Dear Governor Spanberger,

I am writing to submit the Virginia Council on Environmental Justice 2025 Annual Report, which outlines critical issues affecting environmental justice communities across the Commonwealth and presents actionable recommendations for moving forward. This report is a culmination of our collective efforts to address the pressing challenges faced by marginalized communities and to begin to help define effective policies and programs that address environmental justice concerns raised by communities and community members in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Throughout 2025, we held five meetings, during which we dedicated time for public comments.

We also conducted our Q1 meeting on April 27, 2026. The meeting was well attended and included representation by Secretaries David Bulova, Katie Frazier, and Carrie Chenery, and representatives from the Departments of Transportation, Health and Human Resources, and Education. A copy of the meeting minutes can be found here. Community presentations and testimonies focused on a variety of issues around the Commonwealth which impacts quality of life, and public health.

Chapter 1 of the report emphasizes the urgent need to focus on environmental justice. We are concerned of the lack of attention to recommendations we made on behalf of Virginia citizens in the past. It is crucial that we recognize the evolving landscape of environmental challenges and adapt our administrative and policy frameworks accordingly to ensure that all Virginians, particularly those in underserved communities, can enjoy a healthy and sustainable environment. We stand ready to work with your Administration to lend our assistance to pave the right path for all.

Throughout 2025, we held five meetings. During each meeting we dedicated time for public comments. In Chapter 2, we discuss a variety of pressing issues and experiences shared with the Council from members across the Commonwealth. These issues include flooding from sea level rise and from aging storm and drainage infrastructure, air and soil contamination, the need for improvements in emergency management, neighborhood blight, waterways, land use, housing affordability, energy efficiency, and support for our agricultural and small farmers and tribal communities.

Additionally, we heard of the critical concern of PFAS migrating from farmers’ fields to contaminate our waterways (which is also impacting our small farmers), which poses significant risks to the health and economic vitality. The interconnectedness of these issues underscores the necessity for a comprehensive and coordinated response from state agencies and local governments.

Chapter 3 focuses on innovative approaches to improve the Council's interaction with the public. We recognize the importance of engaging with communities intentionally and effectively to foster trust and collaboration. We want to work with your Administration to find ways to rebuild the relationships with the Office of the Governor and Ex-Officio members, as well as the establishment of new partnerships with other agencies, particularly the Department of Public Safety and Security and the Chief Diversity Officer. Furthermore, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality is a critical partner in addressing EJ issues in the Commonwealth, adequate funding and staffing is critical to be able to provide relevant information, resources and services throughout the Commonwealth, particularly in rural areas, and under-resourced communities.

It is of upmost importance to set a gold standard for our agencies to follow to identify and determine the right sized solutions relating to EJ concerns. Solutions could include developing an EJ definition, along with more concise thresholds determining EJ indicators such as health, economics, access to transportation, etc. that would be implemented and enforced on a state and local level.

We appreciate your attention to these matters and look forward to providing your Administration with value-added context and recommendations in addressing the pressing environmental justice issues that affect our communities. We welcome the opportunity to discuss the findings of our report with you directly. Thank you for your commitment to fostering a healthier, more sustainable Virginia.

Sincerely,

/s/ Karen Campblin

Karen Campblin
Chair
Virginia Council on Environmental Justice