The application window for a remaining $11 million in federal funds for natural disaster mitigation projects closes July 12.
According to the Vermont Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, Vermont is eligible for funding from the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. The money, which was authorized in the wake of Tropical Storm Irene, is for improving public infrastructure, the buyout of vulnerable property, and education and outreach studies on hazard mitigation strategies.
The program is funded through the Federal Emergency Management Agency and administered by Vermont Emergency Management. It has provided more than $14.7 million in funding over the past 18 months in the program's fifth round. The money covers 75 percent of a project's cost.
Vermont Emergency Management has approved funding for 94 property acquisitions, including personal and commercial real estate.
Properties in Brattleboro, Grafton, Londonderry, Newfane, Readsboro, Rockingham, Wardsboro, and Wilmington are on this list.
Of the other 124 applications submitted, Vermont has approved funding for 10 infrastructure projects, including Brattleboro and Newfane. Also, 19 local mitigation planning project grants and one outreach and education project by the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation.
Ray Doherty, state hazard mitigation officer for Vermont Emergency Management, said the remaining $11 million is expected to be allocated.
Doherty has received 24 letters stating an intent to apply for funding, totaling an estimated $11 million to $12 million in project costs. He said that whether or not the money is spent depends on the applicants' eligibility and approval from the state and FEMA.
This screening process will take time, Doherty said.
He said there is a long list of federal requirements that must be satisfied before funding can be granted after the project is approved by the state. He said FEMA often needs 90 to 120 days to process applications.
“We're doing our best with our staff to expedite everything,” Doherty said. “The whole process is so complex.”
Aside from the federal requirements, Doherty said that the regional FEMA office in Boston is understaffed because of the federal budget sequester, a 2013 policy designed to cut federal spending. This means that applicants will have to wait longer for their money.
Doherty said the application process can be overwhelming.
“It is quite a daunting application process because it requires so much paperwork and documentation,” he said.
According to the Vermont Emergency Management website, the application must include maps, a list of alternative proposals, engineering plans, possible hydrology studies and a full benefit-cost analysis, all in the approved FEMA format.
Three home buyout applications have been denied funding by FEMA because the homes were not located along a FEMA-identified hazardous flood zone, Doherty said.
“They have very specific parameters for what they fund under this program,” Doherty said.
However, Doherty said his team is providing support for applicants by hiring contractors and offering assistance.