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Measure Last Modified
04-11-2022 04:10 p.m.
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Measure Last Published
04-11-2022 04:22 p.m.
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Status
Active
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Data Source and Calculation
This measure tracks the number of acres where state-funded agricultural best management practices (BMPs) have been applied to benefit the environment. The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation agricultural cost-share BMP program improves water quality in the Commonwealth's streams, rivers, and the Chesapeake Bay through the reduction of nonpoint source pollution. Using financial incentives, the cost-share BMP program encourages the voluntary installation of agricultural practices to meet nonpoint source pollution reduction water quality objectives by reducing nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment runoff. DCR tracks and reports implementation of agricultural BMPs via the agricultural cost-sharing tracking database.
The number of acres that BMPs benefit is queried annually from a database using the agency’s business intelligence software. The query pulls data for state funded agricultural BMPs installed during each fiscal year. If a combination of state and federal funds was used to pay for a BMP, only the state portion, based on the proportion of funding, is included. For BMPs with a multi-year lifespan (i.e. a stream exclusion practice (SL-6) which has a 10 year lifespan), the number of acres benefited is only reported in the year the BMP was installed. For BMPs installed annually (i.e. cover crops), the number of acres benefited is reported each year as a new BMP.
The Department has continued to upgrade its agricultural cost-share database. Increased technological capabilities have enabled the Department to provide increased reporting accuracy.
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| Enterprise Priorities and Strategies |
| Initiative |
Priority |
Strategy |
| Natural Resources |
Chesapeake Bay Restoration |
Protect and improve the health of the Chesapeake Bay, by making every effort to meet the goals for nutrient reduction outlined in the federal government’s cleanup plan. |
| Service Area Code |
Service Area Name |
| 50301 |
Soil and Water Conservation |
| 50320 |
Financial Assistance to Soil and Water Conservation Districts |
| 50322 |
Technical Assistance to Soil and Water Conservation Districts |
| 50323 |
Agricultural Best Management Practices Cost Share Assistance |
| Name |
Date |
Result |
Note |
| Baseline |
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None |
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| Short Target 2025 |
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None |
None |
| Long Target 2027 |
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None |
None |
| Year |
Result |
Note |
| 2011 |
378,108.73 |
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| 2012 |
485,184.37 |
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| 2013 |
601,963.31 |
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| 2014 |
590,491.36 |
The focus of the Agricultural Best Management Program in both Fiscal Year 2014 and Fiscal Year 2015 is exclusion of livestock from streams. While these 10-year practices are among the most effective on farmland for protecting state waters from nonpoint source pollution, they typically are not applied to large areas of land because most of their land application is along either side of streams. Consequently, as more stream exclusion practices are installed, acreage benefitted could decrease further in Fiscal Year 2015 as well. |
| 2015 |
615,321.08 |
The focus of the Agricultural Best Management Program in both Fiscal Year 2014 and Fiscal Year 2015 is exclusion of livestock from streams. While these 10-year practices are among the most effective on farmland for protecting state waters from nonpoint source pollution, they typically are not applied to large areas of land because most of their land application is along either side of streams. Consequently, as more stream exclusion practices are installed, acreage benefitted could decrease further in Fiscal Year 2016 as well. |
| 2016 |
590,635.62 |
The focus of the Agricultural Best Management Program has been the exclusion of livestock from streams for several years. While these 10-year practices are among the most effective on farmland for protecting state waters from nonpoint source pollution, they typically are not applied to large areas of land because most of their land application is along either side of streams. Consequently, as more stream exclusion practices are installed, acreage benefitted could decrease further in Fiscal Year 2017 as well. |
| 2017 |
774,070.78 |
The focus of the Agricultural Best Management Program continues to be exclusion of livestock from streams. Due to a record appropriation in the FY2017 state budget, $52.5 million for agricultural cost-share was allocated to Virginia’s 47 Soil and Water Conservation Districts. Over 90 percent of this amount was either obligated or expended for agricultural best management practices. As a result, exclusion practices awaiting funding were reduced to less than $15 million, and many other best management practices were implemented. |
| 2018 |
620,014.70 |
The focus of the Agricultural Best Management Program continues to be exclusion of livestock from streams. Appropriations in FY18 was reduced to $16 million, however, by the end of FY18 only 150 practices, with estimated costs of $8 million, were awaiting funding. |
| 2019 |
735,601.82 |
This result reflects increased implementation of BMPs throughout the Commonwealth. Additional funding provided during FY2019 will address the remaining commitment to implement livestock exclusion practices. |
| 2020 |
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| 2021 |
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| 2022 |
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| Measure ID |
199.0001 |
| Measure Class |
Agency Key |
| Measure Type |
Outcome |
| Year Type |
State FY |
| Preferred Trend |
Increase |
| Frequency |
Annually |
| Statistical Unit |
Number of Acres |
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Report Filter
Performance Budgeting System Reports
