James River Water Quality Improvement Program

James River Water Quality Improvement Program

Funder: Virginia Environmental Endowment (VEE)
Geographic Scope: James River watershed and tributaries in Virginia; special focus on "Area of Potential Effects" (APE) upstream and downstream of Jamestown
Status: Open

Funding Priorities

VEE seeks substantial proposals producing significant water quality benefits through on-the-ground investments:

1. Riparian Buffer Installation: Implementation of riparian forested or vegetative buffers, focusing on agricultural and rural lands with restoration opportunities generating significant pollution reductions. Permanent protection and long-term maintenance are critical.

2. Accelerating Agricultural Pollution Reduction Practices: Programs that enhance and accelerate delivery and implementation of cost-effective farming best management practices and other agricultural initiatives that reduce agricultural pollution and improve water quality.

3. Living Shorelines Construction: Living shoreline construction, particularly in Lower James River region. Important elements include consistency with Virginia Shoreline and Tidal Marsh Inventory, regional/county conservation plans, riparian buffer incorporation, and permanent protection.

4. Stream Restoration: Focus on proposed location, inclusion of riparian buffers, and co-location with other water quality improvement efforts.

5. Jamestown Region (Area of Potential Effects - APE): Remediation of illicit sewage discharges, failing septic systems, and cost-effective stormwater management initiatives.

Proposal Flexibility

Applicants submitting proposals differing from identified priorities must demonstrate the significance and cost effectiveness of the proposal to improving James River water quality.

Priority Considerations

• Proposals seeking implementation costs receive priority over planning and maintenance costs
• Proposals demonstrating significant and measurable water quality improvements (reductions in nutrient, sediment, or toxic pollution) receive priority
• Projects with matching funds from other sources receive higher priority
• Note: VEE does NOT consider in-kind volunteer services as matching funds; does NOT require matching funds but encourages them

Eligibility

Project Requirements:

Completion date of 1-3 years

Minimum funding request: $100,000 annually

Projects located within James River watershed

Projects outside watershed may be eligible under other VEE programs

Eligible Recipients:

Non-profit, tax-exempt charitable organizations and institutions

Local governments

Soil and water conservation districts

State and federal agencies

State and federally recognized tribes

Educational institutions

NOT eligible: Individuals and for-profit entities

Application Restrictions:

Current and prior grantees and applicants are eligible

Applicants may submit no more than two proposals

Applicants wishing to resubmit previously submitted proposals must receive VEE approval in advance

What VEE Does NOT Fund

• General support
• Overhead/indirect costs
• Capital projects
• Land purchases
• Building construction or renovation
• Endowments
• Lawsuits

Grant Administration

Funding Delivery:

Provided in installments on reimbursement basis

VEE does NOT reimburse for expenses incurred prior to grant award authorization date

Reporting Requirements:

Grantees must utilize JRWQIP Restoration Planner (created by Chesapeake Conservancy)

Periodic reports on progress, expenditures, results

Tracking via Field Doc platform (Chesapeake Commons tool) with VEE-specific user guide

Strategic Investment Plan: Available for review to guide VEE funding decisions

Contact Information

Email: jrwqip@vee.org
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 790, Richmond, Virginia 23218-0790
Website: vee.org

Additional Resources

• Solicitation of Proposals document
• Application for Funding Consideration form
• Map of Area of Potential Effects (APE)
• Grant Agreement Template
• Strategic Investment Plan
• Restoration Planner Summary of Grant Awards
• Field Doc VEE User Guide
• Field Doc Training Modules
• Field Doc Platform