Information for Towns

FEMA Public Assistance Grant Program (PA Program) FEMA’s PA program provides supplemental assistance to state and local governments and certain non-profit organizations for response and recovery activities required as the result of a declared disaster. This can include emergency work such as immediate protective measures as well as permanent work such as repairing roads, bridges, and public utilities. The first step in determining your Town's eligibility for funds through FEMA’s Public Assistance Grant Program is to file a Request for Public Assistance (RPA). You can also contact FEMA directly at (800) 621-3362. The FEMA disaster number for this event is: FEMA-4022-DR-VT. This is your official notification to FEMA of your intent to file for Public Assistance and must be submitted no later than October 17, 2011. The form can be faxed to Alec Portalupi at (802) 828-2848. For more information see the VTrans FEMA Public Assistance Program for Tropical Storm Irene page. Federal Highway Administration Emergency Response Program (FHWA ER Program) The Emergency Relief  program administered by the Federal Highway Administration is intended to supplement the commitment of resources by States, counties, and cities to help pay for unusually heavy expenses resulting from extraordinary conditions to Federal-aid highways.  Federal-aid highways are all the public roads not functionally classified as either local or rural minor collectors. If the costs are incurred in the first 180 days after the occurrence of the disaster, the Federal share is 100 percent for costs associated with restoring essential highway traffic, minimizing the extent of damage, or protecting the remaining facility. For more information contact the Vermont division of the FHWA at (802) 828-4423 or see the FHWA Guide to the ER program. Emergency Relief and Assistance Fund (ERAF) Under this program, eligible Towns can reduce their match responsibility for FEMA PA projects from 12.5 to 10 percent of total project cost. See the  ERAF Form for the specific requirements.This form is due no later than October 1, 2011 for municipalities. For additional information see the ERAF Guidelines. Natural Resources Conservation Service Emergency Watershed Protection Program (NRCS EWP Program) Technical and funding assistance is available from the NRCS EWP program for work that falls outside of the FEMA Public Assistance program. The purpose of the Emergency Watershed Protection program is "to undertake emergency measures including the purchase of flood plain easements for runoff retardation and soil erosion prevention to safeguard lives and property from floods, drought, and the products of erosion on any watershed whenever fire, flood or any other natural occurrence is causing or has caused a sudden impairment of the watershed". For more information, click the Emergency Watershed Protection program link above. For immediate guidance on Debris removal, see FEMA's Debris Removal from Waterways Policy. Vermont State Infrastructure Bank (SIB) The State Infrastructure Bank program, operated by the Vermont Economic Development Authority in conjunction with the Vermont Agency of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration, is available to assist in the construction or reconstruction of highways, roads and bridges on the Federal Aid Highway system as well as certain facilities related to rail transit.  The SIB can provide very low interest loans for repairing bridge and road infrastructure Federal Aid Highway system that may help to begin immediate repairs while your town is waiting for Federal emergency funds to be processed. Visit their website at  http://www.veda.org/interior.php/pid/1/sid/46 Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) In addition to the Public Assistance Program, there are federal mitigation funds available to all towns through FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. Section 406 mitigation is implemented through the FEMA PA program and includes cost effective measures that reduce or eliminate the potential for damages to a facility from a future hazard event. The section 406 program is limited to structures damaged by the recent flooding. For more information see the FEMA Hazard Mitigation Website. Section 404 mitigation funds are available through a separate program administered by Vermont Emergency Management (VEM) and do not have to be tied to a damaged facility. For more information see the VEM website at http://vem.vermont.gov/home/hmgpavail.