The Making Access To Cleanup Happen (MATCH) Act of 2023 would allow communities to begin pre-approved watershed rehabilitation activities promptly after a disaster without forfeiting their eligibility for federal assistance, speeding up the cleanup process and reducing the risk of further flooding. Currently, to maintain eligibility for disaster assistance under the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) program, communities are only allowed to start counting their time and in-kind services as their non-federal cost share contribution after their project is approved by USDA. However, in the aftermath of a major disaster, communities need resources to respond quickly and protect life and property. Waiting for USDA to approve all activities can delay recovery work, preventing state and local governments from accessing EWP disaster relief.

WHY WE LIKE IT

The MATCH Act directs USDA to identify a list of watershed rehabilitation activities that communities can undertake prior to the approval of a project application under USDA’s EWP program. State-level Natural Resource Conservation Service offices would also be empowered to identify additional pre-approved watershed rehabilitation activities to prioritize locally-led solutions. The MATCH Act would ensure these pre-approved activities count toward EWP’s required 25% local sponsor match requirement.

Read S.757 and H.R.1670 online

Photo courtesy of USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service