The 2025 deadline of the multi-state cleanup plan for the states draining to Chesapeake Bay will occur during the term of Virginia’s 74th Governor. To significantly reduce the amount of pollution delivered to our nation’s largest estuary, each contributing state’s Watershed Implementation Plan (WIP) is designed to accomplish its own set of pollutant reduction goals identified through the Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL). Virginia has invested tremendous resources toward meeting its goals. However, in order to continue this progress, we must ensure strong and sustained funding for key local and statewide initiatives.

Pat Calvert

WORKING WITH FARMERS TO PROTECT OUR RIVERS AND STREAMS
TACKLING POLLUTED STORMWATER RUNOFF & RESTORING LOCAL WATER QUALITY
PROTECTING VIRGINIANS FROM HAZARDOUS CHEMICAL SPILLS
ADDRESSING UNREGULATED TOXINS TO PROTECT PUBLIC HEALTH AND THE ENVIRONMENT
UPGRADING WASTEWATER TREATMENT IN VIRGINIA
PROTECTING VIRGINIA’S ENVIRONMENT AND PUBLIC HEALTH FROM INDUSTRIAL METAL MINING

• Fund key water quality programs at levels consistent with achieving the goals of the Watershed Implementation Plan (see chapter Meeting Our Chesapeake Bay Clean-Up Goals, p. 1).
• Fund land conservation programs (see Healthy, Resilient Communities and Landscapes, p. 88).
• Increase funding for key state environmental agencies to levels adequate with programmatic needs, including programs to address resiliency and climate change needs.
• Fund and ensure rapid and thorough integration of environmental justice mandates. See additional recommendations in Working Towards Environmental Justice (p. 118).
• Ensure Virginia’s natural resources programs are adequately and reliably funded going forward by adopting dedicated funding mechanisms, such as application of the full statewide recordation fee revenue (see Exploring Dedicated Funding for Conservation, p. 94).

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Check back in January for talking points for the 2022 General Assembly Session.