The Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)

ESF #11 NCH is organized and coordinated by the United States Department of the Interior (DOI) and works with a series of other organizations to respond to incidents threatening Natural and Cultural Resources and Historic Properties.

ESF #11 – NCH support agencies include:

The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP)
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
The Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is the coordinating agency for ESF #11. USDA primarily assists ESF #11 NCH through two of its agencies, the United States Forest Service (USFS) and the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS).

The NRCS is a leader in the conservation of natural resources; ensuring private lands are conserved, restored, and made more resilient to environmental challenges, such as climate change, and during times of natural disaster and emergency. NRCS works closely with individual farmers and ranchers, landowners, local conservation districts, Tribes, and others to help conserve natual resources in efficient, smart, and sustainable ways.

NRCS aids ESF #11 NCH by providing technical advice and information to help restore and stabilize natural resources in the aftermath of a disaster. They also provide limited financial assistance to State and tribal governments in developing natural resource management and protection plans.

Proceed to NRCS Website

The Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service (FS)

DOI also partners with the Heritage Emergency National Task Force (HENTF), a partnership of non-governmental organization (NGOs) and federal agencies that provides the combined experience and resources of its members to support ESF #11 NCH.

When ESF #11 NCH is activated, DOI consults and works with these support agencies to provide support to response activities as well as for professional expertise and guidance.

Certain partners, such as HENTF, participate in preparedness and response even when ESF #11 – NCH is not activated, and can be a valuable source of information and aid for everyday preservation of natural and cultural resources