VCN
E-NEWS: October 22, 2004
NEWS
ITEMS
STATE
ENVIRONMENTAL AGENCY REACHING OUT FOR PUBLIC INPUT
By SCOTT HARPER, The Virginian-Pilot
© October 19, 2004
In August 2000, a state environmental manager stood up
at a public meeting to address a roomful of anxious Suffolk
residents. He said their "fears and emotional comments"
about a neighboring chemical plant's air emissions were
just that, and would not be factors in determining whether
the plant would be allowed to release more of a toxic
compound into the Suffolk sky than before.
The residents were outraged, stunned. The meeting, after
all, was a make up for an earlier one in Virginia Beach
that few even knew about. Why did they bother to show
up to this one, they asked, if their concerns were so
roundly dismissed?
As many left that night, they chalked up the episode to
what they already had heard about the Virginia Department
of Environmental Quality - an agency too cozy with the
industries it regulates, an agency that too often ignores
the public it's supposed to serve.
The agency has suffered an image problem among residents
and environmentalists almost since its inception on April
Fool's Day in 1993. Now, however, the department is attempting
something of an extreme makeover - "a change in culture,"
agency director Robert Burnley describes - that began
by inviting critics inside its bureaucratic walls, talking
frankly about the past, and asking how officials can be
more open, more transparent, more trusted.
Although some might regard the "community involvement
initiative" as a public-relations ploy, coming on
the heels of more disclosures of behind-the-scenes dealings
with industry, some of the department's biggest skeptics
say the effort is real.
At an "open house" last week at the environmental
agency's regional office in Virginia Beach, the mood was
decidedly upbeat, the mutual praise genuine. State regulators,
all smiles and smartly dressed, spent the evening sharing
ham biscuits, lemonade and ideas with local activists
and concerned residents - the first time such an exchange
has occurred.
"They're serious about this, no doubt in my mind,"
said Mike Town, Virginia's director of the Sierra Club,
a national environmental group and frequent critic of
state environmental policies. Town was reluctant to show
up for an initial meeting with Burnley in March to discuss
a possible detente. But now he thinks meaningful change,
which will more thoroughly involve the public in decision-making,
is coming - and coming soon.
A task force composed of environmentalists and state officials
is expected to complete its report on openness by the
end of the month. Burnley then is expected to announce
a series of overhauls, probably around Nov. 1, said Bill
Hayden , spokesman for the Department of Environmental
Quality. The changes likely will include little things,
such as holding public meetings at night, instead of during
the work day, and closer to the facilities in question.
That way, more people can attend.
They also are expected to break down old barriers. One
popular change would keep environmentalists more abreast
of negotiations between businesses and regulators, so
that decisions about permits no longer suddenly appear
before an unknowing public that has little recourse to
them.
Business groups have not been party to the task force,
but a handful of developers and business people came to
Wednesday's open house "to see what was going on,"
as one said.
Hayden said the initiative is not intended to shun businesses
or tip the scales toward environmentalists. "We're
just wanting to reach out to other groups that may not
have felt a part of the debate," he said.
One environmentalist described the momentum shift this
way: "Before, on a good day, environmentalists were
tolerated," said Skip Stiles, a Norfolk activist
with the group Wetlands Watch. "On a regular day,
they were ignored. And on a bad day, well, you can guess."
But based on the work of the task force, which Stiles
participated in from the beginning, "it's really
changed," he said. "I think we've developed
a better understanding of each other, a respect, that
hopefully will not go away." Why has it taken so
long for this to happen?
Theories abound.
Some regulators blame environmental groups for not better
understanding the role of state government and its legal
constraints. Many activists say Virginia has long been
a pro-business state and, because of its Southern gentility,
does not seek to embarrass or criticize even the industries
caught polluting. As one state official once said, "we're
happiest when we're not in the newspaper."
Plenty of environmentalists also blame the Republican
administrations of former Govs. George Allen and Jim Gilmore
for neutering the Department of Environmental Quality
in the 1990s for the sake of fostering a low-regulation,
open-for-business climate.
A 1996 audit of the agency 's performance, for example,
described a regulatory system kept intentionally weak,
its staffing and budgets trimmed, which made enforcement
and monitoring of potential pollution sources difficult
at best. "At present," the audit found, "nearly
half of DEQ's employees fear for their jobs if they make
a decision consistent with law or regulation that upsets
a member of the regulated community. "DEQ management,"
the report by the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission
continued, "needs to emphasize to its employees that
enforcing environmental laws and regulations is the mission
of the department - not a reason to fear retaliation."
David Johnson served as a top environmental officer in
the Gilmore administration, from 1998 to 2002. Now an
environmental consultant, he came to the open house Wednesday
night, declaring it "useful and a good idea."
"There's a public perception that the state is knowingly
doing something wrong on the environment," Johnson
said. "I can't tell you how many times people came
up to me and said, 'Why are you approving things you know
are wrong?' "But there are rules to follow, and if
developers or industries follow those rules, you issue
them a permit," he added. "If people don't like
the process or the outcome, change the rules."
Burnley fell out of favor with the Allen administration
and eventually left the Department of Environmental Quality
in the mid-1990s. Gov. Mark R. Warner appointed him to
lead the agency in 2001 , to the applause of most environmentalists.
Agency officials insist they have been planning a community
outreach program for a long time, but the effort picked
up steam after a secret deal with Waste Management Inc.
was revealed by the media last year. Burnley was in the
middle of the controversy.
The state adopted rules for barging out-of-state trash
on the James River last July, assessing a per-ton fee
and an inspection protocol that environmental groups called
too weak. What wasn't disclosed until afterward was that
the Department of Environmental Quality and Waste Management
had agreed months before to a legal settlement that included
the fee structure and the inspections that ultimately
were approved. Hayden said the barge episode served to
"jump-start the activities" for greater public
participation. "It helped us understand we needed
to do a better job, and weren't being as effective as
we wanted," he said.
One sign that the state is serious about its initiative
is that it has hired someone specifically to follow up
with civic groups, churches and environmental organizations.
Angela Neilan, hired this summer, is the department's
"community involvement specialist."
On Wednesday night , she went around the conference room
with a microphone, handing it to each of the 100 or so
attendees, asking their names and the issues they want
to see the state better address.
"I'm sort of like Oprah," Neilan said, bringing
smiles to the faces of regulators and activists alike.
[For more information on this subject, visit the ISSUES
UPDATES page of our website, www.vcnva.org. Regional meetings
are still being held. A schedule is provided in the second
reference document under the DEQ PI Program banner.]
VIRGINIA COASTAL MANAGEMENT
MAGAZINE
Virginia Coastal Management Magazine is published mini-magazine
twice each year. Its new issue is available on-line at
http://www.deq.virginia.gov/coastal/publicat.html Please
give me a call if you would like a hardcopy. I hope you
enjoy! Please do not hesitate to call if you have any
questions about the Virginia Coastal Program or if there
is any way we might assist or partner with you! Virginia
Witmer, Outreach Coordinator
Virginia Coastal Program, Department of Environmental
Quality
629 East Main Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219
(804) 698-4320, Fax (804) 698-4319
vgwitmer@deq.virginia.gov,
http://www.deq.virginia.gov/coastal/
DGIF COMPREHENSIVE WILDLIFE CONSERVATION
STRATEGY -UPDATE
In the last issue of VCN ENEWS, we ran complete background
and meeting information on this significant project is
underway that will provide meaningful guidance for the
future of wildlife in Virginia. There have been some changes
in the schedule. The changes are shown below. For a complete
schedule, see the last issue of VCN E-NEWS or contact
DGIF as indicated below.
Changes in meeting schedule:
New Meetings:
* Fairfax, November 15th 6:30 p.m. Huntley Meadows Nature
Center
* Abingdon, November 30th 9:30 a.m. Virginia Highlands
CC, SWVA Higher Ed Center
* Roanoke, November 30th 6:30 p.m. Roanoke Higher Education
Center Additional meeting added for
* Richmond November 18th at 6:30 p.m. VDGIF Board Room,
4000 W. Broad Street
* Virginia Beach, December 9th at 6:30 p.m. Virginia
Aquarium and Marine Science
The focus of the Strategy is on the species of greatest
conservation need and their habitats, but will include
all wildlife. It will address threats to wildlife populations
and habitats and describe conservation actions and priorities.
Questions?
Contact us at wildlifeplan@dgif.virginia.gov or (804)
367-8351. Visit us online at www.vawildlifestrategies.org.
MEMBER ORGANIZATION REQUESTS
AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
ACTION
ALERT FROM BIKEWALK VIRGINIA FOR VIRGINIA TRAILS
YOUR HELP IS NEEDED BY OCTOBER 31
Did you know that planning is well underway for a 54-mile,
paved multi-use trail from Richmond to Williamsburg known
as the Virginia Capital Trail? Securing funding for construction
is also underway, and the Virginia Department of Transportation
(VDOT) is seeking a $1,000,000 Enhancement Grant for the
Chickahominy River Phase. The Chickahominy River Phase
project will construct a 7.48-mile section of the Virginia
Capital Trail in James City County, from the Greensprings
Trail to the Chickahominy River. VDOT needs letters (emails,
too) of support by October 31 for the application for
the Enhancement Grant.
Please take a moment to send an email of support to vabiking@vdot.virginia.gov.
Put Virginia Capital Trail in the subject line. The following
is a suggested message (or feel free to elaborate with
your own message).
Dear Commonwealth Transportation Board - I support construction
of the Chickahominy River Phase of the Virginia Capital
Trail and use of enhancement funds for part of this project.
MORE ON THE VIRGINIA CAPITAL TRAIL
The Virginia Capital Trail will be a 10-foot wide paved,
shared use path that will serve residents and travelers
as it connects several localities and many historic, cultural
and scenic sites along the Route 5 corridor. The trail
will function as an alternative transportation route and
as a tourism destination much like the Virginia Creeper
Trail and New River Trail in the western part of the state.
A more detailed overview of the Virginia Capital Trail
project can be found on VDOTs website - http://www.virginiadot.org/projects/const-project.asp?ID=91
SAVE THE DATE VCN LEGISLATIVE
WORKSHOP DECEMBER 4th
The 2005 Legislative Session is right around the corner.
Be prepared come to the annual VCN Legislative Workshop.
It will be held in the General Assembly Building. Registration
from 9AM-1PM on Saturday, December 4, 2004. Delegate Jack
Reid will be the featured speaker. Information will be
posted on the website by the first of November.
SAVE THE DATE VCN CELEBRATION
OF 35 YEARS OF SERVICE
April 28, 2005
Mark your calendar
now for the kick-off of what will be an annual fundraising
event for VCN.
The 2005 theme will be the celebration of 35 years of
service by VCN and its predecessor organization the Conservation
Council of Virginia (CCVA). We will look at our history,
note the landmark action in 1971 to amend the Virginia
Constitution to add Article XI (the conservation function),
witness significant events, and honor some of the environmental
pioneers of the movement.
The event will be held in the Omni Hotel in downtown Richmond
on April 28, 2005. Seating will be limited. For more information
or to assure seating call or send a message to the VCN
office and ask that a place be reserved for you. Details
will be posted soon on our website
GUBERNATORIAL APPOINTMENT
OPPORTUNITIES
If your organization has an interest in the any of the
following appointment opportunities, let us know at the
VCN office and we will provide further information to
you.
* Four seats on the Citizen Advisory Committee to the
Chesapeake Executive Council have terms that expire on
12/31/04.
* Five seats on the Potomac River Basin Commission have
terms that expire on 2/28/05
* One seat on the Commission on Local Government has its
term expire on 12/31/04
GRANT OPPORTUNITIES
RIVER
RESTORATION GRANTS
American Rivers-NOAA Community-Based Restoration Program
Partnership Now Accepting Proposals for River Restoration
Grants American Rivers is seeking proposals for community-based
river restoration grants as part of its partnership with
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
Community-Based Restoration Program. These grants are
designed to provide support for local communities that
are utilizing dam removal or fish passage to restore and
protect the ecological integrity of their rivers and improve
freshwater habitats important to migratory (anadromous)
fish. Grants will be limited to projects in the Northeast,
Mid-Atlantic, and California.
Eligible groups will demonstrate how their project: (1)
will in a measurable manner successfully restore anadromous
fish habitat, access to existing anadromous fish habitat,
or natural riverine functions; (2) is the correct approach,
based on ecological, social, economic, and engineering
considerations; (3) will minimize any identifiable short-
or long-term negative impacts to the river system as a
result of the project; (4) has had community involvement
in project decision making and may have community involvement
in the implementation; and (5) will have the potential
for public outreach and education. Successful applicants
will be given non-renewable grants to assist in the technical
application of fish passage or dam removal.
Applications are currently being accepted for the first
cycle of fiscal year 2005 with a deadline of November
12, 2004. Applications for projects need to be postmarked
by the deadline for consideration for the funding cycle.
Potential applicants should contact American Rivers to
discuss potential projects prior to submitting an application.
We expect to notify applicants about funding by the first
week of February 2005.
For a complete application and eligibility guidelines,
please go to the American Rivers web site <www.amrivers.org>
or contact us at the address below. For more information
on the NOAA Community-Based Restoration Program and its
partners, please visit <www.nmfs.noaa.gov/habitat/restoration/community/index.html>.
Contact:
Peter Raabe, River Restoration Finance Associate, American
Rivers
1025 Vermont Avenue, NW, Suite 720, Washington, DC 20005
Email: rivergrants@amrivers.org
JOB
OPPORTUNITIES
CHESAPEAKE
BAY FOUNDATION VIRGINIA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Thursday October 7, 2004
Closing Date: October 25, 2004
CBF is the largest regional environmental organization
in the country. Established in 1967, CBF has a staff of
approximately 165 employees working across the watershed,
from the Annapolis headquarters and three state offices
in Harrisburg, Annapolis and Richmond, to the southern
Bay office in Norfolk, the Eastern Shore office in Salisbury
and the Anacostia office in Washington, D.C. CBF also
operates 15 outdoor environmental education centers located
in Pennsylvania, Maryland, the District of Columbia, and
Virginia.
The organization has an annual budget of approximately
$17.5 million. Support comes from more than 116,600 active
members, several hundred foundations and corporations,
generous individuals, and tuition revenues from field
trips.
CONTEXT OF THE POSITION
The Virginia Executive Director serves as primary environmental
advocate for the Foundation in Virginia. Additionally,
this position serves as principal policy decision-maker
and contact for legislature, business community, conservation
organizations, etc. Manages staff in Richmond and Norfolk
offices and oversees all policy and advocacy efforts in
the state; works cooperatively with development and communications
efforts.
Essential functions include:
Provide leadership and direction for state office
· Set goals and objectives, determine office priorities,
make policy decisions, and direct strategic planning
· Represent state office on CBF's organization-wide
Agenda Setting Team
· Coordinate activities of state office with other
state offices and CBF headquarters
· Develop and oversee state office budget and grant
funds Lead CBF's environmental policy and advocacy agenda
in the state
· Lobby and negotiate with high-ranking government
officials, legislators, business and community leaders
· Represent CBF on state boards and commissions
· Represent CBF to the media and general public
· Write testimony, speeches, editorials; oversees
the drafting of regulatory or legislative language
· Initiate/negotiate partnerships with other organizations
· Lead grassroots efforts
· Assist with fundraising and donor visits Supervise
multi-disciplinary professional, technical, and clerical
staff at state office and field offices
· Assign and delegate work responsibilities
· Establish intra-office supervisory relationships
and team coordination
· Review, evaluate, and edit work of staff
· Evaluate performance of staff, including recommendations
for raises/promotions
· Recruit, interview and hire staff
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS
Successful candidate should possess at least five years
of experience in management, budgeting, leadership, public
policy, fundraising, public speaking, and advocacy skills.
Must be familiar with CBF, Virginia environmental laws
and regulations. Familiarity with Virginia General Assembly
and state and local government preferred. A graduate-level
degree in environmental policy, science or law is preferred.
The Chesapeake Bay Foundation's headquarters office is
located in the new Philip Merrill Environmental Center,
a "cutting edge," environmentally responsible
building located directly on the Bay. CBF also operates
regional offices in Richmond and Norfolk, VA, Salisbury,
MD, Harrisburg, PA and Washington, D.C. Visit us on the
web at www.cbf.org for more details.
To apply, please send resume, cover letter and salary
history by October 25, 2004 to:
Human Resources/VED
Chesapeake Bay Foundation
6 Herndon Avenue
Annapolis, MD 21403
Cbf_employment@cbf.org
CBF offers a comprehensive benefits package to include:
20 vacation days, 10 sick days, health, vision, dental,
life insurance, and a tax deferred annuity plan. The Chesapeake
Bay Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
REGIONAL WATERSHED MANAGER DCR
Division of Soil and Water Conservation Shenandoah Regional
Watershed Manager - - Exciting Position as Virginia's
Lead Nonpoint Source Water Quality Manager for the Shenandoah
and Upper James Rivers
Position is Regional Watershed Manager for the Department's
Soil and Water Conservation Programs. DCR coordinates
Virginia's nonpoint source pollution control programs
and conducts strategies to prevent water quality problems
from runoff, including stormwater management, erosion
and sediment control, agricultural best management practices,
watershed planning & nutrient management.
The Regional Watershed Manager oversees local implementation
of programs and is a lead spokesperson to area governments,
soil and water conservation districts and community organizations.
This position requires significant leadership and managerial
skills. The successful candidate should possess facilitation
skills and be confident working individually, with little
supervision, as well as with a team, developing partnerships
with members of stakeholder groups and governmental units.
A bachelor's degree is required (master's preferred) in
natural resource management/planning or related environmental
field, or a combination of the training and experience
to achieve the needed knowledge, skills and abilities
in those fields. The successful candidate possesses five
or more years of related experience, including supervisory
and administrative skills. Master's degree may substitute
for two years of experience. Estimated starting salary
range $44,000 - $58,000.
Position closes November 2, 2004 at 5:00. To be considered,
the Human Resources Office must receive your application
and/or resume by the close-out date listed by 5 p.m. United
States Eastern Time by fax at (804) 371-0315, or by mail
addressed to the Department of Conservation and Recreation,
ATTN Human Resources Office, Suite 402, 203 Governor Street,
Richmond, VA 23219. E-mail applications are also accepted
at hr@dcr.virginia.gov. Equal Opportunity Employer.
*****************************************************************
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 is emailed the second and fourth Friday of
every month, except during the session when it is weekly.
Deadline for submissions is Thursday.
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