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1998 SESSION
980391376WHEREAS, the water resources and health of the citizens of the Commonwealth have been threatened by outbreaks of toxic microbes; and
WHEREAS, outbreaks of the toxic microbe pfiesteria piscicida have been linked to excess levels of nutrients in waters; and
WHEREAS, intensive animal agriculture may be a major contributor to nutrient overenrichment of surface waters; and
WHEREAS, the disposition of hog waste and chicken litter, produced by confined animal feeding operations and containing high levels of nutrients, has proven to be problematic under existing state programs; and
WHEREAS, healthy living resources in the waters of the Commonwealth and poultry and livestock production are both vital to the state's economy; and
WHEREAS, the issues surrounding animal waste management require thoughtful consideration of a number of complex policy issues; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That a joint subcommittee be established to study animal waste management in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The joint subcommittee shall be composed of 10 members, which shall include five legislative members, four nonlegislative citizen members, and ex officio member as follows: three members of the House of Delegates, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House; two members of the Senate, to be appointed by the Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections; two citizens to be appointed by the Speaker of the House, one of whom shall be a representative of an organization whose primary objective is restoration of the Chesapeake Bay and one of whom shall be a representative of local government; and two citizens to be appointed by the Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections, one of whom shall be a representative of the poultry industry and one of whom shall be a representative of a soil and water conservation district in the Bay watershed. The Secretary of Natural Resources shall serve ex officio.
In conducting its study, the joint subcommittee shall examine innovative methods of poultry and hog manure management and recommend regulatory requirements and incentives that will reduce the probability of pfiesteria outbreaks and assure that animal food manufacturers take greater responsibility for animal waste management. Among the alternatives examined by the joint subcommittee shall be the establishment of an animal waste tracking system.
The direct costs of this study shall not exceed $ 5,750.
The Division of Legislative Services shall provide staff support for the study. Technical assistance shall be provided by the Department of Conservation and Recreation and the Department of Environmental Quality. All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the joint subcommittee, upon request.
The joint subcommittee shall complete its work in time to submit its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the 1999 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.