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2001 SESSION

015399808
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 690
Offered January 10, 2001
Prefiled January 10, 2001
Requesting the Secretary of Natural Resources to study and conduct an inventory of Virginia's water quality programs.
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Patrons-- Katzen, Broman, Howell, Morgan, Orrock and Pollard; Senators: Bolling, Couric and Houck
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Referred to Committee on Rules
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WHEREAS, it has become necessary and a priority to expand efforts to protect and improve the quality of Virginia's surface and ground water resources; and

WHEREAS, the enactment of the Water Quality Improvement Act, the implementation of the Tributaries Strategies, the signing of the Chesapeake Bay 2000 Agreement, and statewide total maximum daily load (TMDL) efforts reflect such efforts; and

WHEREAS, the effective and efficient use of resources to enhance water quality is also a high public priority for the taxpayers of the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, the identification of gaps and the potential overlap in efforts to protect and improve the quality of Virginia waters for fish, shellfish, wildlife, recreation and drinking water is essential in making wise, long-term, resource allocation decisions; and

WHEREAS, many state, regional and local agencies, private nonprofit organizations, civic groups, businesses, and individuals engage in activities aimed at protecting and improving water quality; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the Secretary of Natural Resources be requested to study and conduct an inventory of Virginia's water quality programs. The study shall identify gaps in and any overlap of activities and resources affecting the efficient provision of a comprehensive and effective water quality protection and improvement program for the waters of the Commonwealth. The study and inventory shall include, but not be limited to, those programs conducted by the Commonwealth, planning district commissions, soil and water conservation districts, the Rappahannock River Basin Commission, local government, the federal government, and nonprofit and civic organizations. Technical assistance shall be provided to the Secretary of Natural Resources by the Departments of Environmental Quality and Conservation and Recreation.

All agencies of the Commonwealth, planning district commissions, soil and water conservation districts, the Rappahannock River Basin Commission, and local governments, shall provide assistance to the Secretary for this study, upon request.

The Secretary shall complete his work in time to submit his findings and recommendations to the Governor and the 2002 Session of the General Assembly as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents.