LSWCD hosting meeting for grant applications

The Loudoun County government and the Loudoun Soil and Water Conservation District are partnering in a program to provide funding to homeowners interested in implementing water quality improvement projects on their property or in their neighborhood. They will host an informational meeting about applying for grants for the projects on Monday, March 24, at 6 p.m. at Rust Library, 380 Old Waterford Road NW in Leesburg.

Subject matter experts from the Loudoun County Stormwater Management Program, LSWCD, the Virginia State Department of Forestry and Virginia Cooperative Extension Loudoun are scheduled to speak about the grant application process and about other ways people can promote environmental stewardship on their property.

Private residential, industrial and commercial property owners and homeowner associations in Loudoun are eligible to apply for funds for the projects. Eligible projects include:

• Tree Planting: Both riparian (streamside) and upland areas are eligible for funds to plant native species to reforest non-forested areas. These plantings help filter nutrients, trap sediment, offer shade, and provide important habitats while reducing mowing and maintenance costs associated with turf grass. Planting areas can be as small as one-quarter of an acre or as large as three acres for any individual project.
  
• Pet Waste Stations: Pet waste stations are designed to encourage pet owners to pick up after their animals in public places to prevent waste from being transported off-site by storm water runoff. Pet waste stations typically include a covered waste can and bags for picking up the waste. Grants support regular maintenance fees to keep the cans empty as well as installation costs.
  
• Livestock Exclusion Fencing: Fencing helps to keep livestock out of waterways and prevents nutrient runoff from agricultural operations into the water. Farms under 5 acres that are not eligible for the state of Virginia’s cost-share programs can access this funding.
  

In addition, information will be available about other funding and programs including the Virginia Conservation Assistance Program, which funds projects to reduce erosion and runoff through actions such as rain gardens and conservation landscaping; DOF cost-share forestry programs; and VCE Loudoun environmental stewardship programs.

Supporting local projects that enhance watershed conservation and promote watershed stewardship is part of the Environment and Energy Work Plan approved by the Board of Supervisors.

• More information about the grant funding available through LCSWCD is online at loudoun.gov/WaterQualityGrants.
• For more information about the county’s environmental initiatives, visit loudoun.gov/environm.