Five months after the fact, there are still a number of Vermonters who have not been able to return to their homes because of the devastation wrought by Tropical Storm Irene. So what route is open to them for replacing their homes or receiving funds to pay off a residence that will never be habitable again?
Ray Doherty of Vermont Emergency Management and Vermont Long Term Disaster Recovery board member Chris Graff outline funding that is available for Hazard Mitigation and Peg Elmer of the Vermont Law School discusses the important role flood insurance has played in helping her rebuild her home post-Irene. And Nancy Cohen provides insight into what she’s observed while reporting for VPR’s Displaced by Irene series.
Also on the program, there is an asbestos controversy raging in Canada. While mine operators look for secured loans from the Canadian government, detractors have taken issue with exports of the mineral to Third World countries. Montreal Gazette Reporter Michelle Lalonde provides an update.