Resources for SWCD Employees
The tenth edition of the VCAP Manual provides in depth information about what the program is, how it functions, and key specifications for each BMP.
The PY26 District Guide to VCAP is a useful tool for new SWCD staff, directors, or partners. This guide is meant to be a visual overview of the program.
Please review this document for an important PY26 funding update
Program Year 2026 Application and Payment Forms
| Participating Districts and prospective applicants should use only official VCAP forms. |
|---|
| Application and Payment Request Checklists |
| VCAP Part I: Applicant Contract |
| VCAP Part II: Technical Determination |
| VCAP Part III: Payment Approval |
| VCAP Payment Request Spreadsheet |
| VCAP Assignment of Payment Form |
| VCAP Form 4: Transfer of Ownership |
| VCAP Form 5: Release Agreement |
| VCAP Form 6: Ranking Sheet |
| VCAP Form 7: Cost Share Adjustment |
Start-up Payment Program (SUPP)
*Only districts that have opted in to SUPP can offer this support program. Opt-in either by a board motion recorded in the minutes or by completing the MOU below between the Association and your district.
SUPP provides up to 50% of cost share as soon as an application is approved to allow participants to secure a contractor and relieve some of the financial burden of a fully-reimbursable program.
- SUPP MOU between SWCD and Association
- VCAP Form 8: Start Up Payment Program Opt-In (due with application)
- VCAP Form 9: Start Up Payment Program Start of Work Date (for district records and disbursement)
- Framework for SUPP
- FAQs for SUPP
Additional Application Materials
- VCAP General Approval Letter
- Volunteer Labor Record
- Living Shoreline Site and Design Review Cover Sheet
Guidance Documents
- Guidance on VCAP Assignment of Payment Form
- Guidance on VCAP Rainwater Harvesting Practices & VDH Rainwater Harvesting Regulations. *Please refer to the VDH Rainwater Harvesting Regulations webpage for the most up-to-date information*
- SWCD District Staff project checklist
Practice Sizing Calculators:
- VCAP Dry Well Calculator
- VCAP Rain Garden Calculator
- VCAP Permeable Pavement Calculator
- VCAP Rainwater Harvesting Calculator
- VCAP Bioretention Calculator
- VCAP Infiltration Calculator
- VCAP Vegetated Stormwater Conveyance Calculator
Other Resources
Practice-Specific Information
Permeable Pavement and Impervious Surface Removal
Vegetated Stormwater Conveyance
Native Planting & Misc. Training Items
PY26 Trainings and Webinar Information
Development Drop-In: Constructed Wetlands and Vegetated Stormwater Conveyances (slides available here) (example project available here)
Speaker: Richard Jacobs, Urban Programs Manager, Culpeper SWCD (January 2026)
Celebrating VCAP’s Impact & Advocating for the Future at Annual Meeting 2025 (slides available here)
Speaker: Rachel DuVal, VCAP Coordinator, VASWCD; Hailey Cooke, VCAP Assistant Coordinator, VASWCD
VCAP Updates PY26 at Graves Mtn Lodge (slides available here)
Speaker: Rachel DuVal, VCAP Coordinator, VASWCD (August 2025)
Webinars from PY25 and Older
VCAP Technical Considerations from Annual Meeting 2024 (slides available here)
Speaker: David J. Hirschman, Principal, Hirschman Water & Environment, LLC
Soils & Water Table Chat (recording available here) (slides available here)
Speaker: Dan Schwartz, Soil Scientist, Northern Virginia SWCD
Back to the Basics: How to Conduct a Site Visit/What BMP Goes Where (recording available here) (slides available here)
Speaker: Blair Blanchette, VCAP Coordinator, VASWCD; Darby Reed, VCAP Assistant Coordinator, VASWCD
BMP Maintenance & Inspection Policies and Rain Garden Installation (recording available here) (slides available here)
Speaker: Maura Christian, VCAP Assistant Coordinator, VASWCD; Richard Jacobs, Urban Programs Manager, Culpeper SWCD
Identifying Resource Concerns, FAQ, & Local Funding Discussion Webinar (recording available here) (slides available here)
Speaker: Kevin McLean, VCAP Coordinator, VASWCD; Maura Christian, VCAP Assistant Coordinator, VASWCD
Training Videos
- VCAP Training Video 1: Intake & Desktop Analysis
- VCAP Training Video 2: Site Visit and Follow Up
- VCAP Training Video 3: Design-Build-Spot Check
- VCAP Training Video 4: BMPs
- VCAP Training Video 5: Infiltration Test Instructions NVSWCD
Outside Resources
Basic Training:
- Piedmont Environmental Council’s June 2020 Webinar: “Capturing the Rain: Green Infrastructure Options for HOA Common Areas”
- Chesapeake Stormwater Network’s “Homeowners Guide for a More Bay-Friendly Property”
- Learn more about stormwater BMPs with the Watershed Stewards Academy, Rainscaping Manual or the Chesapeake Stormwater Network’s Training Library
- Helpful “Stormwater Basics” video series made by PennState Extension
- Virginia Native Plant Providers: If you’re a provider and want more information, please reach out to local district.
- NEW Curated VCAP Resources List: provided by Prince William SWCD.
Rain Garden and Planting Design Resources:
- Rain Garden Design and Construction (from Northern Virginia SWCD)
- VCAP Planting and Planning Resources-(from Prince Williams SWCD)
Living Shoreline Resources:
- Checklist for Designing a Living Shoreline (for contractors)–developed by the Shoreline Erosion Advisory Service as a resource, not a comprehensive design tool
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Streambank Erosion Resources (Note: streambank stabilization is outside the scope of the Virginia Conservation Assistance Program. The resources below are provided for informational purposes only and do not qualify for funding):
- Native Plant Nurseries and Seed Suppliers for Streamside Conservation Buffers
- Streambank Erosion Control Materials Suppliers
- Healthy Streams Video Series by Virginia Cooperative Extension
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VCAP Steering Committee
- VCAP Steering Committee Members:
- Colonial SWCD
- Culpeper SWCD
- Hanover-Caroline SWCD
- James River SWCD
- Northern Neck SWCD
- Peaks of Otter SWCD
- Thomas Jefferson SWCD
- Virginia Association of Soil & Water Conservation Districts
- VCAP Technical Advisory Committee Members:
- Colonial SWCD
- Culpeper SWCD
- Friends of the Rappahannock
- Lord Fairfax SWCD
- Native Shorelines, A Davey Tree Company
- Northern Neck SWCD
- Northern Virginia SWCD
- Tidewater SWCD
- Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources
Archives
Past VCAP Manuals
Manual Ninth Edition (7/2024 – 6/2025)
Manual Eighth Edition (7/2022-6/2024)
Manual Seventh Edition (07/2020 – 06/2022)
Manual Sixth Edition (07/2019 – 06/2020)
Manual Fifth Edition (07/2018 – 06/2019)
Program Update Webinars
PY26 Program Updates Webinar and Slides
PY25 Program Updates Webinar and Slides
PY24 Program Updates Webinar and Slides
PY23 Program Updates Webinar and Slides
PY21 Program Updates Webinar and Slides
Past VCAP Forms (PY25):
- VCAP Part I: Applicant Contract
- VCAP Part II: Technical Determination
- VCAP Part III: Payment Approval
- VCAP Payment Request Spreadsheet
- VCAP Assignment of Payment Form
- VCAP Form 4: Transfer of Ownership
- VCAP Form 5: Release Agreement
- VCAP Form 6: Ranking Sheet
- VCAP Form 7: Cost-share Adjustment
Contact the VASWCD VCAP Coordinator Rachel DuVal at rachel.duval@vaswcd.org or VCAP Assistant Coordinator Hailey Cooke (hailey.cooke@vaswcd.org) with any questions or to join the VCAP discussion.