Fredericksburg, Virginia, Receives $3.25 Million Grant for Storm Water Improvements

Feb. 8, 2022

The grant funds will come from the VDEQ’s storm water local assistance fund, improving the city’s storm water quality, specifically its effects on the Rappahannock River.

Fredericksburg, Virginia, has received a $3.25 million grant from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality. 

These funds will help tackle storm water runoff issues, according to The Free Lance-Star.

The grant funds will come from the VDEQ’s storm water local assistance fund, improving the city’s storm water quality, specifically its effects on the Rappahannock River.

Former Gov. Ralph Northam’s final budget included $27 million for wastewater plant upgrades, reported The Free Lance-Star.

According to City Manager Tim Baroody, the state funds demonstrate “proactive efforts in seeking to reduce burdens on our residents and businesses,” offsetting costs of Capital Improvement Projects in the city, reported The Free Lance-Star.

The Fredericksburg Public Works Department submitted two grant applications to address nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment reduction in storm water runoff.

The first project is adjacent to the Idlewild neighborhood, which identified several stream segments in that area that experience very high to extreme erosion rates. The work will: stabilize eroding portions; address bacterial and aquatic habitat impairments; and promote channel/floodplain reconnection.

The second project will improve an existing storm water management structure along Smith Run by providing more storage volume to treat runoff.

According to Adam Lynch, the river steward for Friends of the Rappahannock, the funding of these two projects will reduce pollutants in the river, reported The Free Lance-Star.

“These water quality improvements will have wide-ranging benefits from local streams like Hazel Run all the way to the Chesapeake Bay,” Lynch said. “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.”

City officials are evaluating design options for the two projects and will include nearby communities in their deliberations.

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