Streambank Stabilization Journey
Join Our Streambank Journey
Project Status
Phase 3: Site design and permitting are underway.
About the project: Have you ever been faced with an eroding streambank on a site visit, and been unsure of the next steps? Join Consortium partners on our yearlong streambank stabilization journey as we identify potential sites, select a project site, learn about design and permitting, and observe installation. JRA is contributing $30,000 to the selected project, and Louise Finger with the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources has offered her expertise through the process.
Update
Phase 3 is underway with site design & permitting. Register for our virtual Stream Work Permitting meeting below.
We’ve selected our site – a private residential property in the Wood’s Creek Watershed, Lexington, VA – and started the design process.
Register for the 1/25/24 virtual meeting: Stream Work Permitting with Louise Finger »
Phase I: Stream Basics & Identifying Potential Sites
Phase 1 milestones (April-June 2023)
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April – Request for Projects Released
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May 16 Stream Walk with Kip Mumaw of Ecosystem Services at the Consortium Meeting in Lynchburg
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June 27 – Building Capacity for Stream Stabilization Roundtable hosted by Center for Watershed Protection and the Consortium Knowledge Network Team with expert guests and discussion.
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July 31 – Potential Site Visits due via this Submission Form
Phase II: Site Visits and Project Selection(s)
Phase 2 milestones (July-September 2023)
- Mid-August – Site visits with Louise Finger, Stream Biologist with DWR. These will be open to those interested in joining. Site visit dates include August 28 at State Farm DOC property in Powhatan, August 29 at a private property in Lexington in the morning and at Hope’s Legacy Equine Rescue in Afton in the afternoon (see summary of visits below)
- September – Virtual Meeting hosted by the Consortium Implementation Team to select project to move forward and learn about the decision-making process and aligning funding that are available.
- October – site selected, a private residential property in the Wood’s Creek Watershed in Lexington VA. Design has started.
Phase III: Design and Permitting
Phase 3 milestones (September 2023-May 2024)
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September/October – Agreements with partners whose project(s) are selected will be developed
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November – Virtual Meeting hosted by the Consortium Implementation Team to get update from partners who are working on the selected project and which design interventions are being considered
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January 25 – Virtual Meeting ‘Stream Work Permitting with Louise Finger’ – RSVP Here
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February – Virtual Meeting hosted by the Consortium Implementation Team to get update from partners who are working on the selected project and share final design and permitting process
Feb. 25 (RSVP due by Feb. 19) – Urban Buffer Design Workshop at Lexington site – Read more here and RSVP here -
May – Streambank Roundtable hosted by Center for Watershed Protection and the Consortium Knowledge Network Team with expert guests and discussion
- April – Buffer planting day at selected site
Meetings
June 27, 2023 – Building Capacity for Stream Stabilization Roundtable: Site Selection Learning Journey
The Roundtable included presentations from local researchers and practitioners, including an introduction to stream dynamics, history of land management and sediment loading in the Upper & Middle James, site selection considerations for stream stabilization projects, and more. There was also a Panel Discussion with all presenters to answer questions, engage with requested discussion topics, and share/discuss pre-submitted questions about specific sites in the Upper Middle James River watersheds.
Photos
October 2023: The streambank group meets at on site, a private residential property in the Wood’s Creek Watershed in Lexington VA, to begin discussing design work. Scroll through to see all photos.
Notes from the field
A Buffer Program Worth Replicating!
Agri-Pulse recently highlighted the James River Buffer Program in an article re: the Farm Bill.
Phase IV: Installation
Phase 4 milestones (June-December 2024)
- May-November: Installation with optional visits from partners to visit site under construction
- December 2024: Project complete (possible extension through June 2025)