure at the release of additional funds for the project.
“I am very pleased with the release of this additional money. The people of these communities cannot afford the devastation from yet another flood. They have already experienced a great deal of property loss during the past decade and we need to get moving in relocating these folks out of harms’ way.”
