Area I Quarterly ReportLinda Campbell, Area I Chair

March 16, 2018

HEADWATERS SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT

Technical Staff

Staff has been working hard to get the DuPont Mercury Settlement projects up and running, and continuing to take applications for 2018 VACS projects. BMP verifications are being done as time allows.

Headwaters and Shenandoah Valley represented the districts at the Virginia Farm Show in the Augusta County Expo Center, January 16-18th.

Education

Headwaters is planning a field day activity for the Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind. Our plan to develop a 3-D Soils Trailer is part of future interaction we look forward to with VSDB. The district met with Augusta County Science Curriculum advisors, and they are excited about the trailer bringing hands-on SOL aligned soils activities to area schools.

We are reviewing applications to submit our candidate to compete for one of the VASWCD scholarships. Our Education Committee has created a scholarship fund locally this year. We look forward to awarding a scholarship to a student from our district each year in the future.

We coordinated an Envirothon training day for our participating teams and coaches on March 3rd. We visited a sheep farm and a beef farm, observing BMPs in place on each farm. The students are preparing for the Special Topic this year: Pastureland Management.

Flood Control Dams

Headwaters staff has begun fall maintenance on both South and North River dams. Work includes clearing brush and trees, cleaning around outlet pipes and checking IFLOW systems. Headwaters is scheduled to conduct annual dam inspections on March 26-28.

Hearthstone Rehab-

Geotechnical investigations were completed October 2017, after further analysis it has been determined Hearthstone will need a Filtered Toe Drain replacement instead of the original proposed full height Chimney Drain. The project has been pushed back for re-evaluation. Staff has been working with partner agencies to determine how to proceed with repairs while minimizing impacts downstream. Construction will begin late fall 2018.

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Area I Quarterly ReportLinda Campbell, Area I Chair

March 16, 2018

LORD FAIRFAX SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT

Technical Updates:

LFSWCD had four projects chosen for funding from the DuPont Settlement Fund. These include 3 SL-6s in Warren County and an SL-9 in Clarke Co. We also accepted cost share funds from other SWCDs to fully fund our remaining SL-6 backlog. PY2018 has been run as a tax-credit only program which has depressed sign up, especially for large structural practices. With the funding of the backlog we are looking forward to being able to offer a complete cost-share program in PY2019, and interest is high from all parts of the district and for many types of practices. Staff have also put considerable effort into reaching out to participants and checking practices as part of the BMP Verification Grant efforts. The VCAP program continues to draw strong interest, despite the current funding shortfall, with staff still being requested for 4-5 VCAP related field visits per month. The district’s urban agriculture program and community garden project kicked off with a ground un-breaking ceremony. Sheet mulching, wetted newspaper and cardboard layers with straw mulch on top, was laid down to kill the turf and prepare the area for planting this spring, instead of tilling the garden area. The district, along with community garden partners, started an urban agriculture workshop series. Workshop topics presented so far include: Garden Planning, Raised Bed Gardening and Seed Starting. Workshops will continue throughout the growing season in the community garden.

Education Updates:

LFSWCD’s education staff position is currently vacant. The position has been re-titled Education & Program Support Specialist, and the position description has been redefined to reflect a hybrid position that will be 60% Education and Information coordination and 40% Technical Program support. Applications are currently being accepted through March 23, or until the position is filled. In the meantime staff are preparing for the District’s Envirothon competition, which will be held April 4, 2018 at the Northern Virginia 4-H Center in Front Royal. We anticipate participation from 6-8 teams. Plans are also being finalized to host the Area I Spring Meeting on April 24th at the Woodstock Presbyterian Church. The church is in downtown Woodstock, right next to a permeable paver parking lot/ bioretention area that the town is installing with VCAP assistance.

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Area I Quarterly ReportLinda Campbell, Area I Chair

March 16, 2018

MOUNTAIN SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT

The Mountain Soil and Water Conservation District presented Chuck and Lou Ann Neely/ Riven Rock Farm with the Virginia Clean Water Farm Award for their excellent farm conservation efforts. Award presented at the December Highland County Board of Supervisors meeting. From left to Right Terry King, MSWCD Vice Chair, Lou Ann Neely, Chuck Neely.

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Area I Quarterly ReportLinda Campbell, Area I Chair

March 16, 2018

MOUNTAIN CASTLES SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT

The District presented Clean Water Farm Awards at its annual awards banquet. Barry Holland of Botetourt County and Tracey Roberts Frist of Craig County were the recipients of the award. Holland was recognized for conservation projects on his 230-acre beef cattle farm in Buchanan. Frist was recognized for projects on her 936-acre grass-fed beef cattle farm in the Sinking Creek Valley, many of which involved NRCS collaboration.

The District recognized Jennifer Hannah as its Conservation Teacher of the Year. Hannah teaches agri-science at Central Academy Middle School in Fincastle. Along with art teacher Courtney May, Hannah is coordinating an extensive student-led garden and planting project.

District staff have been conducting voluntary BMP verifications in to get Chesapeake Bay credit for BMPs that are out of lifespan, but that are still functioning.

The District is working with Natural Bridge SWCD to plan for the Area I Envirothon, to be held May 2 at McCormick Farm.

The District’s January “Backyard Botetourt” had the highest attendance to date. Over 50 people filled the Fincastle Library to hear a talk by Brett Smith aka “The Mushroom Kid,” a 5th grader from Greenfield Elementary School. The monthly talks are co-sponsored by Valley Conservation Council.

NATURAL BRIDGE SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT

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Area I Quarterly ReportLinda Campbell, Area I Chair

March 16, 2018

The Natural Bridge SWCD and the Mountain Castles SWCD will co-host the Area I Envirothon on Wednesday, May 2, 2018. The competition will be held at the McCormick Farm-Shenandoah Valley AREC in Raphine, VA. The co-hosting districts will hold a planning meeting at McCormick Farm on April 3rd. Approximately 13 teams, plus alternates are expected to compete.

The district has also been involved with three (3) up and coming TMDLs for Rockbridge County.  The district is actively working to extend outreach to landowners in the Buffalo, Colliers and Cedar Creeks TMDL area and is currently exploring potential stream exclusion projects.

District technical staff along with NRCS staff attended the annual No-Till Conference at Rockingham County Fair Grounds on January 31 and the Forage and Grasslands Council Winter Forage Conference in Weyers Cave on February 1, 20187.

The Upper James RC&D is expecting another grant for the new year 2018 though the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality. A proposal extension was submitted by the district on behalf of the RC&D for $13,456. (As we act as fiscal agent for the grant funds). All of the grant partners were notified of their grant awards and many will be ready to start planning and implementation with the spring thaw.

Newspaper articles have appeared and outreach measures taken to get the word out about the VASWCD Youth Conservation Camp and Holiday Lake Forestry Camp. Local schools have been notified of these opportunities.

A letter to legislators was sent via email message asking for support of soil and water conservation districts during the final week of the 2018 General Assembly Session. Support was requested of ag programs, operational funding and technical assistance funding as recommended by the VASWCD and Area I Chair.

Local funding support was requested of the three entities served by the district during the month of January.

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Area I Quarterly ReportLinda Campbell, Area I Chair

March 16, 2018

SHENANDOAH VALLEY SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT

The Shenandoah Valley SWCD welcomed two spring interns, Rachel McCuller and Quintin Petersen. Rachel is a Senior at Bridegewater majoring in Environmental Science and minoring in Biology. Quintin Petersen is a Senior Geographic Science major at James Madison University. The SVSWCD is accepting applications for the 2018 Summer Intern season; applications are due April 13, 2018.

Our spring interns are assisting with mapping fields and helping us prepare for our Pre-Sidedress Nitrate Testing (PSNT) season to begin in early summer.

The SVSWCD offers Red Osier Dogwood, Bankers Dwarf Willow, and Streamco Willow whips each year for streambank stabilization. This year 22 bundles of whips were sold to support streambank stabilization efforts across Virginia.

Staff has coordinated a rainbarrel workshop to be held on May 3, 2018. Following a brief educational presentation on non-point source pollution, staff will assist participants with converting a plastic pickle barrel into a functional rain barrel. This program is held in coordination with the City of Harrisonburg and they use this in support of their MS-4 program.

The SVSWCD is preparing for spring dam inspections at the eleven flood control dams in the SVSWCD.

Staff continues to administer the Rockingham County Septic Assistance Program and the Linville Creek TMDL Septic Assistance Program in an effort to protect water quality by assisting with the repair of failing septic systems.

Staff is coordinating with partners on a number of upcoming spring education & outreach events including a volunteer spring tree planting and a local stream cleanup day event.

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Spring Intern, Quintin Petersen, learning more about Cost Share Programs by joining NRCS and SVSWCD staff on agricultural BMP site visits.

Spring Intern, Rachel McCuller, assisting SVSWCD staff with agriculture administrative work.