Bills on the Burner State Bills Affecting Our Freedom As the State Legislature is in session there are many appeals from Richmond for help with some of the 1500 state bills being worked in real time there... You can track all Virginia bills at http://lis.virginia.gov/lis.htm For more in depth coverage, as well as congressional contact info, polls and comment, use http://www.richmondsunlight.com/?ModPagespeed=noscript  IN THIS ISSUE:
Agenda 21 HB2048 Urgent Action Request * * * * * * * * * * Agenda 21 CoLA - PRIORITY OPPOSE HB2048 AGENDA 21 ON STEROIDS- "Say Goodbye to Property Rights". With this they could take your property for WATER RUNOFF! § 10.1-1187.101. Power of eminent domain. In addition to any other powers conferred on it by law, any watershed improvement district organized under the provisions of this article shall be authorized to acquire by eminent domain any lands, property rights, franchises, rights-of-way, easements, or other property deemed necessary or convenient for the efficient operation of the district.Such proceedings shall be in accordance with and subject to the provisions of the laws of the Commonwealth applicable to the exercise of the power of eminent domain in the name of a public service company and subject to the provisions of Chapter 2 (§ 25.1-200 et seq.) of Title 25.1. This bill goes to the House floor today. Things move so fast during session that many delegates probably do not know what they are voting on. Please call all Delegates and ask them to oppose HB2048 Find your legislator. http://conview.state.va.us/whosmy.nsf/VGAMain?openform There is a reason why multiple Soil & Water Conservation Districts (directly elected) unanimously voted against this proposal in the fall as it was being pushed through the proposal process in a less than forthcoming manner. HB2048
Replaces DCR with DEQ and the Soil & Water Conservation Board with the State Water Control Board in regards to non-point source regulations. (lines 109-113)
Places the SWCD's (Soil and Water Conservation Districts) under DEQ while stripping them of any power to do anything other than "assist" the DEQ regarding non-point source pollution management. (lines 126-132)
Replaces DCR with DEQ in the Definitions (lines 160-162)
Localities are now beholden to DEQ rather than DCR in regards to storm water runoff abatement. (lines 374-375)
This bill would: -
Reduce the role of directly elected local Soil & Water Conservation Districts in protecting and working with landowners -
Increase the regulatory authority and power of the DEQ -
Further centralize power in Richmond as opposed to the localities affected -
Destroy the separation of power now enjoyed by the current split between the DCR and DEQ which has the blessing of protecting citizens from ill-formed and unintended consequences of decisions by any one agency. -
Give DEQ employees direct access to landowners' property under the guise of "voluntary" conservation practices -
Help further unfunded federal mandates upon the states and localities -
Kick the door wide open for Agenda 21 implementation, funding and ENFORCEMENT by DEQ
SPECIAL SECTION FOR FARMERS: Here is just a sample of your United Nations Agenda 21 (EPA) Regulations: Article 1.7. Resource Management Plans. A. The Virginia Soil and Water Conservation Board shall by regulation, and in consultation with the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services specify the criteria to be included in a resource management plan. B. The regulations shall: a. For all cropland or specialty crops, such components shall include the following, as needed and based upon an individual on-farm assessment: (1) A nutrient management planthat meets the nutrient management specifications developed by the Department; (2) A forest or grass buffer between cropland and perennial streamsof sufficient width to meet water quality objectives and consistent with Natural Resources Conservation Service standards and specifications; (3) A soil conservation planthat achieves a maximum soil loss rate of "T," as defined by the Natural Resources Conservation Service; and (4) Cover cropsmeeting best management practice specifications as determined by the Natural Resources Conservation Service or the Virginia Agricultural Best Management Practices Cost-Share Program. b. For all hayland, such components shall include the following, as needed and based upon an individual on-farm assessment: (1) A nutrient management plan that meets the nutrient management specifications developed by the Department; (2) A forest or grass buffer between cropland and perennial streams of sufficient width to meet water quality objectives and consistent with Natural Resources Conservation Service standards and specifications; and (3) A soil conservation plan that achieves a maximum soil loss rate of "T," as defined by the Natural Resources Conservation Service. c. For all pasture, such components shall include the following, as needed and based upon an individual on-farm assessment: (1) A nutrient management plan that meets the nutrient management specifications developed by the Department; (2) A system that limits or prevents livestock access to perennial streams; and (3) A pasture management plan or soil conservation planthat achieves a maximum soil loss rate of "T," as defined by the Natural Resources Conservation Service. Article 1.5. Soil and Water Conservation Districts. § 10.1-1187.21. Power to create new districts and to relocate or define district boundaries; composition of districts. § 10.1-1187.68. Virginia Envirothon. Districts in partnership with other districts, agencies, organizations, and associations are authorized to coordinate and implement the Virginia Envirothon Program, administered by the Virginia Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts, which enables learning experiences for high school students through competitive events focusing on natural resource conservation. Article 1.6. Watershed Improvement Districts. § 10.1-1187.79. Establishment within soil and water conservation district authorized. § 10.1-1187.101. Power of eminent domain. In addition to any other powers conferred on it by law, any watershed improvement district organized under the provisions of this article shall be authorized to acquire by eminent domain any lands, property rights, franchises, rights-of-way, easements, or other property deemed necessary or convenient for the efficient operation of the district. Such proceedings shall be in accordance with and subject to the provisions of the laws of the Commonwealth applicable to the exercise of the power of eminent domain in the name of a public service company and subject to the provisions of Chapter 2 (§ 25.1-200 et seq.) of Title 25.1. HB 2048 Water quality; transfer of responsibility for administration of programs. By another Republican, Beverly Sherwood http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?ses=131&typ=bil&val=hb2048 There are a minimum of 46 pages of new language in this bill! (the whole bill is 92 pages) Remember the Obamacare bill? Back to "In This Issue" | 
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