Illinois citizens have until March 27th to sign-up to get their river bottom, floodplain land into permanent easement as part of the Emergency Watershed Protection Program (EWP). Up to $145 million will be available to eligible landowners nationwide as part of President Obama’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act). Funding will create jobs and restore an estimated 60,000 acres of frequently flooded land to its natural state. Public benefits include increased flood protection, enhanced fish and wildlife habitat, improved water quality, reduced future public disaster assistance, reduced energy consumption, and increased carbon sequestration. For eligibility requirements visit the EWP Floodplain Easement Site and NRCS Recovery Information. For more information contact Kim Erndt at kerndt@prairierivers.org.