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DEC updates MS4 3‑Acre adoption grant formula; committee asks for scoring and deliverable details
Summary
At its May 5 meeting, the Chittenden County MS4 Subcommittee heard a DEC presentation on a simplified funding formula for the MS4 3‑Acre Adoption Grant Program; committee members requested clarification on scoring, historic adoption credit, cost effectiveness and timelines.
The Chittenden County Regional Planning Commissions MS4 Subcommittee on May 5 reviewed updates to the Department of Environmental Conservation(DEC) MS4 3‑Acre Adoption Grant Program, including a simplified funding formula intended to incentivize future adoptions and recognize past adoption.
DEC representative Mary Perlchik presented the changes and showed hypothetical town adoption examples to illustrate the revised math. "The funding formula has been significantly simplified and reduces reliance on data points that may be shifting," Perlchik said, describing the programupdates since a prior presentation in January.
Why it matters: the grant formula determines how limited state funds are allocated to municipalities and other MS4 communities for stormwater measures that reduce phosphorus loading to Lake Champlain. Committee members pressed for details that could affect which towns qualify and how much funding they would receive.
Committee members asked specific questions about how scoring will account for historic adoptions, how the program will measure cost effectiveness, timelines for implementation and expected deliverables. Dan Albrecht of CCRPC reviewed the prior minutes and framed the questions for staff follow-up; there was no vote on the grant program at this meeting.
Members and DEC staff emphasized the need for clarity about the evidence base and metrics the program will use. Perlchik said the presentation incorporated feedback from the January session and outlined next steps for finalizing the program design.
Procedural note: the committee approved the April 7, 2026 minutes during the meeting. Lisa Cicchetti moved to approve the minutes as drafted; Brett McCreary seconded. The motion carried unanimously (vote tally not specified in the minutes).
Next steps: DEC will continue refining the program design and follow up with the subcommittee on scoring details and deliverable expectations. The subcommittee is scheduled to meet next on June 2 in person at the CCRPC offices.
