Vermont's Agency of Natural Resources is helping cities and towns control stormwater runoff.
Environmental Conservation Commissioner David Mears says the state will invest federal money to help communities.
He said in Northfield, for example, officials are considering a proposed biomass plant and a plan to treat resulting wastewater. In Isle La Motte, officials are seeking money for engineering services that might improve stormwater runoff.
Mears told Vermont Public Radio the U.S. Forest Service has given Vermont a $250,000 grant to provide technical assistance to towns to help with prevention, rather than cleanup.
Mears said one simple example in a Montpelier parking lot is swales planted with trees, flowers and shrubs, which absorb and filter runoff.
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