Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Environment topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Soil and Water updates: stream restoration, federal partnerships and fairgrounds stormwater ideas
Summary
Alleghany County Soil and Water Director reviewed recent contracts with farmers, pending million-dollar stream-restoration work near U.S. 221/93 and potential fairgrounds stormwater projects; the department also described federal and state grant partnerships and a proposed shared EWP disaster-position with neighboring counties.
Alleghany County Soil and Water Director Eric Hamilton briefed commissioners Aug. 18 on ongoing conservation projects, grant-funded contracts with farmers and a major upcoming stream-restoration project near the 221/93 intersection.
Hamilton said the county expects a stream-restoration project (described as roughly a $1 million project) to begin work soon and that the county will see trucks moving as contractors start site work. The county partners with state and federal programs — including the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Division of Water Resources — to secure matching funds and technical support. Hamilton described a range of technical assistance contracts with local farmers totaling a little more than $75,000 for agricultural improvements.
He also discussed a potential shared Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) staff position funded through the state to assist multiple conservation districts. The proposed position would be a three-year allocation, split with another district, and would not require the county to handle payroll or benefits if structured as an intergovernmental agreement.
Fairgrounds projects and stormwater Hamilton said Soil and Water and partner engineering consultants have discussed two possible projects at the fairgrounds: a storage/manure/shavings pad with stormwater filtration that would treat runoff before it reaches Glitzel Creek, and a second stormwater catchment area near the fairgrounds bridge to intercept parking-lot runoff. He said both projects are contingent on securing matching funds.
Why it matters: Stream-restoration work and stormwater projects aim to reduce sediment and improve water quality for downstream users. The EWP shared position could speed project delivery across neighboring districts without creating a permanent county payroll obligation.
What’s next Hamilton said staff is waiting on a master agreement for the shared EWP position and will bring the agreement to the board once available. If grant funding is secured, the county will return with project designs and cost estimates for board approval.
