The State Department of Energy and Environmental Protection launched the Climate Resilience Fund in 2022 to create a pipeline of shovel-ready projects eligible for federal implementation grants. NVCOG worked with our municipalities to prioritize sites at risk of flooding that had been previously identified in the Multijurisdictional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan. The grant was awarded in 2023. The project is now complete, as of October 2025.
The resulting project area includes nine culverts or drainage sites, four of which fall into disadvantaged/EJ census tracts, spanning our region. NVCOG staff has hired Luchs Engineering to study these areas, design preliminary solutions, and identify federal funding sources for implementation.
Final Deliverables
Luchs provided three final deliverables (30% preliminary design report, 30% preliminary design set, and draft grant narrative).
The deliverables include:
- Surveys, construction estimates, and funding strategies.
- Green Infrastructure: infiltration, detention, and low-impact development (LID).
- Right-sizing culverts (Stream Smart principles): prevent flooding, improve habitat connectivity.
Project Area by Municipality
Click each link below to view the project area and final deliverables.
- Ansonia
- Middlebury
- Naugatuck
- Oxford
- Seymour
- Shelton
- Thomaston
- Waterbury
- Wolcott
Flooding Challenges in the NVCOG Region
Per the NVCOG Multijurisdictional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan 2021-2026 (January 2022), “Flooding is the most common natural hazard encountered in the NVCOG region” and “All 19 municipalities in the region are impacted by floods on a regular basis.” Climate change has amplified these issues. With heavy, localized flash flooding becoming a recurrent problem in the region, millions of dollars in damages have resulted due to outdated culverts and drainage systems. The region’s infrastructure faces challenges in matching current and future climate realities.
CT DEEP’s Climate Resilience Fund
This grant from CT DEEP’s Climate Resilience Fund is intended to advance critical flood mitigation projects that have been (1) identified in previous planning processes across the NVCOG region and (2) prioritized by municipal officials. It involves the study and development of initial designs providing important information that will support successful future grant applications for implementation.
The nine projects fall within the municipalities of Ansonia, Middlebury, Naugatuck, Oxford, Seymour, Shelton, Thomaston, Waterbury, and Wolcott.
To the extent that local conditions will allow for the implementation of these projects using green infrastructure techniques, they can have a larger impact downstream by, for instance, reducing peak storm flows through stormwater infiltration or retention/detention. Replacing culverts with fish- or wildlife- friendly conveyances can help make those populations more resilient to future change by creating a refuge from heat or other conditions.
Deliverables
NVCOG has partnered with consultant Luchs to develop reports and draw up preliminary designs for each of the nine projects, while Save the Sound will advise of aquatic organism passage. Luchs will also identify appropriate funding sources for implementation and draft grant applications.
Public Involvement Process
Our first round of hybrid public meetings took place December 2024. A final round of public meetings took place in September 2025 to share the results.
Public Meetings
- Ansonia (Prindle Ave, Doyle Dr, Benz St) and Shelton Oak Ave, Congress St, Union St, Center St)
- Public Meeting #1: December 10, 2024 | 6 PM | Shelton City Hall | Hybrid Meeting | Flyer | Presentation Slides | Live Recording
- Public Meeting #2: September 9, 2025 | 6 PM | Shelton City Hall | Hybrid Meeting | Flyer | Live Recording
- Middlebury (Cemetery Rd, Artillery Rd), Thomaston (Cables Ln crossing S. Main St, McMahon Dr), Waterbury (North Walnut St, Delford Rd, Rhode Island Ave, Ohio Ave, Connecticut Ave) and Wolcott (Ransom Hall Rd near Woodtick Rd intersection
- Public Meeting #1: December 11, 2024 | 6 PM | NVCOG Office | Hybrid Meeting | Flyer | Presentation Slides | Live Recording
- Public Meeting #2: September 10, 2025 | 6 PM | NVCOG Office | Hybrid Meeting | Flyer | Live Recording
- Naugatuck (Highland Ave, Aetna St, Lynn St, Goodyear Ave, Millville Ave), Oxford (Fire Station/Kirk’s Pond), and Seymour (Mountain Road at Brooks St intersection)
- Public Meeting #1: December 12, 2024 | 6 PM | Oxford Town Hall | Hybrid Meeting | Flyer | Presentation Slides | Live Recording
- Public Meeting #2: September 11, 2025 | 6 PM | Oxford Town Hall | Hybrid Meeting | Flyer | Live Recording
Presentation Slides
The slides posted here were presented at public meetings on September 9, 10, and 11 to share proposed improvement concepts with the public. These plans are preliminary and will undergo municipal staff review before being finalized.
Stay Updated on Social Media
In addition to this website, NVCOG staff will keep you up-to-date regarding the project’s status and progress on NVCOG’s social media platforms, which include Instagram, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and LinkedIn.
Our Partners
These dedicated partners stand alongside NVCOG in the mission to enhance climate resilience and sustainability in the region.
- Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection – grantor
- Luchs – engineering consultant
- Save the Sound – community outreach, ecological assessments
Support Materials
These materials equip municipal staff with essential tools and guidance on the Regional Flood Resilience Project. It provides templates, examples, and resources.
Related Resources
Explore these valuable resources to gain insights into climate resilience efforts and projects.
Staff Contact
Craig Stevenson
Project Manager
cstevenson@nvcogct.gov