Episode 4: Natural Resources
On the Soapbox-Protecting Natural Resources
In 1960, Virginia had a population of approximately four million people. Today the Commonwealth has roughly seven and one-half million people, and the number is expected to grow to eight million by 2010. While this population growth is a byproduct of Virginia’s prosperity over the past four decades, it has come at a cost to our natural resources.
The way we use our land impacts environmental conditions. These can be direct, such as the destruction of natural habitats and landscapes, or indirect, such as when increases of traffic lead to more congestion, air pollution and greenhouse gases. Land use planning and management decisions have a critical role in managing the challenges of preserving the quality of life that Virginians want.
At the state level, Governor Kaine has led efforts to preserve, and when necessary, remediate problems facing our natural environment. The Governor’s initiative to acquire 400,000 acres of open space over four years is just one way he is providing a response to growing conservation needs. This land conservation effort will produce significant long-term benefits for Virginia. For instance, when Virginia acquires open space on riparian lands, it improves water quality by creating a natural buffer between runoff debris and our waterways. Likewise, land conservation efforts protect endangered species and plants by preserving critical habitats. Land conservation efforts have an economic component, for example, by contributing to the sustainability of a vibrant forestry industry. Finally, land conservation efforts provide a means of protecting many of Virginia’s historic assets, important for both tourism and for maintaining our cultural identity.
Natural resource preservation requires teamwork at all levels of government. For instance, Virginia recently instituted a nutrient credit trading program that allows different jurisdictions within the same watershed collaboratively to utilize their wastewater treatment facilities in a way that substantively reduces nitrogen levels. Similarly, the Virginia General Assembly granted more authority to local governments to enforce soil and erosion sediment control ordinances, in response to local officials’ concern about the level of storm water runoff from certain development sites.
Ultimately, we are stewards of Virginia’s great natural legacy. Sustaining that legacy is critical to our citizens’ quality of life and for future generations as well. In this episode of “The View from Virginia,” I discuss many of these public policy initiatives with Virginia’s Secretary of Natural Resources, Preston Bryant.
- Steve Shannon
Episode 4: Preston Bryant, Secretary of Natural Resources
n this week’s show, Steve Shannon interviews Virginia’s Secretary of Natural Resources, Preston Bryant. They review environmental concerns facing the state and the efforts addressing them.
The Secretary of Natural Resources is responsible for the management of the environment, state parks and stewardship of natural resources in Virginia. He heads the the Department of Conservation and Recreation, the Department of Environmental Quality, the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, the Department of Historic Resources, the Marine Resources Commission, the Virginia Museum of Natural History, the Chippokes Plantation Farm Foundation and the Virginia Council on Indians.
Ongoing State Initiatives in Natural Resources
The Governor is dedicated to preserving 400,000 acres of land by 2010. This includes efforts by using easements and conservation land grants. Information on this effort is found at the DCR Office of Land Conservation’s website.
Virginia’s park system is designed to make access available within 50 miles of any place in the state. Learn more about recreational opportunities at the State Parks website.
The Commonwealth has a large effort to clean up its waterways. Information on Virginia’s water cleanup program can be found here.
Mercury is a dangerous pollutant. A critical initiative is aimed at removing this chemical from Virginia’s waste cycle.
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