Rep. Sibilia: July 15th Update

On By Rep. Laura SibiliaIn Uncategorized

 Good evening,

East Dover Fire Department keeping an eye on the road above. Many many thanks to all of our emergency management personal throughout the state. As the sign says, many departments are looking for volunteers.

Much of Vermont is once again under a flood watch, with strong thunderstorms predicted for our region tomorrow. Please use caution driving as roads may be undermined and there is an increased risk for landslides in Vermont. The current forecast is here. As I have been driving through our district checking in on folks there is largely a sense of gratitude for the limited impacts and no loss of life in much of our region. We do know that a Wardsboro resident lost their home as part of the July 11 flooding. In addition, multiple homes, businesses and roads were impacted by flooding or erosion in Jamaica and Wardsboro.

I’ve worked with most of the Road Commissioners and Emergency Managers in our District on issues related to materials for rebuilding the roads. Please stay in touch if needs arise.

For further resources, including local emergency shelter locations, you can dial 211, text your zip code to 211, or visit vermont211.org.

My year round job is with the Regional Development Corporation, BDCC. They are standing up resources to assist southern Vermont businesses including micro loans: Check back for updates here: https://brattleborodevelopment.com/july-10-2023-flood-recovery/

This newsletter includes a number of flood relate updates:

Reporting Damage

FEMA is currently assessing storm damages, if your home or business has damage please report the damage and unmet needs to the Vermont 2-1-1 website vermont211.org. This is not a guarantee of resources so reach out to your insurance company as well. If you are unable to use the Vermont 2-1-1 link please call 866-652-4636 or 802-652-4636 and leave a message if you get a voice recording. Vermont Has a High Risk of Landslides After Recent Flooding

Reporting Landslides:

Montpelier, Vt. – Recent flooding across Vermont has increased the likelihood of landslide hazards starting Friday, July 14, 2023, and into the coming days.  

Landslide hazards can be difficult to predict. Unlike flood hazards, they do not depend on river levels. However, a large body of work in Vermont suggests that a three- to five-inch precipitation event can trigger failures that lead to landslides, particularly when the ground is already saturated. With over six inches of rainfall in most of the Green Mountains and more rain on the way, there is a high risk of landslide hazards.

Anyone can report a landslide online. Please note that this report is for simple observations, not emergencies. Dial 911 to report a life-threatening situation or other emergency.

For those with concerns that a landslide might impact your home, leave the structure and contact:

Learn more about geology and hazards, or landslides, rockfalls, and erosion.

For more information on flood recovery resources from the Agency of Natural Resources, Department of Environmental Conservation, Fish and Wildlife Department, or the Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation, visit https://ANR.Vermont.gov/Flood.

Read the Vermont Disaster Declaration by President Biden

GOVERNOR PHIL SCOTT DIRECTS TEMPORARY REGULATORY RELIEF TO EXPEDITE EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND INFRASTRUCTURE REBUILD

Action taken under Governor’s Declaration of Emergency in Response to Historic Storm Damage

Montpelier, Vt. – Governor Phil Scott today signed an addendumto his Emergency Declaration (Executive Order 03-23), which directs state agencies and departments to provide specific and temporary regulatory relief to expedite the state’s response to damage resulting from the severe storms continuing to impact the state

“This historic rainfall and flooding have caused catastrophic damage to infrastructure across the state, and destroyed homes and businesses,” said Governor Phil Scott. “Securing and rebuilding roads and critical infrastructure needs to happen quickly to keep Vermonters safe. To move as quickly as this response requires, we need to pause certain requirements and waive specific restrictions that can delay this important work.”

Under authority provided by the state of emergency, the Governor is providing certain temporary regulatory relief critical to response and recovery work, including for:

  • timely access to gravel and rock fill, asphalt and concrete for road and infrastructure repair;
  • facilitating commercial motor vehicle operations needed to support emergency relief efforts transporting supplies, goods, materials, equipment, and fuel into Vermont;
  • facilitating transportation of materials and equipment; and
  • professional service licensing flexibility.

For more information, click here to view Addendum 1, Regulatory Relief for Infrastructure Rebuild.

The Governor will consider additional regulatory relief and action to ensure the state can promptly respond to the significant damage and rebuilding efforts

Flood Recovery Work in Rivers and Streams

Montpelier, Vt. – Flood events require work within rivers and streams to protect and repair human investments and related infrastructure. Towns have the authority to implement Emergency Protective Measures to protect public safety when a flood occurs. 

The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) regulates activities in rivers and streams to ensure that work does not create additional flood hazards. The most common issue after a flood is over-dredging of rivers or excessive streambank filling. 

While limited excavations and streambank stabilization may be needed to maintain river channel capacity and protect investments, over-dredging or over-filling creates a much more unstable river which threatens adjacent property and infrastructure during the next flood. The Fish and Wildlife Department (FWD) recommends leaving boulders, log jams, and other natural structures in streams when not hazardous to human safety. This can help streams and rivers by slowing floodwaters and benefits ecological recovery and fish populations. 

For work that needs to be done in rivers and streams to recover from the recent July flooding, the following measures must be taken:

  1. Towns are required to report the location and nature of Emergency Protective Measurework to DEC within 72 hours. Alternatively, location information and narrative description can be emailed toanr.wsmdrivers@vermont.gov. 
  2. Take photos of the work before and after completion. Photo documentation may help determine if the work is eligible for available disaster recovery funds.
  3. Comply with the State Stream Alteration Rule for any instream work. This work may require follow-up work to ensure compliance and qualify for federal reimbursement for eligible work.

DEC may require a permit and follow-up work at a later date if deemed necessary for a safe river condition.

For more information on flood recovery resources from the Agency of Natural Resources, Department of Environmental Conservation, Fish and Wildlife Department, or the Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation, visit https://ANR.Vermont.gov/Flood.

Message from AARP

Earlier this week, AARP Vermont produced a collection of resources to support Vermonters 50+ and their communities during this challenging time. 

Clean up: Keep these items separate from trash:

  • Dangerous wastes such as toxics, pesticides, explosives, gasoline, oil, pool chemicals, acids, drain cleaner, fireworks, flares, ammo, unprotected “sharps”
  • Appliances such as refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, washers, dryers, scrap metal
  • Mercury products such as fluorescent bulbs, thermostats, thermometers
  • Hazardous Waste 
  • Oil, brake cleaner, other toxic car products
  • Paint, stain, varnish, paint thinner/stripper
  • Propane cylinders, other gas cylinders
  • Batteries and electronics
  • Tires

View the Flood Debris Cleanup Guide.

Volunteer and Donation Opportunities

Public Comment Period for Health Insurance Proposed Rate Increase:

The cost of health insurance is likely to go up in January for roughly 68,324 Vermonters and small businesses who buy their insurance through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont and MVP Health Care. How much the price goes up will be decided by the Green Mountain Care Board after the rate review hearings in July. If the increases requested by the two insurers that sell health insurance policies to individuals and small businesses in Vermont are approved, premiums will go up an average of 13.8%.  

Public Comment:  

Before the hearings in July, the Green Mountain Care Board needs to hear from Vermonters about how premium increases will affect their ability to access affordable health care for themselves, their families and for those who run small businesses for their employees. Submit a public comment by July 24th so that your voices can be heard in this process!

The HCA’s Role:      

The Office of the Health Care Advocate acts as the consumer voice in the rate review process. We represent the public in rate review hearings and advocate for affordability in our health care system. It’s our responsibility to tell the Green Mountain Care Board how these proposed rate increases impact Vermonters and their families. To bring attention to these proposed rate increases, we are spreading the word about the public comment process. The Green Mountain Care Board is obligated by law to take public comments on proposed rate filings and take this testimony into consideration during the rate review hearings.

AOT Invites Public Participation in Carbon Reduction Strategy

VT – The Vermont Agency of Transportation (AOT) invites the public to participate in a
survey and also to attend virtual public meetings for the State’s Carbon Reduction Strategy on Wednesday, July 19, 2023. The meetings will be held at 12:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. via Zoom.
Links to the online survey and two sessions are posted on the project website
https://vtrans.vermont.gov/form/carbon-reduction-strategy.

As always, if you have suggestions, concerns or critiques please be in touch so we can schedule time to discuss. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you need assistance navigating government services at (802) 384-0233 or lsibilia@leg.state.vt.us. Follow my regular posts online at http://www.laurasibiliavt.com

It is an honor to represent our district in the legislature. Thank you!

Rep. Laura Sibilia – Dover, Jamaica, Somerset, Stratton, Wardsboro

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