FLOOD 2023: ASSSESSMENT & RECOVERY

FLOOD RESPONSE & ASSESSMENT

Thanks to our members' hard work this summer, many of Vermont’s trails damaged by the summer floods are already open for use. And thanks to their trail damage assessment work, VTGC was able to quickly pull together a snapshot of the damage (excluding state and federally managed trails) that has resulted in funding towards trail recovery. Here’s what we learned:

37 organizations reported damages, ranging from a $300 - $900,000 in costs to repair
$520,500 of damage on FEDERAL land
$404,750 on STATE land
$2,108,300 on MUNICIPAL land
$1,826,850 on PRIVATE land
For a total of $4,860, 400 in damages.

These numbers and a compendium report with a powerpoint of images made its way quickly to FPR Commissioner Danny Fitzko and ANR Secretary Julia Moore. Our partners at FPR have decided to respond by allocating a portion of this year’s VOREC grants to flood-related trail repair. This fall, they’ll open up their application process, with specific guidelines for flood-related repairs. Stay tuned and check out upcoming enews and the website for more information.

FUNDING

The Vermont Outdoor Recreation Economic Collaborative Recovery Resources page hosts the most up-to-date information about FPR's flood recovery resources.
The Vermont Community Loan Fund’s TRAILS Loan Program: financing is available to businesses and organizations that provide services or goods that enable, support or are adjacent to Vermont's outdoor recreation industry
VT-FPR is pursuing more information on possible opportunities for tapping into FEMA support for recreational trails. Presently, recreation nonprofits are NOT eligible for FEMA funds, though municipalities may apply for recreational infrastructure impacts, including trails.

Trails Built Back Better Fare Better Following Summer Storms

Silver linings from the flood continue to emerge at every level, including for our beloved trails. Many newer trails built to high standards, and trails repaired since Irene - with flooding in mind - fared well. Check out the VPR interview with GMC’s Executive Director, linked below. Have a story of your own? Send it to sharon@vermonttgc.org and it will be added to the quantitative data we have gathered. Compelling stories like these make a difference in the future of trails.

VPR Story: Lessons from Irene helped Green Mountain Club trails survive recent flooding

ASSESSMENT

Assessment work to understand damages is underway on State land. ANR is using this Forestry Field Assessment form and members are welcome to use it for their purposes. Please note: it is specific to FEMA and it is not yet known to what extent, if at all, FEMA will cover damages on private lands.
VAST has put out the word to volunteers to document damage. They would like clubs to report trail damage using this form.
The Solocator app (solocator.com) is a useful tool for documenting storm damage. It allows you to take photos of damaged trail sections with your phone and then attach them to assessment forms. The app automatically assigns a GPS point to each photo for reference.
Trail managers on public lands have found pages 58 & 59 of this FEMA guidebook helpful when developing spreadsheets and other forms for documentation. You should also be working closely with the land manager, who will be the assistance applicant.