The Virginia NAACP supports HB1662 (Jones), HB2030 (Anthony) and Hb2267(Anthony)

Plastic grocery bags typically are used for an average of 12 minutes, yet plastic persists in the environment for 100s if not 1,000s of years. While in the environment, it often ends up in waterways and in the ocean, where it photo degrades into tiny bits called microplastics. These are taken up by animals and enter the food chain. We all now have quantities of plastic chemicals in our organs and blood stream with unclear, but not good, health implications. In fact, plastic may be the new "lead" of environmental health dangers. So, when considering the cost of taking a step to control the huge impact of plastic on health and the environment (its manufacture is a major source of greenhouse gases), we have to remember these costs that will be paid in a degraded ecosystem, increased health issues, and worsening natural disasters from unfettered climate change. To ask that stores provide alternatives seems a small price to pay. Getting consumers ready with education, signage, and publicity will help the transition. If stores need to recoup any increased cost, they can charge a dime for a paper bag. People will learn to bring bags this way, as has been demonstrated in other states with the ban. This seems a small price to pay for the rewards it will bring to the beauty of our Commonwealth, the improvement of fisheries, and the health of our citizens. Respectfully yours, Caroline Sheridan

I sure wish we could get rid of plastic bags! I help with stream cleanups in the Shenandoah Valley and plastic bags, along with cigarette butts and styrofoam, are the worst offenders. I have lived in places (Germany, Massachusetts, California) where stores charge for plastic bags--it's really not that much--in Germany the bags were pretty sturdy and we re-used them over and over 9the Berliner Brieftasche, they were called). Or you ust get used to bringing your own most of the time, and paying when you forget. How hard is that. I'm attaching a little calculator for our area that Environment Virginia creates. I think it's interesting.

While the intent of this legislation to reduce environmental waste is commendable, the outright prohibition of plastic carryout bags by grocery stores has several significant drawbacks: Economic Burden on Consumers: Many consumers rely on plastic bags for convenience and reuse them for other household purposes. Alternatives like paper or cloth bags may impose additional costs on shoppers, disproportionately affecting low-income families. Paper bags are often less durable and require frequent replacements, further adding to the cost burden. Environmental Trade-Offs: While plastic bags have environmental drawbacks, alternatives also have their own impact. For example: Paper Bags: Require significantly more water and energy to produce, resulting in a higher carbon footprint during production and transportation. Reusable Cloth Bags: Often made from cotton or synthetic materials, their production demands extensive resources, and they must be reused hundreds of times to offset their environmental footprint. Impact on Small Businesses: Compliance with this legislation could increase operational costs for smaller grocery stores, forcing them to purchase and provide costlier alternatives. This burden could lead to higher prices for consumers or reduced competitiveness for local businesses. Ineffective Waste Management: Eliminating plastic bags from grocery stores does not address the broader issue of plastic waste. Many plastic bags are repurposed for trash liners or pet waste disposal. Without them, consumers may purchase other plastic products, such as trash bags, which are often thicker and contribute more to landfill waste. Consumer Behavior and Convenience: Banning plastic bags could alienate customers who value convenience. Policies encouraging voluntary behavioral changes, such as offering incentives for bringing reusable bags, might achieve similar goals without imposing a ban. Existing Recycling Efforts: Many grocery stores already participate in recycling programs for plastic bags. Enhancing and expanding these initiatives could provide a practical, less disruptive alternative to an outright ban. Conclusion: A more balanced approach is needed to address the environmental concerns associated with plastic bags. This could include improved recycling infrastructure, consumer education, and incentivized use of reusable bags, rather than a sweeping prohibition that may result in unintended economic and environmental consequences.

I am totally against this bill which aims to prohibit the sale and distribution of plastic carryout bags by grocery stores starting January 1, 2027. Consumer Convenience: This ban removes a convenient option for consumers, particularly for those who might forget reusable bags or for spontaneous shopping trips, impacting the ease of grocery shopping. Economic Impact on Stores: Grocery stores will face increased costs due to the need to transition to alternative bagging solutions, which might be passed onto consumers, potentially raising the cost of groceries at a time when affordability is crucial. Job Losses: The transition away from plastic bags could lead to job losses in the plastic manufacturing sector, affecting local economies and workers dependent on this industry. Effectiveness Questionable: While the intention is environmental, the effectiveness of such bans in reducing overall plastic waste is debated. Without comprehensive recycling programs or alternatives, this might just shift the problem rather than solve it. Penalty Structure: The civil penalty system, starting with warnings and then fines, could be seen as punitive towards businesses trying to adapt, especially small grocery stores with limited resources to comply quickly. Reusable Bag Program Requirement: Mandating grocery stores to implement programs to encourage reusable bags adds an administrative burden, potentially diverting resources from other business operations or customer service improvements. Exempt Bag Loophole: The definition of exempt bags could lead to confusion or exploitation, where certain plastic bags might still be used under the guise of exemptions, undermining the bill's environmental goals. Lack of Public Readiness: Many consumers might not be ready or willing to switch to reusable bags by the set deadline, leading to resistance or non-compliance, which could affect the bill's success. Alternative Environmental Concerns: The production and disposal of alternatives like paper or cloth bags have their environmental impacts, which this bill does not address, potentially shifting the environmental burden rather than reducing it. I strongly oppose this legislation for its potential to inconvenience consumers, economically strain grocery stores, lead to job losses, and for its questionable effectiveness in truly reducing environmental impact without a holistic approach to waste management.

I strongly support banning grocery store plastic carryout bags. In discussion with both state legislators and Virginia Beach City Council members regarding the plastic bag fee legislation, I am frequently asked, "Why didn't the General Assembly just pass a bag bag ban in the first place?". In the meantime, plastic bags are despoiling our landscape and our waterways, harming our eco-systems (birds, fish, turtles, marine mammals) and clogging our storm water systems. Additionally, plastic bags stay in the environment indefinitely and eventually break down into micro and nano-plastics, making their way into our food chain and into every organ and system in our bodies. Please: Just Ban the Bags! Very Respectfully, James F. Deppe Virginia Beach

Hello, Please require retail establishments to post clear signage designating invasive plants and educating the public on what that means. Invasive plants are a tremendous issue threatening our ecosystems. They out-compete native plants that we need in order to enjoy our land, support animals for hunting and fishing, control floods and erosion, protect infrastructure, protect our trees, and protect wildlife. I work in watershed restoration cleaning up our waterways to provide safer drinking water, protect infrastructure, protect our ability to safely hunt and fish, and protect our native songbirds, trees, flowers, and wildlife. Most of our budget is spent on invasive species removal; it costs a lot, requires the use of herbicides, requires the use of heavy equipment, and requires many years of constant maintenance in order to prevent them from coming back. They damage our ecosystems and I have seen many beautiful old trees die because of invasive English ivy, tree-of-heaven, privet, and invasive honeysuckle. Our songbirds die eating berries from invasive plants. Please pass this legislation. Additionally, please pass the legislation supporting wildlife corridors; in addition to being needed to protect wildlife, this bill would protect so many people. Deer-auto collisions cost states millions each year and injure and kill many drivers. We are also at risk of losing many of our native wildlife species as a result; animals like frogs and salamanders need to cross roadways in order to reach wetlands to breed, and cannot escape cars.

I support these

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Wildlife crossings are essential in Virginia to protect both animals and motorists by reducing vehicle collisions with wildlife, particularly deer, black bears, and other species that frequently cross roadways. The state's diverse landscapes, from the Blue Ridge Mountains to coastal wetlands, create natural migration corridors that intersect with highways, leading to dangerous encounters. Strategically placed wildlife crossings help maintain habitat connectivity, allowing animals to move safely between feeding and breeding areas without the risk of road fatalities. These structures not only enhance biodiversity and support ecosystem health but also save millions in damages and healthcare costs associated with vehicle-wildlife collisions. Investing in wildlife crossings is a proactive step toward sustainable infrastructure that benefits both people and the environment in Virginia.

Thank you for this opportunity. I am a long-time native and resident of Virginia who professionally has variously been an award-winning NASA engineer turned entrepreneur and award-winning economic development leader. However at this time as a private citizen and on behalf of all citizens of our State, I urge you to Vote YES for all elements of HB2025 in support of wildlife corridor and crossing projects in Virginia. Wildlife Corridors, or Crossings, are simple enough in concept: they are passages placed in locations selected through careful study that allow large (and small) animals to get from one side of a road to another without ever being in the road itself. The need is high, as Virginia now ranks as the 9th WORST STATE in the country for animal-vehicle collisions and fatalities. This is a dramatic worsening from even two years ago when we were an unacceptable 15th-worst. This means the trend is going in the WRONG DIRECTION, and we must do something now. Indeed, “Hot Spot” areas of these casualties have been identified in ALL regions of the State, so the problem affects all Virginians. Having myself been witness to numerous instances of these tragic collisions, they are nothing but horrific. The loss of life -- both human and animal -- and the costs associated with these tragedies is tremendous... though AVOIDABLE, as we now know. Not only do Wildlife Crossings prevent tremendous loss of both human and animal life as well as prevent vast financial loss due to both fatal and non-fatal crashes -- with an over 96% reduction demonstrated already in Virginia! -- they’ve also been proven to ENHANCE TOURISM as well as significantly increase the SAFETY AND ECONOMY OF ROADWAY SHIPPING of all goods – i.e., major big, perpetual business benefits that can and should also be realized here in Virginia. The cost-effectiveness of wildlife crossings is dramatic, and – once implemented -- immediate as well! Of particular importance throughout Virginia, wildlife crossings also importantly serve as flood mitigation structures. Specifically, crossings in the form of properly built underpasses not only enhance flood resilience, they maintain natural streambanks and channels, provide safe aquatic and terrestrial wildlife passage, while also reducing taxpayer burdens caused by road washouts and closures during flooding events. The time is now because available funds initially targeted for leveraging via the Wildlife Crossing Grant Fund as proposed in HB2025 are competitive and time-limited, with more and more states positioning themselves favorably to compete. Importantly -- and thanks to the past visionary strong bi-partisan support provided by our General Assembly through now two Administrations -- Virginia has established itself as an early leader in the area of Wildlife Crossings. In other words, Virginia and our Department of Transportation in partnership with all those who together developed our Wildlife Corridor Action Plan are fully ready and desiring to take this powerful and transformative next step. If we through HB2025 provide for the mechanism to launch the Wildlife Corridor Grant Fund, we will be able to leverage it many, many times over for tremendous and ever-compounding monetary and life-saving benefit -- not to mention increased revenue generation -- for our neighbors, businesses, and visitors beginning the moment you say YES! Thank you.

Thank you for this opportunity. I am a long-time native and resident of Virginia who professionally has variously been an award-winning NASA engineer turned entrepreneur and award-winning economic development leader. However at this time as a private citizen and on behalf of all citizens of our State, I urge you to Vote YES for all elements of HB2025 in support of wildlife corridor and crossing projects in Virginia. Wildlife Corridors, or Crossings, are simple enough in concept: they are passages placed in locations selected through careful study that allow large (and small) animals to get from one side of a road to another without ever being in the road itself. The need is high, as Virginia now ranks as the 9th WORST STATE in the country for animal-vehicle collisions and fatalities. This is a dramatic worsening from even two years ago when we were an unacceptable 15th-worst. This means the trend is going in the WRONG DIRECTION, and we must do something now. Indeed, “Hot Spot” areas of these casualties have been identified in ALL regions of the State, so the problem affects all Virginians. Having myself been witness to numerous instances of these tragic collisions, they are nothing but horrific. The loss of life -- both human and animal -- and the costs associated with these tragedies is tremendous... though AVOIDABLE, as we now know. Not only do Wildlife Crossings prevent tremendous loss of both human and animal life as well as prevent vast financial loss due to both fatal and non-fatal crashes -- with an over 96% reduction demonstrated already in Virginia! -- they’ve also been proven to ENHANCE TOURISM as well as significantly increase the SAFETY AND ECONOMY OF ROADWAY SHIPPING of all goods – i.e., major big, perpetual business benefits that can and should also be realized here in Virginia. The cost-effectiveness of wildlife crossings is dramatic, and – once implemented -- immediate as well! Of particular importance throughout Virginia, wildlife crossings also importantly serve as flood mitigation structures. Specifically, crossings in the form of properly built underpasses not only enhance flood resilience, they maintain natural streambanks and channels, provide safe aquatic and terrestrial wildlife passage, while also reducing taxpayer burdens caused by road washouts and closures during flooding events. The time is now because available funds initially targeted for leveraging via the Wildlife Crossing Grant Fund as proposed in HB2025 are competitive and time-limited, with more and more states positioning themselves favorably to compete. Importantly -- and thanks to the past visionary strong bi-partisan support provided by our General Assembly through now two Administrations -- Virginia has established itself as an early leader in the area of Wildlife Crossings. In other words, Virginia and our Department of Transportation in partnership with all those who together developed our Wildlife Corridor Action Plan are fully ready and desiring to take this powerful and transformative next step. If we through HB2025 provide for the mechanism to launch the Wildlife Corridor Grant Fund, we will be able to leverage it many, many times over for tremendous and ever-compounding monetary and life-saving benefit -- not to mention increased revenue generation -- for our neighbors, businesses, and visitors beginning the moment you say YES! Thank you.

I urge you to support HB 2025, a critical step toward addressing Virginia’s growing wildlife-vehicle conflict and ensuring our state’s infrastructure is built for long-term resilience. Right now, Virginia ranks 9th in the nation for wildlife-vehicle collisions - we do not have the luxury in our state to wait to build better infrastructure. Over 89,000 animal collision claims were filed in Virginia in 2024, an increase from previous years. These collisions are not just dangerous—they cost the Commonwealth millions of dollars each year, with each deer collision alone averaging $41,000 in state and personal costs. You should also know that our very own Virginia Transportation Research Council has done great research on the effectiveness of underpasses and exclusionary fencing - projects have seen up to 96% reduction in wildlife-vehicle conflict, and structures can pay for themselves in under 2 years. While Virginia’s Wildlife Corridor Action Plan (WCAP) was a step forward in identifying high-priority areas for connectivity, it lacks the necessary funding and data accuracy to drive real solutions. The plan relies primarily on police-reported deer crashes, which underreport wildlife-vehicle conflict by 5 to 9 times and fail to include impacts on other species, like endangered aquatic life. Without comprehensive data and dedicated funding, meaningful action remains out of reach. Meanwhile, Virginia continues to widen roads without incorporating wildlife passage, making the problem worse, and underpasses are being redone for increased flood resilience without considering wildlife passage, wasting taxpayer dollars. More lanes mean more traffic, more barriers to wildlife movement, and more dangerous and costly collisions. The only viable solution is to integrate both terrestrial and aquatic passage into all project scoping for infrastructure improvements, not just isolated projects. A handful of crossings will not solve Virginia’s crisis—we must require state agencies to prioritize wildlife passage in every road project. HB 2025 ensures that happens. It establishes a structured program within agencies to require wildlife passage considerations in planning, mandates improved wildlife-vehicle conflict data collection, and creates long-term funding pathways for crossing projects. These measures will help mitigate tens of thousands of collisions each year, enhance flood resilience, and protect Virginia’s biodiversity—all while making smarter use of taxpayer dollars by building infrastructure that lasts. I urge you to support HB 2025 and take the necessary steps to make Virginia’s roads safer for both people and wildlife. Thank you.

I support adding wildlife crossings to highways wherever possible, and whenever new infrastructure is added. We all see so many dead animals--deer, fox, raccoons, dogs, turtles, you name it--especially during mating seasons when animals are distracted and less cautions. It is all avoidable of course if people slowed down and paid attention, but that's a harder thing to achieve... It's also a great idea to do a better job tracking how many dead animals are picked up and what species they are. I wrote a paper in graduate school on deer-vehicle collisions, and the data was incredibly spotty and incomplete. Even the insurance companies, which pay the direct costs, don't have or won't share their records. The cost to wildlife and emotional trauma and physical harm to drivers is simply not measured at all. As Virginia gets urbanized, this will only get worse.

Hello, Please require retail establishments to post clear signage designating invasive plants and educating the public on what that means. Invasive plants are a tremendous issue threatening our ecosystems. They out-compete native plants that we need in order to enjoy our land, support animals for hunting and fishing, control floods and erosion, protect infrastructure, protect our trees, and protect wildlife. I work in watershed restoration cleaning up our waterways to provide safer drinking water, protect infrastructure, protect our ability to safely hunt and fish, and protect our native songbirds, trees, flowers, and wildlife. Most of our budget is spent on invasive species removal; it costs a lot, requires the use of herbicides, requires the use of heavy equipment, and requires many years of constant maintenance in order to prevent them from coming back. They damage our ecosystems and I have seen many beautiful old trees die because of invasive English ivy, tree-of-heaven, privet, and invasive honeysuckle. Our songbirds die eating berries from invasive plants. Please pass this legislation. Additionally, please pass the legislation supporting wildlife corridors; in addition to being needed to protect wildlife, this bill would protect so many people. Deer-auto collisions cost states millions each year and injure and kill many drivers. We are also at risk of losing many of our native wildlife species as a result; animals like frogs and salamanders need to cross roadways in order to reach wetlands to breed, and cannot escape cars.

I support these

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The Virginia NAACP supports HB1662 (Jones), HB2030 (Anthony) and Hb2267(Anthony)

I am against this bill which proposes the creation of an Environmental Justice Task Force in Virginia. Bureaucratic Overload: Establishing another task force adds to the bureaucratic structure, potentially leading to redundancy with existing environmental and community development agencies, which already address similar issues. Funding Concerns: The creation of this task force would require funding, which could divert resources from direct environmental protection or community support programs to administrative costs, potentially reducing the effectiveness of current initiatives. Political Influence: The composition of the task force, with appointees from various state departments, might lead to political influence overshadowing genuine environmental justice concerns, risking the task force becoming more about political agendas than community needs. Inefficiency in Policy Making: Tasking this group with advising on policies might slow down decision-making processes, as adding another layer of review could complicate and delay the implementation of necessary environmental actions. Scope and Focus: While the focus on historically economically disadvantaged communities is commendable, the broad mandate of the task force might dilute efforts, spreading resources too thin across various issues without achieving significant, focused outcomes. Reporting Burden: Requiring annual reports could become a formality rather than a tool for actionable change, with the risk of these reports gathering dust rather than prompting real policy shifts or community improvements. Lack of Direct Action: The emphasis on reporting and advising rather than implementing direct action might mean that while issues are highlighted, practical solutions or immediate relief for affected communities could be delayed or overlooked. Potential for Overlap: There's a risk of overlap with existing initiatives or task forces, leading to confusion over jurisdiction and responsibility, which could hinder coordinated efforts on environmental justice. I oppose this legislation due to concerns over bureaucratic expansion, potential inefficiency, and the risk of diverting funds from direct action to administrative overhead, urging instead for more direct, community-focused environmental justice initiatives.

On behalf of Southside ReLeaf, I am writing to express our support for HB2267, which expands and codifies air quality monitoring efforts by the Department of Environmental Quality in the Hampton Roads area. In Southside Richmond, we know all too well how poor air quality impacts community members' health. Life expectancy here is up to 20 years shorter compared to other parts of the city, and Richmond ranks second nationally for asthma-related deaths, according to the 2023 Asthma Capitals Report. We believe the data collected through this legislation will provide valuable insights that can lead to better health outcomes and inform strategies to mitigate air pollution’s effects. We also hope this initiative in Hampton Roads will serve as a foundation for further efforts across the Commonwealth to collect much-needed statewide data for fenceline communities, address air quality issues, and guide future policy decisions.

The Virginia NAACP supports HB1662 (Jones), HB2030 (Anthony) and Hb2267(Anthony)

On behalf of Southside ReLeaf, I am writing to express our support for HB2267, which expands and codifies air quality monitoring efforts by the Department of Environmental Quality in the Hampton Roads area. In Southside Richmond, we know all too well how poor air quality impacts community members' health. Life expectancy here is up to 20 years shorter compared to other parts of the city, and Richmond ranks second nationally for asthma-related deaths, according to the 2023 Asthma Capitals Report. We believe the data collected through this legislation will provide valuable insights that can lead to better health outcomes and inform strategies to mitigate air pollution’s effects. We also hope this initiative in Hampton Roads will serve as a foundation for further efforts across the Commonwealth to collect much-needed statewide data for fenceline communities, address air quality issues, and guide future policy decisions. For these reasons, we ask that you support this bill

I am against this bill which mandates the Department of Environmental Quality to establish an air quality monitoring program specifically for fenceline communities in Virginia. Resource Allocation: Implementing this program would require significant resources, potentially diverting funds from other critical environmental initiatives or general state services, which might be more broadly beneficial. Administrative Burden: The ongoing nature of the monitoring and the requirement for annual reporting would add considerable administrative workload to the Department of Environmental Quality, possibly straining its capacity to address other environmental issues efficiently. Selective Focus: By focusing solely on fenceline communities, this bill might neglect other areas or populations within the state that could also benefit from enhanced air quality monitoring, leading to an uneven distribution of environmental attention and resources. Potential for Overregulation: The detailed reporting requirements and the involvement of the Virginia Council on Environmental Justice could lead to overregulation, where recommendations might push for unnecessary legislative changes, complicating business operations in affected areas. Economic Impact: Businesses in or near these fenceline communities might face increased scrutiny and potential regulatory actions, which could deter investment or expansion, impacting local economies negatively. Data Overload: The requirement to analyze data on pollution levels, health risks, and recommend actions could overwhelm decision-makers with information, potentially leading to paralysis by analysis rather than actionable change. Legislative Overreach: Directing the General Assembly to review findings annually and consider legislation based on these reports could lead to a cycle of reactive law-making, potentially not allowing enough time for comprehensive assessment or for the implementation of previous legislative changes to take effect. Council Influence: While the involvement of the Virginia Council on Environmental Justice is intended to provide expert advice, there's a risk that political or special interest influences could skew recommendations, affecting the objectivity of the process. I oppose this legislation due to concerns over resource allocation, administrative efficiency, the risk of overregulation, economic impacts, data management, legislative overreach, and the potential for biased influence, advocating instead for a more balanced approach to environmental monitoring that considers the broader needs of the Commonwealth.

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