BOARD OF DIRECTORS

THOMAS JEFFERSON PARTNERSHIP FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

RESOLUTION

A RESOLUTION REGARDING THE PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE VIRGINIA STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PROGRAM (VSMP) REGULATIONS BY THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND RECREATION (DCR)

            WHEREAS, The Thomas Jefferson Partnership for Economic Development is engaged in activities that create higher paying jobs, more investment and a diverse tax base; and

            WHEREAS, The Thomas Jefferson Partnership for Economic Development represents both public and private sector interests in the City of Charlottesville, Albemarle, Culpeper, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, Nelson, and Orange Counties; and

WHEREAS, The Thomas Jefferson Partnership for Economic Development recognizes the importance of protecting the water quality in the Chesapeake Bay and in the rivers and streams of the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, DCR is proposing changes to the VSMP REGULATIONS that would apply to all localities in the Commonwealth of Virginia; and 

WHEREAS, it is understood that these regulations are drafted with the intent to set water quality and quantity standards across the state as an initiative to protect the Chesapeake Bay and the rivers and streams of the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, DCR is currently accepting comments on the proposed regulations; and

            WHEREAS, The Thomas Jefferson Partnership for Economic Development has several concerns about the draft regulations, including their fiscal impacts on localities in our service territory, their disregard for those localities’ existing comprehensive plans, the unintended negative consequence of low density sprawl, and the loss of jobs and investment across the Commonwealth.

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, on the 23rd day of January 2009 that the Thomas Jefferson Partnership for Economic Development Board of Directors hereby recommends that DCR postpone the adoption of the draft regulations until these issues can be adequately addressed, such recommendation having been further affirmed by the Partnership’s Executive Committee on August 11, 2009.

 Michael E. Harvey, President                                                   8.20.2009