2005 VCN Legislative Program

2005 VCN Legislative Priorities

Enhancing the Protection of Virginia’s Natural Resources - - Seeing that the Commonwealth’s policy to protect its atmosphere, lands and waters from pollution, impairment or destruction for the benefit, enjoyment and general welfare of the people of the Commonwealth, as guaranteed in Article XI of the Virginia Constitution, is a VCN legislative priority.

Air – multi-pollutant “Clean Smokestack” Legislation - - Cleaning up power plant emission is a VCN legislative priority. Power plants are Virginia’s largest source of Sulfur Dioxide, Nitrogen Oxides, Mercury, and other air toxics. VCN supports legislation similar to that adopted in North Carolina, which places system wide caps on these emissions.

Transportation and Land Use - - Insuring that programs for transportation funding adequately redress implications of traditional road building for the continuance of inefficient land use and sprawl is a VCN legislative priority. The air quality, environmental, and land use implications of transportation alternatives are varied and significant. Any increases in such funding must address the transportation-land use link, accountability through adherence to performance measures, and a more balanced transportation network involving transit, freight and passenger rail, walkability, and bicycle accommodations.

Funding for Virginia’s Environment - - Obtaining adequate funding to protect Virginia’s natural resources is a VCN legislative priority. This over-arching issue affects all aspects of the Commonwealth’s efforts to protect its atmosphere, land and waters from pollution, impairment or destruction. Dedicated funding for land conservation and water quality enhancement is necessary for Virginia to meet its Constitutional authority to protect the state’s environment.

2005 VCN White Papers

The VCN Board of Directors has adopted the following white papers. The white papers are available at www.vcnva.org or may be obtained from the VCN Office.

Wind Energy

Smart Growth

Rural Land Use

Personal Watercraft

Agricultural Vitality

Virginia’s Clean Smokestacks

Land Conservation Funding

Water Quality and Nutrients

VDOT Reform and Transportation Funding

Coordinating Pace of Development with APF

2005 VCN Statements of Position

[Approved as of November 16, 2004]

VCN supports Virginia “Clean Smokestacks” legislative initiatives as recommended in the VCN White Paper on this subject.

VCN supports earmarking the net proceeds from the June 2004 auction of nitrogen dioxide (NOx) allocations to fund air quality monitoring and evaluation and for measures to improve air quality in areas designated by the U.S. EPA as non-attainment areas.

VCN supports funding for land conservation programs to implement local purchase of development rights (PRD) programs; to provide matching grants to nonprofits, Soil and Water Conservation Districts, and localities; for public land acquisition; and, to have preservation tax credits remain an important tool in Virginia’s land conservation toolbox.

VCN supports legislation dedicating a portion of the recordation tax for local PDR programs.

VCN supports dedicated funding, such as a user fee, as a means to fund point and non-point water quality improvement programs.

VCN supports preparation and adoption of a state policy on nutrient trading consistent with the nutrient trading principles and guidelines of the Chesapeake Bay Program’s Nutrient Trading Workgroup (2001).

VCN supports increased funding for transportation only if it is accompanied by state and local action to address the inefficient land use (suburban sprawl) that is the primary contributor to traffic congestion in the Commonwealth. Principle and programs to achieve this include:

• Tying transportation funding to measurable performance criteria;
• The need for a build-out analysis along critical corridors and communities;
• Tying funding to changes in land use and demand management programs that reduce land consumption and per capita VMT and vehicle trips;
• Focusing on repairing and increasing operational efficiency befor spending billions on new roads;
• Shifting significant funding to transit, freight rail, walking and bicycling to move Virginia toward a more balanced transportation program;
• Redirecting funding from construction of a majority of bypass highways and focus on access management, corridor preservation, and other alternatives;
• Reforming the Public-Private Transportation Act.

VCN supports the establishment of enabling legislative for adequate public facilities as recommended in the VCN White Paper – Coordinating the Pace of Development with the Provision of Adequate Public Facilities.

VCN supports legislation calling for a study pertaining to the implications of wind energy turbines (wind farms)

VCN supports the regulation of personal watercraft [pending introduction of a bill and the creation of a fact sheet]