Bill of the Day: Nature-Based Solutions to Protect Our Wetlands
Last updated March 16th, 2026.
Tidal Wetlands at Cumberland Marsh Preserve in New Kent, VA. Photo by Doug Rogers.
What Is Threatening Virginia’s Wetlands?
Virginia’s coastal wetlands are among the most critical natural resources, providing significant environmental, economic, and public safety benefits. Acting as natural buffers, wetlands absorb storm surges and protect shorelines from flooding and coastal erosion. Wetlands act as nature’s water purifiers, capturing carbon emissions and filtering out harmful pollutants and sediments before they enter our water and air. Wetlands also serve as a habitat for many native wildlife, including blue crabs, diamondback terrapins, and great blue herons. Altogether, wetlands strengthen Virginia’s economy by reducing flood costs and protecting wildlife-reliant industries.
Virginia continues to lose tidal and nontidal wetlands at an all-too-rapid pace. Wetlands are being converted and lost to residential, commercial, and agricultural development. Rising sea levels are outpacing wetland growth and submerging them. Overall, continuing to lose further wetlands will leave coastal communities more vulnerable and limit our ability to protect against flooding, erosion, and other threats.
You can take a deeper dive into protecting wetlands in Our Common Agenda. To learn more, read our “Wetlands Resource Resilience Action” policy paper.
Wetlands Bills to Support in the General Assembly
Legislators have introduced bills to strengthen Virginia’s ability to protect wetlands:
(Delegate Robert Bloxom) Makes it the policy of the Commonwealth to reuse dredged material for nature-based solutions like the restoration of underwater grasses; islands; eroding shorelines; wetlands; or fish or shellfish habitats.
(Delegate Alfonso Lopez) Ensures an up-to-date wetlands map that will allow planners to make smarter decisions about conservation, development, and flood protection.
(Delegate Phil Hernandez) Strengthens Virginia’s wetlands protections by requiring no net loss of wetlands when reviewing permits.
(Delegate Paul Krizek) Commends the Friends of Dyke Marsh for their 50 years of dedication to preserving, restoring, and enhancing Dyke Marsh Wildlife Preserve, a vital 480-acre freshwater tidal wetland on the Potomac River. Companion to SJ37.
(Senator Scott Surovell) Commends the Friends of Dyke Marsh for their 50 years of dedication to preserving, restoring, and enhancing Dyke Marsh Wildlife Preserve, a vital 480-acre freshwater tidal wetland on the Potomac River. Companion to HJ84.
Take Action
HB52 passed the Senate [40-Y 0-N]. HB237 passed the Senate [40-Y 0-N]. HB521 passed the Senate [21-Y 19-N]. HJ84 passed the Senate. SJ37 passed the House. Next, the Governor will sign, amend, or veto all bills passed by the General Assembly by April 14th. Then, legislators will reconvene for a veto session on April 22nd to vote on all of the governor’s amendments.
Join us on April 24th for our General Assembly Recap to hear about our biggest victories, missed opportunities, and surprise outcomes during the General Assembly session!
See the real-time updates from Virginia’s Legislative Information System (LIS) on the bill tracker below: