New Municipal Roads Grants-in-Aid Pilot Project
Vermont's
regional planning commissions
and the
Vermont
Department of
Environmental
Conservation
(DEC) are
pleased to invite
municipalities to
sign up
for a
new Municipal Roads
Grants-in-Aid Pilot
Project.
DEC's
Clean Water Initiative Program is offering approximately $2.1 million to support this pilot
project. The funding will help
Vermont
achieve its
water quality
goals
by aiding
municipalities in
implementing
best
management
practices on
municipal
roads. This additional support will
help municipalities
get a jumpstart on
meeting the
forthcoming
DEC Municipal Roads General Permit requirements
.
"The
pilot project is a great opportunity for
municipalities to
become more
familiar with the
practices necessary to comply with the
Municipal
Roads
General Permit
,"explained
Kari
Dolan,
the DEC Clean Water Initiative Program Manager. "These practices are a win-win; they improve
water
quality,
reduce road
maintenance
costs,
and
enhance the ability
of
roads to with stand storm
events, there by saving municipalities money in the long run.
"
Northwest Regional Planning Commission sent a letter and information to all municipalities in the region inviting them to
participate in this pilot
project. The program is
voluntary, but in order to
participate, municipalities must
sign up
by
July 5, 2017.
Catherine
Dimitruk,
Executive Director of the
Northwest
Regional Planning Commission
added,
"The
regional
planning commissions across the state are prepared to
help
municipalities take full
advantage of this pilot
project. We
are
available to
help
municipalities
sign up, identify
and map
project
locations, select the
right
practices, secure
reimbursement for
project
construction costs,
and
report on
final project
outcomes.
"
Practices
eligible for funding under this pilot
project
include
drainage ditch
installation
and
upgrades, turnouts, removal of
grader berms,
and stabilization of
drainage
culverts and
catch
basin
outlets, and on
Class 4
roads,stabilization
of gully erosion. The pilot
project
targets those
sections
of roads that are "hydrologically
-connected
"-
road
segments
that are next to or
cross streams,
wetlands, lakes, or ponds. The
amount off unding
awarded to
each
participating municipality will be based on their number of hydrologically
connected road miles.
Vermont's
Clean Water Initiative is an exciting and growing collaboration among municipalities,state
agencies,
local and
regional
partners,
farmers, businesses,
and the public to
safeguard the
public's
access to clean and safe water throughout the state.
For
more information about this new program
please contact Northwest Regional Planning Commission, or check the
website.
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FEMA and USGS Kickoff
Missisquoi River Watershed Floodplain Project
 On April 26, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the United States Geological Survey (USGS) kicked off a project to update the Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) for communities located in the Missiquoi River watershed. This multi-year project could have substantial effect upon the boundaries of the 100-year floodplain within the watershed. In turn, this could have far-reaching ramifications for private property owners in the region, particularly in regards to the mandatory purchase requirement for flood insurance.
Generally, financial institutions require mortgagees with a federally-back mortgage, and with structures located in the 100-year floodplain, to purchase flood insurance. The remapping effort by FEMA and USGS may result in some structures being removed from the 100-year floodplain. However, it may also result in additional structures in the region being placed into the 100-year floodplain. This could result in situations where additional property owners in the region may be required to buy flood insurance.
The first round of "working maps" will be released by FEMA and USGS in 2018. This will be followed by a round of outreach to both municipal officials and private property owners that may be impacted by proposed map changes. "Preliminary maps" will be released in late May 2019 and "final" maps will be released for adoption by municipalities in 2020.
At present, FEMA and USGS are asking municipal officials to help gather and submit the following information by June 16, 2017:
- A "marked up" a copy of your municipalities' map(s) with any information you might have on inaccuracies on the current effective Flood Insurance Rate Maps or with new data regarding bridges, culverts, dams, development, etc. that might impact the floodplain since the river reach was last studied or redelineated.
- Any data or information that may assist FEMA or USGS with this project, including high-water mark data.
- A completed Discovery Questionnaire (located in link below).
More information about the kickoff meeting on Wednesday, April 26 can be found
here.
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DEC Ecosystem Restoration Program
Ecosystem Restoration Grants support the design and construction of water pollution abatement and control projects that target nonpoint sources of pollution. See the DEC Watershed Projects Database for possible projects. All other projects included in applications must be added to the database prior to the application deadline. Proposed projects must be discussed with your regional Basin Planner.
* Release date: May 23
* Application due date: July 6
A detailed application manual provides step-by-step instructions to apply for funding.
Ecosystem Restoration Grant applicants are also encouraged to attend a webinar being offered on Tuesday, June 13, 11:00 am - 12:30 pm, which will essentially be a question and answer session for grant applicants.
Attend the webinar in person in Montpelier (limited seating is available) or online via Skype for Business, here. The webinars will also be recorded and posted on the Clean Water Initiative YouTube page here.
Applications are due on Thursday, July 6. For more information and to RSVP if attending in person, please contact Marli Rupe or by phone at (802) 490-6171.
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2017 VTrans Bicycle and Pedestrian
Program Grant Opportunity
 The Agency of Transportation is now soliciting applications for projects this year through the Bicycle and Pedestrian Program. The intent of the VTrans Bicycle and Pedestrian Program is to improve access and safety for bicyclists and/or pedestrians through the planning, design and construction of infrastructure projects.
For a copy of the VTrans 2017 Bicycle and Pedestrian Program Guide and Application and other supporting materials, visit the VTrans Bicycle and Pedestrian program website. Applications must be received by 1:00 pm, Friday July 14, 2017.
Applications will be accepted for Scoping studies (project feasibility), Large-scale design/construction projects and small-scale, state funded, projects.
Applicants to the Bike/Ped Program are strongly encouraged to attend one of two workshops to learn about the details of the program. The workshops are being offered in a webinar format. Applicants must have an internet connection to participate in the training. The dates and times are:
* Tuesday May 16, 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM and
* Thursday, May 18, 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM.
You must log on to this webpage to participate in the trainings (multiple people can view a training, but one person must sign in online. Reservations are not required.
For any questions about this year's Bicycle and Pedestrian program or other VTrans initiatives related to bicycling and walking, contact Jon Kaplan, VTrans Bicycle and Pedestrian Program Manager, or by phone at (802) 828-0059.
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 Kids Fest 2017 took place on June 2, in Taylor Park in St. Albans, hosted by The Family Center: The Parent Child Center of Northwestern Counseling & Support Services. The Missisquoi Valley Rail Trail participated in the event along with approximately 25 other community partners throughout Franklin and Grand Isle Counties. There were many families that came out for this fun, family-friendly afternoon despite the rain showers! There was a StoryWalk, "Race the Docs" obstacle course, bouncy house, face painting, live music and so many other activities. Our counties have so many wonderful resources for families to reach out to.
The Missisquoi Valley Rail Trail along with The Great Outdoors store in Enosburgh gave away a kids bike and helmet and the lucky winner was Sophia, age 5, from St. Albans. Congratulations and we hope to see you on the Trail! Thanks to The Family Center: The Parent Child Center of Northwestern Counseling & Support Services for hosting a wonderful event for families.
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Take a Stake in Our Lake Event
 On Thursday, June 1, NRPC participated in the "Take a Stake in Our Lake" event hosted by the St. Albans Area Watershed Association. The evening brought together 15 organizations and programs to share tips and answer questions from community members at the St. Albans Bay Town Park. This was a great opportunity for homeowners to learn about actions they can take to improve water quality at home. NRPC was promoting the Franklin County Stormwater Collaborative, whose mission is to educate and encourage residents to get personally involved in reducing stormwater pollution. Amanda Holland gave a short presentation on becoming stormwater aware and understanding the collective impact of stormwater runoff in the community. The action Amanda encouraged participants to take was, "Take a walk around your property during the next rainfall and see where your water goes". Visit www.fcsvt.org to learn more about the Collaborative.
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For more information click
here.
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