Oil and gas leases in bay region spark debate

Chesapeake Bay Region:

“A company that’s leasing oil and gas rights in Virginia’s rural coastal plain has tapped a gusher of concern. Some people worry that drilling could pollute waters in the Chesapeake Bay region and turn pastoral Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula counties into noisy industrial zones.

But the president of the Texas company acquiring the leases, Shore Exploration & Production Corp., said drilling could turn landowners into millionaires and help the environment by providing relatively clean-burning natural gas… Much of the bay-region controversy centers on a drilling method called hydraulic fracturing, or fracking.”

~Writes Rex Springston of the Richmond Times-Dispatch

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Planners table livestock ordinance proposal

Mathews County:

“Facing a chorus of opposition, the Mathews County Planning Commission on Tuesday night decided to take more time on a proposal to set first-time grazing area requirements for people who own horses, cows and other large livestock animals. Meeting in the historic courthouse, the planners and board of supervisors conducted a joint public hearing on the proposed zoning amendment. No speakers supported the amendment, while 14 people spoke against it.

Planning and zoning director John Shaw showed that many neighboring counties have such minimums, including Gloucester, Middlesex, King and Queen and York, while Mathews has none. This made no impression on the opponents. For instance, Jackie Wilton of Hallieford said, ‘It’s not the size of the plot the animal is on; it’s the size of the heart of people taking care of it.’

Acting on the request of animal control officer Jean Roberts, county planning and zoning director John Shaw drafted the proposed zoning rules. He said Roberts reported some problems in the county ‘regarding inadequate animal care as a result of inadequate shelter and inadequate grazing areas.’ He said his office has occasionally received separate complaints of overgrazing.”

~ Writes Elsa Verbyla the Gazette-Journal

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2012 Census of Agriculture

USDA:

“USDA has releases preliminary 2012 Census of Agriculture Preliminary National and State Report. Full Census report will be available in May 2014.”

~ Thomas Jefferson PDC

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CIRD Issues Request for Proposals for Rural Communities Facing Design Challenges

CIRD:

“Partnership of federal agencies and national organizations offers workshop funding, technical assistance, and additional resources… The Citizens' Institute on Rural Design™ (CIRD) has issued a request for proposals to rural communities facing design challenges - such as Main Street revitalization, how to manage and direct growth, design community-supportive transportation systems, preserve natural and historic landscapes and buildings, protect working agricultural lands, and provide adequate and affordable housing - who are interested in hosting a local workshop in 2014-2015.

Successful applicants will receive a $7,000 stipend and in-kind professional design expertise and technical assistance valued at $35,000. The Request for Proposals is posted on the CIRD website.” click here

~CIRD

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Fields of Gold: February News Letter

Fields of Gold:

“The second edition of the Fields of Gold Insider, a quarterly newsletter created for agribusinesses participating in the Fields of Gold agritourism program was published during February. Filled with information, tips and educational opportunities, the Insider is currently distributed to more than 200 agritourism operators, tourism partners and government agencies.”

~ Central Shenandoah PDC

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Update on HB 268 & 1173

General Assembly:

“The Senate Agriculture Committee on Thursday approved HB 268, the companion to SB 51, which has passed the House and Senate and is on its way to the governor for signing. These are the bills which expand various agritourism activities and additional value-added sale, preparation and processing opportunities. The Committee also endorsed the House version of the omnibus stormwater management bill (HB 1173). The bill is identical to the Senate version, SB 423, which passed the House unanimously. Both bills contain an emergency clause, meaning they take effect upon approval by the governor. Recall that the bills allow non-MS4 localities to opt out of establishing and running a local stormwater management program and to have DEQ manage it.”

~ David Blount, TJPDC Legislative Liaison

Agriculture and Natural Resources Legislation

General Assembly:

“Concerning stormwater, the House provides $38 million from the Virginia Public Building Authority (VPBA) for the stormwater grant program contingent upon the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) providing a grant to improve statewide digital orthography files (state mapping). The Senate shifts the $20.0 million in VPBA bond funding from the second to the first year and amends language to more clearly focus local stormwater grants on implementation of local best management practice capital projects.

          

The Senate also includes just over $31.4 million for agriculture best practices and $2 million for maintenance for SWCD district dams. It includes language requiring local governments imposing a stormwater utility fee to provide an annual report to DEQ on the programs being funding by the fee and the nutrient and sediment reductions expected to be accomplished by the programs. The Senate also directs a review of stormwater management program fee structure.

The Senate provides $2 million for the Dam Safety Program to address repairs needed for certain flood control dams maintained by Soil and Water Conservation Districts. The House reduces dam funding by over $1 million.

A House budget amendment provides $300,000 each year to support the eradication of hydrilla on Lake Anne, Lake Gaston and Smith Mountain Lake.”

~ David Blount, TJPDC Legislative Liaison