Category: Public Engagement

From Clay:

All –

I attended a webinar with VCN yesterday and received this updated info for the tree legislation status:

House Bill 2042 and Senate Bill 1393 are a little different from each other. They both can be found as follows:

House Bill 2042 – https://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?211+sum+HB2042
Senate Bill 1393 – https://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?211+cab+HC10205SB1393+SB1REF

A reenactment clause was added to each bill. They will come up again in the 2022 session for reenactment. This clause allows for the bills to remain as they are, or to be changed if desired. A stakeholder group was created at the end of the 2021 session, chaired by the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of Natural Resources to evaluate the bills further and report its recommendations back to the House and Senate by November 1, 2021. I’ll keep an eye out for this report and pass it along when it is released. The House Bill will be referred to its Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns. The Senate bill will be referred to its Local Government Committee.

As of now, the House Committee members for our City are: Askew and Guy

As of now, the Senate Committee members for our City are: DeSteph and Kiggans

There could be changes to these members after the November 2 election.

Actions to Take:

1 – Write members of City Council NOW and ask for them to include support for reenacting both bills in their legislative package – usually adopted by City Council in early November. A list of them and contact info is here: https://www.vbgov.com/government/departments/city-manager/Pages/form-of-government-and-city-officials.aspx
Please note the Lynnhaven District seat is currently vacant – City Council will appoint a member to fill that vacancy soon.

2- Write your local House and Senate representatives and ask them to support reenacting their respective bills during the 2022 session. You can find your representatives here: https://whosmy.virginiageneralassembly.gov
There could be changes to these members after the November 2 election.

Hope this is helpful!

Clay

“A. Any locality with a population density of at least 75 persons per square mile or any locality within the Chesapeake Bay watershed may adopt an ordinance providing for the planting and replacement of trees during the development process…”

“3. That the provisions of the first enactment of this act shall not become effective unless reenacted by the 2022 Session of the General Assembly.”

View “VIRGINIA ACTS OF ASSEMBLY — CHAPTER An Act to amend and reenact §§ 15.2-961 and 15.2-961.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to replacement and conservation of trees during development. [H 2042] Approved” Legislation that Passed in 2021.

Learn more from our friends at Virginia Conservation Network.

“In Arlington and Virginia Beach, two of the most recent municipalities to conduct tree canopy assessments, canopy is holding steady on municipal property but trending downward on private property due to infill, redevelopment, and homeowner removal.

Loss of biodiversity is another critical challenge we face which may impact ecosystems as much as climate change, pollution, and other major forms of environmental stress. Trees provide food, habitat, shelter, and breeding areas need- ed to restore and sustain Virginia’s wildlife biodiversity.

SOLUTION
We need to prioritize the preservation of intact forests as well as individual mature trees during development. For example, during the engineering process, consider how to protect natural resources first and adjust site plans accordingly….”