Lunch & Learn: Finding Funding for Culvert Right-Sizing

A screenshot from the Lunch & Learn with Town of Ancram Supervisor Colleen Lutz.

Undersized culverts are a major contributor to flood risk, and can have negative impacts to fish, wildlife, and public safety. At this Lunch & Learn webinar on 3/11/26, we heard from two Flood Resilience Network Members with experience applying for funding to implement culvert replacements in their communities.

Mayor Nathan Michell from the Village of Piermont shared Piermont’s experience applying to FEMA for funding to replace undersized culverts. Colleen Lutz, Town Supervisor from the Town of Ancram, described her town’s work to right-size culverts with funding from the NYS DEC Hudson River Estuary Program and NEIWPCC.

The Lunch & Learn program included time for Q&A, discussion, and community updates. 

This program is sponsored by the Hudson River Estuary Program, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, with support from the New York State Water Resources Institute at Cornell University.

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The Hudson Valley Flood Resilience Network connects local governments committed to taking actionable steps to manage current and future flood risks. The Flood Resilience Network is co-facilitated by New York Sea Grant and the Hudson River Watershed Alliance.

Hudson Valley Flood Resilience Network programs and trainings are open to Members and Partners. Members are representatives from municipal and county governments in the Hudson River estuary watershed. This includes elected and appointed officials, staff, and volunteers. Partners are staff from agencies, regional organizations, or private-sector consulting firms working in the Hudson River estuary watershed that support Members’ flood resilience goals.

To join the Network and gain access to upcoming programs, visit https://www.hvfloodresiliencenetwork.org/join and complete the Member or Partner form based on your role. The Network is free to join.