Gloucester VA Links and News: Department of Conservation and Recreation (Massachusetts)

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Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Governor McDonnell Announces Agreement to Create New State Park in Loudoun County

Map of Virginia highlighting Loudoun County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

600 Acre Private Donation Applauded by Local and State Officials

RICHMOND - Governor Bob McDonnell announced that his administration has reached an agreement that will result in a 600-acre state park in Loudoun County.

“Thanks to the generosity of several outstanding Virginians, the state will be able to add a scenic new park to its award winning state park system,” Governor McDonnell said. “I want to commend Robert and Dee Leggett, whose foundation acquired land that became the Blue Ridge Center for Environmental Stewardship in Loudoun County and will benefit future generations as a Virginia State Park.”

Located in Western Loudoun County, the Old Dominion Land Conservancy of Purcellville has reached an agreement with the Department of Conservation and Recreation to donate 600 acres of woodlands and pasture to the Commonwealth for development of a state park. The conservancy received the land from the Leggett Foundation. The property includes historic farmsteads, deep woods and wildflower meadows, and borders the Appalachian Trail. Much of the land witnessed action of Mosby’s Rangers and others during the Civil War.

“Through the work of the Leggett Foundation and now the Old Dominion Land Conservancy, lands of both natural and historic significance have been preserved in an area of the state where such lands are rapidly disappearing,” said McDonnell. “Because of their most recent efforts many of these lands will be available to future generations as a Virginia State Park.”

The ODLC has signed agreements with the Commonwealth to donate the land for use as a state park. The transaction giving the Commonwealth final ownership is expected to close later this year.

“This is an exciting development that will benefit Virginians and visitors to Virginia forever,” said Virginia Secretary of Natural Resource Doug Domenech. “Having lived in Loudoun County for 16 years, I know firsthand how important this Park will be to many individuals, organizations, and officials in Loudoun County.”

“I want to thank Secretary Domenech and the staff at State Parks, the Department of Conservation and Recreation, and the Governor for all their work to make this happen,” said Bob Leggett. “I have enjoyed this land for a long time and now I am pleased to share it with the people of the state.”

Delegate Dave LaRock, who represents the district in which the parkland is located, said “I’m excited about this new parkland being made available and thankful for the Leggett’s generosity and Governor McDonnell and Secretary Domenech’s efforts to bring this to pass. This Park will be a great addition to Western Loudoun's already-vibrant winery and tourism industries.”

“As a Loudoun County Scoutmaster, I have had the opportunity to spend many campout weekends at the Blue Ridge Center for Environmental Stewardship enjoying its wonderful and scenic attributes,” said Delegate Randy Minchew (R-10th). “Now, as our newest Virginia State Park, this land will provide our citizens with both active and passive recreation opportunities and an beautiful venue for conservation education and environmental stewardship training. As a member of the Virginia House of Delegates, I join Governor McDonnell and Secretary Domenech in thanking Bob and Dee Leggett for their generosity and leadership.”

“As a lifelong outdoorsman who grew up in the Everglades of Florida, I have a fine appreciation for State Parks,” said Dick Black, Senator of Virginia's 13th District. “I want to thank Governor McDonnell and Robert and Dee Leggett for their fine work in acquiring such a beautiful tract of land for public enjoyment. Such a beautiful addition to our state park system will certainly add to the tourism industry in Northern Virginia.”

“The significance of this new state park is immense. This park will be a jewel to Loudoun County, the Commonwealth of Virginia and the Nation” said Supervisor Geary M. Higgins, Loudoun County Board of Supervisors. “From a historical perspective alone, Governor McDonnell has preserved a considerable piece of history as this land includes the route Mosby’s Rangers took to attack the federal camp of Cole’s Cavalry one-hundred and fifty years ago on January 10, 1864. I commend Governor McDonnell and Secretary Domenech for the foresight to create this park that will be enjoyed not only by residents of Loudoun County but by many future generations.”

“The announcement of this new park is very exciting news for us in Loudoun County and the region,” said Loudoun Board of Supervisors Chairman Scott York. “On behalf of the Board of Supervisors, I would like to thank Governor McDonnell for his continued support of preservation efforts, economic development and transportation funding in Loudoun County. Additionally, I’d like to thank Secretary Domenech for all of his hard work on this project that presented many challenges along the way. Through his guidance and perseverance, we have been blessed with this generous gift of land from the Leggett Foundation.”

Virginia has 36 state parks open for the public. This new property will join state lands in Stafford, Shenandoah, Gloucester, Henry and Albemarle counties that are in various stages of development as future state parks. The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, who manage the state park system, will work to develop master plans for the Loudoun County property once acquisition is completed. They will then develop timelines for future development.

Virginia State Parks host more than eight million visits per year with an annual economic impact to the surrounding communities of approximately $206 million. State parks help local economies generate more than $12 for every $1 of general fund money allocated to state parks in the state budget.

Saturday, December 14, 2013

Governor McDonnell Announces Clean Water Budget Investments

The Chesapeake Bay – Landsat photo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Continues Efforts to Improve Health of the Chesapeake Bay

Total investment in Water Quality During McDonnell Administration Exceeds $460 million

RICHMOND - Governor Bob McDonnell announced today that his upcoming biennial budget will include major funding aimed at continuing the administration’s efforts to improve water quality in Virginia’s rivers and the Chesapeake Bay. The budget proposals includes investments and allocations for projects such as Chesapeake Bay restoration, pollution reduction efforts, storm water grants, oyster replenishment programs, funding for the Tangier Seawall and other water quality projects. With this budget the McDonnell Administration has now invested more than $460 million in water quality projects over the course of the last four years.

Speaking about the budget proposals, Governor McDonnell said, “As the Chesapeake Bay restoration program celebrates its 30^thanniversary, improving the health of the Bay has been one of our most important environmental priorities. The Chesapeake Bay is a national treasure and an ecological wonder. Over the past 30 years, the Chesapeake Bay Partnership has made immense progress in reducing nutrient pollution flows into the Chesapeake Bay. As Virginians, we are committed to ensuring a clean and vibrant Chesapeake Bay for future generations to cherish.”

Governor McDonnell continued, “Virginia’s magnificent waterways from the Cheseapeake Bay to the streams running through the Blue Ridge Mountains deserve preservation and protection. With this budget we are continuing our sustained commitment to improving water quality across the Commonwealth, and ensuring that the Chesapeake Bay remains a vibrant, healthy and beautiful Virginia treasure for generations to come.”

The introduced budget allocates over $31 million from the FY2013 budget surplus, generated by sound fiscal management and savings by state agencies and employees, to the Water Quality Improvement Fund (WQIF) to continue these essential programs:

· $19.78 million will be used to continue pollution reductions activities in agricultural programs through the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR);

· $800,000 will be used to support the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program;

· $250,000 will be slated for implementation of forestry best management practices;

· $100,000 will be used to implement best management practices on golf courses;

· $6.59 million will be used to support nonpoint activities in the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), including stormwater projects, such as municipal separate stormwater sewer systems (MS4) and grants to local governments; and

· $3.95 million will be deposited within the WQIF reserve fund.

In addition, the budget provides funds to the Department of Conservation and Recreation to support the development of Agricultural Resource Management Plans and to provide engineering support to Soil and Water Conservation Districts, as well as continuing $6.9 million annually to the districts for operational support funding.

The budget also authorizes an additional $20.0 million of bonds through the Virginia Public Building Authority in FY 2016 to support the Local Stormwater Assistance Program created by the Administration last year. These funds are intended to supplement the $35.0 million of bond funding authorized for the program by the 2013 General Assembly.

Additionally, the budget:

· Continues $2.0 million of general fund support for oyster replenishment in both FY 2015 and FY 2016,

· Provides funding for the Commonwealth’s estimated share of the Tangier Seawall project’s costs based on the most recent estimates provided by the Army Corp of Engineers. The proposed budget provides $23,000 in FY 2015 and $6,000 in FY 2016.

· Authorizes $1.0 million of bonds through the Virginia Public Building Authority in FY 2014 to assist the City of Alexandria with improvements to its Combined Sewer Overflow system.

During the McDonnell Administration, over $440 million was invested in clean water efforts including;

· More than $218 million deposited to the Water Quality Improvement Fund

· $101 million water quality bond fund to improve wastewater treatment plants across the state

· $35 million bond fund to establish the new stormwater local assistance fund

· $75 million bond fund for improvement to the combined sewer overflow systems in Richmond and Lynchburg

· $10 million to Hopewell and Appomattox for improvements to their waste water and drinking water systems

· With the money included in this budget, $5 million will be invested in oyster restoration efforts.

Water Quality Accomplishments During McDonnell Administration

· Virginia has reduced nitrogen pollution by 7.67 million pounds or 11.1%, phosphorus pollution by 0.68 million pounds or 7.7%, and sediment pollution by 262.0 million pounds or 6.9%

· Phase I and II of Virginia’s Watershed Implementation Plan was developed and approved by the EPA.

· The Governor signed legislation eliminating phosphorus from usable fertilizer beginning December 31, 2013.

· The Governor signed legislation requiring golf courses to implement nutrient management plans by 2017.

· The Governor signed legislation requiring VDACS to establish reporting requirements for contractor-applicators who apply fertilizer to more than 100 acres annually.

· The Governor signed legislation allowing farmers who develop agriculture resource management plans to be deemed as being in full compliance with any load allocation contained in a TMDL.

· Virginia received the EPA’s “Biggest Loser” Award in 2011 for reducing more non point source nitrogen than any other state in Region 3 and second in the nation.

· Virginia is exceeding its commitments under the Chesapeake Bay Program to reduce nutrients in the bay from wastewater treatment plants. Major wastewater facilities in 2011 exceeded pollution reduction goals by more than 2,000% for nitrogen (7 million lbs/yr) and more than 450% for phosphorus (567,000 lbs/yr).

· Virginia expects to exceed our 2013 Bay milestones and is well on the way to meeting its commitments.

· Virginia restored 1,653 acres of wetlands in 2011, more than double that of any other jurisdiction.

· Virginia established a new fund to support stream exclusion efforts resulting in protecting over 75,000 linear feet or 14.2 miles of stream bank with livestock exclusion fence. Over $18.6 million in state funds was dedicated to livestock exclusion.

· Oyster harvest in 2012-2013 was 60% greater than in the previous harvest years increasing dock value to more than $16.2 million. The ripple effects through the economy from last year’s unexpectedly large oyster harvest resulted in an estimated $42.6 million in economic value.

· The blue crab population reached its highest level in 20 years in 2012, and overfishing is no longer occurring. The total population of blue crabs in the Chesapeake Bay reached 764 million. This was a 66 percent increase above the 2011 abundance level and was the highest level recorded since 1993.

· The bald eagle breeding population within the Virginia portion of the Bay now numbers over 800 pairs, a dramatic recovery for the estimated low of 20 pairs. The Chesapeake Bay now supports the highest bald eagle chick growth rates and brood size of any population throughout the range.

· The osprey breeding population within the Chesapeake Bay has recovered from 1,400 pairs in the early 1970s to more than 8,000 pairs today, with the Bay now supporting the largest breeding population of osprey in the world

· The summer flounder stocks quadrupled under a stock rebuilding plan. Recreational size limits were reduced, allowing anglers to keep more of the fish they catch.

· Virginia improved and expanded the use of nutrient credits in Virginia. Building on our existing nutrient credit trading program and will be a key tool in meeting and maintaining water quality in the Chesapeake Bay as well as offering flexibility in meeting nutrient reduction requirements statewide.

· Virginia has around 780,000 acres under nutrient management inside the Bay and 950,000 statewide.