SHAHEEN ANNOUNCES $443,000 IN DISASTER RELIEF FOR NEW HAMPSHIRE

(Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) today announced New Hampshire will receive $443,000 in emergency disaster relief from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).  The funding, which includes $323,000 from the Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) Emergency Conservation Program and $120,000 from the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s (NRCS) Emergency Watershed Protection program, will help repair damage caused by Tropical Storm Irene and the October Nor’Easter.

The funding will be administered by the New Hampshire FSA and New Hampshire NRCS, respectively, and distributed to counties that have requested funding for specific disaster repair projects.

“New Hampshire has endured two significant natural disasters in recent months, and there is still much work to be done to get our state back to normal,” Shaheen said.  “This funding will help farmers restore damaged land to productivity, and support repairs to roads and bridges damaged by flooding.  It will help communities around the state achieve a full recovery in the wake of these disasters, and we are grateful for the assistance.”

“I’m extremely pleased these funds have been released and they’re extremely timely, allowing New Hampshire’s famers to be able to repair damage to their farmland,” said Jay Phinizy, New Hampshire FSA Executive Director.  “As everyone knows, productive land in New Hampshire is at a premium and is at the heart of our ability to supply products to consumers in our state and throughout the Northeast.”

“This additional Emergency Watershed Protection money matched with local contributions is vital in order to stabilize damaged streams and protect homes, businesses, roads, and bridges on 10 emergency sites in Coos, Grafton, and Carroll Counties,” said Richard Ellsmore, New Hampshire NRCS State Conservationist.