News
CSPDC and DEQ Host Brownfields and Voluntary Remediation Workshop
The CSPDC and the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) brought together local government staff and developers on December 16, 2025 for a hands-on workshop on brownfields redevelopment, learning about how to transform underutilized properties into community assets.
DEQ’s Voluntary Remediation Program (VRP) and Brownfields team facilitated an interactive session covering environmental assessment, remediation strategies, and reuse planning from individual sites to community-wide initiatives. The team shared real-world success stories and addressed common challenges that communities face when redeveloping contaminated properties.
Attendees learned how to identify brownfield sites, access DEQ technical assistance through VRP, and apply for state and federal funding opportunities including the Virginia Brownfields Assistance Fund.
DEQ is hosting the statewide Virginia Brownfields Conference in Staunton from June 8-10, 2026. CSPDC staff are ready to support localities with brownfields project development. Contact us to learn how we can help advance property reuse projects in your community.
BRITE Transit and Commuter Assistance Operating Budgets Set for FY27
The Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission is pursuing nearly $2.8 million in state funding to support and enhance regional transit services and transportation options.
Nine grant applications will be submitted to the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation by the February 1 deadline. The requested funding would support critical transit operations, capital improvements including ADA improvements for an existing bus stop and facility equipment, route transit planning and marketing projects, and the CSPDC region’s commuter assistance program – Rideshare.
These grants represent essential funding for maintaining and improving public transportation throughout the CSPDC region. The investments would benefit both urban and rural transit services, ensuring residents across the region have access to reliable transportation options.
DRPT will review applications and release funding recommendations with the draft Six-Year Improvement Program in spring 2026.
CSPDC Awarded Grant to Fund the Town of Elkton Elk Run Stream Restoration Project
The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) awarded the CSPDC a $535,193 grant to fund the engineering and construction of the Town of Elkton Elk Run Stream Restoration Project. The project will improve a 420-foot segment of Elk Run Creek in downtown Elkton and address significant erosion issues along the bank, improve water quality, and enhance town recreation space.
The stream segment is situated between S. Stuart Avenue (US 340), W. Spotswood Trail (US 33 Business), and W. Rockingham Street. The project compliments an existing pocket park adjacent to the stream. The improvements include reshaping the bank, controlling stream grade to establish pools and ripples to support habitat diversity, establishing native trees and vegetation to reduce erosion, and establishing natural path connections for public recreational access to the streambank.
The project will likely begin in late spring 2026. The CSPDC developed the grant application through our Chesapeake Bay Watershed Implementation Plan (WIP) Program, which is funded by DEQ and supports stormwater planning and project implementation in the region.
Paula Melester Presents at Governor’s Transportation Conference
Left to Right: Gary Larrowe, Monica Backmon, Paula Melester, Angel Deem, Secretary Shep Miller
Paula Melester, Director of Transportation for the Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission represented the CSPDC at the 2025 Virginia Governor’s Transportation Conference in Richmond. The conference, held October 16-17 under the theme “Looking Back Looking Forward,” brought together transportation leaders from across the Commonwealth to discuss the future of Virginia’s transportation system.
During the “Local Perspectives on Transportation” panel session, Paula joined Ms. Monica Backmon, CEO of the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority, and Mr. Gary Larrowe, County Administrator for Botetourt County, to share insights on transportation planning, funding, and project prioritization from diverse jurisdictional perspectives. Moderated by Angel Deem, Chief of Policy for the Virginia Department of Transportation, the discussion highlighted the critical importance of collaboration in project planning and delivery. Panelists explored strategies that local and regional communities employ to prioritize projects when resources are limited and shared examples of successful initiatives in their regions, emphasizing the factors that contributed to those achievements. The session underscored the value of bringing together rural, regional, and metropolitan viewpoints to address Virginia’s transportation challenges.
CSPDC Hosts Regional Urban Karst and Stormwater Workshop
The CSPDC hosted an Urban Karst and Stormwater Workshop on October 28th in Waynesboro City Council Chambers, bringing together approximately 35 stormwater management and public works professionals from across the region. The full-day event explored challenges and best practices for planning and implementing stormwater projects on karst, a geological feature that can complicate conventional approaches.
A primary focus was Appendix E of the Virginia Stormwater Management Handbook, released by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) earlier this year. Appendix E provides site assessment and design guidelines for stormwater management in karst terrain, helping practitioners navigate the technical complexities these geological conditions present.
The workshop featured four expert speakers with extensive karst and stormwater experience. Wil Orndorff, Karst Protection Coordinator for the Virginia Natural Heritage Program at the Department of Conservation and Recreation, co-authored the draft of Appendix E and provided insights into karst geology throughout the Shenandoah Valley. Lisa Perry, a Mitigation Specialist at Ecosystem Services with prior experience administering erosion control and stormwater management for Rockingham County, shared perspectives on regulatory compliance in karst areas. Sheila Reeves, Water Resources Service Director at VHB, drew on her expertise in stormwater management, watershed planning, and floodplain compliance to discuss project planning strategies for karst sites. Aislinn Creel, Senior Stormwater Project Manager at Timmons Group, joined Reeves to present a case study on Mulberry Run Wetlands, an award-winning constructed wetland in Waynesboro that successfully addressed stormwater management challenges in a karst environment.
The workshop concluded with a site visit to Mulberry Run Wetlands, allowing participants to see firsthand how innovative design can overcome karst-related obstacles while achieving effective stormwater management and ecological benefits.