the goal. He said they are very ambitious and large goals and the ending will be critical. He also said there are some innovative programs in place and it will take a lot collaborations and funding to get them in place.

## Middle & Upper Basin Rain/Strema Gauges Update, VDEM and Staff

Mr. Bradway stated they have renamed it as the IGLOWs project with a series of areas susceptible to flash flooding. He discussed the background from the Army Corp of Engineers since the beginning of the project and he discussed the goals they have developed. He said they have rebranded it into a pilot project they have partnered with the Secretary od Homeland Security. They have gown from installing from 7-10 gauges but are now at 25. He said the gauges from Homeland security are free and a little more reliable. He discussed radio frequency versus satellite and testing out methods of VDEM and locality partnership with travel. He said the gages are located in outer places and the maintenance cost can be reduced. Trying to take some of the money from maintenance and to invest in better capability that enhances reliability, leverages resources and aligns several localities to make sure they are moving in the same direction. He showed a graphic on the development of the program including the RRBC, IGLOS assessment and the flood apex low cost flood sensors evaluation moving into the IFLOWs pilot. They are looking at more cost effective projects to fund this. He also discussed the flood navigation mapping in North Carolina and how they aspire to be like them and Dr. Derek Loftis is also partnering with them to establish this. He discussed the project updates localities determined suitable primary and alternate gauge sites, modified contract with maintenance vendor and currently scheduling installation and training dates. He said they are looking to install in ‘Spotsylvania and Fredericksburg after the holidays. They are also developing an interim MOA until the gauges are installed. He also discussed the timeline for this. Mr. James said next September they should be discussing operations.

Other: Mr. Hynson suggested maybe we should advertise what we have and we are not selling ourselves well enough in ag and forestry because the majority of the people planning the laws are not from rural Virginia. The best way to do this is spend the day on the Rappahannock River to get positive feedback and positive funding from those in the General Assembly. He said 97% of the river shore is owned by private property owners. It would influence the funding and goals in the state more than everything we have so far. Chairman Hodges said you are 200% and that is exactly what we need to do including the local, state and bureaucrats. He said he held a recent summit with all the same people talking about stormwater, septic and flooding and we have been getting a lot of positive feedback that is starting to turn heads. He said they have brought DEQ down and they had never been down there, spending a day at different sites. They don’t understand the challenges. He said they are finally making some progress and what they need to focus on that will help water quality is resiliency that will create 20,000 jobs and have a positive economic impact and clean up the bay. He discussed septic systems and daily flooding and looking at the VDH to have some over site to establish a thicker soil base. He also discussed a clearinghouse at DCR for homeowners to improve on their property including abandoned vessels and living shorelines. He said the complexity of our laws are getting in the way of getting anything done. He said if only we could erase this and start from scratch to simplify these laws. He said they are looking at ways to fund this project. Virginia has never