NRCS and Local Sponsors to Sign a Plan to Protect Waynesboro and Lynhurst from Floods

 When:         Tuesday, September 20, 2005
                     1:00 p.m.

Where:         Verona Government Center

What:           The Natural Resources Conservation Service and local sponsors will sign a plan to initiate the rehabilitation process for three dams in Augusta County.  Rehabilitating the dams will put them in compliance with current state design and safety standards and continue flood protection for the next 50 years. 

Sponsors:     Headwaters Soil and Water Conservation District
                     Augusta County Board of Supervisors
                     City of Waynesboro

 Background:    The Robinson Hollow, the Toms Branch, and the Inch Branch dams do not meet current State of Virginia dam design and safety standards.  Development in the floodplain has raised the classification of the dams from low hazard to high hazard. Failure of any one of the three dams could result in damages estimated at up to nearly $6 million.  

The local sponsors were proactive in requesting assistance from NRCS to develop a plan to rehabilitate the dams.  Over the past several months, NRCS has evaluated structures, conducted house to house surveys and held public meetings to determine the best options for rehabilitating the dams.  The plan calls for improvements to the dams that will protect nearly 1,000 residents, more than 250 homes, 10 business structures, 29 roads, and 13 bridges.   

Once the plan is signed, the next step is to request authorization and funding for the $4.1 million rehabilitation project. Funds will provide 100 percent of technical and 65 percent of financial assistance. 

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