We are all part of the solution...

Virginia

HB 985  Prohibits the sale or distribution of any pavement sealant that contains polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon concentrations greater than one percent by weight on or after July 1, 2024, except that a retailer may continue to sell any existing inventory that remains in stock on that date.

Toxic pavement sealants contain high levels of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are harmful to humans, particularly children, and wildlife. People living adjacent to parking lots coated in these chemicals are 38 times more likely to develop cancer sometime in their life, with childhood exposure being an important factor.

Update 3.12.24  HB 985 passed both the House and the Senate.  Governor Youngkin still needs to sign it. Now is the time to urge Governor Youngkin to support these efforts by signing this into law.  Contact him today.

HB 496 would increase the fee (from .50 to $2) the state imposes on new tire sales to pay for recycling costs, as well as require tire producers to register with the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality and to use a licensed hauler to transfer waste tires to a licensed recycling center or processing facility.

HB 496 would increase the health of the New River and its tributaries by decreasing the amount of tires found in the New River Watershed. In 2023, we pulled 660 tires out of our watershed.  Since 2001, we have pulled 13,811 tires from our waters.

Update 3.12.24 HB 496 has been passed by indefinitely in Finance and Appropriations.

HB 529 At present, localities have limited authority to replace trees lost during construction. This bill provides all localities with the authority to establish a floor, not a ceiling, on tree replacement requirements and enables statewide adoption of tree conservation language.

Update: 3.12.24 The Virginia General Assembly recently endorsed House Bill 529 and House Bill 1100, which would provide localities with more authority to conserve trees prior to construction and to replace those that are lost during construction. But these bills have to clear one more desk before they become law.

Now is the time to urge Governor Youngkin to support these efforts by signing HB529 and HB1100 into law to ensure your community is able to conserve and plant more trees that will benefit the health of all Virginians! Contact him today.

HB 459 & SB 121 Under these bills, localities can incentivize developers to conduct an assessment—before a site plan is submitted for approval—and take necessary precautions to preserve existing healthy trees. It also allows tree funds to be used for tree maintenance.

HB 529, in addition to HB 452 & SB 121 would reduce sedimentation from erosion in our creeks and streams. Sedimentation. is one of the biggest threats to the watershed. Sediment deposits in rivers can alter the flow of water and reduce water depth, which makes navigation and recreational use more difficult. soil particles that settle at the bottom of a body of water. Update 2.22.24  PASSED HOUSE & SENATE!

West Virginia

North Carolina

Blue Ridge Parkway proposes fee changes
The National Park Service (NPS) is seeking public comment on proposed fee changes for camping and other associated fees on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Proposed rate changes include front country and backcountry camping site fees, as well as non-camper user fees for shower and dump-station services. The Parkway is a popular camping destination for park visitors and neighbors, and recreation fees provide a vital source of revenue for needed facility maintenance, future campground improvement projects, and increased costs associated with campground operations.

The Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act requires that recreational fees are appropriate to the benefits and services provided. Fees charged by the NPS must be comparable to fees charged by others in the local area for similar benefits and services.

The last major fee rate change on the Parkway occurred in 2016. After research of local campground rates and provided services outside the park, the proposed rate increases were found to be comparable with current market rates in the surrounding areas for similar services.

Public engagement is an important part of the park’s planning process. Parkway leadership is accepting public comments on the proposed fee increases for a period of 30 days, beginning February 15 and closing on March 15, 2024. Following public engagement and NPS approval, new fees up to the amounts outlined above could be implemented as soon as May 2024.

Comment HERE