StreamKeeper Program


A StreamKeeper Property on Shiloh Church Road

The StreamKeeper Program is intended for landowners who would like to protect their property in perpetuity, but do not have the financial resources available to pay the fees associated with conveying a permanent easement to the Thomas Jefferson Soil and Water Conservation District (TJSWCD).  Riparian forest buffers, critical slopes, springs, wetlands, and groundwater recharge areas are considered desirable resources to enroll in this program because these landscape features help ensure that overall regional water quality is protected.  Once a property is designated a StreamKeeper Property, a landowner agrees to direct building and development away from the significant resource, and to maintain sensitive areas in permanent forest. 

The StreamKeeper designation is awarded by the TJSWCD.  A “whole” property may be nominated or just the portion which protects the water resource, such as a riparian forest buffer area.  Interested owners work with the District’s staff and the Thomas Jefferson Water Resources Protection Foundation to evaluate a piece of land and to draft a deed of easement.  (The Thomas Jefferson Water Resources Protection Foundation was developed by the TJSWCD to administer their Easement Program.)  A deed of easement  sets basic management guidelines that ensure protection of the water resources in perpetuity.  Once a property is designated a StreamKeeper property, staff works with the landowner to obtain funding to pay the easement-holding fees.  When all the fees are paid and a deed of easement is filed, the StreamKeeper property becomes a TJSWCD Stewardship Easement.   The ultimate goal of the StreamKeeper program is to have all properties protected under an open-space easement. 

Help make permanent protection for these properties possible by making a donation to the TJWRPF.  Funding can be accepted for a particular easement in the StreamKeepers queue, (an “adopted” easement), or for general funding of the queue.  Gifts can be made to the Thomas Jefferson Water Resources Protection Foundation, a 501(C) 3 organization.  All gifts to this Foundation are charitable contributions and are tax deductible as allowed by the law.

Steps to StreamKeeper Designation and a Finalized Easement

  1. The landowner contacts the Thomas Jefferson Soil and Water Conservation District (TJSWCD) by email or at (434) 975-0224.

  2. District staff reviews topographical and tax maps, and aerial photos.

  3. Thomas Jefferson Water Resources Protection Foundation gives preliminary approval for a deed of easement.

  4. Staff conducts site visit, evaluates water resource value of property and reviews a draft deed of easement.

  5.  Thomas Jefferson Water Resource Protection Foundation grants StreamKeepers designation.

  6. Foundation and property owners work together to raise funds to pay the costs associated with filing an easement.

  7. A final deed of easement is approved, a baseline report is created, and an easement is filed.

  8. The TJSWCD begins long term monitoring and promises to take action if there is any activity that threatens the water quality value of the property.

A StreamKeeper Property:
Shiloh Church Road

Neighboring Property Owners
Join Together to Protect a
Unique Fluvanna County Spring

In Fluvanna County south of Palmyra, not two miles west of the Rivanna River, is a special spring that is worthy of protection. Along this wet draw, unique lady’s slipper orchids, wild azaleas, and cinnamon ferns grow. This location is only a couple of miles from US Route 15 which is a corridor of intense landuse change and home building. This special spring is worth designating as beyond the land that is available for development.

In December 2005, a couple donated a riparian easement along one side of this unique spring and paid a portion of the associated cost. The deed of easement is held by the Thomas Jefferson Soil and Water Conservation District. Along the other side of this easement and running to the head of the spring, the adjacent property owners are willing to donate an easement to protect this special spot. The second property owners are willing but unable to pay the associated fee which comes to $7,841. The funds for the set-up and monitoring in perpetuity would allow both sides of this special draw to be protected.