RURAL NELSON MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 7TH, 2004
RURAL NELSON OFFICE
NEXT MEETING: WEDNESDAY, MAY 5TH, 2004

Conny Roussos opened the meeting at 7:30 p.m., welcoming those who had
come, who then introduced themselves. Alyson Sappington, the District
Manager of the Thomas Jefferson Soil and Water Conservation District,
was present to talk about the residential rainwater harvesting system
for the collection and utilization of rainwater runoff, the storm water
ordinance, and their riparian easement program.

Alison began by explaining that the TJSWCD is one of 46 soil and water
conservation districts in Virginia. They comprise the state's only
conservation delivery network that identifies problems and guides
solutions. They work in partnership with various local, state and
federal agencies and organizations. These partnerships allow them to
provide comprehensive and efficient natural resource assistance. She
explained that in the past the main focus of the TJSWCD was on helping
those involved in agriculture in the county, but that as development in
this area has exploded in recent years their focus has shifted to work
with developers, county officials and homeowners to make them aware,
through workshops, of how to control erosion, sediment problems, and
storm water runoff issues. The TJSWCD serves the counties of Albemarle,
Fluvanna, Louisa and Nelson. Its Board of Directors is made up of
unpaid, locally elected citizens who set priorities and guide the
activities and programs of the district.

In approaching the topic of rooftop runoff collection systems, Alyson
pointed out that, with our average yearly rainfall of 45.72 inches, a 30
ft. by 40 ft. roof in Central Virginia can collect 34,300 gallons of
rainwater. This is enough to provide for 4,287 showers, 686 loads of
laundry, 6,860 flushes of a toilet or 45 one-inch-deep waterings of a
typical lawn. Ways of catching and using this water can be as simple as
putting a barrel under a gutter spout to store water for outdoor uses
such as car washing or filling children's swimming pools. It can also a
be a more complicated system for household use that involves a cistern,
either in the house or outside, with a filter system, such as
ultraviolet light treatment, to make the water drinkable. Cisterns can
also be used to collect larger amounts of water for livestock; and
reservoirs and pumping systems can supply a house with non-potable water
for domestic use. Alyson showed us pictures of both the simpler and more
complicated systems that TJSWCD has been the consultant for in the
district. She also showed pictures of rain gardens, another way of
conserving water. Several members of the audience asked about using
rainwater collection systems on a larger scale - to service several
residences. Alyson said that that could be done. Another audience
member suggested that the system could have been used for a situation
like Piney River to provide water for residents at a more reasonable
cost without the heavy, long-term debt to service 50-100 homes.

Alyson briefly discussed the county's development of a Stormwater
Ordinance, which at present is voluntary. The goal is to have the
Ordinance adopted as a part of any new Zoning Ordinance. She overviewed
two projects in the county that built the more innovative stormwater
techniques into their plans - The Nelson Center and Calvary Baptist
Church - both on Rt. 29.

The second topic she introduced was the Easement Program of the TJSWCD,
designed to hold open space easements in the interest of water
conservation. Such an easement is a legal agreement between the district
and a landowner to permanently preserve and protect the land in an
undeveloped state. The program focuses on the protection of riparian
forest buffers, critical slopes, springs, wetlands, and groundwater
recharge areas. The conveyance of an easement to TJSWCD can help
developers to meet state, local, or federal water-related regulations.
Through such an easement, water quality is enhanced by the reduction of
both current and potential erosion and pollution, and the trees in a
protected area filter and cool the water. Easements are tailored to
reflect the conservation values of the specific piece of property and
the goals of the landowner. The terms of an easement are negotiable, and
it does not mean that public access is granted to the land protected by
the easement. The donation of an easement may qualify as a deduction on
federal income taxes or for a state tax credit. Those interested should
call the TJSWCD at 434 975-0224. Respectfully submitted, Mary Buford Hitz

View Alyson Sappington's slide presentation on Residential Rainwater Harvesting Systems
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OF INTEREST:

- Nelson Downriver Race - Saturday, May 1. Intended for anyone
interested in canoe or kayak racing - from novices to national
champions. For more information on registration times, events and
locations, go to http://www.nelsoncountyva.org/NelDRace/NelDRace.htm

- Crabtree Falls Grand Opening for the new parking area and
facilities; Tuesday, May 4 at 10:00am at the parking area.

- The Nelson County Clean Commute Day event will be held at the Nelson
Center, on Friday May 7th, from 8am to 2pm. Clean Commute Day is a
statewide event promoting commuter alternatives to driving alone, such
as carpooling, transit, bicycling and walking. For more information,
contact Kristie Feggans at (434) 296-8861 or kristief@ridejaunt.org if
you would like to help with the event.
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This report, sent to over 550 Nelson County citizens, was made possible
by the generous donations of Rural Nelson members and supporters. We
need your help to continue this service. Please consider donating.

Kim T. Cash
Field Officer
Rural Nelson, Inc.
P. O. Box 401
(622 Front Street)
Lovingston, VA 22949
434.263.5000
Email: info@ruralnelson.org
www.ruralnelson.org