Following recent media coverage regarding the acquisition of a flood-prone property in Dougherty County, county officials have received several calls from residents seeking information about applying for similar assistance.

Dougherty County would like to clarify that the property buyout referenced in recent reports is part of the Emergency Watershed Protection Recovery Buyout Program administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service, or USDA-NRCS. It is not a Dougherty County-funded or county-administered residential buyout program.

Dougherty County is not currently accepting applications, inquiries or requests from property owners for additional buyouts through this program.

The federal EWP Recovery Buyout Program can provide financial assistance through eligible project sponsors for the acquisition of certain properties affected by flooding or severe erosion resulting from a qualifying natural disaster. The program is used when NRCS determines that acquiring a flood-prone property is an appropriate solution for reducing threats from future flooding or erosion.

An important requirement of the federal process is its connection to a qualifying disaster event. Following a qualifying disaster event, an eligible project sponsor must submit a written request to USDA-NRCS within 60 days for potential EWP assistance. Individual property owners do not submit this request directly to USDA-NRCS or apply to Dougherty County for a grant. If federal funding is approved, NRCS works with the eligible project sponsor to establish the terms, roles and responsibilities associated with the project.

Properties considered for a recovery buyout also must meet federal eligibility requirements. Among those requirements, the property must involve a willing, voluntary seller; contain a structure threatened by additional flooding or erosion; contribute to the conservation purposes of the program; and be suitable for restoration.

A property's history of flooding does not automatically make it eligible for a buyout, and federal assistance is not guaranteed.

If a property is acquired through the program, the project sponsor becomes the owner. A deed restriction is placed on the property limiting future use to open space and natural resource conservation. Structures are demolished or, when determined feasible, relocated outside the flood-prone area.

Dougherty County is providing this clarification to ensure residents understand that there is not currently an open Dougherty County application or inquiry process for additional property buyouts. Any future EWP assistance would be subject to a qualifying disaster event, federal program requirements, applicable deadlines, eligibility determinations and the availability and approval of federal funding.

Residents may obtain general information about the Emergency Watershed Protection Program through the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.