Temporary wooden or steel portable bridges and mats are great tools for crossing streams when harvesting timber because they help protect water quality on harvest sites. It begins with proper harvest planning to minimize the impact of the harvest on the site and any water associated with the site. Bridges and mats are installed during the course of the timber harvest and removed upon completion to keep the stream channel open and flowing naturally with the ultimate goal of keeping sediment associated with the timber harvest from moving to a watercourse.
This program focuses cost-share funding provided by the USDA Forest Service to those areas of a timber harvest that can potentially deliver sediment to a stream. This would encompass stream crossings, associated road or trail approaches, and structures associated with the stream crossing (portable bridges and/or mats).
The program is designed to assist the logger with off-setting some of the costs associated with the installation of a proper stream crossing that minimizes the impact of sediment delivery to a stream channel that must be crossed to access timber.
Who is Eligible
- Logging contractors who have maintained their training under Virginia’s SHARP Logger Program administered by Virginia Tech Cooperative Extension and supported by the Virginia Forestry Association and the Sustainable Forestry Infinitive State Implementation Committee.
- Logging contractors who do not have any outstanding debt to the Department of Forestry.
- Logging contractors who do not have any unresolved water quality actions under the Silvicultural Water Quality Law.
What is Covered
The cost share covers the purchase of portable wooden or steel bridges and mats.
Upon completion of the project, all receipts for the bridges and/or mats will be submitted to the water quality staff person that developed the plan.
Cost-Share Amount
The rate of cost share is 75% of the actual cost of the mats up to $6,000 for the installation of mats associated with the stream crossing. If the project includes the purchase of a portable bridge to cross the stream, then the maximum amount increases to $12,000 (75% up to $12,000 if a portable bridge is part of the project).
To Apply
To apply, contact one of the DOF water quality staff for your area. They will inspect the stream crossing that you would like cost-share assistance for and help develop a plan for the crossing and closeout upon completion. They will help complete the application, Form 18.12 Temporary Bridge Cost-Share Program Application, which will be submitted to the water quality program manager at the DOF Headquarters for approval. Once approved, the work may commence.
Apply by contacting your local water quality specialist or engineer.
Additional Resources
| Image | Title | ID | Description | Content Type | View | hf:tax:document-category | hf:tax:Media |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Temporary Bridge Cost-Share Program Application | 18.12 | Application form to be completed to apply for Temporary Bridge Cost-Share Program. | Form | View | financial-assistance-water-quality water-quality | form |
A variety of financial assistance programs are available through DOF and partner agencies for forest management activities to protect water quality.
Explore All Financial Assistance Programs
Contact Us
Your local DOF water quality staff can assist you with applying for this cost-share program. Contact your local DOF staff.
For more information or questions, e-mail us or use our contact form.