Flooded streets in New London, July 5, 2024. PC: Fox 11 Online
(WTAQ-WLUK) — Several Northeast Wisconsin communities received grants from the state to help prevent and prepare for flooding events.
The Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs (DMA) announced $2 million in grants to local communities and organizations through the Pre-Disaster Flood Resilience Grant (PDFRG) program.
The program, which was created and signed into law by Gov. Evers last April and is administered by Wisconsin Emergency Management (WEM), a DMA division, aims to help communities in flood-prone areas identify flood vulnerabilities such as erosion hazards, road and culvert washouts, and incised stream channels and works to implement solutions.
“Flooding is one of the most common disasters our state experiences, costing Wisconsin families millions of dollars in damage to homes, businesses, local infrastructure, and the environment,” said Gov. Evers. “I was glad to create this program to help communities mitigate the impacts of flooding and build flood-resilient infrastructure, and I look forward to getting these funds out the door and into the hands of partners across the state to help give folks the tools needed to prevent flood damage, protect property, and keep folks safe.”
The grant program is open to Wisconsin municipalities, counties, regional planning commissions, federally recognized Native Nations or Bands, or nonprofit organizations and private consulting organizations on behalf of one or more applicants. The PDFRG covers 75% of the project, while the other 25% is covered by non-state funds, such as federal, local, private, or nonprofit funding, as well as in-kind donations.
Statewide, 11 communities received approximately $2 million in grant funding, including:
Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission | $53,740
- An assessment grant will be used to analyze flood vulnerability and identify degraded hydrology in Northeast Wisconsin, specifically in Brown, Door, Florence, Manitowoc, Marinette, Oconto, and Sheboygan counties.
Capital Area Regional Planning Commission | $187,500
- An assessment grant for a stream crossing inventory throughout Dane County.
Vernon County | $299,039
- An assessment grant for a county-wide culvert inventory, water flow, and structure study, as well as assessing floodplain conditions on privately owned land.
Outagamie County | $71,825
- An assessment grant to study water flow and hydraulic structure, create a culvert inventory, and analyze flood mitigation alternatives.
Town of Shelby (La Crosse County) | $114,465
- An assessment grant to look at erosion vulnerability and recommend ways to increase flood resilience. Grant funding would also go towards a culvert inventory for the township.
Dane County | $250,000
- An implementation grant to restore a degraded stretch of the Black Earth Creek and surrounding wetlands.
Town of Dodge (Trempealeau County) | $102,603
- An assessment grant to study water flow and hydraulic structure and develop flood resilience strategies.
City of Oshkosh | $300,000
- An assessment grant to study water flow and hydraulic structure in several small and flood-prone urban areas. The funding would also be used to analyze flood mitigation alternatives.
Village of Somers | $121,500
- An assessment grant to study water flow and hydraulic structure and analyze flood mitigation alternatives.
City of Green Bay | $250,000
- An implementation grant to restore Emilie Park along the East River to its natural wetland state to increase flood storage and improve resiliency.
Ozaukee County | $249,326
- An implementation grant to return Sucker Creek to its natural shape and restore surrounding wetlands, floodplains, and aquatic habitats.
Interest in the program far exceeded the funding available, as WEM received 23 applications totaling over $3.8 million.
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