USDA PROVIDES FUNDS IN AFTERMATH OF NEW MEXICO FIRES

WASHINGTON, May 13, 2002-Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman today announced the release of $575,000 in financial and technical assistance to New Mexico to assist recovery efforts resulting from recent wildfires.

"While the Penasco Fire appears to be completely contained, there is emergency need to protect the soils in the affected watersheds," Veneman said. "This watershed protection funding will provide important resources to limit damages by building debris structures, reseeding, and allow for other practices to slow runoff."

The purpose of the Emergency Watershed Protection Program (EWP) is to undertake emergency measures, including the purchase of floodplain easements to reduce runoff and prevent soil erosion. These measures safeguard lives and property from floods, drought, fires, and other natural disasters that impair watersheds.

Immediate attention is being given to the need for debris structures upstream from Curtis Canyon dam in the burned watershed.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service and U.S. Forest Service are coordinating reseeding on private lands upstream from Lincoln National Forest. Reseeding has urgency because the seed must be sown prior to rains, which tend to seal over ash currently in the soil.

Other watershed rehabilitation activities include cross-felling of trees along the contours of hills to slow runoff and debris removal.

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