$20 million awarded for vulnerability assessments, project planning

FLORIDA — Nearly $20 million in Resilient Florida Program Planning Grants have been awarded to support the development or updating of comprehensive vulnerability assessments in inland and coastal communities throughout the state.

A total of 98 projects are receiving funding in the current fiscal year, including projects in Bay, Santa Rosa, and Escambia counties in Northwest Florida.

Vulnerability assessments are required to assess and identify critical infrastructure at risk of flooding from sea level rise, storm surge and rainfall events.

The assessments assist local communities in prioritizing and developing implementation strategies and projects designed to reduce, alleviate or mitigate the effects of flooding, according to the Department of Environmental Protection.

“These planning grants will provide critical information to better enhance and protect critical infrastructure from the impacts of sea level rise, flooding and storm events, ensuring the safety and resilience of Florida communities,” said Shawn Hamilton, Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection.

The list of projects awarded can be found here.

“Living and leading in a state that’s surrounded by water comes with the great responsibility of protecting our communities from the risk of flooding and sea level rise,” said House Speaker Chris Sprowls.

The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has opened the application portal for Resilient Florida Planning Grants for Fiscal Year 2022-23. The application portal can be found here.