VCN
E-NEWS: March 05, 2004
THE
WEEK IN REVIEW
NATURAL RESOURCES FUNDING: Not much news here. Letters
have been written, cases made, and the next step is to
see what comes out of the Budget Conference Committee
next week. If you have not yet written the budget conferees
in support of funding for natural resources, please do
so as soon as possible. HB549 (May) that provides funding
for support of the Virginia Outdoors Foundation conservation
easement program was acted on favorably in the Senate
and has now passed in both chambers.
WATER RESOURCES: While there was some anxiety that mischief
amendments (pertaining to the proposed King William Reservoir
or the powers of the VMRC) might be forthcoming, serious
threats did not materialize. A watchful eye will be kept
as final floor actions and possible conference committee
actions occur.
LAND ITEMS: SB 678 (Hanger) which addressed establishing
a cap on tax credits pertaining to conservation easements
was carried over to 2005. VCN opposed the bill in its
initial form. Even though it was amended, there continued
to be varying opinions and positions in the conservation
community. We will be able to address these differences
between sessions.
SB 614 (Ruff) which deals with the Occoneechee State Park
(SB 614 is opposed by VCN) narrowly reported from House
Ag, Ches. and Natural Resources Committee, 12-10 and is
now on the House Floor.
TRANSPORTATION ITEMS: Senator Edwards bill, SB413, was
stalled in House Appropriations on a 12-12 vote. It was
then carried-over to 2005.
The other bill related to I-81, HB 905 (Wardrup), finally
came before Senate Transportation on Thursday. After some
discussion and it appeared the bill was in trouble, the
patron was asked if he would like it carried over instead
of continuing the discussion. This was agreed and HB 905
was carried over. Thanks to those who made phone calls
and sent emails on HB 905. Your efforts were successful.
SB 670 (Newman) and HB 1419 (D. Marshall) which addressed
the US 29 bypass situation in the Charlottesville area
were very controversial this week. At one point SB 670
had died on the house floor but it was revived the next
day! A floor substitute was presented and adopted. Later
in the day HB 1419 was amended in committee to contain
the same wording as in the SB 670 substitute. Although
the substitute bill is not as bad as the original version
(the original essentially said that the bypass had to
be built), the precedent is not good. If you wish more
information, send us an email and we will forward various
commentary on this situation.
>From our bicycle friends we have the following on
SB 252 (Deeds) Operation of Bicycles and Similar Vehicles.
I'm happy to report that SB 252 was passed in the Virginia
House of Delegates on Monday (3-1-04) on an 83-15 vote.
Assuming Governor Warner signs this bill, the bicycling
law changes will become effective on July 1.
SB 252 will fix four important provisions in the Code
of Virginia to 1) allow signaling right turns and stopping
with the right (or left) arm, 2) allow two-abreast cycling
(when not impeding "the normal and reasonable movement
of traffic"), 3) remove all authority for local mandatory
sidepath ordinances, and 4) direct that small-wheeled
travelers move with, not against, other road traffic.
Last year, other provision in the Code of Virginia were
revised to create a model version of the "ride as
far right as (safely) practicable" rule and several
other improvements. While some minor flaws remain, Virginia's
bicycling laws are now among the best in the nation. This
is cause to celebrate and to thank the 83 Delegates who
voted for SB 252. Allen Muchnick, President, Virginia
Bicycling Federation
BUDGET CONSIDERATIONS: The VCN Board statement on proposed
budget amendments is available on the VCN website. Go
to the White Papers and Issues page.
2004 VCN STATEMENTS OF POSITION -- Visit the VCN Website
[www.vcnva.org] and go to the
White Papers and Issues page for the updated position
statement. It is updated as of March 5, 2004. If that
update is not there when you first check, check a little
later - It will be up soon.
ACTION ALERTS
Hopefully there will be no more action alerts. We thank
everyone who participated in CAV! who responded to VCN
E-Alerts and to Alerts from member organizations. You
did make a difference on several bills.
NEWS
The IRS recently issued two new brochures to assist 501(c)(3),
non-profit organizations with tax issues. One explains
how to obtain tax exemption, and the other is a compliance
guide that explains record keeping, return filing and
disclosure rules. To obtain the guides electronically,
visit http://www.irs.gov/charities/index.html
and click on "IRS Issues new guides for charitable
organizations."
CALENDAR
*** Wildlife Center Open House
Sunday: March 7, 2004 and Sunday: March 21, 2004
Waynesboro, Virginia
These Open House days give people a chance to see our
wildlife rehabilitation center in action. There is no
charge for the Open House, but reservations for the tours
are required. Tours on each day run at the following times:
12:30 pm, 2:00 pm, 3:30 pm. Located in Waynesboro, Virginia,
WCV is just 1/2 mile off I-64. Dates are subject to change,
so please call (540) 942-9453 for reservations and directions.
E-mail information to wildlife@wildlifecenter.org.
*** March's "Green Breakfast"
Date: Saturday March 13, 2004
Time: 8:15 AM - 10:00 AM
Uncle Louie's Restaurant, Norfolk, Virginia
8:15am Breakfast Optional (from the menu or a la carte)
9:00am Presentation: "Learn to Landscape the Bay-Friendly
Way"
Learn about Bay-friendly gardening techniques that help
protect the environment and water quality of our Bay and
its tributaries. The guest speaker will provide specific
information about native plants, which are better adapted
to local conditions and therefore require less watering,
fertilizer, and chemicals. Native plants can save homeowners
money and time and can even increase the presence of wildlife
and butterflies in your yard! To RSVP, contact Christy
Everett in CBF's Office in Hampton Roads (ceverett@cbf.org
or 757/622-1964)
***The Issue of Widening I-81 will be the Sunday Worship
Service at 11am on March 21 at The Unitarian Universalist
Church of Roanoke.
The UU Seventh Principle - Respect For The Web of Life:
Widening I-81: The Impact on Our Environment and Our Spirituality.
Speaking on the Political Aspects is Virginia Senator,
John Edwards; the Environmental Viewpoint will be presented
by Liza Field, from Wytheville, Writer, Conservationist
and Environmentalist; the Spiritual portion will be presented
by Sister Clare McBrien, also from Wytheville, who works
with the Richmond Catholic Diocese on Eco-Spiritual Concerns.
Question and Answer period will follow the Presentations.
As usual, the Church Service is open to Everyone. If you
have any questions, please contact Millie Willis, 774-8039.
email-MillieVA@aol.com
***March's "Save the Bay Breakfast"
Date: Saturday March 27, 2004
Time: 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM
Sandy Bottom Nature Park, Hampton, Virginia
8:30am Coffee & Bagels (donations suggested)
9:00am Presentation (free and open to the public): "Landscape
the Bayfriendly Way"
To RSVP, contact Christy Everett in CBF's Office in Hampton
Roads (ceverett@cbf.org or 757/622-1964)
***15th Annual Environment Virginia Conference
Where: VMI: Lexington, VA
When: March 30, 2004 & April 01, 2004
Time: All Day
Please mark your calendar for the 15th Annual Environment
Virginia Conference March 30 through April 1, 2004 at
the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) in beautiful Lexington,
VA. Field trips, workshops, seminars, and plenary sessions
will cover important issues which will include air, water,
and waste. Registration fee discount available for registration
before January 30.
For up-to-date program, workshop, and registration information,
please visit our Web site: www.environmentva.org
or contact Environment Virginia 2004, Virginia Military
Institute, 502 Cocke Hall, Lexington, VA 24450 (540) 464-7551.
***OUTREACH OPPORTUNITY
Environmental Fair
Mount Vernon Unitarian Church
Sunday April 18th 11am-2pm
You are invited to join other environmental groups in
outreach to the Mount Vernon Community. Contact jwamsley5@comcast.net
703-751-6086 for details.
***Interested in having an exhibit at EARTH DAY in Newport
News? Their "day" will be held on April 22nd.
If so, contact Suzie Bucks at NN Parks and Recreation
757-886-7912.
***The Oak Hill Fund is pleased to offer forty $600 scholarships
for qualifying Virginia organizations to attend the 2004
River Network River Rally to be held at Wintergreen Resort
in Nelson County, Virginia, May 21-25. For complete information
on this opportunity, please go to www.oakhillfund.org
and click on the "*Temporary Request for Proposals"
link.
Thank you,
Jason Halbert, The Oak Hill Fund, www.oakhillfund.org
Save the Date!
May 21 - 25, 2004
Wintergreen Resort
Please plan to attend the 5th Annual River Rally and join
river lovers from across the country for four days of
learning, sharing and celebration. This year, River Network
will host the River Rally on May 21 through May 25 at
the Wintergreen Resort in the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains
of Virginia.
This event is the only comprehensive national conference
for persons working to understand, restore and protect
rivers. Staff, volunteers and board members - experienced
and inexperienced - will learn about how to raise more
funds, get more people involved in their organizations,
watershed science, hands-on watershed protection skills,
and much more. Over 80 workshops and nine field trips
will help participants learn from and celebrate the successes
of watershed efforts across the country.
Afterwards, May 25th will be your chance to travel to
our nation's capital for River Lobby Day. This optional
day will be organized by American Rivers, so that Rally
participants can share their perspectives on the urgent
needs of our nation's water resources with the people
making decisions in Washington, D.C.
General Registration includes most meals and four nights'
lodging as well as shuttles from Charlottesville airport.
Group discounts are offered. Rally registration is available
on line in January at www.rivernetwork.org
or, to request a brochure; contact the River Network office
at (503) 241-3506. Scholarships are available, but requests
for scholarships are due in early March, so please register
soon. Rally registration questions should be directed
to riverrally@rivernetwork.org
***************************
VCN's
mission is to protect the Commonwealth's air, lands, and
waters for the benefit of the people, as guaranteed by
the Virginia Constitution.
If you have an item that should be included on this list,
please send it to Ellen Shepard at ellenshepard@yahoo.com.
VCN E-NEWS will be emailed every Friday. Deadline for
submissions is Thursday.
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