Scenic Virginia Needs Your Help
Both of the harmful billboard bills that Scenic Virginia have been opposing have been communicated to the other chamber. This means that HB 2128 is now in the Senate, and SB 1102 is now in the House. The bills were reported from the House and Senate Transportation committees this Wednesday, and will now go to the floor for a vote. The Third Reading (final vote) will be Monday, February 12, for both.
Take Action
#1: CONTACT YOUR DELEGATES AND TELL THEM THAT YOU OPPOSE SB 1102
The vote in the House on HB 2128 (Patron - Del. Tim Hugo, concerning relocation of nonconforming billboards) was an excruciatingly close 49 - 47. We need our supporters to contact the Delegates who voted to oppose HB 2128. Please thank them for that good vote and ask them now to oppose SB 1102 (Patron - Sen. Marty Williams), the Senate companion bill to HB 2128. We have a good opportunity to kill SB 1102 in the House, but our Delegates need to hear from you by Monday morning. Please act today.
#2: CONTACT OUR SENATORS AND TELL THEM THAT YOU OPPOSE HB 2128
The vote in the Senate on SB 1102 (Patron - Sen. Marty Williams, concerning relocation of nonconforming billboards) was 27-11-2. Since that vote, Scenic Virginia has heard from several Senators who've indicated they would be willing to oppose HB 2128.
Find Your Legislator by Visiting: http://conview.state.va.us/whosmy.nsf/main?openform
TALKING POINTS: REASONS TO OPPOSE BOTH BILLS

• HB 2128/SB 1102 strips the authority of those localities that have gone to the time and expense of enacting sign ordinances -- a measure proven to aid business development and tourism efforts. This means that the billboard owner could move a nonconforming billboard to a new location in a historic district, along scenic byways, and near residential neighborhoods. (A billboard in a historic district in Stafford County comes to mind. If this bill passes, it will be re-erected in the historic district, much to the County's dismay.)
• Under HB 2128/SB 1102, the replacement billboards will likely be taller, since it will be left to the billboard owner to ensure "comparable visibility" with the original structure, and Virginia has no height limit on billboards.
• HB 2128/SB 1102 treats nonconforming billboards differently from other nonconforming uses.
  
• HB 2128/SB 1102 is special-interest legislation sponsored by the billboard industry that offers no benefits to the majority of Virginia's citizens.
  
• Nearly every year, the billboard industry brings forth legislation directly stemming from local zoning cases that they didn't win or representing a preemptive strike against a locality that is trying to increase its tourism and economic development opportunities by taking steps to improve its appearance.
  
• It is unconscionable that year after year, the billboard industry asks the General Assembly for changes to the Code of Virginia that will override decisions made by the courts or local zoning authorities. Taken alone, each bill might not seem that damaging, but when examined together, the bills that have passed the General Assembly in the last several years amount to a systematic campaign of assault on the Commonwealth's scenic assets.

Beauty is good for business, and all of us must take steps to keep Virginia competitive with other beautiful places.
For More Information Contact: Leighton Powell at 804-282-5522 or e-mail lpowell@scenicvirginia.org

Toxic “Teflon Chemical” PFOA Community Meeting
Date: Tuesday, February 13 at 7:00 PM
What: Community Meeting To Protect the Health of Workers and the Community:
Where: St. Augustine Catholic Church, 4400 Beulah Rd, Richmond, VA 23237. Look for the Covered Entrance.  Corner of Hopkins and Beulah.
For more Information or to RSVP: Call (804) 225-9113 x 103 or email joshua.low@sierraclub.org

UPDATE: The 2007 General Assembly Session - Half Way There
Come and hear what bills are alive, what bills didn't make the cut and what might happen the rest of the session
Date: Saturday, February 10
Time: 8:30 am - Doors Open for Coffee, Fruit, & Bagels
9:00 am - Presentation and Q & A
Speakers:
Lisa Guthrie ~ Executive Director, The Virginia League of Conservation Voters
Joe Tannery ~ Virginia Staff Attorney, Chesapeake Bay Foundation
Location: Sandy Bottom Nature Park, 1255 Big Bethel Road, Hampton, VA 23666
Please RSVP by calling the CBF office at 757.622.1964.
**Directions to Sandy Bottom Nature Park**
Take I-64 to Exit 261A (Hampton Roads Center Parkway West)
Follow Hampton Roads Ctr. Pkwy. to the traffic light that intersects with Big Bethel Road.
Turn right onto Big Bethel Road.
Go through a traffic light for Towne Center Shopping Mall.
About two-tenths of a mile past the traffic light entrance to the mall, turn left into the entrance for Sandy Bottom Nature Park. (FYI: If you start to drive up an incline on Big Bethel, going over an overpass, you have gone too far!)
Follow the park entrance to the Nature Center (about 1/4 to 1/2 mile inside the park).
The Save the Bay Breakfast is in the main conference room (the room with all the windows) in the Nature Center. You can enter the conference room directly on the right side of the building.hamptonroads@cbf.org

Global Warming and Responsible Energy Policy Rally
Date: Monday, February 19, 2007
Time: 11:00 AM - 12:00PM - Attendees are encouraged to come earlier, and stay later take their message to their Representatives.
Many environmental organizations throughout the state are banding together to hold a public rally at the Darden Gardens near the General Assembly Building in Richmond on Presidents Day.
If you are interested in helping prepare for the event or attending: Contact Tyla Matteson at 804-275-6476 or e-mail tmatteson1@mindspring.com

CHESAPEAKE BAY FUNDERS NETWORK- CAPACITY BUILDING INITATIVE REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
Deadline: February 16, 2007
For full details on the Request for proposals visit this link.
Application Instructions: http://www.cbtrust.org/site/c.enJIKQNoFiG/b.2028607/k.49D/Application_Process.htm
To Apply: Submit application to Chesapeake Bay Trust, 60 West Street, Suite 405, Annapolis, MD 21401

VIRGINIA RECREATIONAL TRAILS FUND
Deadline: February 16, 2007, 5:00 PM
This is a federally funded 80% matching grant program for development of recreation trails with approximately $1 million available in this grant round.
The grant manual with application is available on the Department of Conservation and Recreation website at www.dcr.virginia.gov/prr/trailfnd.htm
For more information call 804-786-4379

NATIONAL FISH AND WILDLIFE FOUNDATION - FIVE-STAR RESTORATION MATCHING GRANTS
Deadline: March 9, 2007
The National Association of Counties,  the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation,  and the Wildlife Habitat Council are seeking applications  for the Five-Star Restoration Matching Grants Program.This program provides modest financial assistance on a competitive basis to support community-based wetland, riparian, and coastal habitat restoration projects.
Criteria:
The stars in "Five-Star" are the partners, funders, and/or participants necessary to complete the project, including,  but not limited to, schools or youth organizations; local or tribal governments; universities and local cooperative extension districts; local businesses or corporations; conservation organizations or local citizens groups; state and federal resource management agencies; and foundations or other funders. Projects must involve diverse partnerships of ideally five organizations that contribute funding, land, technical assistance, workforce support, and/or other in-kind services.
Awards are between $5,000 and $20,000 each, with the average grant about $13,000. Projects that can leverage the funds requested with significant cash or in-kind contribution from project partners are considered much more competitive.
For more Information and Application Materials: Visit the NFWF Web site www.nfwf.org.

MEYER FOUDNATION - EFFECTIVE NONPROFIT LEADERS EXPONENT AWARD
Deadline: April 9, 2007
The Meyer Foundation strengthens people and their communities by investing in Greater Washington, D.C.'s visionary nonprofits. The Meyer Foundation's Exponent Award recognizes strong and effective nonprofit leaders with a track record of accomplishment who have the potential for future growth and development. The award program is designed to stabilize and strengthen the executive leadership of Meyer's grantees, to increase the voice and visibility of some of the region's most effective nonprofit leaders, and to help them attract additional resources. The award, intended for mid-career executives who may be in danger of burnout or who would benefit from a leadership development grant to take their skills and organization to a new level, honors up to five leaders each year. The reward recipient's organization of receives a two-year grant of $100,000 to be used for leadership development.
Criteria:
To qualify for the exponent award, nominees must be the chief executive officer (executive director or president) of an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that has received at least two grants from the Meyer Foundation since January 1, 2003; and have served in their current position for a minimum of three years but not more than ten years. Candidates must be nominated by a letter from a board member, colleague, grant-maker, or other community leader.
For more Information Visit: The Meyer Foundation Web site for complete program information and nomination procedures.
Request for Proposals: http://fconline.foundationcenter.org/pnd/10005415/meyerfoundation

NATIONAL FOREST FOUNDATION'S COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Deadline: April 6, 2007, and September 7, 2007
The program, sponsored by the Natonial Forest Foundation will support newly forming nonprofit organizations in need of capacity-building that intend to proactively and inclusively engage the local community in forest management and conservation issues on and around National Forests and Grasslands. CAP provides start-up grants in the range of $5,000 to $15,000 each, as well as basic tools and guidance, to enable newly forming grassroots community groups to resolve differences and play a more active role in the sustainable management of nearby national forests and surrounding communities. CAP funds can be used for a wide range of tools, including technical assistance, training, consultants, community outreach, obtaining 501(c)(3) status, group facilitation, basic start-up and operating costs, materials and equipment, program development, nonprofit management skill-building, and communications.
For more information: visit www.natlforests.org