## Rappahannock Roundtable , Bryan Hoffman, Friends of the Rappahannock

Mr. Hoffman said for the past 3 years FOR has been working with at least 50 other organizations that came out the idea of the RRBC and allows them to be a grant provider, information and education. They are focusing on phase 3 implementation for the WIP in reducing the pollution in the Chesapeake Bay and they are looking at the Rappahannock River. He discussed a slide for the Rappahannock River basin BMPs. and how it was put together He discussed all who participated in putting the plan together. He discussed out of this plan came some targeted BMPs whether cover crops, livestock exclusion and riparian buffers and where they are popular in the areas of Virginia. The funding they have secured and the level of implantation is based 100% on partnership. He showed a slide of the 30-50 groups they are working with including public, private, state, federal, foundations, schools, higher institutions and companies. He said it has taken 3-5 years to meet the right person to win it all together. Mr. Hoffman stated they have been doing the sum the of work for many organizations and partners in the head waters portion of the watershed and he discussed some of the partners and how they contribute to the Chesapeake Bay including urban management and no fertilizer pledges funding to provide this that takes it directly to DEQ and their bay model. He said they are working with an extension agent and other regional extension agents to fund this as the demand comes in. They want to put 2500 acres under this including forested riparian buffers, 8,000 acres produced in the WIP numbers put forward by SWCD and they want to plant 124 acres with urban tree plantings. They are hoping to plant these acres with 9,000 trees and they have the funding for this. He said in the Chesapeake Bay model there is not one urban tree planting project listed in it. He is hoping to work with the DOF and launch an urban tracking tool with some of the options. DOF has agreed to test it and to run it here for a planting season in hopes of launching it statewide for the fall, as well as other regions to share in the Chesapeake Bay. Livestock exclusion and rotational grazing are one of the largest practices outlined and the benefits of this. He sad they want to add incentives and tools and if a landowner will not fence out the stream, they will help to pay for cost share. He said the roundtable goal for restored oyster reef is 145 acres. There are 18 entities awarded a grant for the Chesapeake oyster restoration fund; living shorelines hoping to work this General assembly and well as other staff to find a way to make this more approachable. They hope to restore 1 mile of living shoreline over the year. He discussed all the funding they have received from the different agencies totaling private partners and donors of $250,000. He added most money is in our hands. They have identified 15 urban tree projects they are moving forward with and have discussed all the sites. He said they have opportunities for more and continue to look for more to target. This is an opportunity for work with us with scouts groups and localalities. They pick out the species install them and figure out the long-term maintenance and all the trees will be tracked in an app. He also discussed free tree giveaways in the localities. Ms. Shelton discussed the conservation on Aqua Creek and the overlap they are looking at the same type of roundtable not just stormwater management and sewage management as well as the physical cleanup of the trash. Mr. Hofmann sad they run a river clean up program and the equipment is available to borrow. She said someone at FOR told them “No”. Mr. Hofmann said they are not insured to go out and do this.