NRPC Newsletter

April 2023

Local Emergency Management Plans

Due May 1

It's that time of year to update Local Emergency Management Plans. In accordance with 20 V.S.A § 6 “All municipal jurisdictions are expected to review and update their Local Emergency Plan annually and to formally readopt them between Town Meeting Day—on the first Tuesday in March—and May 1st." A current Local Emergency Management Plan is also required for municipalities to receive federal preparedness funds and increased state reimbursement through the Emergency Relief and Assistance Fund (ERAF). Municipalities should review and update their emergency plans annually and readopt them between Town Meeting and May 1 every year. Municipalities report adoption of LEMPs through the Regional Planning Commission with the LEMP adoption form. Contact Shaun Coleman (email or (802) 524-5958 X13) for more information or assistance in the process.

Swanton Energy Committee

Swanton Energy Committee might be small, but it sure is mighty! On March 21, the group of volunteers along with NRPC's energy planner hosted a “Lunch and Learn” aimed at providing information and resources to agricultural growers and producers on technologies, incentives, and grants that could save them money and improve efficiency. There were more than 40 attendees and many state agencies, non-profits, utilities were present to answer questions and provide contacts. While hosted by the Swanton Energy Committee, this event was for any agricultural producers in the Northwest region.

Due to high interest, Swanton plans on hosting a similar event again in the near future, as well as many other informational events around EVs, heat pumps, weatherization, and other energy related topics. Follow Swanton Village on Facebook for information on upcoming events or reach out to Marlena Valenta by email if you’re interested in joining Swanton’s energy committee or starting one in your town.

Get Ready for new FEMA Flood Maps

FEMA is currently updating the Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) in Vermont for the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). When the new maps go into effect, FEMA requires that town bylaws meet current standards for participation in the NFIP. If your bylaws are not sufficient, residents will no longer be able to purchase or renew flood insurance through the NFIP.

Participation in NFIP also increases the percentage of your town’s post-disaster Emergency Relief and Assistance Funding (ERAF). This program provides State coverage for public disaster recovery costs that can save a municipality thousands of dollars after a disaster. An initial Work Map meeting for the region will be held by FEMA in summer 2023. Municipalities will need to be NFIP compliant by 2025.

FEMA Flood Maps are on the Way: What Your Town Should Know and How to Be Prepared

Young People Have the Opportunity to Make a Difference in Northwest Vermont

Are you passionate about the environment and want to make a difference in your community? The ECO AmeriCorps program in Vermont might be just what you're looking for!

As an ECO AmeriCorps member, you'll have the opportunity to serve the needs of Vermont communities in the environmental and conservation spheres. Currently, there's an exciting opportunity available as the Assistant Water Quality Program Coordinator at the Northwest Regional Planning Commission (NRPC) in St. Albans.

NRPC offers a flexible hybrid work environment, which means you'll have the opportunity to work from home and in the office. As an ECO AmeriCorps member, you'll serve a minimum of 1,700 hours during your 11-month term, which runs from September to August. That's about 40 hours per week, so you'll have plenty of time to make a real impact.

In return for your service, you'll receive a total living stipend of $23,000, paid bi-weekly. You will be eligible for an AmeriCorps Segal Education Award of $6,895 (pre-tax) upon completion of 1,700 hours of service. Additionally, you will have access to health insurance, child care assistance, professional training, program support, and a peer network of like-minded individuals.

So, if you're ready to take on a new challenge and make a difference in your community, consider applying to the ECO AmeriCorps program in Vermont. Don't miss out on this amazing opportunity to serve your community and gain valuable experience in the environmental and conservation fields.

For more information, go to: Open Positions | Department of Environmental Conservation (vermont.gov) To apply, go to: My AmeriCorps - Home Page

VOLUNTEER & LOCAL ACTIVITIES

For More Information on the Stream Cleanup

Park Your Carbon Week is May 16-20!

Want to try a diﬀerent way of getting around? How about a healthy option, one that can save you some money and even be fun? You can reduce carbon pollution in Vermont and impact worldwide climate change. Park Your Carbon is a week-long initiative to help change Vermonters’ transportation and commuting habits by encouraging green ways of travel. Do it for a day, a week or make it a habit.

Bike. Walk. Carpool. Bus. Work From Home.

It’s easy. You can let us know you are taking the pledge by sharing your contact information or posting to social media. Once you let us know, we will plant a tree, making Vermont a greener state! Take the Pledge.

Missisquoi Valley Rail Trail Passport

Come explore the Missisquoi Valley Rail Trail!

The MVRT passport program encourages families to get outside and active by collecting a rubbing of the site badge found at each of the six Kiosks along the trail.

Here's how the passport program works:

As you hike, bike or travel the Missisquoi Valley Rail Trail look for the rubbing plates at each of the six trail Kiosks: St Albans, Greens Corners, Sheldon Junction, Kane Road, Enosburg Falls, and Richford.
When you find the rubbing plate on a Kiosk, make a rubbing (bring along a crayon or pencil) on the page that corresponds to Kiosk you are located.
Create a drawing or make a note of your observations along the trail.

Visit your local Recreation Department and pick up your Missisquoi Valley Rail Trail Passport or stop by NRPC!

UPCOMING TRAININGS

Essentials in Vermont

Land Use Planning and Regulation

Thursday May 30^th, 2023* at 6:00pm. Be sure to attend this training if new to a Planning Commission or Development Review Board or just need a refresher on the statutory authority for planning and zoning and best practices for meetings, hearings and decision making.

Best Practices and Emerging Trends in Vermont Zoning

Tuesday June 15^th, 2023* at 6:00pm. This training will take a deeper dive into the authority for municipal zoning regulations in Vermont. The training will review in detail the specific types of regulations municipalities are enabled to use in Vermont. To supplement this discussion, current practices from zoning regulations around the State will be highlighted, including emerging trends such as form-based codes and bylaw modernization efforts.

*The date for this training has been updated.

2023 Tier 2 Rivers & Roads Training

Join the Vermont Rivers Program, Vermont Fish & Wildlife Program, and Vermont Transportation Agency in their 2023 Tier 2 Rivers & Roads Training Program. This program aims to provide education and training for municipal staff, construction contractors, engineers, consultants, regional planning commission staff, conservation districts, and others working with communities on river and road-related issues.

To kick-off the program, participants are required to watch an online slide show presentation, which discusses river terms and concepts, and provides a background for the Tier 2 class. The Tier 1 presentation may take 30 minutes to an hour to review and includes some quick quizzes that provide immediate feedback to the user.

For more information on this training click here.