Make it Rain: Funding Projects to Address Climate Change, Water Quality, and Unmet Needs

According to an October 2022 article published by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the year had below average precipitation, but by the end of September, the country had sustained 15 separate billion-dollar weather and climate disasters, including several significant rainfall events. In the first nine months of 2023, the National Centers for Environmental Information reported 24 such events, of which included 18 severe storms, two floods, and one tropical cyclone. As of October 10, 2023, these weather events caused 373 deaths across the country, with unprecedented economic impact in the Northeast and southern California. It is clear to weather experts that the increased occurrence and severity of rain-related events are no longer a future problem but are happening now. Significant rainfall events are more intense and occurring more frequently than before, taxing infrastructure systems in a myriad of ways. Communities across the country often designed infrastructure planned for less severe storms, if they planned at all. Capacity limitations and aging infrastructure have resulted in floods that wreak havoc on roads, buildings, and other utilities. Furthermore, many communities lack the stormwater funding resources to rebuild resilient infrastructure needed to limit further impact of future severe weather events. Moreover, National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) regulatory requirements continue to increase, necessitating additional investments in stormwater treatment and other clean water initiatives. It is apparent that creative approaches to funding the future of stormwater will be necessary. The Massachusetts Clean Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) has a unique grant program designed to fund asset inventory and management planning projects. Historically, these funds were used to develop conventional asset management plans for wastewater and stormwater systems, with a focus on condition assessment. Increasingly, these funds are being used for stormwater systems and include stormwater capacity analysis as a primary component of risk assessment. This is a relatively new development for the program. The state expects this grant money will help establish current conditions of stormwater systems and drive more funds in the SRF to finance stormwater infrastructure. In addition to the SRF program, Massachusetts Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) program provides grants to fund the identification of climate hazards and infrastructure vulnerabilities, including water quality vulnerabilities, as well as the development and prioritization of action plans to improve resilience to climate change, building climate resilience, equity, and climate justice. In 2021, Senate Bill 1954 was signed into law, establishing the Resilient Florida Program for a coordinated approach to the state's coastal and inland resilience. The legislation funnels a significant investment toward protecting inland waterways, coastlines, and shores, and provides aid to communities that want to prepare for the impacts of sea level rise, intensified storms, and flooding. In February 2023, the state's governor announced more than $275 million in grants was being awarded to 75 resilience projects, which will help safeguard homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure from damages incurred by storm surge and flooding. While California has experienced significant drought conditions over the past decade, the state's Department of Water Resources (DWR) released $9.2 million in grants in 2023 to fund five projects aimed at restoring streams and creeks to more natural environmental conditions, which will help reduce flood risk in several communities. This funding is part of DWR's Riverine Stewardship and Urban Stream Restoration programs designed to protect listed fish species, while also addressing flood risk reduction and ecosystem enhancement of urban streams. State experts are anticipating 2024 will be another wet year with strong El Nino conditions. The state government has earmarked more than $430 million in its recent budget for flood response and projects designed to mitigate future flood damage. Furthermore, municipalities and county governments can leverage financial assistance under the California Disaster Assistance Act when natural disasters occur. Funds through this program can cover up to 75 percent of cost for activities, such as basic engineering for construction projects, repair, permanent restoration, and replacement of public facilities. This presentation will examine each state's unique approach to accessing regional and federal funding resources that enable projects aimed at improving infrastructure resiliency, addressing water quality, and mitigating damage caused by heavy rain and flooding events. Presenters will provide case studies from communities that have already applied for and receive funding for risk and vulnerability assessments, as well as the resulting projects prioritized during the evaluation process. Attendees will learn how this work goes hand in hand with the regulatory framework of Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) and NPDES permitting.