The Trump Administration repealed the Clean Water Rule, as crucial protection of the Clean Water Act protecting approximately 60 percent of the nation’s stream miles and millions of acres of wetlands.
Governor Ralph Northam announced an Executive Order setting ambitious, statewide goals to reduce the Commonwealth’s carbon emissions and move the state’s electricity goal to 30% renewable energy by 2030 and 100% carbon-free by 2050.
Virginia’s Secretary of Natural Resources released their report on commitments to enhance Virginia’s Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) under Gov. Northam’s Executive Order 6, issued in April 2018. EO6 was was released by the Governor last year. It looked to get immediate feedback on ways to strengthen policies at the [...]
Supreme Court justices agreed the Commonwealth has the right to uphold the moratorium on uranium mining. This win is not only thanks to smart legal minds but most importantly to the incredible work by local community members over the decades.
Today, Governor Northam declined to veto bad budget language that prevents the Commonwealth from taking bold and necessary steps to act on climate change. VCN executive director Mary Rafferty issued the following response: "We are deeply disappointed in the Governor’s decision to not use his authority to uphold his signature [...]
HENRICO, Va. - Network Partners of VCN had the opportunity to meet with U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger (VA-07) for a conservation roundtable at the Tuckahoe branch of the Henrico County Public Library. Topics of discussion included the Land and Water Conservation Fund, Clean Water budget items, HR 9, offshore drilling, [...]
Photo credit: Chesapeake Bay Program The Chesapeake Bay is one of America’s greatest treasures. Made up of a network of hundreds of thousands of rivers and streams that span over 64,000 square miles, this watershed is a vital source of recreation, food, and drinking water for millions of [...]
Updated Bill Tracker Throughout the General Assembly session, VCN maintains an updated conservation bill tracker online. The bill tracker is updated every Friday after VCN's Board of Directors votes on positions recommended by VCN's Legislative Committee. Week Eight Legislative Update Top Action: Restore Funding for Critical Land Conservation [...]
On Sunday, February 18, the Senate and House budgets were released. While some improvements were made compared to the state budget proposed in December, far-reaching cuts to critical conservation programs still remain. VCN's Legislative Committee has pulled together the following comments in response to the Virginia House and Senate 2018 [...]