Botetourt supervisors accept $500,000 DCR grant for Orchard Lake work; postpone tax-district decision

Botetourt County supervisors voted to accept a $500,000 grant from the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) to support work related to Orchard Lake dam safety, but they stopped short of approving a tax district to pay any required local share and asked staff to investigate alternative options.

The board voted to accept the grant award from DCR — a 50% match based on an initial project estimate of $1,000,000 — and authorized staff to execute documents required by the Virginia Resources Authority by the October 17, 2025 deadline. County officials said the county would initially front costs and request reimbursement from DCR after work is complete; DCR would fund 50% of the actual cost. County staff said if total costs exceed the initial estimate they would seek additional DCR funds to maintain the 50/50 split, but that additional local funding would be required if DCR funding were not sufficient.

Why it matters: The Orchard Lake dam has been identified by DCR as not meeting current dam safety regulations, and DCR’s grant program can cover up to half of eligible costs. The board’s acceptance preserves the county’s chance to obtain money now while it continues to study whether to repair, lower, or breach the dam — and how to pay for any work without immediately imposing a special tax on a narrow set of property owners.

What the board decided and why The board took three separate but linked actions after weeks of public comment from Orchard Lake residents and property owners who are sharply divided about the dam’s future. - Accept DCR grant: The board voted to accept the $500,000 DCR grant award and authorized staff — subject to county attorney review — to execute the paperwork with the Virginia Resources Authority by Oct. 17, 2025. County staff emphasized accepting the grant does not bind the board to a particular construction outcome; the county would only obligate money if and when it draws from the grant and spends on the project. (Motion to accept the DCR award; passed unanimously; board counted as present: Clinton, Stafford, White, Nicely, Scott Horn.) - Hold public hearing on a…