Flood, dam assistance offered

Virginia dam owners and local government officials who are interested in applying for grants from the state Dam Safety, Flood Prevention and Protection Assistance Fund may attend one of six informational sessions in February to learn about the funding process.

The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation will host the sessions in different areas of the state.

All sessions are scheduled from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. The first two hours will cover the grant program; the types of projects that may qualify for funding and how to apply. The final two hours will consist of breakout sessions specific for dam owners or local floodplain managers. Lunch will be provided. Registration is required.

“Our target audience is individual dam owners, homeowners associations, floodplain managers and emergency management personnel,” said Wendy Howard-Cooper, acting director of DCR’s Dam Safety and Floodplain Management programs. “We look forward to reaching them in a face-to-face format to discuss this grant opportunity.”

The fund provides 50 percent matching grants for a variety of projects related to dam safety and floodplain management. Grants are awarded through a competitive process. This year, up to $1 million is available through the program. Applications are due to DCR by 4 p.m. on March 29.

Here is the schedule of the informational sessions: Feb. 5: Natural Tunnel State Park, Cove Ridge Center, 469 Cove Ridge Center Road, Duffield, Virginia; Feb. 6: Claytor Lake State Park, Water’s Edge Marina Meeting Facility, 6620 Ben H. Bolen Drive, Dublin; Feb. 13: Westmorland State Park, Murphy Hall, 145 Cliff Road, Montross; Feb. 19: Virginia Department of Forestry, 900 Natural Resources Drive, Charlottesville; Feb. 25: Pocahontas State Park, Swift Creek Banquet Hall, 10301 State Park Road, Chesterfield; Feb. 28: First Landing State Park Trail Center, 2500 Shore Drive, Virginia Beach.

For more information, see the training calendar or call (804) 371-6095.