Financial Assistance Programs for Water Quality Protection

Virginia Department of Forestry (DOF) encourages landowners to consult a forester to discuss goals and objectives for their land. No matter what the landowner’s objectives are, if there are forest management activities needed to meet those objectives, the implementation can be daunting and come with a cost. Part of DOF services is to assist landowners with identifying financial assistance programs that the landowner may be eligible for.

A variety of financial assistance and incentive programs are often available to assist Virginia landowners with the financial costs associated with forest management activities to protect water quality. By “sharing the costs”, landowners may be able to undertake projects they could not afford to do on their own.


James River Buffer Program

Growing forests for clean water is the goal of the James River Buffer Program. Through the James River Buffer Program, the James River Association and the Virginia Department of Forestry are working working with landowners across the Middle James Watershed on restoring or creating forest buffers to improve the quality of our local waterways.

Read more about the James River Buffer Program.


Get started by contacting your local forester.

Find a DOF Forester


A variety of financial assistance programs are available through DOF and partner agencies for forest management activities to help protect water quality.

Explore All Financial Assistance Programs


Additional Resources

ImageTitleIDDescriptionContent TypeViewhf:tax:document-categoryhf:tax:document-tagshf:tax:Media
Cost-Share/AMP Project Amendment
Cost-Share/AMP Project Amendment3.11Viewfinance financial-assistance financial-assistance-forest-management financial-assistance-water-quality financial-assistance-forest-health forest-health forest-management water-qualitycost-share-programs eabt-program grant-programs lpfct-program lpr-program pct-program rt-programform
Forestry Cost-Share or Grant Program Certification of Work Completed
Forestry Cost-Share or Grant Program Certification of Work Completed3.09Viewfinance financial-assistance-water-quality financial-assistance-forest-health financial-assistance financial-assistance-forest-management forest-health forest-management water-qualitycost-share-programs grant-programs lpfct-program lpr-program pct-programform
James River Buffer Program - Growing Forests for Clean Water
James River Buffer Program – Growing Forests for Clean Water

Information sheet provides an overview of this joint program (James River Association and Virginia Department of Forestry) offering financial assistance for creating forest buffers across the Middle James Watershed.

Viewfinancial-assistance-forest-management financial-assistance-water-quality forest-management water-qualityjames-river-buffer-programdocument
Logger Best Management Practice (BMP) Cost-Share Program
Logger Best Management Practice (BMP) Cost-Share ProgramFT0047

Forestry topic information sheet provides program information about the Logger Best Management Practice (BMP) Cost-Share Program providing cost-share assistance to loggers for installation of best management practices.

Viewfinancial-assistance-water-quality water-qualitybest-management-practices cost-share-programs forestry-topics logger-bmp-program logger-resourcespublication
Logger Pine Thinning Cost-Share Program - First Commercial Pine Thinning
Logger Pine Thinning Cost-Share Program – First Commercial Pine ThinningFT0028

Forestry topic information sheet provides an overview of the Logger Pine Thinning Cost-Share Program offering financial assistance for first commercial pine thinning.

Viewfinancial-assistance-water-quality water-qualitycost-share-programs forestry-topics lpfct-program thinning timber-harvestingpublication
Multiple Landowners Supplement
Multiple Landowners Supplement3.10Viewfinance financial-assistance financial-assistance-forest-management financial-assistance-water-quality financial-assistance-forest-health forest-health forest-management water-qualitycost-share-programs eabt-program grant-programs hemlock-woolly-adelgid-treatment-cost-share-program lpfct-program lpr-program pct-program rt-programform
Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification (Virginia Dept. of Accounts)
Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification (Virginia Dept. of Accounts)W-9Viewfinance financial-assistance-water-quality financial-assistance-fire-and-emergency-response financial-assistance-forest-management financial-assistance-urban-and-community-forestry financial-assistance-forest-health fire-and-emergency-response forest-health forest-management urban-and-community-forestry water-qualitycost-share-programs eabt-program firewise-virginia-community-hazard-mitigation-grant-program grant-programs hemlock-woolly-adelgid-treatment-cost-share-program lpfct-program lpr-program pct-program rt-program throwing-shade-va-program va-trees-for-clean-water-program volunteer-fire-assistance-grant-programform
Temporary Bridge Cost-Share Program Application
Temporary Bridge Cost-Share Program Application18.12

Application form to be completed to apply for Temporary Bridge Cost-Share Program.

Viewfinancial-assistance-water-quality water-qualitytemporary-bridge-cost-share-programform

Contact Us

DOF foresters can assist you with your forestland and financial assistance options available. Contact your local DOF forester.

For more information or questions, e-mail us or use our contact form.