Department of Conservation and Recreation
Conserve. Protect. Enjoy.
Department of Conservation and Recreation
Media inquiries: Please contact Dave Neudeck, dave.neudeck@dcr.virginia.gov, 804-786-5053.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: September 02, 2014
Contact:
Funding available for development of agricultural resource management plans in Virginia's Chesapeake Bay watershed and statewide
RICHMOND – Funding is available for developing agricultural resource management plans as part of Virginia’s new agricultural certainty program.
Resource management plans assess the property’s current use of stream buffer, soil conservation, nutrient management and stream exclusion practices and recommend other practices needed. Once the plan is approved and fully implemented, the property is deemed to be in compliance with state nutrient and sediment water quality regulations during the nine year life of the plan. Plans are to be written by state certified resource management plan developers.
The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation has issued a $240,000 request for proposals for resource management plans to be developed in the Chesapeake Bay region of the state. Proposals that include the number of plans the developers will write are due to DCR by Oct. 1. The rate for plan development is $10 per acre with a maximum of $6,500 per plan. Multiple plans can be developed for one farming operation. Awards will be announced on Dec. 1, 2014. Plans should be completed by October 15, 2015 with all reimbursement requests submitted by Nov. 30, 2015.
Developers do not have to be certified to submit a proposal, but all plans must be developed by certified developers. DCR is currently accepting application for certification. Individuals, corporations or businesses are eligible to submit proposals.
In addition, $160,000 in Virginia Agricultural Cost-Share funding is currently available to farmers to pay for the development of resource management plans. These funds are available statewide. The same rates for plan development apply.
To download a copy of the RFP, go to the DCR website at www.dcr.virginia.gov/soil-and-water/rmp. For more information on the RMP program or on RMP cost share funds contact your local soil and water conservation district or go to www.dcr.virginia.gov and click “Soil and Water.”
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