The following projects were selected for funding in the first round of the Flood Resilient Communities Fund in 2021. These projects can serve as examples for future mitigation projects that potential applicants can apply for, but are not the only projects that can be funded. More information regarding eligibility can be found at the Flood Resilient Communities Fund webpage.
Rockingham Landslide Buyout
On July 29, 2021, rainfall and subsequent flooding caused a significant landslide dangerously close to a young family's home. While this project could be submitted under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) as a landslide buyout, the FEMA review and approval process would not be completed within a reasonable time frame given the severity of the slide. Due to the life safety concern, the structure was vacated.
Berlin Buyout
The Berlin buyout residential property has been flooded to the point that property was vacated. The former 2 unit home is just outside of the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) and therefore is ineligible for FEMA funding. The Flood Resilient Communities Fund will cover demolition and hazardous material removal.
Brandon Buyouts
An entire street is at risk of erosion and flooding due to an alluvial fan in Brandon. The town of Brandon has worked with VEM to complete 4, about to be 5, buyouts on Newtown Road and Wheeler Road with FEMA funding. The FRCF is funding three buyouts outside of the SFHA within the same area that are not eligible for FEMA funding, but are still at great risk.
Randolph Buyout
The Randolph buyout property along the White River has a history of flooding and erosion damage. The residential property, recently vacated and still privately owned, is located outside of the SFHA. The flood risk to the structure is due to erosion and the significant curve of the river around the structure. This is a great project for demolition and floodplain restoration because the town owns abutting properties which are currently used for recreation. This property will be left as green open space in perpetuity.
Johnson Vacant Parcel Buyout and Restoration
The undeveloped Johnson property is located within the SFHA of the Lamoille River near the confluence with the Gihon River. This property would not meet a BCA for FEMA funding because there is no structure with previous damages, making this project proactive mitigation. The project includes the purchase of a 2.4-acre vacant parcel in the Village of Jeffersonville as well as final design and implementation for a floodplain restoration project.
Brattleboro Housing Authority Melrose Terrace Restoration
This project is currently underway with FEMA funding and consisted of demolishing several flood vulnerable senior housing units on site, which was completed last year, and then restoration of the site. This is an overrun for an existing project under Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) 2016. Brattleboro Housing Authority and VEM were not able to request overruns under PDM, so this award will cover costs that exceed the FEMA share and required match.
TRORC Floodplain Restoration
The Two Rivers Ottauquechee Regional Commission (TRORC) brought together the Town of Plymouth, Connecticut River Conservancy, Bear Creek Environmental LLC, Ripple Natural Resources LLC, and Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife to develop the TRORC floodplain restoration project on Pinney Hollow Brook on Route 100A in Plymouth. During Tropical Storm Irene, the motel at the upper project site and two single family residences, a town bridge, and other infrastructure and natural features downstream near the confluence of Broad Brook were destroyed. The selected project includes restoring floodplain and flood chute access, as well as riparian plantings. The project scope of work includes implementation and construction of final design and engineering that are already completed. The floodplain restoration will provide flood attenuation and protection for four houses downstream, one immediately upstream, and several bridges. In addition to restoring floodplain and flood chute access, the restoration project will improve the sediment filtering and habitat function of the Pinney Hollow Brook system.
Friends of the Mad River Project Scoping/Planning
The Friends of the Mad River (FMR) will be utilizing the Flood Resilient Communities Fund to prioritize flood vulnerable structure buyouts and natural restoration projects to improve public safety and mitigate water quality impacts of climate-related flood hazards. Additionally, FMR will conduct scoping and outreach to top project sites in order to refine prioritization and feasibility, prepare 30% design for top 3 priority projects, and align potential projects with the most appropriate funding source. FMR is leveraging existing partnerships developed through the Ridge to River Initiative for community outreach and project implementation.
Cabot – Tree Plantings for Culvert Project
The Town of Cabot needed to upsize a culvert at the crossing of the Winooski River under Porter Road due to repetitive damage at the site. The culvert replacement was funded through the FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) under DR-4022. The project is complete with the exception of tree plantings that were required in their wetlands permit. Tree plantings are important for slope stabilization, water attenuation, habitat, and water quality benefits. The Town of Cabot and VEM were unable to request additional funding to complete riparian plantings for the project site along the Winooski River. Through the Flood Resilient Communities Fund the project will be completed.