Surry-Skiffes Creek Restricted Funds

The Virginia Land Conservation Foundation administers the Surry-Skiffes Creek Restricted Funds grant program through the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. The Foundation was established under Virginia law to manage a dedicated conservation fund that supports land protection, historic preservation, and open space initiatives across the Commonwealth. This particular funding opportunity originates from a Memorandum of Agreement tied to the construction of the Surry-Skiffes Creek-Whealton transmission line project, through which Dominion Energy contributed mitigation funding to address impacts to historic and environmental resources. The 2026 grant round represents the final allocation of remaining restricted funds, totaling 250000 dollars, intended to support projects within a defined historic and environmental region. The primary purpose of this grant program is to mitigate adverse impacts to historic properties and landscapes within the Jamestown Island-Hog Island-Captain John Smith Trail Historic District and related areas. Funding supports three major categories of projects: battlefield conservation, landscape preservation within the James River watershed, and broader land conservation efforts that prevent incompatible shoreline development and future river crossings. Eligible activities include fee simple land acquisition, conservation or open-space easements, and the development of interpretive programs, signage, and exhibits related to historically significant events such as the Battle of Yorktown and the Peninsula Campaign. Funding may cover up to 100 percent of total project costs, with a maximum award of 250000 dollars. Allowable expenses include acquisition costs, due diligence expenses such as appraisals and surveys, and costs associated with interpretive programming. Certain costs, such as ongoing maintenance or indirect administrative overhead for acquisition projects, are not eligible. While matching funds are not explicitly required, applicants may include match contributions to strengthen their proposals, particularly where additional land or financial contributions enhance project outcomes. Projects must be completed within two years of award approval, with a possible one-year extension if justified. Eligible applicants include state agencies, local governments, public bodies, federally or state-recognized Virginia Indian Tribes, and registered nonprofit organizations. Nonprofits must meet specific requirements, including maintaining a conservation-focused mission and a Virginia office, and must ensure that easements are co-held with a public entity. Applicants must demonstrate landowner willingness, provide evidence of financial and organizational capacity, and ensure that projects are site-specific and aligned with program priorities. Projects involving eminent domain are explicitly prohibited. The application process requires submission of a comprehensive proposal via email, including a project narrative, budget details, environmental survey, maps, and supporting documentation such as letters of support and landowner consent. Applicants must also provide evidence supporting property value, cost estimates, and, where applicable, draft easement terms. Applications undergo an initial completeness review, followed by scoring by agency staff based on established criteria such as historic significance, proximity to impacted areas, conservation value, and project readiness. Final approval is granted by the Foundation’s Board and the State Historic Preservation Office. The application deadline for the 2026 grant round is September 4, 2026, at 5 p.m. Eastern Time. Applications must be submitted electronically to the Department of Conservation and Recreation via a designated email address. General inquiries can be directed to the Office of Land Conservation by phone or email. Following approval, grant agreements are issued contingent on completion of required documentation such as appraisals and environmental assessments. Funds are disbursed at or after project settlement based on documented eligible expenses. This grant program is not described as recurring and represents a targeted opportunity to distribute remaining mitigation funds tied to a specific infrastructure project. While future rounds may occur if additional funds remain, this is not guaranteed and should not be assumed as a standard annual cycle. The program emphasizes long-term conservation outcomes, requiring perpetual protection measures for funded properties and strict compliance with state conservation laws and guidelines.

Focus on demonstrating historic significance and proximity to the defined district, provide strong documentation of landowner support and readiness, and align clearly with conservation and preservation criteria