On Wednesday, Governor Northam released his proposed 2021 amendments to the biennial 2020-2022 budget. The amendments are patroned by Delegate Torian in the house under HB 1800 and Senator Howell under SB 1100.

Here’s the scoop on what the proposed amendments mean for Virginia’s natural resources and landscape:

Meeting Chesapeake Bay Goals

Since 2010, the states located in the footprint of the Chesapeake Bay have embarked on a 15-year clean-up plan to reduce the amount of pollution in the estuary. Virginia has made great strides and investments in meeting its goals by the 2025 deadline. In order to continue this progress, we must ensure strong and sustained funding for key local- and statewide initiatives. The Governor’s proposed budget will support our Chesapeake Bay goals by :

  • Providing funds for staff to fulfill commitments from the Watershed Implementation Plan.
  • Increasing tree seedling nursery capacity to support the Watershed Implementation Plan.

Investing in Land Conservation

Land conservation is crucial to protecting Virginia’s natural resources. When land is saved from future development then clean water, clean air, wildlife, beautiful views, food, history, a sense of place, peace of mind, and physical and mental health can also be saved. Virginia’s landscapes also help support the backbone of its economy: agriculture, forestry, and tourism. The proposed Governor’s budget will aide in protecting our landscapes by:

  • Increasing funds for the acquisition of state parks.
  • Acquiring additional forest land in Charlotte County.
  • Increasing funds for state park operations.
  • Supporting safe and sustainable public access to Natural Area Preserves.
  • Providing funds and staff support for biodiversity conservation.
  • Reclaiming and restoring the Chickahominy Tribe’s tribal land.
  • Supporting Project Harmony, an environmental justice project to restore a cemetery and shoreline memorial.
  • Establishing a hardwood habitat program.
  • Providing funds for the Slavery and Freedom Heritage Site and improvements to the Slave Trail.

Transportation:

Transportation represents the largest source of carbon emissions in Virginia. In order to change that, we need a shift to a cleaner, balanced, and more equitable transportation system. The Governor’s proposed budget amendments supports cleaner transportation through:

  • Extending intercity passenger rail service.
  • Providing funding for the development of extensive multi-use trails.

Enhancing Agencies

Efficient implementation of essential environmental programs depend on Virginia’s natural resources agencies, such as the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR). Yet, for the last 15 years or more, Virginia lawmakers have repeatedly reduced funding for these agencies, causing a reduction in staff’s abilities to fulfill their environmental protection responsibilities. Prior to a funding pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Northam committed to increasing state natural resource funds threefold. The proposed budget amendments will get natural resource funding back on track by:

  • Providing funds for the Water Protection program within the DEQ.
  • Providing funds for the Air Protection program within the DEQ.
  • Providing funds for the Land Protection program within the DEQ.
  • Continuing the water quality enhancement fee and stakeholder workgroup within the DEQ.
  • Providing funds for the Virginia Natural Resources Commitment Fund for agricultural best management practices within the DCR.

For the full rundown on the Governor’s proposed budget amendements for conservation, please see the fact sheet below compiled by our Partners, Anna Killius at the James River Association and Zachary Sheldon at The Nature Conservancy.

Should you require additional information regarding any of these policy priorities, full briefs are available in Our Common Agenda. 

The Virginia conservation community issued the following statements:

Bill Street, Chief Executive Officer, James River Association:


“We appreciate that the Governor’s proposed amendments continue to invest in the future of our natural resources here in the Commonwealth, including the James River. With additional funding for agricultural conservation practices, water quality monitoring, new multi-use trails, and more trees for buffer plantings, these amendments can help deliver cleaner water and better recreational access to Virginians, for the health and well-being of all.”

Peggy Sanner, Virginia Executive Director, Chesapeake Bay Foundation:

“Governor Northam’s call for a substantial increase in funding for DEQ will help address the years of crippling funding cuts that have recently hobbled the agency. Restoring DEQ funding is critical to expanding the agency’s environmental justice efforts, increasing air and water quality monitoring to detect pollution threats, and ensuring an efficient permitting review for projects that affect the environment.

“Additional investment in Virginia’s agricultural cost-share program would allow more farmers to put conservation projects on the ground, the most cost-effective way to restore local waterways.

“Virginia has a 2025 deadline to meet its commitments to reduce pollution to the Chesapeake Bay. Considerable work lies ahead. The only way for Virginia to meet Bay restoration commitments is to significantly accelerate investment in three state programs: agricultural cost-share, the Stormwater Local Assistance Fund, and sewage treatment plant upgrades. Legislators must prioritize these programs and DEQ investment in the upcoming General Assembly session.

“We thank Governor Northam for taking important steps forward in his budget for the environment, the COVID-19 pandemic, and addressing racial equity and historic injustice.”