Agriculture Annual Plan of Work PY 2011

Ultimate Goal: Maximize BMP Implementation & Support Economic Viability

  1. Promote and implement the existing cost share program.
    (Committee Chair & District Mgr.) – High Priority
  2. Develop new cost share practices:
    • Seek grant funds, apply for a minimum of 2 grants or until funded. (District Mgr.)  High Priority
    • Partner with VA Tech, NRCS, DCR and producers
    • Promote field research and demonstration projects
  3. Pursue creation of producer group(s) interested in innovative BMPs and advancement of soil quality similar to no-till alliance “VANTAGE”.
    •  (Ag. Committee Chair) Medium Priority.
  4. Support efforts to remove water quality impairments and reduce TMDL pollution allocations.  Pursue environmental credit alternatives where feasible.
  5. Develop policy to allow consistent and effective involvement with jurisdiction and Chesapeake Bay Ordinance.
    1. Work with locality staff and develop draft MOU (Ag. Committee, District Mgr.) – Medium Priority

Identified Partners:
NRCS, VA Tech and Producers

Responsible Committee Members: 

  1. Agriculture Committee Chairperson
  2. Committee Members as determined by Committee Chair

Responsible Staff: 

  1. All Colonial Soil & Water Conservation District Staff

Funding Strategies: 

  1. Federal and State Funding Sources
  2. Locality Based Funding Sources
  3. Private Funding Sources

Desired Outcome:  

Maintain habitat diversity and connectivity through increased education and communication regarding sound practices that highlight the benefits of watershed management, Best Management Practices, ultimately leading to better water quality, viable agriculture and the conservation of the environment for future generations. 

Education Annual Plan of Work PY 2011

Ultimate Goal: Utilize Efficient Activities that allow for Effective Actions thatImproves Water Quality

  1. Promote Envirothon, create and distribute educational material, secure financial sponsorships.  (Education Committee Chair, jurisdictional Directors, District Mgr.) High Priority
  2. Secure sponsorships for  state scholarships and youth conservation and forestry camps (Education Committee Chair, jurisdictional Directors, District Mgr.) Medium Priority
  3. Advance and support approved Teacher certification programs (Education Committee Chair, District Mgr.) Medium Priority
  4. Continue to support in school activities with emphasis on hands on activities.  Low Priority
  5. Develop youth education section on website that offers interactive links and teacher survey (District Mgr.) Medium Priority

 

Identified Partners:   Teachers, Students, Parents, Retired Educators, Volunteers

Responsible Committee Members: 

  1. Education Committee Chairperson
  2. Committee Members as determined by Committee Chair

Responsible Staff: 

  1. 1. All Colonial Soil and Water Conservation District Staff

Funding Strategy: 

  1. Schools
  2. Federal and State Funding Sources
  3. Private Funding Sources

Desired Outcome:  

Provide strong educational programs that encourage ongoing positive environmental behavior for current and future generations. 

 

Urban Annual Plan of Work PY 2011

Goal: Maximize BMP Implementation through Incentive Based Programs

Local & State Objectives 1: 

  1. Pursue and solicit sufficient funding from federal, state, local and private organizations to sustain and expand the CCP.  High Priority
    • Write and submit grant proposal(s) until funded (RFP cycle dependant).
      (Minimum of 2 proposals, RFPs which offer $200,000.00 and up.
    • Secure partnerships in support of grant proposals.  Meet with local partners (Urban Chair and locality specific Directors).
  2. Extend CCP to all 5 localities over current life of the Strategic Plan.  Medium Priority
    • Solicit partners within jurisdictions.
    • Meet with localities (Urban Chair and locality specific Directors).
  3. Encourage VDOT, in partnership, with localities to allow the installation of stormwater infiltration/filtration practices.  Low Priority
  4. Utilize the Community Conservation Partnership approach to foster public ownership and informed involvement in water quality initiatives.  High Priority
    1. Utilize CSWCD equipment program to offer match for BMP implementation.  (District Mgr.)
    2. Solicit contracts and grant participation from partners.
  5. Form partnerships with stakeholders to investigate infrastructures that offer the ability to manage stormwater in a manner that can address multiple liabilities.  Medium Priority
    1. Utilize CSWCD equipment program to offer match for BMP implementation.  (District Mgr.)
    2. Solicit contracts and grant participation from partners.  (District Mgr.)
  6. Advance cost effective methods to treat stormwater, such as improving soil quality and establishment of alternative vegetation.  Secure funding for research based initiatives to quantify BMP performance and restore biological balance in ponds/lakes.  Medium Priority
  7. Implement systems that utilize effluent through irrigation alternatives as a BMP to improve water quality (redistribute stormwater, via pump and irrigation, in order to treat nutrient discharge and/or address problems such as drainage and flooding).  Low Priority
    1. Execute irrigation demonstration on one site.  (District Mgr.)
  8. Facilitate recognition of urban BMP implementation through various media exposure.  (Urban Committee Chair)  Medium Priority 

The Urban Program Strategic Plan objectives can be better served through a CSWCD equipment program.  The proposed equipment program will allow for the following advantages:

  1. The demonstration of new and innovative practices.
  2. Provide staff better tools to more effectively foster change in the field.
  3. Provides financial opportunities for clients and local business otherwise not available (installation cost & markets).
  4. Opportunities to more effectively target land management stakeholders.
  5. Educate consumers and providers of services.
  6. Increased exposure of services & mission.
  7. Provide valued services for jurisdiction.

From a financial investment standpoint the proposed CSWCD equipment program provides the following:

  1. Installation of tangible water quality treatment in the urban/suburban environment.
  2. Utilize equipment as leverage to secure future funding/partnerships.
  3. Investment in assets that retain value.
  4. Investment of dollars with effective/efficient return.
  5. Stretch BMP implementation funds by a multiple of four.

Identified Partners:  Homeowner Associations, Water Quality Advocate Groups, Private Business Groups, Local Government.

Responsible Committee Members:

  1. Urban Committee Chairperson
  2. Jurisdictional District Board Members
  3. Committee Members as determined by Committee Chair

Responsible Staff Person:

  1. District Mgr.

Recommended Funding Sources:

  1. Federal and State Funding Resources
  2. Locality Funding Resources
  3. Private Resources

Desired Outcome:

Work in partnership with urban/suburban landowners, and state and local officials to promote the protection, preservation, and management of the environment through public and private Best Management Practices by offering available CSWCD resources and the facilitation of cost share programs.

Proposed CSWCD Equipment Program

The CSWCD Urban Committee recommends that equipment be utilized in the implementation of stormwater BMPs. Imminent mandates will increasingly drive stormwater permit requirements. Current mandates articulate a need for additional BMP implementation in the Chesapeake Bay watershed(s). It is widely recognized that conventional stormwater infrastructure provides inadequate treatment. Treatment in the headwater areas is critical to meeting effluent standards. Adequate controls for the protection of more costly structural practices are seldom utilized. Current regulations require landowners to maintain functional systems and adherence of water quality standards. Little emphasis has been put on cost effective alternatives or comprehensive treatment systems implemented in urban watersheds.
The CSWCD has learned through the Community Conservation Partnership that it is difficult to facilitate BMP implementation via the conventional homeowner association and contractor agreements. It has been observed that cost effective application of BMPs is paramount to homeowner associations, localities and other urban clientele. 

The Urban Program Strategic Plan objectives can be better served through a CSWCD equipment program. The proposed equipment program will allow for the following advantages:

  • The demonstration of new and innovative practices.
  • Provide staff better tools to more effectively foster change in the field.
  • Provides financial opportunities for clients and local business otherwise not available (installation cost & markets).
  • Opportunities to more effectively target land management stakeholders.
  • Educate consumers and providers of services.
  • Increased exposure of services & mission.
  • Provide valued services for jurisdictions.

From a financial investment standpoint the proposed CSWCD equipment program provides the following:

  • Installation of tangible water quality treatment in the urban/suburban environment.
  • Utilize equipment as leverage to secure future funding/partnerships.
  • Investment in assets that retain value.
  • Investment of $ with effective / efficient return
  • Stretch BMP implementation funds by a multiple of 4.

For these reasons and others the CSWCD Urban Committee and Board recommends that further investigation is pursued to obtain additional information regarding the proposed CSWCD equipment program. It is further recommended that a sum of up to $17,000.00 be included in the draft budget for FY 2010. The CSWCD Urban Committee will provide a detailed recommendation at the June, 2009 Board of Directors business meeting after alternatives have been further researched. 

Proposed CCP Demonstrations in York County

Implement urban BMP (s) in cooperation with Homeowner Associations in York County through CCP protocol. Demonstrate incentive based program that offers cost share, technical assistance, cooperation and community ownership. 

  • Carry over funds ($2,000.00) from FY 2009 for ongoing initiatives associated with Queens Lake Homeowners Association (Urban Chair, YC Directors & District Manager – provide recommendation for BMP cost share before – 11/24/2009)
  • Provide $2,000.00 cost share fund in FY 2010 budget for BMP demonstration in cooperation with York County homeowners association(s). (Urban Chair, YC Directors & District Manager – provide recommendation for BMP cost share before – 6/30/2010)

Funding request for FY 2010 = $4,000.00