Municipal Watershed Resources

There are a number of resources your town can take advantage of in managing streams and rivers.  Peruse the list below to learn more about available financial and technical assistance for your town. 

Fluvial Erosion Hazard Mapping

Many towns utilize flood maps from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)to delineate floodplain boundaries in your town.  While these maps are a good tool, they do not show the full extent of flood risks.  NFIP maps take the flood inundation into account, but often the more damaging and dangerous impact of a flood event is erosion, which greatly increases as stream power increases during a flood.  Fluvial Erosion Hazard (FEH) mapping is an excellent planning tool for towns that maps the full extent of flood risks, and indentifies areas that are particularly vulnerable to erosion hazards.  For more information explore the Vermont River Management Program's Municipal Guide to Fluvial Erosion Hazard Mitigation here. 

Act 110: River Corridor and Buffer Protection

State financial incentives will be offered to Vermont municipalities through grants or pass-through funding opportunities which encourage the adoption of zoning bylaws that protect river corridors and buffers.  For more information click here.

Stream Geomorphic Assessments

The Conservation District and other entities offer the coordination of Stream Geomorphic Assessments in your town, to better understand the physical conditions, adjustment patterns and health of your streams and rivers.  Click on stream geormorphic assessments on your left, or visit the state's website. 

 The Vermont Surface Water Management Strategy

The state's new strategy to protect, maintain, enhance and restore the biological, chemical, and physical integrity of Vermont's surface waters.  For more information, click here.

Better Backroads Program

The Northern Vermont Resource Conservation and Development Council has been supporting the Better Backroads program since 1997.  This program offers financial support to towns to address road related erosion problems (undersized culverts, inadequate ditches, etc.).  The program has two stages - Category A supporting inventory and capital budget planning, and Category B supporting project implementation.  Visit their websitefor more information. 

Vermont Local Roads

Techincal assistance for road managers, offering resources, workshops and grant information.  Visit their website here.