• Table of Virginia Agricultural BMPs1
• Cost-Share Program Schedule5

• Section I – Policy and Procedures on Soil and Water Conservation District Cost-Share and Technical Assistance Funding Allocationsi
• Section II - Cost Share Guidelinesii
• Section III - VACS Best Management Practicesiii
• Section IV - Virginia Agricultural Best Management Practices Tax Credit Program Guidelinesiv
• Section V – Voluntary Reporting Program (VRP)v
• Section VI – Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) Guidelinesvi
• Section VII - Virginia Small Herd Programvii
• Section VIII - Virginia Poultry Litter Transport Incentive Programviii
• Section IX - Glossary and Formsxi

Section I – Policy and Procedures on Soil and Water Conservation District Cost-share and Technical Assistance Funding Allocations

• Policy on Soil and Water Conservation District Administration and Operations Funding Allocations for Fiscal Year 2025
• Policy and Procedures on Soil and Water Conservation District Cost-share and Technical Assistance Funding Allocations (Fiscal Year 2025)

Section II – Cost Share Guidelines

• Overview II-1
• Program Eligibility RequirementsII-1
• Definition of ApplicantII-1
• Authority for Officers and Employees or Immediate Family Members to Participate in the VACS ProgramII-3
• HistoryII-3
• Historical Cost-Effective PracticesII-4
• VACS Program Funding Sources and Interest Income EarnedII-4
• Cost-Share Program Funding AllocationsII-5
• Reallocation of VACS Cost-share FundsII-5
• Technical Assistance FundingII-6
• The State and Local Government Conflict of Interests ActII-6
• Participant Recruitment, Application Ranking and BMP ApprovalII-6
• Priority Considerations (Statewide Water Quality Considerations)II-8
• Secondary Considerations (Local Water Quality Considerations)II-9
• Average Cost ListsII-10
• Conservation Efficiency FactorII-11
• Evaluation WorksheetsII-12
• Virginia’s Healthy Waters InitiativeII-15
• Cost-Share Funding RestrictionsII-16
• Local VACS Program ImplementationII-16
• Guidance on Volunteer Hours and the Cost-Share ProgramII-16
• State Environmental Laws ComplianceII-17
• Compliance with Federal Agricultural ProgramsII-18
• Nutrient Management RequirementsII-18
• Conservation Plan RequirementsII-19
• Location of Practice Instance Point- Distance to Stream and Relief to StreamII-20
• State Resource ReviewsII-20
• DCR Agricultural BMP Engineering Services ProgramII-25
• Table of VACS Practice Components Requiring EJAA or PE Review and ApprovalII-27
• Land Conservation Easements and BMP Cost-Share Program EgibilityII-31
• Cost-Share RatesII-31
• Participant NotificationII-32
• Procedures to Request a Variance to Exceed Cost-Share CapII-33
• PaymentII-35
• DocumentationII-36
• Cost-Share Program Bid ProcessII-37
• Virginia Agricultural BMP Cost-Share Bid Solicitation SheetII-40
• CREP DocumentationII-42
• Data ReportingII-42
• Completion Dates and Carryover Practice StatusII-42
• Table of Practices with One-Program Year Completion Dates Eligible for CarryoverII-43
• Table of Practices with Two-Program Year Completion Dates Eligible for CarryoverII-43
• An Extreme Act of Nature (EAN) for SL-8B Practices Only - Definition and ProcessII-46
• An Extreme Act of Nature (EAN) for Other Cover Crop Practices (Including SL-8H, NM-7 and WQ-4) - Definition and ProcessII-47
• Practice Failures due to an Extreme Act of Nature (EAN)II-47
• Conditions of Receiving Cost-Share Funding for an EANII-48
• Process for Requesting Cost-Share Funding for an EANII-48
• Practices Not Maintained or Destroyed During LifespanII-49
• Practices Failures Due to Unknown CausesII-50
• Transferring a BMP Cost-Share Instance or ContractII-51
• Return of Cost-Share FundsII-54
• Hardship Process (Including Highly Unusual Situations)II-54
• VACS Program QuestionsII-55
• Hydrologic Unit GeographyII-56
• Hydrologic Unit ReportingII-57
• BMP Verification Procedures OverviewII-58
• Selection Methodology for BMP VerificationII-59
• Biosecurity ConsiderationsII-60
• Biosecurity Procedures for Farm Visits to any Animal OperationsII-60
• Biosecurity Farm Hygiene ProceduresII-61
• Biosecurity for PoultryII-62
• FootbathsII-63
• Make an Easy FootbathII-63
• Response to Suspected or Confirmed FMD OutbreakII-64

Section III – VACS Best Management Practices

Practice Number	Practice Name
CCI-CNT	Long Term Continuous No-Till Planting SystemCCI-CNT-1
CCI-FRB-1	Forested Riparian Buffer- Maintenance PracticeCCI-FRB-1-1
CCI-HRB-1	Herbaceous Riparian Buffer- Maintenance PracticeCCI-HRB-1-1
CCI-RT-1	Long Term Continuous Reduced Tillage Planting SystemCCI-RT-1
CCI-SE-1	Stream Exclusion - Maintenance PracticeCCI-SE-1-1
CCI-SL-6N	Stream Exclusion with Narrow Width Buffer - Maintenance PracticeCCI-SL-6N-1
CCI-SL-6W	Stream Exclusion with Wide Width Buffer - Maintenance PracticeCCI-SL-6W-1
CCI-WP-2N	Stream Protection with Narrow Width Buffer - Maintenance PracticeCCI-WP-2N-1
CCI-WP-2W	Stream Protection with Wide Width Buffer - Maintenance PracticeCCI-WP-2W-1
CCI-WP-4	Animal Waste Control Facilities - Maintenance PracticeCCI-WP-4-1
CCI-WP-4C	Composter Facilities - Maintenance PracticeCCI-WP-4C-1
FR-1	Afforestation of Crop, Hay and Pasture LandFR-1-1
FR-3	Woodland Buffer Filter AreaFR-3-1
FR-3M	Woodland Buffer Filter Area MaintenanceFR-3M-1
FR-4	Woodland Erosion StabilizationFR-4-1
NM-1A	Nutrient Management Plan Writing and RevisionsNM-1A-1
NM-3C	Sidedress Application of Nitrogen on Corn at the 6-Leaf Stage or at Least 15" in Height and/or Grain Sorghum at the 5-Leaf Stage or at Least 12" in HeightNM-3C-1
NM-4	Late Winter Split Application of Nitrogen on Small GrainsNM-4-1
NM-5N	Precision Nutrient Management on Cropland- Nitrogen ApplicationNM-5N-1
NM-5P	Precision Nutrient Management on Cropland- Phosphorus ApplicationNM-5P-1
NM-6	Manure InjectionNM-6-1
NM-7	Cover Crop for Managing Liquid or Semi-Solid ManureNM-7-1
RMP-1	Resource Management Plan DevelopmentRMP-1-1
RMP-2	Resource Management Plan ImplementationRMP-2-1
SE-1	Vegetative Stabilization of Marsh Fringe AreasSE-1-1
SE-2	Shoreline StabilizationSE-2-1
SL-1	Long-Term Vegetative Cover on CroplandSL-1-1
SL-3	Stripcropping SystemsSL-3-1
SL-3B	Buffer StripcroppingSL-3B-1
SL-4	Terrace SystemsSL-4-1
SL-6F	Stream Exclusion in FloodplainsSL-6F-1
SL-6N	Stream Exclusion with Narrow Width Buffer and Grazing Land ManagementSL-6N-1
SL-6W	Stream Exclusion with Wide Width Buffer and Grazing Land ManagementSL-6W-1
SL-7	Extension of Watering and Grazing Management SystemsSL-7-1
SL-8	Protective Cover for Specialty CropsSL-8-1
SL-8A	Protective Cover for Agricultural CroplandSL-8A-1
SL-8B	Small Grain and Mixed Cover Crop for Nutrient Management and Residue ManagementSL-8B-1
SL-8H	Harvestable Cover CropSL-8H-1
SL-8M	Small Grain and Mixed Cover Crop for Nutrient Management and Residue Management with Fall Manure ApplicationSL-8M-1
SL-10	Grazing Land Management SL-10-1
SL-11	Permanent Vegetative Cover on Critical AreasSL-11-1
SL-15A	Continuous High Residue Minimal Soil Disturbance Tillage SystemSL-15A-1
SL-15B	Continuous No-Till Forage Production SystemSL-15B-1
WFA-CC	Whole Farm Approach - Cover Crop BundleWFA-CC-1
WFA-NM	Whole Farm Approach - Nutrient Management BundleWFA-NM-1
WP-1	Sediment Retention, Erosion or Water Control StructuresWP-1-1
WP-2A	Streambank StabilizationWP-2A-1
WP-2N	Stream Protection (Fencing with Narrow Width Buffer)WP-2N-1
WP-2P	Portable Fencing For Stream ProtectionWP-2P-1
WP-2W	Stream Protection (Fencing with Wide Width Buffer)WP-2W-1
WP-3	Sod WaterwayWP-3-1
WP-4	Animal Waste Control FacilitiesWP-4-1
	(MS Excel) WP-4(only) Risk Assessment for Water Quality Impairment Worksheet
WP-4B	Dairy Loafing Lot Management SystemWP-4B-1
	(MS Excel) Risk Assessment for Water Quality Impairment Worksheet
WP-4C	Composter FacilitiesWP-4C-1
WP-4F	Animal Mortality Incinerator FacilitiesWP-4F-1
WP-4FP	Feeding PadWP-4FP-1
WP-4LC	Animal Waste Control Facility for Confined Livestock OperationsWP-4LC-1
WP-4LL	Loafing Lot Management System with Manure Management (Excluding Bovine Dairy)WP-4LL-1
WP-4SF	Seasonal Feeding Facility with Attached Manure StorageWP-4SF-1
WQ-1	Grass Filter StripsWQ-1-1
WQ-4	Legume Based Cover CropWQ-4-1
WQ-5	Water Table Control StructuresWQ-5-1
WQ-11	Agricultural Sinkhole ProtectionWQ-11-1
WQ-12	Roof Runoff Management SystemWQ-12-1

Section IV – Virginia Agricultural Best Management Practices Tax Credit Program Guidelines

• OverviewIV-1
• Definition of ApplicantsIV-4
• Pass-Through EntityIV-5
• BMP Sign-UpIV-6
• Plan RequirementsIV-6
• Pre-approval of Tax credit BMPsIV-7
• DocumentationIV-7
• DCR Agricultural BMP Engineering ServicesIV-7
• Table of Tax Credit Only Practice Components Requiring EJAA or PE Review and ApprovalIV-8
• Data ReportingIV-10
• Inspections and VerificationIV-11
• Transfer of ResponsbilityIV-12
• Agreement Transferring Maintenance Responsibility for Best Management PracticeIV-13
• Granting of the Tax CreditIV-15
• Agricultural Best Management Practices Tax Credit Certificate (Example)IV-17
• QuestionsIV-18
• Agricultural Equipment Tax CreditsIV-1\8
• Tax Credit for Purchase of Conservation Tillage and Precision Agriculture EquipmentIV-19
• Sample Certification of Nutrient Management ImplementationIV-30

Tax Credit Only Best Management Practices

Practice Number	Practice Name
SL-6B	Alternative Water SystemSL-6B-1
SL-11B	Farm Road, Animal Travel Lane, Heavy-Use Area StabilizationSL-11B-1
WP-2B	Stream Crossings & Hardened AccessWP-2B-1
WP-2C	Stream Channel StabilizationWP-2C-1
WP-4E	Animal Waste Structure Pumping EquipmentWP-4E-1
WP-5	Stormwater Retention PondWP-5-1
WP-7	Surface Water Runoff Impoundment for Water QualityWP-7-1
WP-8	Relocation of Confined Feeding Operations from Environmentally Sensitive AreasWP-8-1
WQ-6	Constructed WetlandsWQ-6-1
WQ-6B	Wetland RestorationWQ-6B-1
WQ-7	Irrigation Water Recycling SystemWQ-7-1
WQ-8	Fuel Storage TreatmentWQ-8-1
WQ-9	Capping/Plugging of Abandoned WellsWQ-9-1
WQ-10	Integrated Pest ManagementWQ-10-1

Section V - Voluntary Reporting Program (VRP)

• OverviewV-1
• DocumentationV-1
• Data ReportingV-2
• Inspections and VerificationsV-3
• QuestionsV-3
• Virginia Agricultural Voluntary Best Management Practices (BMP) Assessment AuthorizationV-4

Voluntary Best Management Practices

Practice Number	Practice Name
VFR-1	Voluntary Afforestation of Crop, Hay and Pasture LandVFR-1-1
VFR-3	Voluntary Woodland Buffer Filter AreaVFR-3-1
VFR-4	Voluntary Woodland Erosion StabilizationVFR-4-1
VNM-3C	Voluntary Split Application of Nitrogen on Corn using Pre-Sidedress Nitrate TestVNM-3C-1
VNM-4	Voluntary Late Winter Split Application of Nitrogen on Small GrainsVNM-4-1
VNM-5N	Voluntary Precision Nutrient Management on Cropland- Nitrogen ApplicationVNM-5N-1
VNM-5P	Voluntary Precision Nutrient Management on Cropland- Phosphorus ApplicationVNM-5P-1
VSE-1	Voluntary Vegetative Stabilization of Marsh Fringe AreasVSE-1-1
VSE-5	Voluntary Stream ExclusionVSE-5-1
VSL-1	Voluntary Long Term Vegetative Cover on CroplandVSL-1-1
VSL-3	Voluntary Stripcropping SystemsVSL-3-1
VSL-3B	Voluntary Buffer StripcroppingVSL-3B-1
VSL-6B	Voluntary Alternative Water SystemVSL-6B-1
VSL-6N	Voluntary Stream Exclusion with Narrow Width Buffer and Grazing Land ManagementVSL-6N-1
VSL-6W	Voluntary Stream Exclusion with Wide Width Buffer and Grazing Land ManagementVSL-6W-1
VSL-7	Voluntary Extension of Watering SystemsVSL-7-1
VSL-8	Voluntary Protective Cover for Specialty CropsVSL-8-1
VSL-8B	Voluntary Small Grain and Mixed Cover Crop for Nutrient Management and Residue ManagementVSL-8B-1
VSL-8D	Voluntary Commodity Cover CropVSL-8D-1
VSL-8H	Voluntary Harvestable Cover CropVSL-8H-1
VSL-9	Voluntary Grazing Land ManagementVSL-9-1
VSL-11	Voluntary Permanent Vegatative Cover on Critical AreasVSL-11-1
VSL-11B	Voluntary Farm Road, Animal Travel Lane, Heavy Use Area StabilizationVSL-11B-1
VWP-1	Voluntary Sediment Retention, Erosion, or Water Control StructuresVWP-1-1
VWP-2A	Voluntary Streambank StabilizationVWP-2A-1
VWP-2B	Voluntary Stream Crossing and Hardened AccessVWP-2B-1
VWP-3	Voluntary Sod WaterwayVWP-3-1
VWP-4	Voluntary Animal Waste Control FacilitiesVWP-4-1
VWP-4B	Voluntary Loafing Lot Management SystemVWP-4B-1
VWP-4C	Voluntary Composter FacilitiesVWP-4C-1
VWP-4F	Voluntary Animal Mortality Incinerator FacilitiesVWP-4F-1
VWP-7	Voluntary Surface Water Runoff Impoundment for Water QualityVWP-7-1
VWQ-1	Voluntary Grass Filter StripsVWQ-1-1
VWQ-4	Voluntary Legume Based Cover CropVWQ-4-1
VWQ-7	Voluntary Irrigation Water Recycling SystemVWQ-7-1
VWQ-12	Voluntary Roof Runoff Management SystemVWQ-12-1

Section VI – Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) Guidelines

• OverviewVI-1
• Expected BenefitsVI-1
• CREP Cost-Share Funding Starting in FY2021VI-1
• Program AreaVI-2
• Program EligibilityVI-2
• CREP EnrollmentVI-3
• CREP and the Chesapeake Bay Preservation ActVI-3
• Eligible PracticesVI-4
• Program Sign-UpVI-7
• Participant NotificationVI-7
• PaymentsVI-7
• Cost Share RateVI-7
• Rental RateVI-8
• Federal CREP Incentive PaymentsVI-8
• State CREP IncentivesVI-8
• State DocumentationVI-9
• Data ReportingVI-9
• Inspections and Spot ChecksVI-10
• QuestionsVI-10
• Counties Included in the CREP AreaVI-11

CREP Practices

Practice Number	Practice Name
CP-21	CREP Grass Filter StripCP-21-1
CP-22	CREP Riparian Forest BufferCP-22-1
CP-23	CREP Wetland Restoration Rent CP-23-1
CP-29	CREP Wildlife Habitat BufferCP-29-1
CRFR-3	CREP Woodland Buffer Filter AreaCRFR-3-1
CRLF-1	CREP Linear Foot of Streambank ProtectedCRLF-1-1
CRSL-6	CREP Stream Exclusion with Grazing Land ManagementCRSL-6-1
CRWP-2	CREP Stream ProtectionCRWP-2-1
CRWQ-1	CREP Herbaceous Riparian BuffersCRWQ-1-1
CRWQ-6B	CREP Wetland RestorationCRWQ-6B-1
CRWQ-11	CREP Agricultural Sinkhole ProtectionCRWQ-11-1

Section VII - Virginia Small Herd Program

• Small Herd InitiativeVII-1

Section VIII - Virginia Poultry Litter Transport Incentive Program

• Virginia Poultry Litter Transport Incentive ProgramVIII-1

Section IX - Glossary and Forms

• Glossary of TermsIX-1
• Applicant's Self-Certification of EligibilityIX-7
• Nutrient Application Field Record SheetIX-8
• Nutrient Application Field Record Sheet ExampleIX-9
• Dry Manure Storage Structure AgreementIX-10
• WP-4 Risk Assessment for Water Quality Impairment from Animal Concentrated AreasIX-11
• (MS Excel) WP-4(only) Risk Assessment for Water Quality Impairment Worksheet
• Risk Assessment for Water Quality Impairment from Heavy Use Areas/Animal Concentrated AreasIX-16
• (MS Excel) Risk Assessment for Water Quality Impairment Worksheet
• Voluntary Agricultural Best M+anagement Practice (BMP) Assessment Authorization FormIX-21
• Cost Share File Administrative Review FormForm-1

Supplemental Information

     --Agricultural Non Point Source Assessment Rankings by 6th Order HUC
     --WBD Hydrologic Unit Codes (VAHU6), County Codes (ANSI) and City Codes (FIPS)

Revised June, 2024