Trump cuts own first term funding for Massachusetts disaster prevention

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — The Trump administration announced it’s cutting a program that gives $90 million in disaster prevention funds to Massachusetts.

FEMA is calling the grants, which were first started and passed during the first Trump administration, “wasteful and ineffective.”

The “Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities” grant program provides disaster prevention aid, specifically to mitigate flood risk, to municipalities across the commonwealth.

The action cuts funding for 18 cities and towns overall including $195,000 for Taunton’s Cobb Brook Culvert Study Project and more than $124,000 for Brockton’s Keith Field Culvert project scoping.

Both projects aim to control stormwater flows and prevent floods.

Additionally, over $1 million will be cut from the Mass Emergency Management Agency and the Mass Department of Conservation and Recreation.

Governor Maura Healey responded to the cuts writing in part, “In recent years, Massachusetts communities have been devastated by severe storms, flooding and wildfires. We rely on FEMA funding to not only rebuild but also take steps to protect against future extreme weather.”