November 2024

The Resilience Roundup highlights announcements and events along with links to the previous month's state, regional, and national resilience news. 

Learn more about CIRCA at circa.uconn.edu

and the Resilient Connecticut Project at resilientconnecticut.uconn.edu

CIRCA Celebrates 10 Years of Advancing

Climate Resilience in Connecticut

On October 10th, the Connecticut Institute for Resilience and Climate Adaptation (CIRCA) celebrated its 10th anniversary with a commemorative event at UConn Avery Point. The program featured remarks from UConn’s Vice President for Research, Pamir Alpay, and a congratulatory message from U.S. Senator Chris Murphy’s office. DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes highlighted CIRCA’s partnership with DEEP in pioneering climate resilience through programs like the DEEP Climate Resilience Fund (DCRF). Executive Director, James O’Donnell, shared CIRCA’s progress, including progress made through the Resilient Connecticut Program and work with over 110 municipalities. A bipartisan legislative panel, featuring Connecticut legislators, discussed the future of storm preparedness, resilience outreach, and funding for Connecticut communities facing climate impacts. Click HERE for more information.

Public Workshop Addresses Flooding Concerns in East Haddam: Succor Brook and Connecticut River Impacts

On October 24th, CIRCA and Kleinfelder held a public workshop in East Haddam from 6:30 to 8:30 PM. The purpose of the workshop was to gather feedback from residents about flooding issues related to Succor Brook which impacts homes along Creamery Road and multiple Goodspeed facilities and impacts of flooding of the Connecticut River on the town's Wastewater Treatment Plant. For more information on the project and to see the materials from the workshop, visit the Resilient Connecticut website HERE.

Announcements

DEEP Seeks Input on Expanded DEEP Climate Resilience Funding and Loan Initiatives to Help Connecticut Communities Become More Climate Resilient

Written Comments Due: Nov. 8, 2024

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is seeking public input on its proposed structure for the expanded Climate Resilience Fund, aimed at helping communities access critical federal funding for climate resilience projects. Written comments are due by 5 p.m. on November 8, 2024.

DEEP recently held two public virtual meetings to gather input, and recordings are now available:

Click HERE to view the October 24 Meeting

Click HERE to view the October 30 Meeting

Your feedback will inform the next round of DEEP Climate Resilience Fund projects and a new Climate Resiliency Revolving Loan Fund. Submit comments by email to DEEP.climateresilience@ct.gov (Word or PDF format preferred).

Data and Policy Analytics Division (DAPA): A Survey of External Data Users to Inform the 2025-2026 CT State Data Plan

The Office of Policy and Management, Data and Policy Analytics Division (DAPA) is in the process of drafting the 2025-2026 Connecticut State Data Plan. They want to understand more about the issues and barriers that impact their external data users from outside State Agencies to broaden the utility of the plan. This survey will help inform future priorities and policies. This survey is the first of its kind, so your participation is crucial to the information gathering process. It includes both multiple choice and open-ended questions, and it should take 10-15 minutes to complete .p

Grants

CT DEEP Materials Management

Infrastructure Grant Program (MMI)

Application Deadline: Rolling Basis until December 6, 2024

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is pleased to announce the availability of solid waste infrastructure grant funding for Connecticut municipalities and regions through the Materials Management Infrastructure (MMI) Grant program, pursuant to Public Act No. 23-205, § 13(c)(7). The Public Act authorized $15 million in total. DEEP expects to award this grant funding over two (2) grant rounds, the size and scope of which are yet to be determined but will be influenced by the number, type, and amount of funding requests received in the first grant ground.



DEEP invites applications seeking grant funds to help municipalities and regional waste authorities develop and construct solid waste management infrastructure. Preference will be given to proposals that have already achieved full site control and any necessary local permitting needed. Preference will also be given to projects with the potential for the largest volume of waste reduction and/or diversion in a short timeframe while ensuring consistency with the State of Connecticut’s Comprehensive Materials Management Strategy (CMMS) and Connecticut’s statutorily established integrated hierarchy of waste management methodologies.

EPA: Community Change Grants

Application Deadline: November 21, 2024

The Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grant program (Community Change Grants), created by the Inflation Reduction Act, offers an unprecedented $2 billion in grants under this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). The Community Change Grants will fund community-driven projects that address climate challenges and reduce pollution while strengthening communities through thoughtful implementation. This historic level of support will enable communities and their partners to overcome longstanding environmental challenges and implement meaningful solutions to meet community needs now and for generations to come. There will be two tracks of funding under this opportunity. Track I will fund approximately 150 large, transformational community-driven investment grants of $10 million - $20 million. Track II will fund approximately 20 meaningful engagement grants of $1 million - $3 million. Grants cannot exceed 3-years in duration. Please review the NOFO for further information about the exciting opportunities under the Community Change Grants program and details about the application process.

CT DEEP: Urban Green and Community Gardens Grant Program

Through December 2, 2024, the Department is currently accepting applications to the Urban Green & Community Grant Program (UGCG). The Department's Urban Green and Community Gardens Grant Program (UGCG) is available to distressed municipalities, targeted investment communities, registered non-profit organizations, and municipalities that are an environmental justice community. The program provides funding assistance to develop or enhance urban green spaces for public enjoyment and/or environmental education. Promotion of open space in an urban setting may include, but may not be limited to, the development of a community garden or reclaiming and enhancing existing open space for the public's use. Grants are awarded to projects that demonstrate the highest ability to benefit urban communities in close proximity to population centers.

CT DEEP: Open Space and Watershed Land

Acquisition Grant Program

Through December 2, 2024, the Department is currently accepting applications from municipalities, non-profit land conservation organizations, and water companies to the competitive Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition Grant Program. Yellow Book appraisals and appraisal reviews can be submitted by no later than January 6, 2025. DEEP will be awarding grants to projects that offer the highest conservation and recreational value and that leverage the greatest percentage of private and municipal funding.  

The Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition (OSWA) Grant Program provides financial assistance to municipalities and nonprofit land conservation organizations to acquire land for open space, and to water companies to acquire land to be classified as Class I or Class II water supply property.

Awards are granted to projects that offer the highest conservation and recreational value and that leverage the greatest percentage of private and municipal funding.  

Apply to Become a Community Science Partner with CCHM

Communities across the United States impacted by extreme heat are invited to apply to partner with the Center for Collaborative Heat Monitoring (CCHM). This partnership offers a unique opportunity to engage in a co-developed community science project, receive training, and access a $10,000 stipend for up to 10 communities each year.

Applications are due by 11:59 PM EST on Friday, January 17, 2025. Accepted communities will be notified by early spring 2025. Before applying, review the partnership expectations for organizations and lead organizers to ensure alignment with program goals.

The application process may take up to two hours. To prevent data loss, applicants are encouraged to draft responses in a Word document before submitting. Applications can be completed in the language most comfortable to each applicant.

Events

CT BILT: ConnStruct Infrastructure Summit 2024

Date: November 15 · 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Location: Hartford Marriott Downtown

200 Columbus Boulevard Hartford, CT 06103

Welcome to ConnStruct (2) Infrastructure Summit 2024! Taking place at the Hartford Marriott Downtown, this sequel to last year's inaugural event builds on the vision for #CT2035 introduced in 2023. This year’s focus is on how Connecticut's future is being shaped today, with highlights of ongoing projects and insights into the benefits communities across the state are gaining from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act. The summit will bring together state leaders, experts, professionals, and enthusiasts to explore the latest trends and technologies in infrastructure. Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to connect and collaborate. See you there!

CT Looks to Ramp up Resilience Measures in the

Face of Climate Change

CT Public Radio - October 4, 2024

Connecticut is working to help towns and cities become more resilient to the impacts of climate change, in the wake of more intense and frequent extreme weather.

This summer in Connecticut started out with extreme heat in June and July. Then in August, unexpected heavy rainfall flooded southeast Connecticut, killing three people. Roads, bridges, homes and businesses were washed out, causing hundreds of millions of dollars in damages and leading to a federal disaster declaration.

What Would It Look like if a Storm Like Hurricane Milton Hit Connecticut?

The Register Citizen - October 9, 2024

Described as the “storm of a century,” meteorologists say Hurricane Milton could cause 15 feet of storm surge in Florida. The National Hurricane Center said Milton “has the potential to be one of the most destructive hurricanes on record for west-central Florida." “We could certainly experience something like that here if a CAT 3 hurricane came close,” said James O’Donnell, executive director of the Connecticut Institute for Resilience and Climate Adaptation, called CIRCA.In fact, it’s happened before. In 1938, the category 3 storm known as the “great New England hurricane,” brought storm surge of between 8 and 12 feet along the entirety of the Connecticut coast. When hurricane Carol hit in 1954, there was storm surge above 12 feet. Though not quite as intense, there were significant storm surges during hurricanes Bob in 1991 and Sandy in 2012.

How Connecticut Is Preparing for Future Storms, According to the State’s Top Environment Official

CT Mirror - October 10, 2024

The destructive August flooding in Connecticut is just the latest in a string of severe weather events statewide in recent years brought on by climate change. Among the state’s key leaders addressing these challenges is Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) Commissioner Katie Dykes, who has spearheaded numerous efforts to build climate resilience statewide.

Dykes emphasized that every Connecticut town faces unique vulnerabilities, and the solutions must be tailored to their specific risks.

Where Climate Change Poses the Most and Least Risk to

American Homeowners

Washington Post - October 15, 2024

When Angela and Donald Brudos retired to a home by the Gulf in 2017, they felt safe from flooding. However, climate change was already reshaping the housing market, as flood risks began eroding waterfront property values, even as safer areas saw prices rise. Cape Coral, where they live, highlights a growing trend: climate-driven repricing affecting property values in vulnerable areas nationwide.

America’s Flooding Problem

New York Times - October 22, 2024

America has a flooding problem. When Hurricane Milton hit Florida, the images of inundation seemed shocking — but also weirdly normal: For what felt like the umpteenth time this year, entire communities were underwater. Since the 1990s, the cost of flood damage has roughly doubled each decade, according to one estimate. The federal government issued two disaster declarations for floods in 2000. So far this year, it has issued 66.