On his “Thank You, Virginia” tour, Governor Northam stated “you can look at one’s priorities by how they budget.” After Governor Northam’s Budget Bill release on Thursday, we’re happy to see that Virginia is prioritizing our natural resources through historic investments in Virginia’s natural resources, and fully funding nearly all of the Virginia conservation community’s budget asks which we outlined in Our Common Agenda.

The amount of conservation funding allocated in the Governor’ biennial Budget Bill may be historic, but it is also, first and foremost, fundamentally necessary. Virginia’s natural resources have been historically underfunded despite broad, bipartisan support for increased conservation funding throughout the Commonwealth. Just this year, a survey showed that nearly eight-in-ten Virginia voters support dedicating $300 million to conservation programs which protect Virginia’s land, water, and wildlife – and these voters are represented statewide and across party lines.

Now, this budget will head to the General Assembly for approval. It is critical that the incoming Youngkin administration and the General Assembly not take away any of the proposed conservation funding in the Budget Bill. The proposed funding gains highlighted below are essential to keep Virginia’s environment and public health intact. To withdraw this funding would be a wildly unpopular move to remove considering the broad bipartisan support to protect Virginia’s natural resources.

Last updated on Friday, December 17th at 4 PM.

WATER CONSERVATION FUNDING

Water conservation was a bigger winner in the Governor’s budget, receiving an historic $1 billion in funding to restore the Chesapeake Bay, helping Virginia meet the 2025 deadline to restore the Chesapeake Bay. The funding will go to many programs supporting the clean up of the Chesapeake Bay, such as full funding for Virginia’s Agricultural Cost Share Program, increased funding for the Farmland Preservation Fund, and full funding for the Virginia Natural Resources Commitment Fund, which will assist farmers and landowners to implement clean water and conservation practices.

Clean water funding also covers needs to make clean water accessible by tackling outdated sewer systems and failing septics. The proposal includes a $165 million investment to support the cities of Richmond, Lynchburg, and Alexandria and $68.6 million in funding for local municipal wastewater needs. These investments are critical to help these older cities finalize projects to improve their wastewater systems to keep wastewater out of their rivers and streams, and deliver cleaner water for everyone.

Other water conservation budget allocations included $313 million for the Water Quality Improvement Fund, $100 million for the Stormwater Local Assistance Fund, and $3 million to expand urban and community forests – all of which will clean our drinking water and water flowing into the Bay.

Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources, Ann Jennings, was quoted in support of the allocations: “Virginia is facing a 2025 deadline to meet Clean Water Act mandates for reducing pollution to the Chesapeake Bay. This historic investment in the Bay responds to calls from coalitions of local government, business and conservation interests. With this funding, we know that a saved Bay is within reach and one that will benefit all Virginians.”

The Virginia Gold Mining Study received $250,000 in continued funding to better understand the health risks associated with gold mining, another big win for Virginia’s environment and public health.

Land Conservation Funding

Funding for land conservation gives even more reason to celebrate, with resources allocated to increase equitable public access of our green for all Virginians.

Governor Northam dedicated $245 million for outdoor recreation. Of that budget, $233 is dedicated to multi-use trails. The funding will be used to expand and/or improve existing regional trails, such as the Spearhead Trail in the far southwest. It will also go to the development of new trails, including the Eastern Shenandoah, and Fall Line Trails. Virginia’s award-winning state parks received nearly $70 million for maintenance, infrastructure, and facility development, with another $1.4 million dedicated to increase access to state parks and forests.

More historic investments were made for Virginia’s historic and cultural resources. The Black, Indigenous, and People of Color Preservation Fund will receive $10 million to preserve historic BIPOC sites, $12 million in funding will go to develop a program to support conservation of tribal land, and $30 million will go to the Virginia Land Conservation Fund.

Transportation Funding

While not all of VCN’s transportation funding asks were fulfilled, we are thrilled to see that funding for Virginians rail programs more than doubled – providing the funding needed to improve the speed, frequency, and reliability of service; extend service to new areas; modernize stations; and improve multimodal connections to them.

Amongst other things, the pandemic has shown that high-quality, reliable public transit service is essential for Virginians to access their jobs, schooling, healthcare, education, and shopping needs. Governor Northam increased funding for public transportation, which will help Virginia provide reliable service that will increase ridership and help meet our climate goals.

Energy Funding

Notable funding for clean energy includes $30 million in grant funding for the Low-to-Moderate Income Solar Loan Rebate Pilot Program, accelerating an affordable transition to clean energy for households.

VCN and our network partners will continue to advocate for strong conservation funding through the 2022 General Assembly session and beyond, making sure we keep the necessary funding in the Budget Bill while continuing to address any gaps that have been left. Virginia’s conservation leaders chimed in on the historic gains for conservation funding – please check back as we continue to gather VCN partner statements.

Partner Statements

James River Association

“Across the Commonwealth and across the aisle, Virginians value clean water. With these historic investments made in the Governor’s proposed budget, the next two years will be transformative not just for the Chesapeake Bay and tributaries like the James River, but for the health of our communities and our local economies, supporting Virginia’s thriving forests and farmland as well as our vibrant tourism and outdoor recreation industries. We urge our state leaders to help get this potentially game-changing funding over the finish line in the new year.” – Anna Killius, Policy Analyst

The Nature Conservancy in Virginia

“Governor Northam’s outgoing budget proposal reaffirms his administration’s commitment to Virginia’s lands, waters, and open spaces. These historic investments in Virginia’s natural resources will enhance the quality of life and health of communities across the Commonwealth, support local economies, increase access to outdoor recreation, and protect our forests and farmlands. For too long, Virginia has underfunded its natural resource programs. We applaud Governor Northam for reversing this trend, and urge the General Assembly to include these investments in their 2022 budget.” – Nikki Rovner, Associate State Director, Virginia

Virginians for High Speed Rail

“Included in the Governor’s introduced FY 2023-2024 biennial budget are an increase of 139 percent for the Commonwealth’s rail programs, primarily due to the investments being made as part of the historic Transforming Rail in Virginia program; and a 7 percent increase in public transportation funding. To put it in better context, since the passage of the historic Transportation Omnibus Package of 2020, Virginia’s investment in rail and transit has more than doubled!” – Danny Plaugher, Executive Director

Chesapeake Bay Foundation

“We are happy to see Community and Urban Forestry grant funding to help localities reduce heat island impacts and provide tree equity throughout the Commonwealth.” – Ann Jurczyk, Virginia Director of Outreach and Advocacy

Press Pause Coalition

“As the metal mining industry continues to explore throughout the Commonwealth, it is important for Virginia communities to understand the risks associated with gold mining. Many residents are anxiously awaiting the results of the gold mining study, due in 2022, so Press Pause Coalition members were pleased to see that the budget maintains funding for the study. We hope the funding is supported and approved as it appears in the budget, and look forward to working with the General Assembly to protect public health, the environment, and Virginia’s communities.” – Stephanie Rinaldi, Coordinator