Envisioning Our Future
As part of its agency mission concerning long range planning, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) seeks stakeholder input on the question, “What environmental and energy issues, if not addressed in the near future, will be of greatest concern to you and your constituencies in the next 30-50 years?”
The process of gaining stakeholder answers to this question began with interviews of approximately 50 environmental leaders across the state. The interviewees’ input then became the basis for “Envisioning Our Future” breakout-session discussions and electronic surveys at 2013 Environment Virginia Symposium at VMI.
Results of the interviews, breakout sessions, and electronic surveys are now posted on DEQ’s website. Check out the new website and become part of the “next steps” in “Envisioning Our Future.”
Host: Virginia DEQ
SESSION A (9:30 am – 11:30 am)
Envisioning: Energy Supply
Convened by Maureen Matsen, Deputy Sec. of Natural Resources & Governor’s Chief Energy Advisor (invited); & Michael Dowd, DEQ Air Division Director
Discussion Topics to Include: siting of energy infrastructure, energy diversity (traditional & renewable), reliability of commercial grid, market-price effects of specific energy sources on totality of energy planning, energy efficiency
SESSION B (2:45 pm – 4:00 pm)
Envisioning: Water Quality/Nonpoint
Convened by James Golden, DEQ; James Davis-Martin, DCR; & Darrell Marshal, VDACS
Discussion topics to Include: appropriate balance between point and nonpoint sources in TMDL implementation, new industries and wastewater treatment plants, alternatives to land application of wastes, impacts on recreational and commercial fisheries, emerging contaminants, cost of BMPs, point source/nonpoint source trading, land conservation practices that improve water quality
SESSION C (4:15 pm – 5:30 pm)
Envisioning: Water Supply
Convened by Melanie Davenport, DEQ Water Division Director; The Hon. John W. Daniel II, Williams Mullen & Former Secretary of Natural Resources
Discussion Topics to Include: sufficient water for drinking, cooling industrial processes, recreation, protection of aquatic species; banking raw water; ensuring quality and quantity of private well water; salt water intrusion; statewide groundwater and surface water management areas
Host: Virginia DEQ
SESSION D (9:45 am – 11:00 am)
Envisioning: Societal Growth I (redevelopment, waste, aging infrastructure)
Convened by Jeffery Steers, DEQ Land Protection Division Director; Harry Gregori, Waste Associates, LLC.; and Steve Yob, Henrico County
Discussion Topics to Include: Land redevelopment; brownfields; managing waste streams; aging infrastructure, including electric grid, dams, roads, bridges, sewer systems
SESSION E (11:15 am – 12:30 pm)
Envisioning: Societal Growth II (air & water impacts, land conservation)
Convened by Amy Owens, DEQ Regional Director (Valley); and The Hon. L. Preston Bryant, Jr., McGuireWoods Consulting LLC & Former Secretary of Natural Resources
Discussion Topics to Include: Impacts on air & water quality; loss of critical habitat, farms, forests, and natural areas; impacts on agricultural, fisheries, forestry and tourism industries; plans for growth corridors; energy efficiency; additional uses of coastal waters, ocean and ports
SESSION F (12:45 pm – 2:00 pm)
Envisioning: Climate Trends
Convened by COL Paul B. Olsen, District Commander, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; and Jefferson Reynolds, DEQ Enforcement Division Director
Discussion Topics to Include: sea level rise, future construction in low-lying coastal areas, loss of wetlands, adapting to severe weather events, greenhouse gas emissions, impacts on agriculture, tourism, construction industry, insurance companies, seafood industry & other economic sectors
SESSION G (3:30 pm – 4:45 pm)
Next Generation Regulatory Framework - "Breaking the Log-Jam"
Moderator: David Paylor, DEQ
Panelists:
Click here for a PDF of the session notes.
SESSIONS H & I (8:30 am – 10:45 am)
Next Generation Regulatory Framework in Virginia
Moderator: Tim Hayes, Hunton & Williams
Panelists: The Honorable Matt Lohr, Commissioner of Agriculture, Commonwealth of Virginia Ecology; Kay Slaughter, Former Mayor, City of Charlottesville; Brooks Smith, Hunton & Williams; Mary Ann Saunders, Deputy City Manager, City of Chesapeake (invited)
Click here for a PDF of the session notes.
12:15 pm Closing Luncheon (extra registration)
Results of electronic survey and discussion sessions