LEGISLATIVE SESSION 2009

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) continued its fight for clean water as the Virginia General Assembly convened in Richmond for the 2009 legislative session.

Overall, this was a particularly tough year due to the historic economic downturn and unprecedented decline in state revenues. Despite that, CBF continued to benefit from the General Assembly's willingness to place clean water and restoration of the Chesapeake Bay as a top priority. We continue to emphasize to legislators the widespread support for clean water.

This year over 300 members and supporters joined us at our highly successful Rally for Clean Water, which included remarks by Governor Kaine.

Agriculture Conservation Practices

CBF's top priority for the session was maintaining the Commonwealth's conservation cost-share program through which farmers join with the state to reduce runoff and protect water quality in streams, rivers, and the Chesapeake Bay. The program helps farmers use proven conservation practices that not only protect water quality but provide jobs, stimulate rural economies, and help restore the state's weakened commercial and recreational fishing industry.

Working in partnership with the Farm Bureau and the Virginia Agribusiness Council and other groups in the Agriculture and Conservation Partnership for Water Quality, we secured $20 million for agriculture conservation practices in fiscal year 2010. This is particularly noteworthy as it is the only increase in funding for natural resources for FY 2010. Prior to this budget no funding had been allocated for agriculture conservation practices next year.

The Partnership also secured passage of legislation, working with Delegate Landes and Senator Whipple, requiring the Department of Conservation and Recreation's (DCR) work with stakeholders to annually identify the agriculture conservation funding need. DCR is further instructed to communicate the funding need to the Governor and the General Assembly each fall. This essentially codifies a process the partner organizations have enjoyed with the Kaine Administration over the last two years for future Administrations to follow.

Point Source Pollution

On point sources, we worked closely with several legislators—Delegates Scott, Sherwood and Athey, and Senators Hanger and Vogel—to educate them on the importance of maintaining Virginia's strong mandates for sewage treatment plants, or significant dischargers, to upgrade and meet established nutrient limits by 2010. Each of these legislators proposed either legislation or budget amendments to extend the 2010 compliance deadline to 2015 or increase the nutrient limits for specific dischargers. In the end, all agreed to simply place in state code a process that currently exists in regulation allowing localities to request more time or a revised permit from the State Water Control Board. The final decision, based upon water quality impacts, still rests with the Board. 

Native Oyster Protection

Working with a long list of great partners, we also succeeded in stopping a Senate resolution that would have called on the Army Corps of Engineers to allow introduction of the triploid non-native oyster to the Chesapeake Bay. Although the resolution was introduced with 25 co-patrons, the resolution was defeated on the Senate floor 22 to 16. This issue received an overwhelming, almost unprecedented, response from our members. As a result, the Senators received many e-mails and calls urging support for our native oyster, both for aquaculture and restoration.

If you have any questions regarding these priority issues or any other General Assembly matters, contact CBF's Virginia office at 804/780-1392.