The 2025 Municipal Grants Program, administered by the Upper Missisquoi and Trout Rivers (UMATR) Wild & Scenic Committee, offers financial assistance to municipalities along the Upper Missisquoi and Trout Rivers in Vermont. Eligible towns include Westfield, Troy, North Troy, Richford, Berkshire, Enosburgh, Enosburg Falls, and Montgomery. The program aims to support projects that improve water quality and protect the designated Wild & Scenic Rivers and their unique resources, such as scenic, recreational, historic, and natural assets.

Grants of up to $10,000 are available for projects that address river and water quality improvements, including roadway and infrastructure enhancements. To qualify, applicants must complete a detailed application, including a project map, budget (with a 10% match), timeline, and latitude/longitude coordinates of the project site. Extra points will be awarded for submitting "before" photos with the application, which are also required in the final report. Applications are due by November 1, 2024, with projects needing completion by September 30, 2025.

The selection process considers how well proposals meet the grant criteria, and funding decisions will be announced by early December 2024. Grant funds will be disbursed in two installments: 50% upfront and the remainder upon project completion and submission of a final report. The UMATR Committee may request that applicants present their projects at a monthly meeting for further clarification.

Restrictions on funding use include prohibitions against federally mandated activities, mitigation for enforcement actions, entertainment, and lobbying. All project materials and equipment must be free of invasive species, and UMATR funds cannot be used as matching funds for other federal grants. For assistance or additional information, applicants can contact the UMATR Committee directly.