Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Agency of Transportation (AOT) has announced the 24th year of funding to support projects on municipal roads that improve water quality and result in maintenance cost savings. The grant funds are provided by AOT in partnership with the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources and are sourced from federal and state transportation funds and the State’s Clean Water Fund. The Vermont Better Roads Program promotes the use of erosion control and maintenance techniques that save money while protecting and enhancing water quality around the State.
Please note that the application scoring of the Better Roads Program is intended to be in line with the State’s Clean Water Act (Act 64 of 2015), as well as the Municipal Roads General Permit (MRGP). In an effort to prioritize funding for projects that are providing significant water quality improvements, applicants must indicate whether or not the projects that they intend to construct will be in full compliance with the MRGP. Clean Water Fund dollars will only be awarded to projects that bring road segments into full MRGP compliance. Please see application and scoring sheet for more information. If you have questions, please feel free to contact the Better Roads staff members listed above.
Please note: No funding or awards will be issued until appropriated by legislative action, if available, expected in July 2021.
Applications for funding will be accepted until December 18, 2020. For the most current information or to download a copy of the application, please visit our website.
For more information about the State’s Clean Water Fund, see below or click here.
Clean Water Board
Vermont's clean water funding helps municipalities, farmers, and others implement projects that will reduce nutrient and sediment pollution from all sectors: agriculture; developed lands, including stormwater and roads; unstable streambanks and lakeshores; and wastewater. Clean water projects also protect public health and safety, support Clean Water Act compliance, increase flood resilience, enhance recreation, improve fish and wildlife habitat, save money over the long-term and leverage federal funds.
Vermont’s clean water funding comprises Capital Funds and the Clean Water Fund with revenue from the Meals and Rooms Tax Allocation, Property Transfer Tax Surcharge and unclaimed bottle deposits.
Recommendations for how state Clean Water Funding is allocated are made by the Clean Water Board, with representation from five state agency secretaries: Administration; Agriculture, Food and Markets; Commerce and Community Development; Natural Resources; and Transportation. In addition, four members of the public are appointed by the Governor.
For more information, view the clean water funding factsheet or contact [email protected].
Participate in the State Fiscal Year 2022 Clean Water Budget Process
Clean Water Budget Public Comment Period - October 1-30, 2020
The image at right shows the State Fiscal Year 2022 clean water budget process. The Clean Water Board is requesting public input on State Fiscal Year 2022 clean water funding priorities, October 1-30, 2020.
- Complete the brief online questionnaire by October 30, 2020 at 4:00 pm.
- View the draft State Fiscal Year 2022 clean water budget and line item descriptions.
To request a hard copy of the questionnaire, or other accommodations to participate in the public comment period, email [email protected]. Hard copy questionnaire responses must be postmarked by October 30th and mailed to:
Attention: Vermont Clean Water Initiative Program
Department of Environmental Conservation
One National Life Drive, Davis 3
Montpelier, VT 05620-3522
Source: Barre, Vt. – The Vermont Agency of Transportation 10.29.2020