Description
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration (NRDAR) Program aims to restore natural resources and their services that have been injured by an oil discharge or hazardous substance release. This opportunity is for a single source award to the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, LLC, to complete a pilot project working with state and non-governmental partners to implement an incentive program to encourage the establishment of riparian buffers along the South River, Middle River, and Christians Creek in Augusta County, Virginia. The project will be modeled after prior successful programs in Maryland, West Virginia, and Virginia. The goal of the project is to restore approximately 50 acres of forest riparian buffer and reduce pollutants to streams and engage with farmers and landowners through financial incentives and technical assistance.
• The project will be implemented in partnership with various organizations, including the Headwaters Soil and Water Control District, Friends of the Middle River, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Virginia Department of Forestry, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and Whitescarver Natural Resources Management.
• The Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, LLC, is uniquely qualified to complete this work based on their past experiences with similar programs, their experience with the needs of producers in this region, and their strong relationships with partnering organizations.
• The project is in alignment with the Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration goals as well as the Secretary of the Interior's priorities.