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REPORT Survey Monkey Breakout Sessions. Envisioning Our F utu r e. Survey Monkey results. Who Responded?. How Important Is Each Issue?. Highlights of Breakout Sessions:. Energy supply. Sample comments.
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REPORT Survey Monkey Breakout Sessions Envisioning Our Future
Sample comments . . . • Why don’t we have a national energy policy and national Renewable Portfolio Standard? • Decentralized (distributed) is the way to go. • Need more discussions with people at local level to learn what they want and need. • Conservation, conservation, conservation.
Water quality Nonpoint emphasis
Sample comments . . . • Will we need permits in the future? Can we regulate nonpoints into compliance? • Will states be allowed by federal law to be laboratories of innovation? • All water problems are local. • Do all streams need to be fishable/swimmable?
More sample comments . . . • Micro-scale biomass & other market uses of manure • We need to recognize the true cost & value of water. • It all comes back to finances/revenue. • This is not the beer-tasting seminar?
Sample comments . . . • We have done the studies. We know there is not enough water. • Localities need leadership and resources from the state to address water supply challenges. • Outreach and education. • The Commonwealth holds water resources in trust for the public good.
More sample comments . . . • Gray water uses. Potable water not always needed. • Accurate data needed regarding exactly what our water resources are. • Mega-projects???
Land Redevelopment • Waste Management • Aging infrastructure • Air & Water Impacts • Planning • Land Conservation Societal growth
Sample comments . . . • Business community needs to step up, demand what’s needed (forgetting Agenda 21debate), and help make it happen. • Volunteers help with litter & public works • During drought, the aquifer can fall 1 foot over a 50-mile area due to the water withdrawals of 2 facilities. What does this bode for the future? • We lose the equivalent of 2 Lexingtons to development each year.
MoreSample Comments. . . • In some regions, we are left with shells of communities & infrastructure • Can private sector partner with state government to address issues? • Regional, collaborative solutions needed. • “Planning” has a negative connotation for many. • This time around . . . How can we move forward actually to resolve these issues?
Yet more comments . . . • It’s become “in vogue” to hate government. That’s wrong. • Government can lead. We can all contribute. • State government can provide analytic tools & data to assist local governments in making decisions. • Share successes. • “Sustainability” is not a dirty word . . . & not a property rights issue.
Comments continued . . . • Re-activate SWAT team (Local Assistance Team) to assist local governments & to look statewide. • Public/private partnerships of industry & local governments • Evaluate incentives & see if working well • Look at accountability (imposing costs/penalties) as well as incentives
Sample comments . . . • The Army Corps of Engineers officially acknowledged climate change in 2009. • Weather & sea level are changing – the reason doesn’t really matter, does it? • Two focuses: respond to emergencies; plan where we’re going in the future • Huge issues – bigger than anything we’ve ever dealt with before
More sample comments . . . • In some low-lying areas, homeowners can’t even get insurance. • State take lead in developing risk models. Feds can do study if for a whole region. • Local planning is also vital. • US Corps of Engineers Silver Jackets will come out to help communities on request. • VIMS did study of recurrent high tides. SNR looking at platform to raise issues to next level.
What will the FUTURE hold? A prediction from The National Intelligence Council
MAJOR TRENDS: End of U.S. global dominance Rising power of individuals against states Rising middle class whose demands challenge governments Gordian knot of water, food, and energy shortages
The future is “malleable.” • Our effort is to encourage decision-makers, • Whether in government or outside, • To think and plan for the long term • So that negative futures do notoccur • And positive ones have a better chance of unfolding. National Intelligence Council Report Issued December 10, 2012 Quoting Council Chairman Christopher Kojm
Your thoughts . . . What should our next steps be?