Last Wednesday marked Crossover, the mid-point of the Virginia General Assembly session when the House of Delegates and Senate exchange legislation.  Numerous bills—especially those with budgetary implications—have fallen by the wayside, but some key environmental bills, both good and bad, remain before legislature. 

I’m very happy to report one major environmental victory already secured.  Thanks to close coordination among numerous Virginia Conservation Network member groups, bills intended to strip Virginia’s citizen boards of their permitting authority (HB1332 and SB423) were drastically overhauled.  Now, these bills—well on their way to the governor’s desk—protect the integrity of Virginia’s environmental boards and actually increase citizen access to the permitting process.

That remarkable victory came as the direct result of an outpouring grassroots support.  More than 225 people attended the network’s Conservation Lobby Day in January, where they heard from former DEQ Director Bob Burnley about why citizen boards matter.  These activists and hundreds more took that message to the capitol, and legislators responded. 

Now, VCN is working to ensure the same level of cooperation and energy among environmental advocates around the state as we tackle two more significant bills: SB 525 and SB 768.

SB 525 purports to create an impartial commission to study uranium mining, but a closer inspection reveals much more.  Coupled with language tucked into the Senate budget instructing the Department of Mines Minerals and Energy to develop draft regulations, the bill looks much more like a deliberate first step toward lifting the moratorium on uranium mining that has protected Virginians since 1982.  The absence of adequate public-input and oversight is particularly troubling.  It’s now up to the House of Delegates to stand up for transparent government, environmental integrity, and public safety by reforming SB 525 or killing the bill outright.

The House Rules Committee should also act decisively to table SB 768, a flawed proposal to replace the proffers local governments now ask of developers with impact fees that would scarcely cover the cost of new pavement.  The bill will severely hamper local government efforts to create new parks, guarantee affordable housing, protect historic sites, and curb greenhouse gas emissions through transit-oriented smart-growth developments. 

I encourage you to take a moment to write or phone your delegates; thank them for supporting the revised board bill (which passed unanimously) and ask them to take a closer look at SB 525 and SB 768.

Thanks,
Nathan Lott, Executive Director

HOUSE TAKES UP IMPACT FEE BILL
February, 20, 2008 – Fauquier Times-Democrat
Del. Clifford L. "Clay" Athey Jr. (R-18th District) called the bill "clearly inadequate." Del. Mark L. Cole (R-88th District) likened it to a one-size-fits-all measure that ignores the fact that the cost of providing roads, schools and public safety to serve new homes differs from one community to another...Like local governments across Virginia who object to the bill, Athey and Cole believe the proposed impact fees system simply would fall well short of the covering the public-service costs required by new homes. – BY DON DEL ROSSO

Governor's Energy Policy Advisory Council
When: March 26, 2008 at 9:00 a.m.
Where: Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, 4016 W. Broad Street Division Directors Conference Room, Richmond, VA
There will be an opportunity to voice your opinion at the end of the meeting.
For Meeting Information: Click Here

How Farmers Can Sell Locally Grown Meats, Fruits and Vegetables: a Ninth District Agriculture Conference
When: March 3 at 8:30 a.m.
Where: Edwards Hall, New River Community College, Dublin, VA
For More Information: Click Here

Southern Environmental Law Center - From Inspiration to Action
Date: March 28 at 2 p.m.
Location: Downtown Mall, Charlottesville, VA
Please join the Southern Environmental Law Center in welcoming H. Emerson Blake, Editor-in-Chief of the award-winning Orion magazine and executive director of Orion Society, to a panel of the Virginia Festival of the Book. Blake will explore how literature and the arts go hand-in-hand with policy and legislation in the effort to protect the environment.  He serves as a judge for SELC’s annual Reed Writing Award. Winners of the 2008 award will be announced at the event, hosted at SELC offices on Charlottesville’s historic downtown mall.
For More Information: Visit www.SouthernEnvironment.org/reed.htm

New Report Identifies the Benefits and Barriers to Forest Certification
Forests contribute, perhaps now more than ever, to the Commonwealth by moderating climate, cleaning and storing water, creating jobs and economy, and provided both scenery and solace. Yet our forests are changing in ways that have profound and long term impacts.
DOWNLOAD FULL REPORT

Renewable Energy Internship Program in Germany
When: Late May 2008 – August 2008
CDS has partnered with the American Council on Renewable Energy and InWEnt to offer a renewable energy internship program in Germany for students with 2 years of college German or the equivalent.
For More Information: Visit www.cdsintl.org/fromusa/tree.htm

FARM FOUNDATION - FUNDING FOR CONFERENCES TARGETING RURAL ISSUES
DEADLINE: Applications may be submitted at any time
The Farm Foundation provides support to private and public organizations to present multi-state or national conferences and workshops that address economic and policy issues critical to agriculture and people in rural communities. The Foundation seeks project proposals that specifically address one of the following priority areas: Consumer Issues, Environmental Quality and Natural Resources Issues, Globalization, New Technologies, Role of Agricultural Institutions, or Rural Community Viability.
For More Information: Visit www.farmfoundation.org/guidelines.htm