Georgia Conservation assistance program (gcap)
Georgia Conservation Assistance Program (GCAP) is a partnership between the Georgia Association of Conservation Districts, United States Department of Agriculture, Cobb County Conservation District, Fulton County Conservation District and Trees Atlanta that provides financial and educational assistance to landowners in Cobb County and Fulton County with reducing nonpoint source pollution on urban, non agricultural lands.
background
Nonpoint sources of pollution occur over a wide area and are not easily attributed to a single source. In urban areas, stormwater runoff is one of the major nonpoint sources of pollution that impacts watersheds. Stormwater describes surface runoff from disturbed and developed lands that is produced immediately following rainfall. Factors that affect stormwater include the quantity and intensity of a precipitation event, amount of impervious surfaces (pavement), soil type and condition, vegetative cover, and slope length and steepness.
gcap overview
GCAP would attempt to reduce nonpoint source pollution and the rate of stormwater runoff, and improve the water quality of sites in Cobb and Fulton County by funding the installation of eligible Best Management Practices (BMPs) on single-family residential property.
Photo courtesy of: Rain Dog Designs, Gig Harbor, WA
BMPs are intended to capture and/or infiltrate surface runoff produced following rainfall, and are primarily designed to manage stormwater coming from a source on the property, such as a roof, driveway or lawn. BMPs eligible for funding include: cisterns, dry wells, rain gardens, downspout disconnects, and impervious surface removal. Funding is for installation of practices only; homeowner will be responsible for maintenance of BMPs. Funding can cover any combination of BMPs as deemed necessary by the initial site assesment.
In order to apply for GCAP the following requirements must be met:
Property must be single family residential property located in Cobb or Fulton County
Homeowner must sign off on application (renters welcome to apply with homeowner signature)
Land that corresponds to an equivalent BMP in a cost-share program (such as with USDA-NRCS), is not eligible for participation
In addition to funding BMP installations, GACD, Conservation Districts and partners at the University of Georgia will host informative workshops to promote GCAP and educate the community on the harmful effects of stormwater runoff and nonpoint source pollution.
Funding Timeline
Application period opens September 10- 30, 2020 on this website.
GACD and the Conservation Districts will score the applications based on factors including financial need, need for services, and the property being located in an impaired watershed.
GACD and the Conservation Districts will notify highest ranked applicants that they will move on to the site assessment portion of the application procedure. Trees Atlanta, the installer, will visit and assess each site to determine the BMP, or combination of BMPs, needed to best fit the property and homeowner’s needs.
Once the site assessment is completed, GACD and the Conservation Districts will determine the selected applicants for funding.
GACD and the Conservation Districts will notify funding recipients who will then work directly with Trees Atlanta to schedule the installations.
GACD will compensate Trees Atlanta directly for installation of practices.
*After the initial funding period closes, a waitlist will be created for those strong applications that could not be funded in this first round. You will be notified if you are on the waitlist for the second round of funding.
news
GACD and Fulton County Soil & Water Conservation District announce funding for Georgia Conservation Assistance Program
January 4, 2021: The Georgia Association of Conservation Districts and the Fulton County Soil and Water Conservation District are excited to award over $20,000 in first round funding to eight homeowners for the installation of green infrastructure practices through the Georgia Conservation Assistance Program.
Alan Toney, Chair of the Fulton County Soil and Water Conservation District says, “We are very pleased to announce the first recipients of the Georgia Conservation Assistance Program. This important partnership will help reduce stormwater flooding, improve water quality, protect homeowner’s property and improve the general livability of our neighborhoods.”
In urban areas, stormwater runoff is one of the major sources of pollution that impacts watersheds. Green infrastructure practices such as cisterns, dry wells and rain gardens installed in residential areas can reduce the rate of stormwater runoff & water pollution in urban areas all while maintaining a beautiful home exterior. Trees Atlanta, a non profit group that works to increase green space in Atlanta, will be partnering with GACD and the District to perform all green infrastructure installations for the Program.
Georgia Conservation Assistance Program is a partnership between the Georgia Association of Conservation Districts and Fulton County Soil and Water Conservation District that funds the installation of green infrastructure practices on residential properties located in Fulton County. Funds for the Program are provided by the United States Department of Agriculture.
partners
resources
Funds for this Initiative are provided by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and administered by the Georgia Association of Conservation Districts. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.