Disaster aid for rural areas was expected to bring millions. Trump decides to halt the funding
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Local governements across the nation are hit hard as the Trump administration pulls the plug on funding for vital infrastructure projects. The cancellations of grants meant to safeguard communities from worsening disasters now leave many communities in a lurch. Lauren Sommer from NPR's climate desk explains.
The Stakes Are HighIn the small rural town of DePue, Illinois, President Daniel Hoffert stresses over upcoming heavy rains.Overflowing sewage from heavy rain could flood their treatment plant, causing a major mess. In the past, the plant would shut down due to this very issue, causing sewage backup in pipes and even spilling into home basements. Hoffert estimates around 125 homes suffered some flooding, not all of it sewage.
The issue lies in the plant's location in a low-lying area. A new one would cost about $25 million, a sum out of reach for DePue and similar small communities.
The Funding SwitcherooHoffert applied for a federal grant program run by FEMA known as BRIC – Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities. After years of effort, DePue heard the money was on its way. That was until earlier this month, when the Trump administration scrapped the grant program, including grants like DePue's. These grants hadn't been paid out yet.
In a statement, FEMA explains the cancellation as a move to root out waste and fraud. However, Hoffert disagrees.
A Costly DecisionDePue is just one of hundreds of local governments feeling the sting of FEMA funding cuts. Kristin Smith, a disaster funding researcher at Headwaters Economics, suggests that these projects are crucial in dealing with worsening natural disasters. From hurricanes to tornadoes to floods, these projects protect lives, property, and limit long-term costs.
BRIC also marked a significant shift for FEMA, moving from reactive disaster relief to proactive measures. By paying a little now, communities can avoid the expense of dealing with disasters later. The impact is most apparent in small rural communities, where federal funds are essential to disaster resilience initiatives.
Prepping for the WorstIn Kamiah, Idaho, deputy city clerk Mike Tornatore has spent years preparing for wildfires. With the town's aging buildings, it is ripe for a fire to sweep through, causing extensive damage. Kamiah intended to set up a local grant program to help homeowners make homes fire-resistant, covering tasks like roof replacement and debris removal.
However, with the cancellation of BRIC and other grants, these projects become much harder to fund. With limited resources and state funds falling short, the future looks uncertain for disaster resilience initiatives. Nevertheless, as Tornatore notes, the risk of disasters is too great for inaction.
Lauren Sommer, NPR News.
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The cancellations of federal disaster mitigation grants, particularly FEMA's termination of the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program, impact hundreds of local governements, notably rural areas. The BRIC program got the bulk of its $1.58 billion budget to support climate-adaptive infrastructure projects like wildfire mitigation, flood barriers, and tornado-resistant infrastructure.
During the cancellation, FEMA rescinded $880 million in previously awarded but unspent BRIC funds and $750 million in FY2025 grant allocations. Smaller rural communities, relying heavily on federal grants, will find it difficult to resurrect stranded projects. Additionally, the cancellation moves focus towards reactive disaster relief instead of proactive measures, potentially increasing long-term vulnerability.
Other recent DOJ grant terminations compound the issue. FEMA's move mirrors the broader skepticism of climate-focused programs within the Trump administration. The potential dissolution of FEMA by DHS Secretary Noem further highlights the focus shift away from disaster prevention.
- Numerous local governments across the nation are facing difficulties due to the Trump administration's withdrawal of funding for essential infrastructure projects, specifically the cancellations of grants designed to safeguard communities from worsening disasters.
- In light of this funding switcheroo, many communities find themselves in a precarious position, struggling to protect themselves from natural disasters like heavy rains and flooding.
- For instance, President Daniel Hoffert of DePue, Illinois, is worried about the impending heavy rains, as an overflowing sewage from heavy rain could flood their treatment plant, potentially causing damage to homes within the community.
- The grant program run by FEMA known as BRIC – Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities – aimed to provide funds to support climate-adaptive infrastructure projects and protect communities from such disasters.
- In an unfortunate turn of events, the Trump administration recently scrapped the grant program, including grants like DePue's, potentially leaving hundreds of local governments vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and environmental-science challenges.
- Critics argue that the cancellation of such grants could lead to long-term costs, as these proactive measures are crucial in dealing with worsening natural disasters, such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods.
- The future of disaster resilience initiatives in rural communities may be uncertain, as the received wisdom of climate-change science shows the need for policy-and-legislation focusing on environmental-science and the development of climate-adaptive infrastructure to be more crucial than ever.
