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Grant Opportunity Alert! Calling all PD9 Member Jurisdictions!
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The awaited final guidelines
for the HUD-DOT-EPA Sustainable Communities Planning Grant initiative
have been released, offering an exciting opportunity for the Regional
Commission to secure, on behalf of its 13 member jurisdictions, up
to $1,000,000 in federal funding for the purpose of developing a model
Regional Plan for Sustainable Development (RPSD).
The grant round promises to be both competitive and quick in duration,
with like-sized regions across the country all vying for contention,
and completed applications due back to HUD no later than Monday, August
23.
The applicant category in which our region falls: "Small-Sized Regions,
Rural Communities and Small Town Areas- with a population of less
than 200,000," is to be used for the purpose of developing a comprehensive
regional plan that addresses housing, economic development, transportation,
energy, water, and other environmental quality-related challenges
in a "highly sustainable and integrated" fashion.
Funding for plan development is for the support of:
• stakeholder-driven
visioning and scenario planning exercises that are intended to address
and harmonize critical land uses and investment decisions, such
as those for the location and distribution of affordable housing,
schools, and employment centers;
• sustainable and cost-effective transportation and water infrastructure
investments;
• designation of lands for conservation and ongoing agricultural
use; and
• proactive consideration of risks from disasters and climate
change.
No matching funds are required.
The Commission has been looking at this opportunity since it was originally
announced by HUD a number of month's back, and in addition to briefings
of at its regular meetings, ongoing discussions with area elected
officials, chief administrative officers, planning directors and others,
will shortly be reaching out to solicit ideas and input from area
residents as well.
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Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Implementation Plans Currently
Underway
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Another round of federal and state-mandated
water quality improvement planning efforts have recently begun
in Fauquier, Madison and Culpeper counties. The RRRC, Virginia
Departments of Conservation and Recreation, Environmental Quality,
and Health, along with John Marshall and Culpeper Soil and Water
Conservation Districts are working together with interested
citizens to determine appropriate strategies to reduce identified
harmful levels of bacteria in a series of area streams. In Fauquier
County, the focus is on Browns, Marsh and Craig Runs, exhibiting
fecal coliform bacteria levels from both human and animal sources
in excess of established state standards. On May 4, 2010 citizens
gathered at Cedar Lee Middle School in Bealeton to be briefed
on the details of the original TMDL development study and to
work with agency representatives on the next stage of the process,
which includes identification of applicable best management
practices, holding the greatest promise of overall water quality
improvement..
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Little Dark Run in Madison County and the Robinson
River, draining sections of Madison and Culpeper Counties, are similarly
impaired, with fecal coliform levels from human and animal sources
earlier observed to be likewise in excess of established state standards.
The first public meeting initiating this TMDL-IP was held in the Town
of Madison on June 15, 2010, with more than fifty in attendance, participating
in the general meeting and agricultural and residential break-out
sessions, to identify strategies aimed at restoring the water quality
in referenced watersheds to equal-to or better-than established standards.
At both the Fauquier and Madison meetings, discussions focused on:
•Changes in land use that have occurred since the date
the preceding TMDL development study was initially conducted;
•Methods used to identify contaminant sources;
•Funding for proposed improvements; and
•Potential requirements for implementation of improvements.
It was noted that the only improvements which are
required by law are those that eliminate improper discharges of human
waste; all other practices being strictly voluntary. As might be expected
given the current economy, the extent of funding likely to be available
upon conclusion of the implementation planning process is uncertain
at the present time. Other issues, including contaminant source identification
and the need for updated land use information, were also discussed
and clarified.
Agricultural and residential working groups for each TMDL-IP plan
to meet again in late summer. All interested residents are cordially
invited and encouraged to participate. Representatives from the working
groups and local, regional and state governments for each TMDL-IP
will join together in early Fall to make up the Steering Committees
which will contribute their findings and suggested methods for remediation
for inclusion the finalized draft Implementation Plans; both of which
are scheduled for completion by late December, 2010.
Questions concerning either TMDL-IP may directed to Deirdre Clark
at 540.829.7450 or dbclark@rrregion.org. For a calendar of upcoming
meeting dates, notes from past meetings, and additional information
on either initiative, please visit: Browns, Marsh, Craig Runs TMDL-IP
- http://www.rrregion.org/tmdl_bcm.html
Robinson River, Little Dark Run TMDL IP - http://www.rrregion.org/tmdl_rld.html.
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New Park and Ride Lot Set to Open at Vint
Hill in Fauquier County
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Vint Hill Economic Development Authority and RRRC
Commuter Services - RRCommute - have joined together to make ridesharing
even easier for area commuters through the addition of a convenient
new commuter lot. The paved, lighted 40-space parking area is located
at the intersection of Kennedy Road and Aiken Drive in Vint Hill,
not far off Rt.29.
Banners announcing the new facility will soon be in place at the entrances
to Vint Hill,, and the lot will be demarcated with an official Park
and Ride Lot sign. The Commission extends its sincere thanks to representatives
of Vint Hill EDA for their assistance with this promising new facility,
commitment to the region, and community spirit.
For the locations of this and other area Park and Ride lots across
the Rappahannock-Rapidan Region, to complete a rideshare application
in order to generate a match list of potential fellow carpoolers heading
your way, and to access additional helpful information about area
commuting, please visit www.rrcommute.org.
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RRRC Living Towns- Culpeper Planning Workshop
to Be Held September 16
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The Regional Commission is pleased to announce that
the Town of Culpeper will be serving as this year's host community
of its popular annual RRRC Living Towns Planning Workshop series,
with the all day regional and statewide proceeding tentatively scheduled
to be held on Thursday, September 16.
Steering committee members are in the process of putting together
the agenda now, and by all accounts from the Main Street, transportation,
economic development and other planning topics thus far discussed,
it promises to be another highly informative and enjoyable event.
Please mark your calendars to reserve the date, and check back periodically
on the Regional Commission website www.rrregion.org/planningworkshops
for further details!
Or, simply drop a line to RRRC Office Manager Sue Hromyak (540-829-7450
or shromyak@rrregion.org),
with a request to be placed on the RRRC Living Towns Annual Planning
Workshop mailing list, and we will be sure to let you know as soon
as the agenda has set, and pre-registration opened for the upcoming
event.
We look forward to seeing you this September 16 in the Town of Culpeper!
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RRRC Tourism Committee Releases New Regional
Tourism Marketing Brochure
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The RRRC Regional Tourism
Committee, comprised of area tourism directors and related tourism
officials, recently released its new regional tourism marketing
brochure to widespread and enthusiastic fanfare.
A
print companion to the Commission and Regional Tourism Committee's
award-winning www.thevirginiapiedmont.org
website, the full-color brochures contain a wealth of information
about the region for visitors and residents alike.
In
addition, a concurrent advertising campaign with national ad
run has generated significant requests from prospective visitors
for information about the area, and the requests are continuing
to come in!
The
brochure can be downloaded at www.thevirginiapiedmont.org,
or stop by your local visitor's center to pick up a copy, and
make plans to take advantage of all that the Virginia Piedmont
has to offer!
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'It's Your Doodie' Pet Waste Outreach Program
& Photo Contest
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The RRRC has received a grant from The Chesapeake
Bay Restoration Fund to create an outreach program that will encourage
responsible pet ownership and pet waste removal. With the Fauquier
County Department of Parks and Recreation, the John Marshall Soil
and Water Conservation District and the Chesapeake Bay Restoration
Fund, the RRRC has launched a Pet Waste Project Outreach Program,
the goal of which is to educate pet owners on the importance of cleaning
up after their pets.
Pet waste can contaminate rivers, lakes and streams. It contains harmful bacteria such as E. Coli and fecal coliform, which if present in a waterbody in sufficient numbers, can render the water unfit for human contact. Pet waste decays, using up dissolved oxygen and releasing compounds that are harmful to fish and other animals. And it contains nutrients that can cause excessive algae growth in a river or lake, upsetting the natural balance.
As part of the project, the Fauquier County Department of Parks and Recreation will install 4 pet waste collection stations along Whites Mill Cedar Run Stream Valley Trail in Warrenton. The water in this stream will be monitored by the John Marshall Soil and Water Conservation District, along with the assistance of local students. The testing will be supported by a second grant, from Virginia Naturally (EPA) from July to December 2010. There will be three test locations to determine the water quality of the stream, examining stream health improvements as the pet waste stations are used. In addition, the Project will develop and distribute educational materials.
To help kickoff this important program, the Pet Waste Project has
launched a pet photo contest called, "It's Your Doodie". Fauquier
pet owners can submit photos of their canines to the RRRC to be the
Spokesdog for the Program featured on flyers and other promotional
materials. The Pet Waste Project Committee will include local officials
and residents who will judge the contestants after close of the photo
submittal deadline on July 23rd, 2010. All canine contestants will
receive a certificate of participation. The Pet Waste Outreach Program
has a Facebook
page where additional information on the initiative can be found,
along with submitted photos of "It's Your Doodie" contestants received
to date. For Fauquier residents wishing to enter their canine in the
contest, or to learn more about the Pet Waste Project Outreach Program,
please send your pet's contact information and photo no later than
July 23 to RRRC planner Jenny Biché at planinfo@rrregion.org.
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2010 Installment of Annual Travel Time Study
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As part of its annual Rural Transportation
Planning Program scope of work, the Regional Commission has recently
completed the 2010 installment of its ongoing Travel Time Study of
selected corridors across the region. This is the fourth year that
the Regional Commission has collected travel time data on primary
routes within the region. Corridors are selected with input and guidance
from the RRRC Rural Transportation Technical Committee. The program
began in 2007 with baseline data collection planned for five years.
This spring, the Regional Commission collected travel time data on
Route 28 in Fauquier County from the intersection with Routes 15 and
29 north of Remington to the Prince William County boundary and on
Route 20 from the western boundary of the Town of Orange to the intersection
with Route 3 at Wilderness. Both corridors are primarily two-lane,
rural highways with areas identified for future growth around Bealeton
on Route 28 corridor and the Town of Orange on Route 20. Results of
the 2010 Travel Time Corridor Study, as well as past years' efforts,
can be found at www.rrregion.org/publications.
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Foothills Area Mobility System to Initiate
New Culpeper to Charlottesville Pilot Bus Service
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In May, the Foothills Area Mobility System issued
a competitive Request for Proposals (RFP) and intent to select a vendor
to operate a pilot bus service between Culpeper and Charlottesville
to transport persons with disabilities for medical and other appointments.
Now headed toward final selection phase, the competitive procurement
process recently provided for interviews and presentations by prospective
candidates, and detailed Q&A with members of the steering committee.
Upon conclusion of the ongoing procurement process, the Commission
plans to work with the ultimately selected applicant over the summer
to identify locations for pick-up in the Rappahannock-Rapidan region
and Charlottesville area. The pilot service is expected to launch
in late summer or early fall of this year.
In addition to the new Culpeper-Charlottesville Pilot Bus Service,
FAMS also received grant assistance for FY 2011 to continue funding
for its Mobility Specialist, Mobility Program Manager, and one-call
Transportation Center staffer. The FAMS Steering Committee, with representatives
from the Commission, Community Services Board, Aging Together, and
other area stakeholders oversees the work of each of these positions
and Commission's mobility management planning program.
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Caution--Slow Moving Vehicles!
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The 2010 crop season is in full swing. That
means that motorists travelling our region's highways and narrow
country lanes may find themselves suddenly following behind
large, often slow-moving farm equipment. A number of farmers
have reported experiencing potentially life-threatening near-misses
with drivers of vehicles who failed to exercise caution when
approaching and passing only at safe and permissible times.
Reports of excessive speeds, passing on curves, in no-passing
zones, on approaches to blind hills, and in general, exhibitions
of disregard for human safety appear to be on the upswing. Several
have reached out for assistance from area law enforcement, in
the hopes of alerting fellow drivers to the importance of not
only following all traffic regulations, but to the need for
exercising additional caution and remaining especially vigilant
for slower-moving vehicles at this time of year.
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State code mandates that the Slow Moving Vehicle
(SMV) symbol, shown above, be prominently displayed on the back of
all farm vehicles on public roads. When properly marked, these vehicles
share the same travel rights as other vehicles. Most farm equipment
travels at 25 miles per hour or less in road gear. This requires that
those travelling identical routes be observant of possible farm equipment
ahead, be patient and cautious in selecting passing opportunities,
and remain watchful of oncoming traffic. The most common type of accident
occurs when a slow-moving vehicle begins to execute a turn just as
a motorist following behind begins to pass. All drivers are also reminded
that passing across a double yellow line is prohibited.
Farmers are typically acutely aware of the frustration experienced
by those who may be in a hurry behind them, and respond by pulling
over to allow passing wherever possible. However, not all rural roads
offer such an option, and so there may not necessarily nor always
be opportunity to do so. Drivers should be reminded that most farm
equipment trips are nevertheless short in duration, and therefore
encouraged to try and be patient, and if possible, simply enjoy the
scenery when temporarily experiencing such a delay. Indeed, the presence
of such equipment across the region indicates active, working farms,
which also means a vibrant, beautiful and productive regional community
for all.
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Then & Now: Across the
Rappahannock-Rapidan Region
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Main Street
Looking West, Town of Orange
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Then
Source: RRRC Archives
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Now
Source: Jeff Walker, RRRC
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This set of images is from the Town of Orange, looking
west along Main Street toward the intersection with Caroline Street.
The Holladay House Bed & Breakfast is visible in the present-day
image, while the historical photograph includes several buildings,
including Trinity United Methodist Church and the present-day location
of the Orange School for the Performing Arts, on the far right of
the image above. One further change between the two is the addition
of the stop signs on Main Street in both directions, making the intersection
with Caroline Street a three-way stop.
If you have historic postcards or photographs that you would like
to see in this feature, please contact the Regional Commission at
(540) 829-7450 or planinfo@rrregion.org.
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Regional Stat: Comparing 2000-2009 Town
& County Population Changes
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The past decade has seen unprecedented population growth
in the Rappahannock-Rapidan region. The region as a whole continues
to be the second fastest-growing Planning District in Virginia and
Culpeper, Fauquier and Orange counties all rank in the top twenty
fastest-growing counties in Virginia.
The eight towns in the region have also experienced population growth
since 2000, with the towns of Culpeper and Warrenton experiencing
the most significant changes, both in terms of total numbers added
and percent change. Below, we compare the growth rates from 2000-2009
of the towns and the counties in which they are located, essential
in planning for future development-related needs.
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Town
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2000
Pop. |
2009
Pop. Estimate |
%
Pop. Change |
County |
2000
Pop. |
2009
Pop. Estimate |
%
Pop. Change |
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Culpeper
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9,664 |
14,028 |
45.2% |
Culpeper |
34,263 |
46,502 |
35.7% |
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Remington
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624 |
685 |
9.8% |
Fauquier |
55,185 |
68,010 |
23.2% |
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The
Plains
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266 |
302 |
13.5% |
Fauquier |
55,185 |
68,010 |
23.2% |
| Warrenton |
6,670 |
9,065 |
35.9% |
Fauquier |
55,185 |
68,010 |
23.2% |
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| Madison |
210 |
213 |
1.4% |
Madison |
12,519 |
13,702 |
9.4% |
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| Gordonsville |
1,498 |
1,716 |
14.6% |
Orange |
25,881 |
33,600 |
29.8% |
| Orange |
4,123 |
4,674 |
13.3% |
Orange |
25,881 |
33,600 |
29.8% |
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| Washington |
183 |
169 |
-7.7% |
Rappahannock |
7,102 |
7,035 |
-0.9% |
Source:
U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program
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