Originally Posted by eyagow
Posted - 10/06/2005 :  2:11:59 PM
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About 16 people showed up for the September 21st set of Stroubles Creek Focus Group Meetings at the Community Room of the Montgomery County Library in Blacksburg.

The agenda together with categories of management practices (Implementable Actions) being discussed for Stroubles Creek can be found at this link:
http://www.tmdl.bse.vt.edu/uploads/File/forum/StroublesCreekFocusGrpAgenda_Sep21.doc (30KB)

The matrix of various management practices and approximate locations within the watershed are included in the following spreadsheet:
http://www.tmdl.bse.vt.edu/uploads/File/forum/mplementationPlanningMatrix2.xls (33KB)

Each of the 3 Focus Groups - Agriculture/Rural, Residential/Urban, and PublicWorks - worked on the following set of tasks to refine management practices previously defined:
1. Review types and extents of BMPs defined previously (also please comment on the next phase of the Huckleberry Trail, especially opportunity of placement of new fencing)

2. Develop a detailed list of steps needed to implement each practice or combination of practices for each target parcel (where different sources of cost-sharing are available, how would technical resources needed differ?)

3. Without consideration of available funding, in what order would you recommend practices identified by your group be implemented?

4. Given a 10-year implementation planning horizon, which of these practices would you like to see implemented in the first year or two?

The results of their discussions and compiled notes from the meeting are available at the following link:
http://www.tmdl.bse.vt.edu/uploads/File/forum/StroublesCreekFocusGrpMeetingNotes_Sep21.doc (44KB)

The results of the discussions and recommendations from the Focus Groups will be passed along to the Steering Committee for further refinement and incorporation into a final Implementation Plan. The next meeting of the Steering Committee has not yet been scheduled.

Originally Posted by celswick
Posted - 10/10/2005 :  3:42:34 PM
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The Virginia Tech Foundation (Foundation) appreciates the time and effort spent on the Stroubles Creek TMDL Study and the upcoming IP. Upon reading the notes from the Public Works (PW) and Agriculture/Rural (AR) Focus Groups, I would like to provide the focus groups and steering committee with the Foundation’s view of how the draft IP should proceed with implementable actions proposed for the Heth Farm (which is currently owned by the Virginia Tech Foundation and not Virginia Tech).

It is recognized that both the PW and AR Focus Groups have noted that proposed implementation practices on the Heth Farm are a high (toppest) priority. It should be known that the Heth Farm property is being held by the Foundation for future use by Virginia Tech. It cannot be determined at this time when the Heth Farm will become Virginia Tech property. In addition, there are currently no plans for the Foundation to develop the land.

Although quick results may be obtained by the Foundation proceeding with actions in the first and/or second year of the IP due to the close proximity of the monitoring station, the Foundation is not in a position at this time to fund any improvements due to the uncertainty of the property’s future. Unless 100% outside grant funding is realized prior to the start of implementation, the Foundation would like to defer improvements on the Heth Farm several years out in the plan.

The Foundation would like for the focus groups and steering committee to continue to include the Heth Farm in the development of IP and considers the time spent by those involved invaluable. The proposed management practices (and funding opportunities) being provided to the Foundation are welcome and will be considered when the property is either developed for another purpose or becomes property of the university.

I look forward to being involved as the IP progresses and would be glad to work with the team in seeking grant opportunities providing 100% funding. Please feel free to contact me if any such funding is known to be available.

Sincerely,

Curtis Elswick
Virginia Tech Foundation, Inc.