Ecological victories and losses at the Crossover at the General Assembly of Virginia – Chesapik Bay Foundation

The session of the Virginia General Assembly reached its middle point, marking some profits and losses for key environmental measures.

These measures would improve our virginia’s living resources, ensure better planning of our growing solar industry, improving water quality, protection of public health, and are aligned with the recent cultivation of Governor Youngkin to the restoration of the Bay of Chesapik.

At this point, known as the “crossover”, the bills started in one house must be accepted to move to the other house for viewing, a key moment for the legislation focused on the resistance of floods, the protection of vital species and the progress in Pure energy.

Key wins in the environment and losses include:

Protection of Virginians from flooding and extreme time

• HB 2034 introduced by Delegate Shelly Simonds: This establishes efforts to protect the existing tidal and non -title wetlands of the state, which are natural filter waters and mushrooms. This bill has accepted the Chamber and will now head to the Senate.
• HB2630 introduced by Delegate Rodney Willett and HB2638 introduced by Delegate Patrick Hope: Another natural sponge that cools our neighborhoods and reduces the use of our energy, the trees will be easier to preserve and replace on these two bills that expand the local authorities. They both accepted the Chamber, which are viewed by the Senate.
• HB 2077 introduced by DELEGATE PAUL KRIZEK and SB 1335 introduced by Senator David Marsden: These bills allow federally recognized tribal governments to have access to floods of floods in the Community. Both bills accepted their respective chamber.
• HJ 434 introduced by Delegate Michael Feggans and HJ 437, introduced by Delegate Kelly Convirs-Fowler: HJ434 direct studies on how state and localities will finance the risk management plans of a coastal storm (CSRM). HJ437 restores the joint subcommittee of the recurring flood. Both bills passed the Chamber and the Senate for consideration.

Protection and restoration of key species

• Cbf is disheartened that Legislation for an yster Stock Assessment Helping Ensure the Wise Management of the State’s Oysters As Well as Legislation and An Accompanying $ 3 Million Amendment Apeake Bay did not Advance in the General Assembly. CBF thanks the Paul Mild delegate for the introduction of Menhaden’s efforts and again notes the growing need for research on the impact of factors, including climate change and industrial fishing on this important forage fish.
• CBF continues to support the HB 2782 introduced by Delegate Shelly Simonds, which removes a daily limit with a single fish for a son longer than 32 inches, helping to reduce the predatory pressure of this invasive appearance in the tidal waters of James, Rapahanok and York The rivers. The HB 2782 has passed the House and is considered by the Senate.

Lasting future for clean energy

• In order to achieve established clean energy goals without unjustified compromise of agricultural land or forests, CBF supports the legislation of the affairs of senators and McPike and Delegate Sullivan to create a state advisory advisory body, taking into account the solar projects for the scale of usefulness. The legislation also required a regional energy plan. CBF is disappointed that this measure does not progress.

Reduction of pollution

• The General Assembly showed constant support to reduce budget pollution by offering financing three key pollution reduction pillars: the best practices for agriculture management, improvement of treatment plants and investment in the local rainwater assistant, coinciding program for program for the program for the Rain Water, coinciding program for the Rain Water Program Grates for projects that reduce polluted outflow, such as restoration of streams and rain gardens.

  Practices such as fencing cattle from streams, planting of trees and grasses, and many others are the most profitable steps that Virginia can take to restore the bay and local streams. At the same time, many of the Virginia sewage facilities have made important progress in reducing nutrients in recent years due to investments made by the General Assembly.

CBF Policy Manager Virginia Jay Ford released the following statement:

“The protection of Virginians from expensive flooding, extreme storms and impact on pollution health is a bilateral question. This crossover period has been observed with stable support to reduce pollution and measures to actively prepare the community for expensive storms and floods on our horizon.

“While we are celebrating the progress achieved at several key environmental fronts, the losses associated with Menhaden and Oyster studies, and the need for a complete clean energy strategy emphasize the emergency of the challenges facing Chesapiq.

“This moment provides a significant opportunity for legislators to demonstrate their commitment to a healthy environment and sustainable communities. We urge them to prioritize the measures that will provide a cleaner, fresher Virginia for the next generation. ”