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1996 SESSION


SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 92
Establishing a special study panel on the Rappahannock River Basin.

Agreed to by the Senate, March 7, 1996
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, March 6, 1996

WHEREAS, the Rappahannock River is a resource of great value to the Commonwealth of Virginia and to each of the localities within the Rappahannock River Basin; and

WHEREAS, cooperation between the localities of the basin is important to the economic vitality and appropriate development of the region; and

WHEREAS, coordination of local and regional planning for the future of the area will help protect the assets of the river and strengthen the economic health of the region; and

WHEREAS, the Rappahannock River Basin region is defined as the 2,848 square miles primarily within the four planning districts of RADCO, Rappahannock-Rapidan, Northern Neck, and Middle Peninsula; and

WHEREAS, this region is characterized by areas of rapid growth and is linked by one of the Commonwealth's cleanest and most scenic rivers; and

WHEREAS, since activities in one part of the basin affect other parts of the basin, it is in the best interest of the Commonwealth to encourage and support basin-wide regional cooperation; and

WHEREAS, local governing bodies regularly face decisions that can impact other localities within the basin; and

WHEREAS, there is a need for the Commonwealth and each of the basin's localities to discuss the creation of a regional body to assist in planning for the future of the region; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That a special study panel on the Rappahannock River Basin be established. The special study panel shall be composed of such members of the Senate who shall represent the Fourth, Seventeenth, Twenty-sixth, Twenty-seventh, and Twenty-eighth Senatorial Districts and as may indicate their desire to serve on the special study panel to the Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections, and one member from the governing bodies of each county and city within the aforementioned Senatorial Districts, upon the recommendation of the respective governing bodies, all to be appointed by the Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections; and such members of the House of Delegates who shall represent the Twenty-eighth, the Thirtieth, the Thirty-first, the Fifty-fourth, the Ninety-eighth, and the Ninety-ninth House of Delegates Districts and as may indicate their desire to serve on the special study panel to the Speaker of the House, and one member from the governing bodies of each county and city within the aforementioned House of Delegates Districts, upon the recommendation of the respective governing bodies, all to be appointed by the Speaker of the House. Persons recommended to serve on the special study panel by the local governing bodies shall represent no more than one jurisdiction within the Rappahannock River Basin.

The special study panel shall examine, evaluate, and make recommendations on the potential structures and goals of a mechanism to address coordination, communication, and strategic planning on issues of basin-wide significance.

The Division of Legislative Services shall provide staff support to the special study panel. Technical and logistical assistance shall be provided by the planning district commissions encompassing the Rappahannock River Basin and the local governing bodies represented by the panel.

All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the special study panel, upon request.

The direct costs of this study shall not exceed $8,250. Other expenses associated with the study of regional issues facing the Rappahannock River Basin shall be funded from such funds as may be appropriated for this purpose.

The special study panel shall complete its work in time to submit its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the 1997 Session of the General Assembly as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents.

Implementation of this resolution is subject to subsequent approval and certification by the Joint Rules Committee. The Committee may withhold expenditures or delay the period for the conduct of the study.