Q2 2014 Newsletter

Legislative update: How did Virginia’s natural resources fare in the state budget?

The 2014 General Assembly session was one like no other. All in all, much happened that was unpredictable and, in many cases, could not have been effectively influenced. In fact, many members were relegated to watching from the sidelines. Obstacles stemmed from a new governor and a General Assembly getting used to each other, as well as the governor carrying specific legislative goals that were high-profile and somewhat controversial. These factors all contributed to the historic budget standoff; never before has the debate over the budget in the General Assembly gone on for so long. To add to the delay, legislators recognized a last minute budget shortfall of $1.0-$1.5 billion. This shortfall caused significant budget cuts, insofar as programs were “level-funded” and did not get anticipated spending increases.

VIRGINIAforever made our mission clear: to boost water quality and land conservation funds. Despite a hectic session, we successfully advocated for two specific goals as directed by the VIRGINIAforever Five-Year Plan: we strived to 1) boost stormwater funding to $50 million; and 2) seek an additional $13.9 million for land conservation, a goal in keeping with the law.

To this end, the VIRGINIAforever government affairs committee organized more than 20 personal meetings with key legislators who could directly influence our goals. The committee met with the staff analysts from House Appropriations and Senate Finance. Budget staffers often have significant influence on appropriations decisions, which made these meetings critical to our success. The committee also recruited key business leaders who are members of VIRGINIAforever to personally call specific legislators and submitted signed letters at strategic times in the budget decision-making process. Finally, the committee thoughtfully collaborated with other stakeholders including Virginia Municipal League (VML), Virginia Association of Counties (VACo) and Virginia Municipal Stormwater Association (VASMA) and certain localities to weigh in on pending appropriations decisions. Ultimately, these stakeholders supplemented, reinforced and enhanced VIRGINIAforever’s efforts.

Outcomes

WATER QUALITY. In terms of the finalized budget, Governor McDonnell proposed that the Commonwealth maintain the $12 million Stormwater Local Assistance Fund (SLAF) balance and put $20 million in YR2 (FY16) of the budget, totaling $32 million. VIRGINIAforever requested that the Commonwealth maintain $12 million in SLAF, move $20 million from YR2 to YR1 (from FY16 to FY15) and add $18 million in bonds. In sum, VIRGINIAforever asked for $50 million. The House honored our $50 million request, but the Senate gave only $32 million. The final budget, yielded to by the House/Senate Budget conferees, maintained the $12 million SLAF balance and moved the $20 million from YR2 to YR1.

LAND CONSERVATION. For land conservation, VIRGINIAforever requested per HB1398 (2013) to add $13.9 million in FY15. The $13.9 million was to be apportioned between the Virginia Land Conservation Fund ($11.1 million FY15/$0 FY16), Civil War Battlefields ($1.4 million FY15/ $0 FY16), and Farmland Preservation ($1.4 million FY15/ $0 FY16). Governor McDonnell proposed in the introduced budget the following distribution: Virginia Land Conservation Fund ($2 million FY15/ $2 million FY16), Civil War Battlefields ($1 million FY15/ $1 million FY16), and Farmlands Preservation ($1 million FY15/ $1 million FY16). Ultimately, the Virginia Land Conservation Fund was awarded $1 million FY15/ $1 million FY16, Civil War Battlefields were awarded $1 million FY15/ $1.4 million FY16, and Farmland Preservation was awarded $1 million for FY15 and $1 million for FY16. The finalized figures total $6.4 million awarded for land conservation for FY15 and FY16.

We recognize the difficult financial situation that the Commonwealth faces. However, as all of VIRGINIAforever’s requests were not met, we will continue to fight for critical funding to protect our land and water. We plan to meet with key members of the administration in the coming months to determine the best way to move forward in making up for the gap that exists in natural resources funding.

 

Two VIRGINIAforever members receive Governor’s Environmental Excellence Awards

The 2014 Governor’s Environmental Excellence Awards were announced at a ceremony on April 8 at the 25th Annual Environment Virginia Symposium at the Virginia Military Institute in Lexington.

Several companies received the “Gold Medal” award including VIRGINIAforever member Luck Companies. Headquartered in Richmond, Va., Luck Companies comprises four business divisions that each have a focus on sustainability: Luck Stone, one of the largest producers of crushed stone in the nation; Charles Luck, a leading architectural stone supplier with a global sales and distribution presence and locations across the mid-Atlantic region; Har-Tru Sports, the leading provider of clay courts, lighting and court accessories; and an affiliate of Luck Companies, Luck Development Partners resolves to integrate and highlight natural, historical and environmental elements into the design of its real estate projects.

There were also several recipients of the “Bronze Medal,” including VIRGINIAforever Marstel- Day LLC, an environmental company offering green consulting to the public and private sectors. They provide clients with concepts, strategies and plans of action for landscape-scale conservation of natural resources, climate adaptation, energy planning and “net zero” strategies, water security, smart growth and transportation, and the management of issues relating to encroachment pressures on government and private lands, open space and habitat.

Governor McAuliffe stated: “These award winners demonstrate a clear commitment to improving the environment for the benefit of all Virginians. This recognition is well-deserved, and I look forward to ongoing improvements from these winners and other environmental and conservation leaders.”

For more information on the award recipients, click here.

 

VIRGINIAforever Five-Year Plan garners accolades at 67th Annual Virginia Public Relations Awards

VIRGINIAforever received two awards from the Richmond chapter of the Public Relations Society of America for work on the organization’s marquee document – the VIRGINIAforever Five-Year Plan: Investing in the Commonwealth’s Land and Water. The 67th Annual Virginia Public Relations Awards were held Wednesday, May 14, 2014 at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.

McGuireWoods Consulting, which administers VIRGINIAforever, received two awards on behalf of VIRGINIAforever: a Capital Award of Merit in the publications category for the Five-Year Plan; and a Commonwealth Award of Merit in the public affairs category for the work executed to promote the Five-Year Plan among key audiences. The awards are presented each year to honor the top communications projects in Virginia.

For a complete list of award winners, visit http://www.prsarichmond.org/awards/.

 

Membership Spotlight: Capital Region Land Conservancy

The Capital Region Land Conservancy, a member of VIRGINIAforever, is Central Virginia’s only land trust dedicated to serving the City of Richmond and Chesterfield, Henrico, Hanover, Goochland, Powhatan, New Kent and Charles City counties. The mission of CRLC is to conserve and protect the natural and historic land and water resources of Virginia’s Capital Region for the benefit of current and future generations.

In its first eight years, CRLC facilitated the conservation of over 6,000 acres of land, including over 34 miles of stream and river frontage. Following a merger with Friends of Chesterfield’s Riverfront in April 2014, CRLC is now the steward of 1,000 acres of land and co-holds more than 1,200 acres in conservation easements.

Bill Greenleaf, VIRGINIAforever general board member and board president of CRLC, said, “Conserving land and water resources of the Central Virginia region is the core driver of the Capital Region Land Conservancy. CRLC joined VIRGINIAforever to have an active role in encouraging our lawmakers to increase critical funding for protection of the Commonwealth’s natural resources.”

To learn more about Capital Region Land Conservancy, please visit http://www.capitalregionland.org/.

To nominate a member to be featured in our next e-newsletter, please email info@virginiaforever.org.

Very truly yours,
Robert L. Dunn
Chairman