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2001 SESSION

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HB 712 Natural Resources Policy Act; created.

Introduced by: Kenneth R. Plum | all patrons    ...    notes | add to my profiles

SUMMARY AS INTRODUCED:

Virginia Natural Resources Policy Act. Creates the Virginia Natural Resources Policy Act. The Act repeals the existing Environmental Impact Statement review process (which applies to state projects using $100,000 in state funds) and replaces it with a natural resource impact review process, which applies to actions utilizing $500,000 or more of state-provided funds for the acquisition of an interest in land; for the construction of any new facility; or for the improvement, expansion, support or maintenance of an existing facility. Policies against which such actions are to be judged are expressed. The Virginia Natural Resources Council is created to review the natural resource impact reports and provide comment to the Governor. State funds are not to be disbursed for actions reviewable by the Council without the Governor’s approval following his review of the Council’s comments. Among the Council’s other duties are to (i) foster the coordination and implementation of natural resource policies; (ii) biennially produce a report that includes a review of the state of the Commonwealth’s natural resources; (iii) assist localities, when requested, in the evaluation of actions with potential natural resource impacts; and (iv) provide staff support to meetings that are to be held at least quarterly by the Secretaries and other members of the Governor’s cabinet. The cabinet-level meetings are to review programs, policies and major initiatives to (a) identify conflicts with natural resource preservation efforts and the purposes and policies set forth in the Act; (b) evaluate the natural resource benefits and burdens of each Secretariat’s programs, policies and initiatives, including the expenditure of state funds; and (c) develop planning, coordination and policy decisions to achieve the purposes and policies of the Act, including measures to utilize state funding in a manner that preserves and protects the Commonwealth’s natural resources. This is a recommendation of the Commission on the Future of Virginia’s Environment.


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