An Executive Order directing Virginia’s Department of Environmental Quality to conduct “a comprehensive review of DEQ’s permitting, monitoring, and enforcement activities across all program areas” was issued April 4 by Governor Ralph Northam. The Order directs the agency to:

Review DEQ’s permitting, monitoring, and enforcement activities across the air, water, and solid waste programs.
Evaluate every proposed federal regulatory or guidance modification released after January 20, 2017, regarding air, water, and solid waste to determine the impact on public health, drinking water supplies, and land and water protection.
Work with stakeholders to improve communication with the public and the regulated community and provide more opportunities for proactive education, especially among underserved and lower income populations.

The DEQ is to conduct its review in consultation with the Secretary of Natural Resources, who oversees the agency, and is to provide a report to the Governor by April 30, 2019. The full text of the Executive Order is available here.

In a separate action, Governor Northam on April 2 reappointed David Paylor as Director of the DEQ. Paylor has worked in environmental regulation in Virginia since 1973 and has led the department since 2006 under both Democratic and Republican governors.

Governor Northam Calls for Review of State Environmental Regulations

ABRA CONSERVATION HUB

ABRA’s Conservation Hub program promotes responsible resource management by providing access to critical information needed for effective public involvement in environmental review and oversight.

Following the defeat of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline in 2020, ABRA initiated the Conservation Hub to support informed public engagement with the broader range of environmental issues confronting the Allegheny-Blue Ridge Mountain region. The Conservation Hub builds on the analysis and information sharing capacity achieved through ABRA’s Pipeline CSI project during the years of ACP opposition.

The Conservation Hub is based on the use of GIS mapping to provide details and context for land development projects and management practices that involve risk of environmental harm, as well as for environmental preservation and restoration initiatives. The Conservation Hub also provides access to regulatory documents and assessments related to specific projects or issues.

Multiple Conservation Hub sites, focused on individual projects or issues, have been developed collaboratively with ABRA’s partners and allies. Going forward, we invite conservation groups, individuals, and communities to provide ideas for new Hub sites and GIS mapping that can contribute to informed public engagement on behalf of environmental integrity in the Allegheny-Blue Ridge region.