Funding Available to Help Loggers Keep Virginia Waters Clean

For years, Virginia loggers have had to bear the entire cost of their voluntary compliance with best management practices (BMPs) during timber harvesting operations, but that is about to change.

The Virginia Department of Forestry (VDOF) has developed a new cost-share program that will provide up to 50 percent of the actual cost (not to exceed $2,000) of an approved stream crossing in watershed areas designated as "impaired" or those of "special interest" as defined by the Department of Environmental Quality. If the stream crossing includes the purchase of a portable bridge, the 50 percent funding level increases to a maximum of up to $4,000 of the actual cost.

"Virginia is the first state in the nation to offer a cost-sharing program for loggers," said State Forester Carl Garrison. "This program will go a long way toward ensuring the quality of water in the Commonwealth."

Funding for the program comes from the Virginia Water Quality Improvement Fund, which is administered by the Department of Conservation and Recreation. From now until July 1, 2007, a total of $250,000 is available. This could fund as many as 125 BMP compliance projects during the next 15 months.

The idea for the pilot program came from Matt Poirot, VDOF's Water Quality Program manager.

"For many years, we've asked loggers to comply voluntarily with water quality BMPs," Poirot said. "With the introduction of this cost-share program, the Commonwealth has an opportunity to help loggers do the right thing."

Program eligibility is open to loggers who: 1. are certified under the Sustainable Forestry Initiative SHARP Logger program (administered by the Virginia Forestry Association and Virginia Tech); 2. have no current debt for either civil penalties or past-due bills owed to VDOF, and 3. do not have active water quality impairments open on any tracts on which they are operating.

"There are a lot of Virginia loggers who are eligible for this program," said Poirot. "If they are looking for some much-needed financial assistance with water quality compliance, I encourage the loggers to contact their local VDOF water quality engineers and work with the VDOF staff to submit an application."

For more information, call the nearest VDOF office. If you don't know which office serves your area, go to www.dof.virginia.gov and click on "Find an Office."

The Virginia Department of Forestry protects and develops healthy, sustainable forest resources for Virginians. Headquartered in Charlottesville, there are Forestry staff members assigned to every county to provide service to citizens of the Commonwealth. With nearly 16 million acres of forest land and more than 248,000 Virginians employed in the forest products industry, Virginia forests provide more than $30 Billion annually in benefits to the Commonwealth. VDOF is an equal opportunity provider.

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