Virginia’s senators and delegates have packed up and left Richmond in the wake of a frenzied legislative session that saw mixed results for conservation. No doubt they—like us—will keep a watchful eye on the governor’s veto pen, but the momentary lull affords us the chance to evaluate the outcome of major conservation bills. Thanks to the hard work of organizations and activists—including many of you—we saw real victories for citizen participation and for water quality. Shortcomings in the mammoth electricity and transportation bills, however, underscore the need to help decision makers better understand how those issues relate to conservation and quality of life…

Environmental Boards
An overwhelming response from concerned citizens prompted legislators to add a re-enactment clause to SB1403 and HB3113, bills that would collapse Virginia’s environmental boards and vest decision-making power in the DEQ director. The clause dictates that the legislature must pass the law again next year before it can take effect. The Virginia Conservation Network will work to involve VCN member organizations in stakeholder dialogue during the year ahead in order to produce a compromise that streamlines bureaucracy without streamlining citizen involvement.

SLAPP Suit Protection
The passage of SB 1250 by both houses of the General Assembly offers citizens new protections from frivolous lawsuits. These strategic lawsuits against public participation, or SLAPP suits, have been used by a small number of unscrupulous businesses to stifle public input on local land-use decisions. The fact that conservationists and homebuilders both endorsed the bill is credit to the Virginia League of Conservation Voters, which championed this valuable free-speech safeguard.

Water Quality
I am pleased to say that the legislature saw fit to authorize up to $250 million in bonds for sewage-treatment plant upgrades. Thanks to valuable leadership from the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, the Commonwealth will move forward on a pledge to reduce nitrogen pollution by 28 million pounds annually by 2010.

After some political wrangling, the legislature also decided to draw funding from the Water Quality Improvement Fund to pay for combined sewer overflow (CSO) repairs in Lynchburg and Richmond. That restructuring underscores the need for future investments to reduce nonpoint-source pollution from stormwater and agricultural runoff.

Land Conservation
Conservationists were heartened by the state’s first ever investment in matching funds for local purchase of development rights (PDR) programs. The prospect of more than $4 million in state funds will be a boon to those of you working to create a new PDR program in your city or county. Likewise, almost $1 million in funding allotted to the Virginia Outdoors Foundation is money well spent; it will help the foundation keep pace with the good work landowners and land trusts are doing around the state.

The legislature’s half-a-million-per-year allocation to the Virginia Land Conservation Foundation, however, will not be nearly enough reach Gov. Kaine’s goal of preserving 400,000 acres; nor is it sufficient to reach goals laid out in the Virginia Outdoors Plan and Virginia Wildlife Action Plan. Increased investments in this foundation—which doubles taxpayer money through matching grants—will likely be a conservation priority next year.

Billboard Relocation
In order to protect Virginia’s historic open spaces and maintain local land-use authority, VCN has asked the governor to veto HB2128. This special-interest bill would quash local ordinances and allow billboards to be relocated and raised within historic districts and along scenic byways.

Land-Use Planning and Transportation
Despite widespread public recognition that we cannot pave our way out of gridlock, the General Assembly did little to help local communities better control growth, focusing instead on a funding mechanism for more asphalt.

Gov. Kaine has stated his intention to overhaul the legislature’s transportation package and begun criss-crossing the state to drum up support. Conservationists are asking Kaine to scrap costly sprawl-inducing projects like a wider I-66 and an eight-lane I-81 in order to re-direct the lion’s share of new transportation funding to existing communities, transit, and bicycle and pedestrian facilities.

Gubernatorial amendments to strengthen the VDOT performance standards and Urban Development Areas created by the bill will also have long-term payoff by fostering a plan-before-you-pave approach.

Electricity “Re-regulation”
Though modestly improved, the final version of the legislature’s electric utility “re-regulation” plan still guarantees corporate profits by forcing consumers to pay for polluting new power plants and invasive new infrastructure. Gov. Kaine has indicated his willingness to amend the bill, and VCN has asked him to place energy efficiency, peak-demand management and renewable generation on equal footing with new base-load generation. Dollar for dollar, these are the most cost-effective solutions, but this lopsided legislation contains fuel- and construction-cost recovery provisions that distort the marketplace.

In order to combat global warming and ensure Virginia’s long-term economic competitiveness, we must prioritize energy efficiency and renewable generation. Regardless of the final outcome of this bill, VCN will be working to promote sustainable energy policies and wise individual behavior for years to come.

… So even as we look back on the legislative session, we look ahead to the challenges and opportunities that remain. As conservationists, it falls to us to lead by example and to educate our fellow Virginians.

Best,
Nathan Lott
Executive Director

CENTER GIVES HELP TO WILDLIFE
February 27, 2007 – The News Leader
Nine baby possums were brought to the Wildlife Center of Virginia last April. Their mother was hit by a car and she died but all nine little ones were rescued — taken to safety at the center, nursed and within a month, released. Because the possums were healthy, they were considered 'outpatients,' given a number, then released when ready. – BY ALICE MANNETTE

Alliance for Justice Online Workshops for March 2007 
Workshops run from 2:00 PM - 3:00PM
You can register online or by calling Kyle Murphy at (202) 822-6070.
Workshop Registration is $30.
March Workshops:
March 14 - Lobbying Rules for Nonprofits Web Workshop
March 15 - Advocacy Capacity Assessment and Evaluation
March 20 - The Essentials of Representing Nonprofits and Foundations: Federal Disclosure Rules
March 27 - The Essentials of Representing Nonprofits and Foundations: Lobbying Restrictions on Federal Funds
March 28 - Election Rules for Nonprofits Web Workshop
Participants in Online Workshops are also eligible to purchase our corresponding publications for half-price (Being a Player for Lobbying Rules and Rules of the Game for Election Rules).  You can order these publications online or by calling Maria Clayton at (202) 822-6070.

A Conversation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
When: March 27, 2007 - 10:30am to 12:00 noon.
Where: College of William & Mary Commonwealth Auditorium - located in the University Center.
Speakers include Lieutenant General Carl A. Strock, Commander and Chief of Engineers, who will share his perspective on challenges confronting Virginia's coastal areas and Dr. Mark Sudol, Regulatory Chief, will discuss recent wetland issues.
The event is free and open to the public but due to space limitations reservations are required.
To reserve a seat contact Ms. Susan Maples (804-684-7846) or reserve online at: http://tethys.vims.edu/events/registration.cfm
Directions: http://www.wm.edu/about/directions.php (building #86 on the Campus Map).
Sponsored by the Center of Coastal Resources Management, Virginia Institute of Marine Science, College of William and Mary. For additional information contact Dr. Kirk Havens (804-684-7386).

Conference: Virginia Fund Raising Institute
When: July 23-25, 2007
Where: Boar's Head Inn, Charlottesville, VA
The VFRI, founded in 1992, hosts twenty-five interactive educational workshops and three keynote presentations designed to inspire and equip development professionals, board members, and executive directors to excel in fundraising and non-profit management.  In addition, 15-20 exhibitors and sponsors bring to the Institute knowledge and counsel in non-profit and volunteer management to help you be successful. The development and non-profit executive can take advantage of professional networking, workshops, and roundtable discussions to gain valuable insights to face the challenges in your organization
For More Information and Online Registration: visit www.vfri.org

2007 CONFERENCE ON VOLULNTEERISM AND COMMUNITY SERVICE
Date: April 11, 2007 - April 13, 2007
Location: Holiday Inn Select, 1021 Koger Center Boulevard, Richmond, VA 23235
The conference, presented by the Governor's Commission on Community and National Service, is the largest and most comprehensive event of the year for individuals and organizations working to strengthen their communities through service. Historically, over 500 participants attend from throughout Virginia representing nonprofit and faith-based organizations, public and private school systems, colleges and universities, large and small businesses, and national service programs, including AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, and Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA). Take advantage of the large number of networking opportunities, exciting and informative plenary speakers, relevant skill-building workshops, and recognition ceremonies.
For more information, including the agenda and how to exhibit Visit www.vaservice.org/go/conference/.
To register visit: www.regonline.com/Checkin.asp?EventId=119357

LET YOUR LEGISLATORS KNOW HOW IMPORTANT CONSERVATION IS TO YOU AND YOUR COMMUNITY!
Join other individuals as citizen lobbyists and convey key conservation issues to your representative.
If you are interested in building a relationship with your legislators and learning how to make sure conservation is their priority--then join a Legislative Contact Team!
For More Information Contact:
Mike Kaestner, Program Coordinator
Virginia League of Conservation Voters – Education Fund
Phone: (804) 225-1902
Email: mkaestner@valcv.org
or
Suzanne Ankrum, Program Coordinator
Virginia Conservation Network
Phone: (804) 644-0283
Email: suzanne@vcnva.org