Mountain Castles Soil & Water Conservation District is accepting applications for agricultural, residential septic, and stormwater cost share programs. “Cost share” means the costs of each conservation practice are split between the individual and the district, with the soil and water district paying 50-100% of the costs. The final amount of cost share depends on several factors, including the type of conservation program and the length of the maintenance contract.
“Over the years, many local farmers have participated in stream exclusion practices, which fence livestock out of the stream and provide alternative watering sources,” said Dan Naff, conservation technician for the district. “There are still lots of Botetourt County farms that could use this infrastructure, and we have the funding to make it happen.” Other practices, such as planting cover crops, building a waste storage facility, and planting trees along streams are eligible for funding.
The Virginia Conservation Assistance Program (VCAP) is a cost share program homeowners and businesses can use to address stormwater issues on their property, such as erosion, poor vegetative cover, and excessive runoff. Many VCAP projects incorporate native plants into the design. Examples of projects include rain gardens, conservation landscaping, and permeable pavement.
While the agricultural programs and VCAP are available to everyone in Botetourt County, the residential septic program is confined to homeowners living in the Roanoke River watershed: Blue Ridge, Cloverdale, Daleville, and parts of Troutville. The septic cost share program offers 50% or more reimbursement for septic tank pump outs, repairs, and replacement systems.
For more information, contact Dan Naff at (540) 580-8373, Tim Miller at (540) 797-0217, or visit https://www.mountaincastles.org/.
~ SWCD
