Hazard Mitigation funds are now available to all Vermont towns with no local match requirement. $90 million of federal funding is now available to Vermont municipalities to implement hazard mitigation measures that reduce future flood risk.
The federal Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) provides funds to municipalities to harden infrastructure against future flood losses and for voluntary buyouts of homes in flood plains. The program traditionally requires towns to pay 25% of total project costs; the state of Vermont will now pay the local match.
HMGP funds pay for projects that help prevent future damage in areas of repetitive flooding. Vermont towns have installed spillways and large culverts in downtowns, flood-proofed public buildings, restored river corridors to keep water within their banks, and purchased homes in floodplains to allow water to flow through without damaging structures.
Cities and towns are strongly encouraged to identify problem areas and submit a pre-application by August 16th. Pre-applications need only provide basic information on a proposed project; more technical information will be reviewed as the application progresses. Vermont Emergency Management and Regional Planning Commission staff assist communities throughout the process.
For more information on the federal and state Hazard Mitigation programs, visit the Vermont Emergency Management mitigation website at www.vem.vermont.gov/funding/mitigation, or contact dps.hazardmitigation@vermont.gov.