State confirms $2M flood resilience grants; Fond du Lac, Oneida Nation, Lebanon included

Water fills a street in Green Bay on September 11, 2019. PC: Fox 11 Online

(WTAQ-WLUK) — Three communities in Northeast Wisconsin are getting state grants to improve flood resilience.

Gov. Tony Evers and the Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs (DMA) announced $2 million in grants to local communities and organizations through the Pre-Disaster Flood Resilience Grant (PDFRG) program. The PDFRG program, which was created by Gov. Evers in 2024 and is administered by Wisconsin Emergency Management (WEM), aims to help communities in flood-prone areas identify flood vulnerabilities, such as erosion hazards, road and culvert washouts, and incised stream channels.

In addition, the program also works to implement prevention strategies and solutions, such as reconnecting streams and floodplains, mitigating erosion hazards, restoring or improving natural flow and movement of water or sediment, reestablishing area foliage and plant life, and more, to help naturally manage flooding before disaster strikes.

Flooding is one of the most frequently occurring natural disasters across Wisconsin and the United States, affecting a number of Wisconsin municipalities and increasing damage costs to public and private property. Research suggests that as little as one inch of water in a home or business can cause tens of thousands of dollars of damage.

Among the 15 communities receiving money are the city of Fond du Lac, Oneida Nation and the town of Lebanon in Dodge County.

• Fond du Lac will receive $123,750 for an assessment grant to study water flow and hydraulic structure, as well as to analyze flood mitigation alternatives.
• Oneida Nation will use its $300,000 for an assessment grant to create a culvert inventory, as well as studying water flow and hydraulic structure.
• And the town of Lebanon will use $18,225 for an assessment grant to determine why Rock River flood flows have been increasing over historic levels and evaluate alternatives for mitigation.

Other municipalities are:

• City of Madison – $250,000
• City of Stevens Point – $225,000
• City of Watertown – $133,575
• Jefferson County – $45,000
• Milwaukee County Parks – $75,959.87
• Ozaukee County – $250,000
• Pepin County – $60,000
• Vernon County – $63,156.13
• Washington County – $75,000
• Town of Marengo (Ashland County) – $178,584
• Town of Oakland (Douglas County) – $45,000
• Village of Bristol – $156,750