mitigation

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grant program makes federal funds available to states, U.S. territories, federally recognized tribal governments, and local governments for hazard mitigation activities. It does so by recognizing the need to upgrade and modernize the nation’s infrastructure against the growing risks to communities and the need for natural hazard risk mitigation activities that promote resilience with respect to natural hazards. $1B total is available.

Congressionally Directed Spending requests, also known as Community Project Funding or Earmarks, are funding requests for high-impact, Connecticut-based projects that can be completed with assistance from the federal government. In Connecticut, applications go through the offices of Senator Blumenthal and Senator Murphy. The project must meet the eligibility requirements for at least one of the accounts listed.

CLCC’s Climate-Smart Forest Stewardship Grant Program is a new initiative that enables land trusts to take care of their forests. To help land trusts face these challenges, CLCC will provide funding for land trusts that integrate climate mitigation, resilience, and adaptation strategies into their long-term forest stewardship.

The Connecticut Wetland In-Lieu Fee (ILF) Program has accrued sufficient funds that are now available for the preservation, restoration, and enhancement of wetland and watercourse resources and associated upland buffers in the State of Connecticut. The National Audubon Society, Inc., through its state office, Audubon Connecticut, is the “sponsor” of Connecticut’s ILF program. The program allows permittees to pay a fee in lieu of taking on mitigation themselves. Instead, local organizations like land trusts, and other environmental nonprofits, are given the opportunity to apply for and receive grant funding for the preservation, restoration, and enhancement of wetland and watercourse resources and associated upland buffers in the State of Connecticut.

Congressionally Directed Spending requests, also known as Community Project Funding or Earmarks, are funding requests for high-impact, Connecticut-based projects that can be completed with assistance from the federal government. The project must meet the eligibility requirements for at least one of the accounts listed.

On December 5, 2024, the Sustainable and Resilient Communities (SRC) team of the Long Island Sound Study hosted a field trip featuring the Town of Hamden’s Bioretention Project – the largest municipally owned rain garden in the state! Participants began with a guided tour of the rain garden and bioretention areas at Town Center Park, where they heard from project planners and managers about its history, partnerships, challenges, and maintenance. Following this, participants gathered at the Hamden Government Center for a working lunch and presentations on topics including UConn’s Stormwater Corps, native plants, project engineering, and using nature-based solutions to advance climate resilience goals. The day concluded with a lively group discussion. Special thanks to our partners with the Town of Hamden, Save the Sound, the Hamden Land Trust, and UConn Extension.

Photo credit: Judy Benson

The second round of grantmaking for the Environmental Justice Data Fund (EJDF) will be supported by a $4 million fund. The EJDF aims to help frontline communities historically underserved and disproportionately impacted by climate change and environmental injustice in the United States use data to address environmental hazards, with special attention to matters regarding air and water quality. The EJDF will support eligible organizations to unlock resources, increase their access to federal infrastructure funding, and advocate for new policies that empower communities to address past environmental harm and pave the way to a more sustainable, climate-resilient future.

In collaboration with CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), the Connecticut Institute for Resilience and Climate Adaptation (CIRCA) requests grant proposals for projects that increase the capacity of vulnerable communities to mitigate, plan for, and respond to climate change impacts. This funding supports the recommendations of the Governor’s Council on Climate Change (GC3).

The Fifth National Climate Assessment is the US Government’s preeminent report on climate change impacts, risks, and responses. It is a congressionally mandated interagency effort that provides the scientific foundation to support informed decision-making across the United States.

This program provides funding for a variety of transportation projects such as pedestrian and bicycle facilities; construction of turnouts, overlooks, and viewing areas; community improvements such as historic preservation and vegetation management; environmental mitigation related to stormwater and habitat connectivity; recreational trails; safe routes to school projects; and vulnerable road user safety assessments.

WEST COG developed this riparian zoning publication that is primarily focused on water quality, but also is highly relevant to climate mitigation.

This resource outlines six different federal mitigation funding programs. It provides an overview of available options and links to learn more information and apply.

Congressionally Directed Spending requests, also known as Community Project Funding or Earmarks, are funding requests for high-impact, Connecticut-based projects that can be completed with assistance from the federal government. The project must meet the eligibility requirements for at least one of the accounts listed.