NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Trump administration's cut $90 million in disaster prevention aid for the state including $144,000 for a culvert project on Galvin Road.

 

The Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities grant program was providing funding to 18 communities, the Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission, the state Department of Conservation and Recreation, and the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency. 

 

Engineering for the Galvin Road culvert was one of only two Berkshire projects being funded. The other was $81,720 to Hinsdale to power a public safety building.

 

The two largest disbursements were $50 million to Chelsea and Everett for flood resilience that was approved during Trump's first term, and $12 million to DCR for a waterfront project in Boston. 

 

Many of these endeavors have been years in the making and the funding through the Federal Emergency Management Agency has already been appropriated. 

 

The governor's office said cities and towns have moved forward with expensive permitting applications and engineering and design plans because of FEMA's identification of their project as a future recipient of federal BRIC funds. 

"In recent years, Massachusetts communities have been devastated by severe storms, flooding and wildfires. We rely on FEMA funding to not only rebuild but also take steps to protect against future extreme weather," said Gov. Maura Healey.

"But the Trump administration has suddenly ripped the rug out from under cities and towns that had been promised funding to help them upgrade their roads, bridges, buildings and green spaces to mitigate risk and prevent disasters in the future. This makes our communities less safe and will increase costs for residents, municipalities and businesses."

U.S. Rep. Richard Neal noted the difficult flooding and wildfires the state has had to deal and said the funds would have provided assistance to at-risk communities. 

"The BRIC program was established by Congress in 2018, during the first Trump administration, to reduce the hazard risk of communities confronting natural disasters," said the congressman.

 

"Seven years ago, this program was hailed as a critical tool for local municipalities during their time of need. Now, it is being described as a 'wasteful, politicized grant program.' This is yet another example of the chaotic decision-making that has been a hallmark of this administration, in addition to their continued blatant disregard for the congressional spending power under Article I of the Constitution. ...

 

"Now, these municipalities will have to account for the difference, leading to increased costs for residents and businesses — a common theme for this administration."