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VIRGINIAforever: Working for Virginia's Natural Resources

Discover how VIRGINIAforever advocates for increased funding for water quality improvements and land conservation in Virginia. Learn about their 5-year plan and lobbying efforts for the 2020 General Assembly.

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VIRGINIAforever: Working for Virginia's Natural Resources

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  1. www.virginiaforever.org | @OurLandOurWater

  2. Virginiaforever’s Work for Virginia’s Natural Resources Virginia Municipal League Environmental Quality Policy Committee July 18, 2019 | Richmond Peggy Sanner Chesapeake Bay Foundation

  3. What we’ll cover today … • About VIRGINIAforever • VIRGINIAforever’s 5-Year Plan • Lobbying for Natural Resources Funding • 2020 General Assembly – What Lies Ahead

  4. VIRGINIAforever is … —a unique, diverse coalition of businesses, environmental organizations, and outdoor enthusiasts that advocates for increased government funding for water quality improvements and land conservation across the Commonwealth —the only statewide organization that has a primary focuson increasing funding for natural resources protection

  5. About VIRGINIAforever • Established in 2006 • No such formal business / environmental / Ag coalition existed – filled a void • Purpose was and still is … money … State funding for water quality and land conservation • Board is careful to keep organization balanced between business and environmental / Ag members • Operates by consensus • Funded by reasonable dues and an annual “Bridge Builders” awards dinner • Funds pay for lobbying and organization administration

  6. How VIRGINIAforever executes its mission … • Organize business, environmental, and agricultural organizations to support natural resources funding • Develop 5-year Plans: 2015-2019; 2020-2025 • Fund objective studies and other data collection to support policy and funding positions • Develop advocacy strategies for natural resources funding – water quality, land conservation, related State agency needs (new) • Educate General Assembly members, Governor’s Office, State agencies, and public on water quality and land conservation issues via joint business / conservation representation • Lobby for increased funding for water quality, land conservation, agency needs

  7. How VIRGINIAforever members are engaged • Executive Board • Committees, policy setting, lobbying strategy, membership recruitment, events • General Board (non-voting) • Committees, policy input, lobbying engagement, membership recruitment, events

  8. How VIRGINIAforever decides on policy positions, funding aims, lobbying strategy • Executive committee reviews VIRGINIAforever’s 5-Year Plan goals • Assesses goals against current budget, political environment • Meets with lead organizations on particular funding aims • VIRGINIAforever plays leading support role • Executive committee adopts across-the-board policy and funding positions • VIRGINIAforever Executive committee and lobbyists develop lobbying strategy • VIRGINIAforever lobbyists coordinate message, strategy with other organizations (e.g., VML, VACO, VAMWA, VAMSA, VWWAA), lobbyists

  9. VIRGINIAforever’s new 5-year plan • “The Path Forward: Investing in the Commonwealth’s Land and Water” • VIRGINIAforever’s principle policy document • Covers years 2021 to 2025 • Consensus-based – all business, environmental, agricultural members to endorse • Science-based, with clear funding rationale • Anticipated wide acceptance by Governor’s office, State environmental and agricultural agencies, General Assembly members

  10. VIRGINIAforever Research – Natural Resources Appropriations Study • VIRGINIAforever received a grant in 2017 to compare Virginia’s natural resources investments to other states • Result: Virginia spends about 1% (or less) of available state revenues on natural resources – ranking Virginia near the bottom • Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic states, on average, double Virginia’s natural resources spending • Natural resources funding has been crowded out by growth in Medicaid and debt service • Between 2001 and 2018, Virginia spending on natural resources has actually declined by 1% • Governor Northam’s funding commitment: 2% of General Fund (currently: approx. 0.6%)

  11. VIRGINIAforever’s – Federal Advocacy • Occasionally – rarely – VIRGINIAforever will engage federal officials • President’s proposed 2017 federal funding cuts to States were alarming • Proposed to cut $36.4 million (36%) from Virginia DCR budget • Proposed to cut $50.4 million (28%) from Virginia DEQ budget • Would be devastating to water programs • VIRGINIAforever engaged Virginia’s congressional delegation – expressed great concerns • President’s proposed cuts in these areas have thus far largely not been sustained

  12. VIRGINIAforever’s 5-year plan • Agricultural BMPs Funding – Cost-share and Technical Assistance • Per Year $100 million • Over 5 Years $500 million

  13. VIRGINIAforever’s 5-year plan (2021-2025) • Land Conservation & Public Access Goal 80,000 per year for 5 years • Land Conservation & Public Access Funding $660 million (over 5 years) • Land Grant Program $100 M • Land Preservation Tax Credit $375 M • Bonds for Land Acquisition/Parks/Natural Areas $70 M • Bonds for Public Access Projects $115 M

  14. VIRGINIAforever’s 5-year plan (2021-2025) • Water Quality Per Year Over 5 Years • Stormwater $80 million $400 million • WQIF $55 million/year(wastewater) FY2021- FY2025 $275 million

  15. VIRGINIAforever’s History of Annual Funding Requests • Wastewater (WQIF) Depends on DEQ’s identified needs • Stormwater $50 million • Ag BMPs Typically follow VASWCD’s lead; always consider Needs Assessment • Land Conservation $10 to $20 million

  16. Lobbying for Natural Resources funding is a coordinated effort • VIRGINIAforever • Virginia Association of Soil & Water Conservation Districts • Virginia Farm Bureau • Virginia Agribusiness Council • Chesapeake Bay Foundation • James River Association • Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay • AquaLaw • The Nature Conservancy • Outreach to other stakeholders (VML, VACO)

  17. So, how has VIRGINIAforever been doing? What’s our record of success? • Overall, quite well • Some major successes • Not every year is a homerun • Some years, funding increases • Some years, it stays the same • Occasionally, it’s a bust

  18. How Success Varies … A Look at Two General Assembly Sessions • 2018 • Stormwater $20.0 M (SLAF) • Ag BMPs $40.0 M – cost-share program • Land Conservation $4.5 M – Virginia Land Conservation Fund* • TOTAL: $64.5 million • 2019 • Stormwater $10 M (SLAF) • Ag BMPs $89.7 M • Land Conservation $0.0 M – Virginia Land Conservation Fund* • TOTAL $100 million* not inclusive of all land conservation programs

  19. VIRGINIAforever’s 2020 Legislative Agenda – Tentative • $100 million* Ag BMPs • $132 million Land Conservation programs • $ 80 million* Stormwater (SLAF) • $ 55 million* Water Quality Improvement Fund (wastewater treatment plants upgrades) • * Needs assessment coming in these areas

  20. 2020 General Assembly will bring changes … TBD … • 2019 General Assembly under Republican control (razor thin margins) • House of Delegates 51 Republicans, 49 Democrats • Senate 21 Republicans, 19 Democrats

  21. 2020 General Assembly changes … • Committee membership and leadership are proportional per party • VIRGINIAforever and will have to get to know new members and educate on natural resources funding issues • House ACNR, House Appropriations • Senate ACNR, Senate Finance

  22. Thank you. Peggy Sanner Chesapeake Bay Foundation VIRGINIAforever 804.780.1392 psanner@cbr.org

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