Vermont Town Appeals FEMA Rejection of Flood Wall Fix

The Vermont town of Bennington has filed an appeal over the federal government’s rejection of reimbursement funds for the town’s work on a flood wall after Tropical Storm Irene.

The August 2011 storm caused serious damage to a levee between North Branch and Park Streets that had been built by the Army Corps of Engineers. The Bennington Banner reports the town, fearing that a failure to act could result in flooding, completed repair work that cost $214,000.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency rejected the town’s request for reimbursement on the grounds that the work was the responsibility of the corps. The town said the corps was unable to respond quickly.