Virginia NRCS News
(this page was last changed on 06/30/2008)

Federal, state and local officials sign the Royal Lake Dam Rehabilitation Plan.

Royal Lake Rehabilitation Plan Signed

Just outside Washington, D.C., Royal Lake has helped relieve downstream flood damages and provided water quality, wildlife habitat, recreational, and aesthetic benefits for residents of Burke, Virginia for almost three decades. Recently, the project sponsors and NRCS signed a dam rehabilitation plan to ensure these benefits continue into the future.

NRCS Soil Scientist David Harper is using a soil auger to examine soils in the York River.

WHIP Used in Oyster Habitat Restoration Project

September 12, 2006- Oysters have played a key role in the health of the Chesapeake Bay, serving as a primary contributor to the Bay's filtration system and providing rich habitat for many underwater species. NRCS is working with one landowner to construct and seed an oyster reef in the waters along her property in Gloucester, Virginia.

Sheep graze on the 106-acre historic Mt. Pleasant Farm.

Protecting Farmland Yields Big Benefits

July 20, 2006- A historic farm in Shenandoah County, Virginia is now protected from development thanks to NRCS and the Potomac Conservancy.  The NRCS Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program easement ensures that this land will remain in agriculture forever.  Benefits include open space, cleaner water in the Cedar Creek watershed and the Chesapeake Bay and more.

Participants learn how biodiesel digester works

September 2006- Gas prices have affected farmers in two ways- higher costs and increased opportunities.  In response to a growing interest among farmers, South Hampton Roads RC&D joined with Virginia Clean Cities to hold a biodiesel workshop.