2007 Virginia Environmental Assembly
Saturday, October 6, 2007
The College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA

SUPERMARKETS TOUT FRESH, LOCAL OFFERINGS
July 27, 2007 – NPR, Morning Edition
This summer has brought a rush in consumer demand for fresh, locally grown food. The number of farmers' markets has grown more than 50 percent in the past decade and supermarket chains are offering more local produce. – BY ADAM HOCHBERG

ELECTRONICS MAKERS BREAK OUT ‘GREEN’ INITIATIVES
July 16, 2007 – USA Today
The Dell Latitude D630 laptop contains mercury, a heavy metal that can damage the human nervous system. Not one of its many parts is made of recycled, post-consumer plastics or plant-based plastics. It's packaged in a box made of largely unrecycled materials. Yet it may be the most environmentally friendly mainstream laptop on the planet. That's because it doesn't contain the lead, brominated flame retardants, polyvinyl chloride and other nasty chemicals common in PCs. It's free of glued-together parts that are nearly impossible to recycle. And it doesn't gobble electricity, as many other electronics do.  – BY MICHELLE KESSLER

WARMING POSES THREATS TO CHESAPEAKE, GROUP SAYS
July 20, 2007 – The Washington Post
Climate change has already begun to alter the Chesapeake Bay, warming and raising its waters in a way that could unbalance delicate ecosystems and doom low-lying islands, according to a report released yesterday by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. – BY DAVID A. FAHRENTHOLT

Local Conservation Leadership: Building a Network of Power
Interested in becoming an member of your local Legislative Contact Team, learning to effectively communicate conservation goals to your state legislators, and building a stronger conservation community? - Then attend this year's Legislative Contact Team Trainings.
Dates and Locations*:
July 31, South Boston | The Prizery Arts Center
August 2, Warrenton |Warrenton Community Center
August 7, Roanoke | Roanoke Higher Education Center
August 9, Arlington | GMU - Arlington Campus
*All trainings last from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm. Dinner is Provided.
Please RSVP to Suzanne at suzanne@vcnva.org
Directions can be found at www.vcnva.org

Attend State Corporation Commission Hearings on Power Line Application
Use the following links for directions & more information:
July 27 - Fauquier High School Auditorium
August 9 - Marsteller Middle School
August 10 - Marsteller Middle School
August 13 - James Wood High School
August 14 - James Wood High School
August 15 - North Warren Volunteer Fire Dept
August 16 - North Warren Volunteer Fire Dept
Details on Testifying:
The SCC is holding 8 public hearings in four different locations. There is an opportunity to speak in the afternoon, evening or morning. The first day at each location begins at 1:30pm, there will be a break for dinner, the hearing will restart at 7:00pm and then resume the following morning at 9:30am. The SCC states that "Any person wishing to comment at any of these hearings should arrive early and sign in with the SCC bailiff." You can not sign up in advance. There is no official time limit on comments, but the SCC has recommended that comments be kept to less than ten minutes.
Note: Dominion/TrAILCo attorneys will be present and will be given the opportunity to ask you questions
Talking Points:
1)Urge the SCC to independently determine whether this line is needed and to examine every available alternative to building it. Don't worry about being an electric grid expert (unless you already are). You can testify without understanding grid dynamics, PJM pricing, megawatt reduction potentials, etc... Ask the SCC to get the advice of independent experts before deciding whether to approve this line. You could l
2) Explain how you will be affected by the line and what policies you think areat risk. How would you or your property be impacted? Perhaps you care about historic districts and historic sites, land conservation, scenic rivers, or wildlife habitat...You have unique local knowledge, and the SCC needs to hear from you.
3) Tell the SCC what energy conservation/efficiency programs you are putting in place or are willing to put in place. Have you replaced your light bulbs? Have you called your utility and asked about Air Conditioning or Hot Water Switching Units? Have you scheduled an energy audit?
For More Information: Click Here

State Water Control Board – Special Board Meeting
Date: Monday, August 30 at 10:00am
Location: General Assembly Building, House Room c, 9th & Broad Streets, Richmond
This meeting has been called to discuss the Captain’s Cove Utility Permit application.
Agenda Details: http://townhall.virginia.gov/l/GetFile.cfm?File=E:\townhall\docroot\\meeting\103\9521\Agenda_DEQ_9521_v1.pdf
More Information from DEQ on meeting:  contact Cindy Berndt at cmberndt@deq.virginia.gov or 804.698.4378

2007 State of the James River Report
The James River Association released the report which examines the health of the James River. The report examines fish and wildlife populations that are important to the health of the river, habitat, the amount of pollution that enters the James River, and the progress on the restoration and protection actions needed to reduce damaging pollution and return the James River to a healthy, diverse ecosystem.
View Report: http://www.jamesriverassociation.org/StateoftheJames.html

Chesapeake Bay Foundation Climate Change Report
Chesapeake Bay Foundation has released a fourteen page report available at www.cbf.org/site/PageServer?pagename=exp_sub_state_climatechange

 The Woods in Your Backyard
Workshop Dates and Locations:
July 31 in Warrenton  (evening)
July Aug. 2 in Madison  (afternoon)
July 30 & Aug. 6 in Fredericksburg  (evening)
Each workshop will focus on how you can influence what happens in your natural area by better understanding what you have, what you want and available tools to help you accomplish your goals. 
For more information go to: www.ext.vt.edu/offices/madison 
click on <Local Program>, <Forestry & Natural Resources>, <Download Brochure for Upcoming Workshops>

Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs and Mercury
Grist examines mercury levels in CFL bulbs still manage to reduce the amount of mercury released into the environment.
Read the column: Visit www.grist.org/advice/ask/2007/07/16/cflmercury/index.html?source=weekly

FRIENDS OF THE RAPPAHANNOCK - Marketing and Development Coordinator
Location: Fredericksburg, VA
Friends of the Rappahannock is hiring a Marketing and Development Coordinator to assist organizational leaders in marketing river conservation programs to the public, corporate sponsors, major donors, and members. The ideal candidate will have a B.A. in a relevant field, interest in grassroots river conservation, and possess strong communications and interpersonal skills.
Full Position Description: Visit www.vcnva.org/jops.php
To Apply
Mail a cover letter, resume, and three references to: Jennifer Allen, Programs Manager, Friends of the Rappahannock, PO Box 7254, Fredericksburg, VA 22404 or email the materials to jenn_allen@riverfriends.org.

CIVIL WAR PRESERVATION TRUST - Historic Land Acquisitions Associate
The Civil War Preservation Trust is the nation's largest organization dedicated to preserving important Civil War sites. The Trust is looking for an Associate who will be dedicated to accomplishing the acquisition and preservation of the country's most important historic sites by managing all aspects of the land acquisition process. The ideal candidate will have experience dealing with landowners, farmers, and small business owners and negotiating agreements is desirable.
Full Job Description can be found at www.vcnva.org/php.jobs
To Apply: Please forward a cover letter and resume via e-mail to Tom Gilmore at tgilmore@civilwar.org
Or Mail To: Thomas M. Gilmore, Director of Real Estate, Civil War Preservation Trust, 1331 H Street, NW Suite 1001, Washington, DC 20005

CIVIL WAR PRESERVATION TRUST- Grants Associate
The Grants Associate will be responsible for expanding CWPT's use of funding available for battlefield preservation from federal, state and local government entities, as well as other non-profit organizations. The ideal candidate will have a BA/BS and 2-3 years of professional experience. Strong initiative, interpersonal, presentation, and computer skills are required. An interest in American history and its preservation is essential.
To Apply: e-mail letters and resume to developmentresumes@civilwar.org.

PIEDMONT ENVIRONMENTAL COUNCIL- Loudoun County Field Officer/Campaign Director
Location:   Leesburg, Virginia
PEC is 30 year-old non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and protecting the Virginia Piedmont's rural economy, natural resources, history and beauty. The Loudoun County Field officer will develop and execute strategies to engage citizens, organizations, and regional media in land use and conservation, transportation planning, community development, and natural resource protection.
Full Job Description Available at www.vcnva.org/jobs.php
To Apply:
Send a cover letter and a resume with 2 references to Dawn Wilmot, Assistant to the President, PEC at dwilmot@pecva.org or
P.O. Box 460, Warrenton, VA 20188

Virginia Bluebird Society Seeks Volunteers
The Virginia Bluebird Society is always looking for volunteers to monitor its bluebird box trails in locations all over the State of Virginia. No experience is needed, as training is provided to anyone who is interested in spending a couple of hours, one week a month, working as a member of a team on one of the VA Bluebird Society trails. A typical volunteer counts and records the eggs and chicks inside bluebird boxes especially designed for cavity nesting birds. Enjoy walking trails in Virginia’s beautiful public lands.
To Volunteer or for more information: Contact Barbara Chambers the VBS State Coordinator at bj.chambers@verizon.net

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--join a Legislative Contact Team!
For More Information Contact:
Suzanne Ankrum, Program Coordinator
Virginia Conservation Network
Phone: (804) 644-0283
Email: suzanne@vcnva.org