| COOPERATIVE CONSERVATION CASE STUDY | | Guildford Farm Conservation Development | | Conservation Development and Watershed Protection | | Location: Northeastern/Mid-Atlantic | | Project Summary: Guildford Farm is a 35 lot Conservation Development that will protect 150 acre farm and wildlife preserve and buffer on key waterways. Houses and roads will use Low Impact Development, LID, methods. |
|  | | Piture of historic Guildford farmhouse to be preserved with 150 acres of farmland and a wildlife preserve and stream buffer. |
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Resource Challenge The project began when the Developer contacted the Blue Ridge Foothills Conservancy (BRFC) to explore something better than a conventional development on an old farm. With the help of EPA, funds passed through a grant by the VA Department of Conservation and Recreation to the Culpepr Soil and Water Conservation District provide for design, education, technical assistance and seminars for applying LID methods to the development. Maintaining current hydrology using road and house lot LID best management practices and protection of over 150 acres of farm land and a wildlife preserve and buffer for over a mile of stream were major objectives. | Examples of Key Partners U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Mathew Criblez, 804-443-8246.
Virginia Department of Transportaion
Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, Louise Finger, 549-248-9377
Blue Ridge Foothills Conservancy, Carl Schmitt, President, 434-985-9815
Culpeper Soil and Water Conservation District, VA, Greg Wichelns, District Manager, 540-825-8591
Greene County Virginia, County Engineer, Susan Riddle, 434-985-5204
Developer, Dr. Rodney Kibler, 434-985-7473
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| Results and Accomplishments As a result of the partnership with the Developer and the BRFC, the 240 totals acres were re-zoned from industrial to agricultural and 17 division rights surrendered. The 150 open acres and wildlife preserve have been placed in the County's Agricultural and Forestal District that provides protection from futher encroachment on the land. The scenic views, a 1790 circa house, graveyard and lake have been protected. There is a wide buffer and wildlife preserve along over a mile of a major waterway bordering the property wgere only foot access will be allowed. The State Game and Inland Fisheries Department is sponsoring a significant stream bank restoration on both side of the waterway. The Development will use extensive LID practices including first ever road BMPs approved by VDOT to manage road runoff. Close cooperation with the County has been essential to adapt these LID practices to meet storm water management requirements of the County. The lots will employ infiltration trenches and biofilters to manage driveway and roof runoff. An innovative Landowners Manual is being developed to ensure continued maintenence of LID and conservation practices. At present the road has been installed and several house lots sold.
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Innovation/Highlight Protection of farmland, historic house, cemetary, lake, wildlife and the watershed adjacent to major waterways.
Use of LID practices on roads and house lots to manage storm water runoff and maintain current hydrology.
Traditional curbs, gutters and catch basisns will not be used.
Multiparty private and public partenership to achieve the most agressive conservation development in the region. |
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Land Conservation
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Land Conservation
Conservation
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Houston
Idaho
Louisiana
Maine
Mississippi
Habitat