FEMA and USDA Disaster Declarations

Both FEMA and the USDA have declared disasters for the July flooding.  This means additional funds are available for disaster recovery. More information on receiving assistance is below.

FEMA Disaster Assistance

For the latest information directly from FEMA: https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4810.  Damages from the July 10th-11th storm in Essex and surrounding counties

may be eligible for financial assistance.

To apply for assistance

ONLINE: https://www.disasterassistance.gov/ 

PHONE: 1-800-621-3362 (TTY: 800-462-7585)

IN PERSON at a Disaster Recovery Center. The nearest centers to Essex County are:

Brighton Town Hall Gym (8AM-7PM every day)

49 Mill St, Island Pond, VT 05846

Lyndon Public Safety Facility (8AM-7PM every day)

316 Main St, Lyndonville, VT 05851

Guidance for applying for assistance:

1. Apply to insurance first (homeowners, renters, car, flood, etc.).

2. Gather all required personal documentation (identity, proof of property ownership and residency).

3. Gather all disaster damage-related documentation (insurance denial letter, receipts for clean-up supplies and contractors, contractor estimates, photos of all damage, etc.) for your FEMA case.

4. Check ‘home damage’ at the beginning of your FEMA application if you have disaster-related damage outside your home (driveways, culverts, bridges, external retention walls, etc.) in order to trigger a damage inspection.

The July 29th-30th storm has yet to be declared a disaster. People affected by this storm can register with FEMA, but will not be approved for assistance until that declaration is approved.

USDA Disaster Assistance

Contact your local FSA Service Center at 802-748-2641 for the most current information

To apply for assistance

PHONE: 802-748-2641

EMAIL: patricia.matte@usda.gov

IN PERSON at a Farm Recovery Center. The nearest centers to Essex County are:

St. Johnsbury (Thursday September 12th, 9AM-3PM)

Location TBD

Morgan (Friday, September 13th, 9AM-3PM)

*tentatively* 41 Meade Hill, Morgan, VT 05853

Essex County NRCD is able to help producers apply for USDA assistance. Contact Clara Fernandez Odell at 802-535-8877 or cfodell.essexnrcd@gmail.com.

Additional Disaster Assistance

Business Emergency Gap Assistance Program (BEGAP) – Emergency assistance for Vermont businesses.  Additional information for agricultural producers can be found here.  Apply by Nov. 15th to ensure your application is considered.

Flood Relief for Individuals – Quick, flexible relief for those affected by the disasters up to $1,500. Contact caricarlet@yahoo.com or Brooke Pierce brooke@momentumbusinessvt.com

VT Main Street Flood Recovery Fund for Businesses – Emergency assistance for Vermont businesses up to $2,500.

NCIC Impact Loan Program for Businesses – Loans up to $3,000 for affected businesses.  Contact Aimee Quimby aquimby@ncic.org

U.S. Small Business Administration Loans (for businesses or individuals) – Apply for assistance online.

Support applying for assistance

For specific program support, we recommend contacting the organizations through the contact information supplied in this message.  The following organizations can provide general assistance in navigating the available programs.

Kingdom United Resilience & Recovery Effort (KURRVE) can assist with navigating general assistance programs.  Request assistance here.

Essex County NRCD can assist with navigating assistance for agricultural or timber producers or those with damage to their land apart from buildings, cars, and other man-made property. Contact us at 802-535-8877 or cfodell.essexnrcd@gmail.com.

Upcoming Events

ECNRCD Board Meeting

ECNRCD Board Meeting (September 12th, 2024 | 10:30 AM, Burke Mountain Club, 366 VT-114, East Burke, VT 05832) – The ECNRCD Board of Directors will hold its monthly meeting to discuss district activities. Note the change in date and venue. Contact essexnrcd@gmail.com for an agenda or to receive monthly meeting reminders.

Friends of the Nulhegan Basin 25th Anniversary Celebration

The Friends of the Nulhegan Basin will be hosting a 25th Anniversary Celebration for the Nulhegan Basin Wildlife Refuge on Saturday, September 21st at 1 PM. This event is free and open to the public and will take place at the Silvio O. Conte visitor center at 5396 Route 105 in Brunswick, VT.

Orleans County NRCD Workshops

Shoreland BMP Workshop For Contractors – Digging Near Our Shorelines

Tues, Sept 24 | 8-11:00am | Crystal Lake State Park, Barton

Are you a contractor, landscaper, engineer, or site worker who moves dirt on our lakeshores? Join us at Crystal Lake State Park in Barton for a hands-on experience about shoreland best management practices (BMPs). Learn about coir logs and assist with their installation. Free breakfast will be served. To register, please contact Bevin: bevin.barber-campbell@vt.nacdnet.net; 802.624.7024

Find Your Funding Workshop: Learn about VT Land Steward Cost Share Programs

Thurs, Oct 17 | 10:30 AM-noon

USDA Office, Newport, 59 Waterfront Plaza, Virtual Option

Learn about the many cost share and funding programs in Vermont. Vermont NRCDs can help you with program navigation and introduce you to the “Guide for Assistance for Agricultural Producers in Vermont.” The objectives of the workshop are to increase your understanding of all the available resources and how to access them, and to help you launch your research process by familiarizing participants with the grant guide. You can find the guide at the link below, or pick up a copy at our workshop: www.franklincountynrcd.org/agproducersguide. RSVP requested or for meeting link contact Sarah at: sarah.damsell@vt.nacdnet.net; 802.334.6090 x7008

Seeking volunteers to help clean up the Clyde!
Join us! We will again spend a wet and fun-filled day cleaning up of the Clyde River, upstream of Salem Lake in Derby. Join us on Saturday, September 14 (10 AM-1 PM) for a scenic paddle and a gratifying experience of collecting debris, while also learning about riparian zones and streambank best management practices from local conservation specialists. RSVP REQUIRED to OCNRCD Riparian Lands Program Manager, Ted Sedell at: edwin.sedell@vt.nacdnet.net; 802-624-2001

Fall Doe Camp

Fall Doe Camp returns to Jackson’s Lodge, Canaan, VT

on Sept 13-15, 2024. Doe Camp Nation is a community of active women dedicated to creating new friendships and adventures while learning new outdoor skills supported by instructors, volunteers, business sponsors helping all women expand their horizons and pursue their dreams in the great outdoors.

Upcoming Funding Deadlines

These are just a few of the available opportunities.  Contact ECNRCD for more information about these or other programs at essexnrcd@gmail.com or 802-424-5353.

USDA Rural Renewable Energy Grants & loans
The program provides guaranteed loan financing and grant funding to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for renewable energy systems or to make energy efficiency improvements. Agricultural producers can also apply for new energy-efficient equipment and new system loans for agricultural production and processing. Click here out find out more.
DUE DATE: September 30th

Vermont Agency of Agriculture Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program

$3.2 million available to improve the aggregation, distribution, manufacturing, processing, storing, transport and wholesaling of Vermont food products. Click here to learn more.
DUE DATE: Early October

For more information about anything in this newsletter, contact us at:

EssexNRCD@gmail.com

802-424-5353