The purpose of this program is to provide cost-share and technical assistance to address natural resource and stormwater concerns by assisting in the voluntary installation of certain stormwater Best Management Practices (BMPs) within city limits. HCAP also aims to assist the City with the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) implementation and the challenges meeting the Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) goals.
Meet Your Urban Conservation Team
The Shenandoah Valley Soil and Water Conservation District (SVSWCD) administers the Harrisonburg Conservation Assistance Program (HCAP) to support residents in implementing stormwater management practices. By providing technical assistance and financial incentives, SVSWCD helps property owners install green infrastructure projects that reduce stormwater runoff and improve water quality.
Program Reference Documents
HCAP Manual [525KB]
General Terms and Conditions [162KB]
- How do I start the process?
Complete the fillable Site Visit Request Form to schedule a site visit. **Applications will be provided at the scheduled site visit by Shenandoah Valley Soil and Water Conservation District staff.
Or complete the PDF Site Visit Request Form [419KB] and submit the completed Site Visit Request to the Shenandoah Valley Soil and Water Conservation District by calling 540-534-3105 or emailing urban@svswcd.org
- Who is Eligible?
Eligible
- Private, non-profit, and commercial property owners within the City of Harrisonburg
- Property owners desiring to treat on-site stormwater drainage
Not Eligible
- Any property owner not within the City of Harrisonburg
- New construction
- Property owners attempting to meet regulatory requirements
- Property owners seeking to participate in Nutrient Trading
- Sites treating offsite stormwater drainage
- Practices, Cost Share Rates, and Caps
HCAP Practice Cost Share Rate Cost Share Cap Impervious Surface Removal (ISR) 100% $7,500 Removal of impenetrable materials such as asphalt, compacted gravel, concrete, brick, and stone, combined with permeable pavement or vegetation establishment, is intended to reduce stormwater runoff rate and volume, as well as associated pollutants transported from the site by stormwater runoff. This BMP is not intended for impervious surface removal associated with above ground structures.
Average cost per square feet: $2.93 – $7.86*
Turf Conversion-Trees (TT)
100%$3,500 The conversion of managed turf grass areas or bare soils to areas planted in native woody species. Managed turf is defined as grassed soil that no longer functions in its natural hydrologic state due to disturbance, compaction, or excessive management.
Average cost per tree: $100 - $200*
Turf Conversion-Meadow (TM) 100% $3,500 The conversion of managed turf grass areas or bare soils to areas planted in native herbaceous and woody species. Managed turf is defined as grassed soil that no longer functions in its natural hydrologic state due to disturbance, compaction, or excessive management.
Average cost per square feet: $ 3.10 - 14.84*
Urban Bioretention (UB) 100% $5,000 A shallow landscaped depression that temporarily ponds stormwater runoff 6 to 12 inches above a mulch layer that encourages the rainwater to infiltrate into the underlying native soil within 48 hours. Should be designed to treat runoff from small areas, such as individual rooftops, driveways, and other on-lot features in single-family detached residential developments
Average cost per square feet: TBD
Dry Swales (DS) 100% $10,000 Shallow channels with a series of check dams to provide temporary storage and to allow infiltration. These serve to prevent scour and erosion and provide water quality treatment while conveying stormwater.
Average Cost per linear feet: TBD
Wet Swales (WS) 100%
$10,000Shallow channels with check dams that create permanent pools that intercept groundwater and provide enhanced pollutant removal within the conveyance. The saturated soil and wetland vegetation provide an ideal environment for gravitational settling, biological uptake, and microbial activity.
Average cost per linear feet: TBD
Rainwater Harvesting (RH) 100% $30,000 The collection and conveyance into an above- or below-ground storage tank where it can later be used or directed to on-site stormwater practice for disposal/infiltration.
Average cost per gallon: TBD
Bioretention (BR) 100% $30,000 A shallow landscaped depression that temporarily ponds runoff 6 to 12 inches above the mulch layer and then filters through an engineered soil media prior to discharging to an underdrain or infiltrating into the underlying native soils. Bioretention practices typically treat parking lots, multiple lots, and/or commercial rooftops.
Average cost per square feet: $48.90 - $67.72*
Permeable Pavement (PP) 100% $25,000 A permeable surface that allows stormwater runoff to filter through voids in the pavement surface into an underlying stone reservoir, where it is temporarily stored and/or infiltrated.
Average cost per square feet: $23.02 - $30.03*
Green Roof (GR) 100% $30,000 An alternative roof surface that typically consists of waterproofing and drainage materials and an engineered growth media that is designed to support plant growth. Vegetated roofs capture and temporarily store stormwater runoff in the growth media. A portion of the captured stormwater evaporates or is taken up by plants, which helps reduce runoff volumes, peak runoff rates, and pollutant loads on development sites. Roofs must be designed to support the additional weight of this practice.
Average cost per square feet: $ 29.12 - 35.17*
*Average cost ranges are provided as a general reference for initial planning purposes only and are based on previous projects across the state. The average costs provided here do not represent any guarantee of your project’s actual costs. Each site has unique and specific considerations that may result in different costs.
Looking for More Information?
Contact the Shenandoah Valley Soil and Water Conservation District.
Phone: 540-534-3105
Email: urban@svswcd.org