VIRGINIA'S AGRICULTURAL BMP LOAN PROGRAM
In order to reduce agriculture non-point source pollution of Virginia's waters, the Virginia General assembly in its 1999 session amended Chapter 22 of the Code of Virginia by adding § 62.1-229.1 which expanded the activities of the Virginia Water Facilities Revolving Fund (the Fund) to the Commonwealth's agricultural producers (Producers) for implementation of specific agricultural best management practices (Ag BMPs). This Code section was amended in 2019 to add a grant funding option, to expand eligible applicants, and to expand eligible practices to include riparian buffers and renovation, improvement or equipping of facilities.
FUNDING AVAILABILITY
The Virginia Clean Water Revolving Loan Fund (VCWRLF) program was established in 1988 to create a perpetual source of low and no interest financing which would be available to Virginia municipalities for improving publicly owned wastewater treatment works and collection systems. On behalf of the State Water Control Board, DEQ developed and continues to administer the VCWRLF program and manage the Fund in conjunction with the Virginia Resources Authority (VRA). Virginia's Ag BMP program is one of a number of program components eligible to utilize the Fund to provide a continuing source of low cost financing to Virginia's agricultural producers to assist in their efforts to reduce agricultural non-point source pollution.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO APPLY
Any Producer wishing to implement eligible best management practices to reduce the amount of polluted agricultural runoff entering Virginia waters adjacent to their existing agricultural operation will be considered by DEQ for Ag BMP program assistance. Though intended to be used in conjunction with state funding sources such as Virginia Cost Share (VACS), Virginia Non-Point Source (VANPS), and United States Department of Agriculture-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), producers are eligible and encouraged to apply for loan assistance regardless of whether they choose to participate in any other state and/or federal agricultural program.
| Name / Title: |
Lars Bolton, Project Officer |
| Address: |
1111 East Main Street, Suite 1400
P.O. Box 1105
Richmond, VA 23218 |
| Email Address: |
cwfap@deq.virginia.gov |