RD56 - 2003 Report of the Commission on the Future of Virginia's Environment


Executive Summary:
The Commission on the Future of Virginia's Environment was originally created by the 1996 Session of the General Assembly as a two-year joint legislative study committee on the "future of Virginia's environment." House Joint Resolution 221 directed the joint study committee to examine the history of environmental and natural resources programs and the budgetary trends for resources management in the Commonwealth, and to develop a long-term vision and plan for the future protection, enhancement, and utilization of Virginia's natural resources.

The General Assembly successively continued the study for one-year intervals beginning in 1998 (HJR 136), and continuing through 1999 (HJR 719), 2000 (HJR 76) in which it was formally recognized as "The Commission on the Future of Virginia's Environment," and 2001 (HJR 373). The details of the Commission's work and accomplishments are documented in House Document No. 4 (1999), House Document No. 15 (2000), and House Document No. 108 (2000).

In recognition of the number of difficult environmental and natural resources issues continuing to face the Commonwealth, the General Assembly continued the Commission for another year with the passage of Senate Joint Resolution 117 during the 2002 Session (Appendix A). The Commission, chaired by Senator Bill Bolling, completed its most recent one-year charge by following up on several items from the previous year, and by working to revise and strengthen Virginia's laws concerning the land application of biosolids.

During its study of biosolids the Commission received testimony from a wide range of stakeholders, including state and federal regulatory agencies, local governments, wastewater treatment facilities, concerned citizens, environmental groups and scientists. The Commission formed a biosolids subcommittee that received in-depth written comments from all interested parties, and presented its findings in the form of a legislative bill draft. Subsequent meetings of the full Commission were dedicated to reviewing the status of items from the previous year, including the 2001 Waste Report, regulated medical waste regulations, barge regulations, landfill closures, wetlands permitting and litigation, Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL), Tributary Strategies Program, updates on recycling and the Commonwealth's anti-litter campaign, and a presentation on Low Impact Development. Finally, 2002 marked the second year and conclusion of work by the Erosion and Sediment Control and Stormwater Management Subcommittee, chaired by Senator Emmett Hanger.

During 2002, the full Commission and two subcommittees met on the following dates:
Full Commission - April 29, May 28, June 18, October 15 and November 7
Biosolids Subcommittee - August 28 and October 7
Erosion and Sediment Control & Stormwater Management Subcommittee - October 17