Eagle Times Staff
BERLIN, VT — Gov. Phil Scott recently signed an addendum to Emergency Declaration Executive Order 03-23 that temporarily suspends all state and local regulations prohibiting or substantially delaying temporary emergency housing for Vermont flood victims.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency is still required to follow federal regulations and environmental reviews, but this executive action removes duplicative state and local reviews.
“As FEMA works to provide direct housing assistance for flood victims in group housing sites, it is essential they are not delayed by state and local regulations,” said Gov. Scott. “This action will allow the project to move forward quickly to establish the temporary mobile housing site in Montpelier that FEMA has been closely coordinating with the state and city of Montpelier.”
In addition, the Order directs that state law, rules and permitting suspended in accordance with the Order shall not be enforced retroactively by state permitting and regulatory bodies.
“The city has appreciated working in partnership with the state and FEMA to provide necessary emergency housing while also setting the stage for a much larger housing initiative at the Country Club Road site,” said Mayor Jack McCullough.
The full addendum can be viewed at inyurl.com/nw44me6e.
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