The City of Fredericksburg is pleased to announce that it has been awarded more than $3.25M in grant funds from the Commonwealths’ Stormwater Local Assistance Fund (SLAF) by Virginia’s Department of Environmental Quality (VDEQ). The funds will aid the City in achieving stormwater permit-required pollutant reductions which will help improve the City’s overall stormwater quality and its effects on the Rappahannock River.
The City’s Public Works Department submitted two grant applications in July 2021 to the VDEQ to address the City’s required reduction of nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediments in stormwater runoff. The first project to receive grant funding is adjacent to the Village of Idlewild, in which a preliminary study by Wetlands Studies and Solutions, Inc. identified several stream segments experiencing very high/extreme erosion rates along more than a mile of streams. Proposed restoration work would include stabilizing eroding portions, addressing bacterial and aquatic habitat impairments, and promoting channel/floodplain reconnection.
The second project to receive grant awards will seek to improve the existing stormwater management structure located along Smith Run. ‘Pond D’ was constructed twenty years ago to manage runoff from development. A study of the structure suggests modifications may be made by excavating to provide more storage volume to treat runoff.
"Congratulations to the City of Fredericksburg for receiving SLAF funding for its stormwater improvement projects. The funded stormwater projects will reduce the volume of pollutants like sediment, nutrients and bacteria in the Rappahannock River. These water quality improvements will have wide ranging benefits from local streams like Hazel Run all the way to the Chesapeake Bay. The water quality improvements enabled by this funding will pay off over the long term by making the Rappahannock River cleaner, safer and more productive. We appreciate the hard work of the City's Public Works and Environmental staff for their successful effort," stated Adam Lynch, River Steward, Friends of the Rappahannock.
The City is currently exploring design options for both of these projects, with plans to further engage the adjacent communities as more information becomes available.
“As directed by City Council, the City of Fredericksburg continues to seek state, federal and other grant support in efforts to offset the local costs of required critical capital investments. This excellent news, along with the announcement last month that the City’s $27 million request was included in the Governor’s budget for wastewater plant upgrades, are several recent examples of our proactive efforts in seeking to reduce burdens on our residents and businesses,” stated Tim Baroody, City Manager.
Read more about the City’s Stormwater Management online at here. And for more information, please contact Fredericksburg Public Works at 540-372-1023.