FLOOD RESILIENCY
Our Commitment
Mitigating the impacts of climate change, from sea level rise to increased rainfall intensity-duration-frequency statewide to make more flood resilient communities.
THE ISSUE
Virginians are already seeing the impacts of climate change across the state, from sea level rise along our coastlines to increased rainfall statewide. We must protect Virginians and preserve our natural resources through authentic community engagement, comprehensive flood resiliency planning, and careful investment in adaptation measures, ensuring an equitable future for all Virginians as well as the protection of our natural resources.
COMMUNITY FLOOD PREPAREDNESS FUND
In 2020, Virginia established the Community Flood Preparedness Fund (CFPF). The Fund received 45% of revenue raised through the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative from 2021-2023. RGGI is a market-based program with 11 participating states that generate new funds while reducing electricity sector emissions. This pollution reduction program drives down greenhouse gas emissions which improves air quality and public health while also bringing in desperately needed revenue to help Virginia’s families with flood protection. RGGI raised over $372.5 million over the first three years of Virginia’s participation to fund the only statewide source for community flood resiliency funding.
In June 2023, the Virginia State Air Pollution Control Board voted to repeal Virginia’s participation in RGGI by December 31st, 2023. Now, the Governor and General Assembly must backfill this flood funding through the budget. The Governor’s budget proposal only allocated $100 million to the CFPF over Fiscal Years 2025-2026.
Bill of the Day: Statewide Flood Planning
Virginia needs additional capacity to successfully leverage and distribute flood resilience funds to reduce flood risk throughout the state.
OPINION: Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative is under attack
Gov-elect Youngkin pledged to remove Virginia from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). In response, Virginia Conservation Network's Climate & Energy Policy Manager, Narissa Turner, explains why withdrawing from RGGI would hurt Virginia's families.
Water Policy: 2022 General Assembly Review
The conservation community successfully passed water policy to increase flood resilience, conserve tree canopies, and reduce polluted runoff.
Bill of the Day: Flood Resilience
Virginians are on the frontline of climate change, facing devastating sea-level rise and increasing rainfall. It is critical for Virginia to pass strong flood resilience legislation.
Bill of the Day: Defending RGGI
VCN is defending our participation in RGGI & keeping funds for families to ensure flood resiliency and energy efficiency in homes.
Community Flood Preparedness Fund Projects
RGGI is the sole source of revenue for Community Flood Preparedness Fund. See the projects in action across the state that are improving flood resiliency in Virginia.
RESOURCES
Report: Integrating Nature-Based Solutions & Risk Management
Engineering With Nature recently released a report that explores recommendations for incorporating nature-based solutions (NBS) into risk models, insurance coverage policies, and resilience financing.
Wetland and Water Protection Resource Guide
The Biden Administration recently released a resource guide, which includes input from several federal agencies, to serve as a resource for Tribes, states, territories, local governments, private land owners, and nongovernmental organizations to advance wetland and water resource protection.
Bay Act Resiliency Guidance
DEQ has updated the Bay Act resiliency guidance along with updated examples. A model ordinance, locality implementation checklist, resiliency assessment template, adaptation measure checklist, and nature-based adaptation measure list are also available.
Map: Analysis of Federal Wetlands Protection
Our Partners at EDF have developed a map exploring the potential loss of federal wetlands protections after the 2023 Supreme Court case, Sackett v EPA.
Resilient Virginia Revolving Loan Fund Fact Sheet
Resilient Virginia Revolving Loan Fund Fact Sheet The Resilient Virginia Revolving Loan Fund (Loan Fund) was enacted during [...]
Community Flood Preparedness Fund Grant Locations (with Senate District Boundaries)
Virginia Community Flood Preparedness Fund Grant Locations with Senate district boundaries.
