Department of Conservation and Recreation

Media inquiries: Please contact Gary Waugh, gary.waugh@dcr.virginia.gov, 804-786-5045.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: February 22, 2007
Contact: Gary Waugh, DCR Public Relations Manager, (804) 786-5045, gary.waugh@dcr.virginia.gov

$3.5 million in water quality grants available

(Richmond) – Local governments, nonprofit organizations and others are eligible to apply for $3.5 million in Water Quality Improvement Fund grants available to reduce runoff or nonpoint source pollution from developed lands around the state. The grants will range from $25,000 to $200,000. Applicants have until May 15 to submit proposals. A series of six workshops on the grant process and the request for proposals will be held beginning March 5.

“These grants will help fund projects that reduce the leading source of water quality problems – nonpoint source or runoff pollution – from urban, suburban and rural developed lands,” said Joseph H. Maroon, director of the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. “The grants are part of Virginia’s overall effort to improve local streams, rivers and the Chesapeake Bay.” DCR administers these nonpoint source WQIF grants.

Local governments including cities, counties, towns, as well as soil and water conservation districts, planning district commissions, nonprofit organizations, educational institutions and individuals are eligible to apply for these grants. They can learn more about the grant process at one of the following workshops:

• Monday, March 5, Best Western Hotel Conference Room located at 1424 Main Street, Marion, Va. 24354.
  
• Tuesday, March 6, Lynchburg College: Hopwood Hall Auditorium located at 1501 Lakeside Driver, Lynchburg, Va. 24501.
  
• Thursday, March 8, Virginia Department of Transportation: Harrisonburg Residency located at 3536 North Valley Pike, Harrisonburg, Va. 22802.
  
• Monday, March 12,Prince William County Public Library: Central Community Library located at 8601 Mathis Avenue, Manassas, Va. 20110.
  
• Tuesday, March 13, College of William & Mary: Campus Center located at 1 Jamestown Road, Williamsburg, Va.
  
• Wednesday, March 14,Richardson Memorial Library located at 100 Spring Street, Emporia, Va. 23847.

Project categories eligible for WQIF grant funding include stormwater management retrofits, low impact development, urban nutrient management planning and implementation, residential septic system replacement and repair, riparian buffer protection programs, and stream restoration.

The deadline for grant application and proposal submittal is May 15, 2007. A complete version of the 2007 WQIF RFP and additional details on the workshops is available on the web, www.dcr.virginia.gov/soil_&_water/wqia.shtml.

Questions regarding this grant program may be directed to the DCR regional office managers or to the WQIA Program Manager, Sarah Capps at sarah.capps@dcr.virginia.gov or 804-225-3785.            

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