Breaking News: Public Meetings Announced On The Role Of The Soil And Water Conservation Districts

House Bill 2048 and Senate Bill 1279 of the 2013 General Assembly Session directed the Directors of the Departments of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and Conservation and Recreation (DCR); the Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS); members of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources; and members of the House Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources, to convene public meetings throughout the Commonwealth to evaluate the role of Soil and Water Conservation Districts (Districts) in providing effective delivery of water quality services and technical assistance.

Six public meetings are being held from 6:30 pm until 9:00 p.m. in locations convenient to the Commonwealth’s six Soil and Water Conservation District Areas:

Area I – Augusta County Government Center, October 1;

Area II – Culpeper County Reva Fire and Rescue, October 28;

Area III – Henrico County Government Center, October 3;

Area IV – Emory and Henry College, October 24;

Area V – Chatham, Olde Dominion Agricultural Complex, October 30; and

Area VI – Chesapeake, Hampton Roads Planning District Offices, October 8.

Each meeting will include a roundtable discussion of the topics from Enactment Clause 12 of House Bill 2048 and Senate Bill 1279.  In addition to the Legislators, the roundtable will consist of representatives from the following areas:

• DCR, DEQ and VDACS agency heads
• One representative from each District in the area
• The Virginia Association of Soil and Water Conservation District’s area chairperson
• Representatives of agriculture
• Representatives of environmental groups

AGENDA

• Introduction of Roundtable Participants
• Meeting Purpose
• Meeting Process
• Review of House Bill 2048 and Senate Bill 1279 and Actions to Date
• Roundtable Discussion Topics
• The role of soil and water conservation districts in providing effective delivery of water quality services and technical assistance
• Implications of the 2013 Legislation
• The extent of the role the districts should play in providing technical assistance for such programs as erosion and sediment control and stormwater management
• The organizational location for district support that would provide the most effective and efficient delivery of district services
• Public Comment

MEETING DIRECTIONS

All meetings are scheduled from 6:30 PM until 9:00 PM

Area I - October 1, 2013 - Augusta County Government Center Complex

South Board Room, 18 Government Center Lane, Verona, VA 24482

From the North Take Exit 227 on Interstate 81 Merge onto Laurel Hill Road Route 612 turn Left at the second light Turn left on to Route 11 then a left onto the Government Center Complex.  From the South take exit 225 off Interstate 81 turn left onto Woodrow Wilson Parkway Route 275, turn right at first light onto Route 11 and the second right into the Government Center Complex.

Area II - October 28, 2013 – Culpeper County Reva Volunteer Fire & Rescue

18230 Birmingham Road, Culpeper, VA 22701-6902

Reva Volunteer Fire and Rescue is located off of Route 29 halfway between Culpeper and Madison VA.  If traveling from the north or from Route 3 (Warrenton, Fredericksburg…): Take 29 South approximately 7 miles south of Culpeper VA.  Go past the Shell/7-11 station and several car dealers approximately 2.5 miles and RVFD will be located on the right.  If traveling from the south (Charlottesville): Follow 29 north approximately 10 miles north of Madison VA.  Go past the Reva Market about 1.5 miles and the RVFD will be on the left.

Area III - October 3, 2013 - Henrico County Human Services Board Room

8600 Dixon Powers Drive, Henrico, VA 23228.

From Interstate 64 take exit 185 Staples Mill Road West turn left on Parham Road and then left on Dixon Powers Road.  From Interstate 95 take Exit 83B onto Parham Road take Parham past Staples Mill and then turn left on Dixon Powers Drive.

Area IV - October 24, 2013 - Emory and Henry College

Board of Visitor’s Lounge, Van Dyke Center, 30461 Garnand Drive, Emory, VA 24327

Parking will be in the lot behind Hillman Hall (#13 on the map located adjacent to the Van Dyke Center which is #34 on the map). http://www.ehc.edu/about/emory-southwest-virginia/campus-map  From Interstate 81 take Exit 26 and follow the signs to the campus.

Area V - October 30, 2013 - Olde Dominion Agricultural Complex

19783 US Highway 29 South, Chatham, VA 24531

Area VI - October 8, 2013 - Chesapeake Hampton Roads Planning District Office

The Regional Building, 723 Woodlake Drive, Chesapeake, VA 23320

Take Interstate 64 to Exit 289A onto Greenbrier Parkway North then take a right onto Woodlake Drive.