More grant funding awarded after major summer storms
Nearly $500,000 sent to storm affected communities in Wisconsin to assist in tree-related damage
MADISON, Wis. -- In a sign of the continuing impact from the July storms that will be felt for some time, some 15 Wisconsin communities will receive additional grant funding to help address damage to urban canopies.
The Wisconsin Legislature’s Joint Committee on Finance approved requests in full, including almost $500,000 in funds that supplement the Urban Forestry’s Catastrophic Storm Grant offering, according to a news release. Although each applicant was able to request up to $50,000, grants were limited to awards from $4,000 to $8,428.19 because of the “unprecedented” number of applications.
The late July storms brought at least 16 tornadoes and significant damage to buildings and homes, and downed many trees. The DNR requested the funds from the emergency forestry reserve, a fund established to provide emergency responses to significant fire, disease, infestation, or other natural disasters that could not otherwise be reimbursed by federal funds.
This is one of several grant-funding programs that have been awarded as part of the cleanup related to last summer’s storms.