2017 Pre-Session Legislative Update

RICHMOND, VA — VIRGINIAforever today released its 2017 Pre-Session Legislative agenda:

As we near the beginning of the 2017 General Assembly, we look forward to continuing our efforts to advocate for water quality and land preservation funding. Going into this legislative session, VIRGNIAforever recognizes there are considerable budget challenges facing the Commonwealth and these effects will be felt across nearly all sectors of the overall budget.

In light of these fiscal challenges, we are committed to working closely with the General Assembly to identify opportunities that balance the Commonwealth’s current financial needs with our mission and the ongoing need to protect our natural resources. To this end, VIRGINIAforever will, in the short term, focus on the following FY18 appropriation goals.

• $20 million for the Stormwater Local Assistance Fund to assist localities with critical stormwater infrastructure projects
• $62 million for agriculture best management practices to reduce agricultural runoff from animal operations and crop lands
• $10 million for Land Conservation Grant Programs to protect open space, battlefields and farmland

Your support is important to the success of our legislative efforts and we encourage you to share the importance of natural resources funding when talking with your local state lawmakers. We look forward to keeping you updated as we advance the critical mission of VIRGINIAforever during the 2017 legislative session.