As a citizen who lives in the state and on the Rappahannock river and has seen the impact of poor stewardship, I ask that the General Assembly support these bills.

Sunday hunting should be allowed on public lands! So many times after church, I want to take my kids out and enjoy small game hunting, but I am unable to because I do not own private land. Deer hunting public land should be allowed on Sunday’s as well because not everyone has the luxury to hunt private land. The working class has to work 6 days a week at times, and that makes for a very short hunting season! Support the youth, support the public land hunters, and open Sunday hunting on public lands!

Its time we consider moving away from Esoteric conservation models. Please consider removing the restriction on Sunday hunting public lands. There have been reports in prior years showing the positive economic impacts. DWR offices are still working weekends even if people are not hunting public lands.

Hunting should be allowed on public land ! After all it was your idea to allow hunting on Sunday in the frist place !

I strongly SUPPORT this bill to make monies available for the economic revitalization of tobacco growing-dependent communities and research into cancer caused by tobacco use.

Sunday hunting should be allowed on public lands! So many times after church, I want to take my kids out and enjoy small game hunting, but I am unable to because I do not own private land. Deer hunting public land should be allowed on Sunday’s as well because not everyone has the luxury to hunt private land. The working class has to work 6 days a week at times, and that makes for a very short hunting season! Support the youth, support the public land hunters, and open Sunday hunting on public lands!

Its time we consider moving away from Esoteric conservation models. Please consider removing the restriction on Sunday hunting public lands. There have been reports in prior years showing the positive economic impacts. DWR offices are still working weekends even if people are not hunting public lands.

Vote for it

Hunting should be allowed on public land ! After all it was your idea to allow hunting on Sunday in the frist place !

Naturalists need one day a week when we can hike, bird, botanize without worry of being shot. Wildlife probably could use a break too.

I strongly support passage of HB1799 allowing hunting on Public Lands on Sunday for several reasons. The number of hunters in Virginia continues to decline rapidly largely due to limited opportunities to hunt on non-private lands. This effects the take rates in both deer and waterfowl which is leading to continued growth of populations beyond the carrying capacity. Lack of adequate hunting pressure and increasing populations are also inflicting serious damage to forest regrowth and proliferation of invasive exotics. We must STEWARD our natural resources with better hunters (not automobiles) across all landscapes both public and private.

As the owner of land adjacent to a tract of public land, I strongly oppose HB1799 on the grounds of safety. Many hunters are responsible, but an increasing number are not; they are dangers both to themselves and to anyone in their vicinity. The introduction of Sunday hunting in Virginia eliminated the one day of the week when my wife and I felt safe walking on our property. If the public land adjacent to our property is also opened to Sunday hunters, our safety will be further imperiled. Please do not support HB1799.

Please do not allow Sunday hunting on public lands. Sundays during hunting season are the only time I feel safe using public lands (or adjacent lands) for other uses such as hiking and biking. We shouldn’t cater to just one user group for these lands. Please continue to allow for one day of non-hunting use. Thank you.

Simply stated, i would like to see Sunday hunting allowed on public land. Hunting now more that ever has begun to rebound. Most people I know have very limited time during the week. By adding the option of Sundays, you double the opportunity to spend hunting for many. This increases revenue throughout the spectrum from licensing, related purchases, etc. This is a win win for many, but the natural resourses themselves benefit with the increase in revenue going to the fish and game departments. Those are just a few reasons I hope this regulation moves forward.

I am in favor of Sunday hunting on Public Lands

I have NO sympathy that they have only the weekends to hunt. We the property owners who have paid the mortgage are not able in safety to participate in the activities on our own land we bought the land to do. As I said in one of the articles written years ago the hunters DO NOT respect our rights to the use of our own land. The courts also do not give the land owner the courtesy to hold the hunting violators accountable. We had a hunter at the hunter/land owner meeting tell us we had NO RIGHT to restrict the hunters from hunting on our privately owned land. I know my sone pays for the right to go onto public land to cut up firewood on down trees and he has had close calls with hunters who demonstrate NO COMMON SENSE. Public land is public land and the non hunter should be safe on public land. I have been in my riding ring mounting u when bullets started flying past me and my horse. The Hunters across the stream were "Hunting". I am not against hunting. We rent our farm to retired marines who hunt during turkey and deer season. they hunt wisely and not just walk into the woods without any knowledge of where they are or homes are. I stopped on Rt. 3on the way home from school where I taught and a deer crossed the road and a man stopped in the middle of the road got out his gun and took aim. he had no idea that he was aiming right at a deer and a home's front window beyond. NO should be the answer to this bill. Sorry I get upset at the stupidity of these people who are so tunnel vision they forget that other people live on this land and should be safe. The doge that came into my barn killing our fowl and bit me had NO VACCINATIONS were said to HAVE BEEN RELEASED 7 MILES AWAY. WE HAVE HAD OVER 45 YEARS OF HAVING TO LIVE WITH OUR HEAD DOWN DURING DEER SEASON. NO to HB 1799 Joyce Miller

I oppose Sunday hunting on public lands in Virginia. That is the only day left to families and non-hunters to be able to get out and enjoy the outdoors. Which right now due, to Covid, is much more important than hunting. Thanks you.

I oppose the expanded hunting on public lands. As a horse rider it becomes unsafe to ride while people are hunting and Sunday is the only time during hunting season that riders can enjoy our public lands.

I don't hunt so I didn't find out about this assault on Sunday until the last minute. My farm borders the National Forest and this issue directly impacts me. I have witnessed the horrendous impact hunting has on our public lands for 22 years. Hound hunters are the worst. They run the bears relentlessly August and September from 4am in the morning until 2am for dog training and then hunting season starts. They constantly trespass on private property to get dogs, and threaten and harass landowners who confront them. Sunday is the only day of relief from constant hunting pressure. It is also the only chance to safely hike, bike and ride in the fall. Hunters have more than enough days to hunt. Our public lands belong to everyone, and one user group should not dominate the others.

We are avid trail riders and routinely enjoy hiking. Hunters have 6 days a week to hunt. Please don't take Sunday away from us as the only safe day for us to be able to ride and enjoy being outdoors hiking. We spend more time riding during cool and cold weather than during the heat and bugs of summer.

As a resident of Virginia, I oppose the expansion of Sunday hunting to include public lands. Many trail riders, mountain bikers, hikers and other outdoor and wildlife enthusiasts and organizations in the Commonwealth rely on Sundays for safe access to State lands during hunting seasons. Safe access for non-hunters is especially critical in light of the increased use of public lands by the general public during the covid epidemic. Do NOT remove the prohibition against hunting on public (State) lands during hunting seasons!

I strongly oppose the expansion of Sunday hunting to include public lands. Trail riders, mountain bikers, hikers and other outdoor and wildlife enthusiasts and organizations in the Commonwealth have a right to enjoy safe Sundays on public lands without fear of being shot dead or critically injured because of being mistaken for deer. Safe access for non-hunters is critical! Do NOT remove the prohibition against hunting on public (State) lands during hunting seasons!

Please support this bill.

Our veterans need our help. They gave us our freedom. Public lands are for public use. Not to be reserved for hunting. Especially in these Covic days. Ourselves and our children need to get outside. Weekends are the only days that many of us have the time.

Many of us limit our riding on state lands (Phelps, Thompson, etc) to Sundays during hunting seasons. It is imperative that these lands remain closed to hunting on Sundays, especially now in light of the need for outdoor recreational spaces during the covid epidemic. Hunting is already allowed 6 days and we are only asking for 1 Thank you

As a resident of Virginia, I oppose the expansion of Sunday hunting to include public lands. Many trail riders, mountain bikers, hikers and other outdoor and wildlife enthusiasts and organizations in the Commonwealth rely on Sundays for safe access to State lands during hunting seasons. Safe access for non-hunters is especially critical in light of the increased use of public lands by the general public during the covid epidemic. Do NOT remove the prohibition against hunting on public (State) lands during hunting seasons!

The Virginia Horse Council continues to oppose the expansion of Sunday hunting to include public lands.

PLEASE OPPOSE HB1799. I am an avid hiker and cyclist, often in state parks and other state or local natural and recreation areas. Sunday hunting is a stretch too far -- it would be nice to have at least one day during hunting season where my family and I are not subject to the risks of wayward shots or itchy trigger fingers. Please keep state lands free from Sunday hunting.

Please oppose HB1799. I am a cyclist who uses trails on weekends.

I personally would like to hunt the feral pig population invading Virginia as they have in North and South Carolina! Please make it easier to do so on public lands and private lands by allowing hunters access without the usual red tape. For example, notify hunters of feral pig sightings on private lands that will allow access to hunters for a small fee.

As a resident of Virginia, I oppose the expansion of Sunday hunting to include public lands. Many trail riders, mountain bikers, hikers and other outdoor and wildlife enthusiasts and organizations in the Commonwealth rely on Sundays for safe access to State lands during hunting seasons. Safe access for non-hunters is especially critical in light of the increased use of public lands by the general public during the covid epidemic. Do NOT remove the prohibition against hunting on public (State) lands during hunting seasons!

Allowing hunting on public lands on Sunday will limit the non hunters to enjoy the outdoors, as a equestrian in the fall and winter I'm limited to using the trails only on Sunday due to hunting if this bill is passes we would be unable to ride at all on weekends due to the dangers of hunters. I feel that the pubic lands should be safe for all for at least one day of a weekend

I OPPOSE THIS BILL. I like to hike and bike in public lands. During hunting season I avoid them for safety reasons EXCEPT ON SUNDAYS. This is the only day of the week during hunting season I feel safe to go out in the woods on public lands. Please do not forfeit this one day out of seven for others to use the land. Thank you

As a resident of Virginia, I oppose the expansion of Sunday hunting to include public lands. Many trail riders, mountain bikers, hikers and other outdoor and wildlife enthusiasts and organizations in the Commonwealth rely on Sundays for safe access to State lands during hunting seasons. Safe access for non-hunters is especially critical in light of the increased use of public lands by the general public during the covid epidemic. Please Do NOT remove the prohibition against hunting on public (State) lands during hunting seasons!

Opposed to Sunday Hunting in State Parks and Public Lands Please there has to be one day out of the week that we can use parks without the fear of getting shot. Fall and winter I avoid numerous areas of the state due to the dangers of hunting and now with Sunday hunting on private lands there are large blocks of time I have to avoid the rural areas period. I live on and own a farm but even hunters on adjacent properties don't respect property lines and bullets certainly don't. Please keep state lands free from Sunday hunting.

I stand with the Virginia Horse Council's opposition to House Bill 1799. I oppose expanding hunting on public lands to include Sundays.

The Virginia Horse Council continues to oppose the expansion of Sunday hunting to include public lands. In addition, many trail riders, mountain bikers, hikers and other outdoor and wildlife enthusiasts and organizations in the Commonwealth rely on Sundays for safe access to State lands during hunting seasons. Safe access for non-hunters is especially necessary now in light of the increased use of public lands by the general public during the covid epidemic. Do NOT remove the prohibition against hunting on public (State) lands during hunting seasons!

I am opposed to hunting on public land on Sunday. I feel that it is safety issue and limits access for other recreational activities during the fall months. These activities include hiking, horse backriding. There should be one day a week reserved so that it is safe for non hunters to enjoy public lands during the fall months. The Virginia Horse Council continues to oppose the expansion of Sunday hunting to include public lands.

I and the Virginia Horse Association, as well as many others who like the outdoors, oppose expanding hunting on public lands on Sundays. My dog is terrified of gunshots. I have taken a fall from my horse because of a nearby gunshot. People who hike and bike our public lands should not be wary of enjoying themselves for fear of a poor shot or mistaken identification.

Committee members Sunday hunting is already permitted on private land. Expanding it to public land would effectively render outside activities for areas past their back yards off limits to non-hunters for all of deer season; or at least the black powder and 'gun' season. No one in their right mind goes 'out' during deer season. THanks.

Sunday hunting should be allowed on public lands! So many times after church, I want to take my kids out and enjoy small game hunting, but I am unable to because I do not own private land. Deer hunting public land should be allowed on Sunday’s as well because not everyone has the luxury to hunt private land. The working class has to work 6 days a week at times, and that makes for a very short hunting season! Support the youth, support the public land hunters, and open Sunday hunting on public lands!

Gentlemen and women, Our club was formed in 1948. Our small club land was purchased and a legacy of outdoor sportsmanship and camaraderie was born. Generations have come and enjoy the mountains and national forest that surrounds our property. Through those years all our members have contributed to conservation and acquiring and maintaining public lands through purchases of hunting fishing licenses and Equipment. Additionally for over 70 years we have purchased national Forest stamps which funds conservation efforts there. We gladly have done so even though our voices have increasingly been the last ones heard when policy is constructed. We sold land to the government to facilitate the Appalachian Trail and 100 acres back to the forest. The members at the time figured we could always use it. Hunting is the only activity not allowed on public land seven days a week. We hear a lot about equity today but there is none here. Most other states and national forest are open on sundays, are we not owners of that property as well and most do not have the conservation stamp that virginians have long supported. It is time to bring those who have long footed the bill up to equal footing with those that have long benefited and rarely contributed! Thank you.

I respectfully OPPOSE HB1799. I am a hunter who hunts across Virginia especially the mountains and the coast. I have hunted on Sunday in the past. I am the former chief legal counsel of the largest firearm company in the US. Also, I am a mountain biker, road cyclist, hiker, camper, fly fisherman and outdoor enthusiast of many strips. A user’s experience using the roads, trails or waters near forested areas vary across every nook and cranny of Virginia. A family using a forested area in Northern Virginia encounters a different experience than using a forest in Highland or Franklin counties. Regretfully, my family and I fear using the forest during hunting season from October through February. During November 2020 while fly fishing in a quiet mountain stream, I took cover behind a large boulder when rifle shots began just upriver apparently aimed down river. I have experienced too many close calls with hunters who place others at risk when failing to use basic hunting courtesies and etiquette. As forest shrink and our population grows, the risks are too great to combine hunters and non-hunters in the same forest. Hunter’s with rifles are especially risky. I believe Virginia should allow one safe day per week year round for non-hunting users. Therefore, I DO NOT FAVOR HUNTING ON SUNDAYS. I OPPOSE HB1799. Rather, Virginia should encourage all users of our natural world. Virginia should not favor the few over the rights and interests of the many. Thank you.

I would like to express my full support to this house bill.

Please pass the bill

Sunday hunting on National Forest lands are critical to alot of families in this the Commonwealth. I as a lot of others in this state work 6 days a week and only have time to hunt on Sundays and as of now that has been stripped from just the hunting community. Thank your for your time.

Please support HB1799. If the only reason for not allowing public land hunting on Sundays is for other outdoorsman and outdoorswoman to enjoy public land to themselves, then please implement for all individual who will participate in outdoor activities to obtain a state outdoors license on top of the license specific to the activity the are planning to engage in. Thank you.

I support hunting on public lands on sundays.

The No Hunting on Sunday law was unconstitutional when it was originally passed. The idea was to force Christians to attend church instead of hunting. Today, the Commonwealth has many religions and beliefs that do NOT believe that Sunday is the sabbath. This law is the perfect definition of institutional discrimination. It punishes people who worship on days other than Sunday. Some Christian denominations worship on Saturday. Some people are atheist. We must stop this discrimination based on religion NOW.

The VA Horse Council continues to oppose the expansion of Sunday hunting to include public lands.

We are fully willing to share the woods with hunters for three months of the year, and even happy to stay clear of the woods for hunters for most of those three months. We ask that they also share the woods with us, and allow us ONE day out of seven days a week during that time during which we may use the woods and enjoy nature without hearing gunshots or have to worry about being hit by a stray bullet. We do our best to restrict our activities to Sundays so as not to conflict with hunters, but for our own safety but also so as not to disturb game and make hunting more difficult. We believe this arrangement works well and would like it to continue.

The Virginia Horse Council continues to oppose any expansion of Sunday hunting to include public lands.

The Sportsmen’s Alliance, on behalf of our Virginia members, comments in support of Delegate Edmunds House Bill 1799. Sportsmen fund most all public hunting land management efforts in Virginia and yet they are one of the few groups singled out from accessing these public lands on Sundays. Sportsmen should be able to access the land they pay to purchase and manage. Additionally, public land Sunday hunting is legal in most other states and allows working sportsmen and sportswomen more opportunities to go afield. For these reasons, the Sportsmen’s Alliance and our members urge this committee to vote in favor of House Bill 1799.

PLEASE pass this bill. Many hunters only have weekends to hunt. This would be a blessing for many.

I support upland and big game hunting on sundays on state lands, but i do not support hunting waterfowl on sundays. I don't mind if the Sunday is changed to a Wednesday or any other day for that matter, but feel the migratory birds need at least one day of rest if not more. Our friends in NC found that is the case and opposed waterfowl/migratory hunting on Sundays. If you are looking for money make the rest day the middle of the work week and the average working man Mon-Fri can still get out 2 days on the weekend. If the Mallard and Goose Numbers have declined the past 20 years or so and Sunday Hunting has been allowed starting back in the late 90s by our friends further north in the Atlantic Flyway could there be a possible relation? All things i'd like to see actual science proving elminating rest days for waterfowl does not effect their habits or behavior. https://ocracokeobserver.com/2017/12/14/opposition-to-sunday-waterfowl-hunting-creates-odd-alliances/

i support HB1799 in expanding hunting on sunday to public lands. virginia is one of the only states that still has this sunday hunting ban. some people worry that they would like to have one day where there is no hunters on lands due to fear of being shot. i think this fear is blown out of proportion. the International Hunters Education Association reports that in the US and Canada combined there are only about 1000 accidents, and out of that 1000, only 10% are fatal. and i would also point out that the figure of 1000 accidents does not only reflect wrongful use of firearms, but also vehicle accidents and falls, etc. in comparison, 3700 people die every day from automobile accidents in the US alone, and since you need to drive to these outdoor recreation areas, it seems that people should feel much more relaxed in the forest, especially since they generally stay on main trails and paths, which hunters tend to avoid. there must be a consideration about how sunday hunting will affect animal populations. if we need to tweak current hunting seasons and bag limits i think it is a fair concession for allowing hunters more opportunity to enjoy their passion.

Good morning delegates, I'm writing as a hunter and a member of the public and your constituency. Having been a Virginia sportsman for the better part of a decade, I have had the great fortune to enjoy the Dominion out-of-doors in a number of capacities. From hiking, to camping, to fishing and hunting, I have a vested interest in the outcome of this bill. While I've only been a Virginia hunter for six years, I've been hunting for the better part of a quarter century. As I understand it, some of the concern about Sunday hunting stems from conflict between hunters and other outdoor recreators. I can say unequivocally, that in all my years hunting (the overwhelming majority of which has occurred on public land), I have never had a bad or malicious encounter with a non-hunter while sharing recreational space. I, too, understand that there are those who afraid of hunters mistaking livestock or pets as game animals, and can attest that to do so would take negligence of the highest order: a horse doesn't look like a deer, nor a cow, or a dog, and vice-versa. I'm not aware of a single hunter that would mistake any of those animals for a game animal. Since our state is so heavily wooded, much of our hunting takes place in closer ranges than, for example, our western counterparts. From a practical perspective, this means that by necessity, we are closer to our quarry and can positively identify them with much greater ease due to the nature of closer proximity. As someone who works during the week, I look forward to being able to share the outdoors with and passing on the tradition of hunting to my children. However, life often gets in the way on Saturdays, meaning that my chances for a public-lands hunt, the way the law currently stands, is drastically reduced, with the current prohibition on Sunday hunting. I know I speak not only for myself, but countless other Virginia mothers and fathers, who wish to take every advantage of spending a weekend teaching our children and passing on the skills of outdoorsmen and women. This is also one single, but significant, obstacle in the ability for hunters like me to participate in our past-time without access to private land, which often comes at a high premium in this state, which often is out of reach for many who hunt to put food on their tables and feed their families. Passing this bill would go a long way toward granting equal access to all outdoorsmen and women, regardless of hobby, and ending a longstanding prejudice against the hunting public. I strongly encourage you to vote "Yes" on HB1799 and help us continue to pass on our love of the outdoors with our posterity while coexisting naturally with our co-recreators. Warm Regards, Mr. Radencic

I would like to express my support of both of these bills.

As a born VA resident, and an avid outdoorsmen who still carries my money and hunting/fishing time vastly back to Virginia even as a West Virginia resident, I urge you to vote yes on HB1799. As hunter and fishermen pay for the majority of resources to fund the management and upkeep of our beautiful public lands, it is not justifiable that we are the only group who cannot use these lands in Sunday’s for hunting recreation. It is beyond time this is lifted. As a new West Virginia resident I was absolutely pleased to know we have the freedoms to hunt and fish the very same public lands just over the mountain from Virginia, so please, vote yes to allow us to do what we love on public lands in Virginia on Sundays. Thank you.

While I am an avid hunter and staunchly support the promotion of hunting, I do NOT favor Sunday hunting on public lands. I believe the non-hunting public has the right to enjoy free access to public lands without the inherent risks of contact with hunters on at least ONE day a week during the hunting season. Please vote against allowing Sunday hunting on public lands.

As founder of Virginia Public Land Hunters and Fisherman, a social media group of outdoorsmen and women, and the largest Virginia Public Land specific based social group, I would like to voice our passionate and full support of HB1799. We would also like to wholeheartedly thank Delegate Edmonds for his dedication and hard work to present this necessary bill proposal again this year. Look this is simple, it is beyond time to unlock equitable opportunity for sportsmen and women whom do not have access to private lands on Sundays. Though others will rightfully site that this is an antiquated remnant of blue laws, a revenue producer, a conservation booster, a recruitment and retention issue, a tourism booster, among many other inarguably positive points, at the heart of this bill is an access and opportunity for ALL issue. It needs no additional justification or reasoning. The United States Fish and Wildlife Service’s North American Model of Wildlife Conservation plainly advocates “The democracy of hunting. In keeping with democratic principles, government allocates access to wildlife without regard for wealth, prestige, or land ownership.” I’d be remiss if I did not add that sportsmen and women pay for the vast majority of funding for the Department of Wildlife Resources, and conservation in the Commonwealth, yet, hunters are the only user group prohibited from using public lands on Sunday. How is this remotely justifiable? As a lifelong resident of Virginia, a steward and promoter of OUR beautiful public lands, and passionate outdoorsman, I urge a vote of YES on HB1799. Thank you for you’re time and consideration. Most Humbly and Respectfully, Eric Lehmann Hanover County

Delegates, Virginia has approximately 3.7 million acres of public land. All recreational activities that are allowed on public land are allowed on Sundays, except for hunting. The ban on Sunday hunting is the last of the “blue laws” and only exists in a handful of states. Please vote to open up 3.7 million acres to hunters on Sundays. Hunters in Virginia should be afforded the same opportunities as the rest of Virginians. Thank you for your consideration.

On behalf of the National Shooting Sports Foundation (“NSSF”) and our members in Virginia I write today to express our support for House Bill 1799 (“HB 1799”), by Delegates Edmunds and Willett. HB 1799 would repeal the antiquated and unfair prohibition of utilizing public lands for hunting on Sundays during the regulated hunting seasons. In 2014, Virginia made great progress in repealing a longstanding and outdated "Blue Law" that prohibited Sunday hunting of any kind. The 2014 law allowed for hunting to take place on Sunday on private lands. While this was a great first step, many Virginians, and non-resident hunters for that matter, are unable to hunt on Sundays simply because they cannot afford to lease or purchase private land. By opening public lands to be used by the hunting public, equal opportunities will be created, allowing more people to enjoy hunting on Sundays during the regulated hunting seasons. Keep in mind, funds generated from hunting license sales go towards the purchase and management of public lands in the state. Shouldn’t the people who are purchasing hunting licenses be given a chance to hunt the lands in which they are helping to pay for no matter what day of the week? It is for these reasons the National Shooting Sports Foundation, on behalf of our members, support House Bill 1799, legislation that creates equal opportunities for all of Virginia’s hunters. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Please SUPPORT HB 1799. It is difficult for many who work long weeks that include Saturday to pursue our hunting passion and traditions.

Hello, I am writing to express my opposition to HB1799 to expand Sunday hunting into public lands. I live in the middle of the National Forest and my family, friends, and I hike, mountain bike, birdwatch and horseback ride very extensively on public lands. During prime hunting season, we make it a point to restrict ourselves to only engaging in these activities on Sundays, so as to not interfere with people trying to hunt. However, if we have no recourse of a non-hunting day, we will have no choice but to simply hike or ride during hunting times, thus very much increasing the risk of conflict with hunters trying to engage in their activities. In my opinion, this will clearly increase frustration, aggravation, and cause unnecessary conflict amongst what should be people united in their love of outdoor sports. Please consider that giving people who wish to engage in other outdoor activities during these dates a single day to use that everyone knows will not cause conflict is in the best interests of everyone involved. While hunters may, with shortsightedness, feel that having Sunday hunting on public land to be to their benefit, I and many others, feel that this will be far from the case. This will mean that other non-hunters (who would have waited until a Sunday) will simply be in the woods any day at all, most likely scaring away all game and interfering with hunts and hunters will have no idea when this could happen to them. In the long run, I believe everyone involved will find this a detriment to the sport of hunting.

Dear Committee Members, Please support HB 1799 to remove the prohibition on Sunday hunting on public lands in Virginia. I understand there are some reservations on removing this outdated prohibition, but the trepidation to do so is not based on facts. Hunting is a safe activity, that is compatible with other user groups. It is a healthy, active form of outdoor recreation that allows participants to provide the highest quality, most sustainable, free range, organic protein to feed our families and friends with. As someone who works weekdays and has limited time off, it is sad that I am not able to enjoy this activity on Public Lands in the Commonwealth on Sundays, due to an outdated blue law. I personally have been fortunate to live in the urban, suburban, and rural parts of Virginia – including Floyd, Montgomery, Giles, Fairfax, Arlington, and now Botetourt. I know it would be easy to dismiss this legislation when viewed from an urban or suburban viewpoint, but please understand the scale of lands that are off limits to hunters in the Commonwealth on Sundays and how minimal the chances of conflicts are on these lands – over 1.6 million acres of George Washington/Jefferson National Forest, 203,000 acres of State Wildlife Management Areas, and 68,000 acres of State Forest. To put that in perspective, that is 10 times as big as Shenandoah National Park or twice as big as the entire state of Rhode Island. Over this expanse of public lands, the perceived conflicts between user groups are essentially non-existent. I am asking you to please support this important piece of legislation and give Virginia the freedom to hunt on Public Lands on Sundays. Sincerely, Jason Williams Troutville, VA

Its time we consider moving away from Esoteric conservation models. Please consider removing the restriction on Sunday hunting public lands. There have been reports in prior years showing the positive economic impacts. DWR offices are still working weekends even if people are not hunting public lands.

I am writing to express support for HB1799 which would remove the prohibition of hunting on public lands in Virginia. The issue is about fair access and nothing more. Those with access to private land are free to hunt on Sundays after church if they so choose to go. Those without access to private ground cannot access the lands that the revenue from their purchase of licenses and tags and other permits support on Sundays. It doesn’t make any sense and it’s about time we change that. There is no basis in conservation for the prohibition. It is an antiquated remnant of the blue laws which governed the commonwealth which we have steadily moved away from. You can hike, fish, bike, and do all kind of other activities in the parks across the commonwealth. These Wildlife Management Areas, separate from state parks, are funded exclusively by hunters via license sales and other revenue streams not from the general fund. Yet, hunters can’t utilize these properties on Sundays. For many working Virginians without access to private land (which you may hunt on Sundays) this represents half of the entire weekend where they’re prohibited from utilizing these hunting areas. Opponents will cite “safety” concerns for those utilizing WMAs on Sundays who are not hunting. I would be interested to know exactly how many access permits (which are required of anyone who doesn’t possess a hunting or fishing license to use a WMA) are sold to non hunters who utilize these areas for other recreational opportunities - as I have NEVER encountered a non hunter on a WMA at any time ever. The concern for the safety of non hunters on sunday on WMA’s is a total non issue supported by my real life experiences on the ground.

Thank you for your time. HB1799 would mean a lot to all of the sportsman in this state. I, like a lot of others, work 5-6 days a week just to make ends meet, and don’t have the luxury to take off during the middle of the week in order to hunt on public land. Allowing hunting on Sunday on public land would allow more of us to be able to enjoy these public lands. This would also boost license sales and allow more opportunities for our men and women in the armed forces, nonresident hunters, and for people like me. Pennsylvania, who has never allowed hunting on sundays, finally this past season added 3 total Sunday’s to their hunting season. I can tell you one thing, everyone I had talked to or run into up there was beyond excited about it, and it allowed so many more opportunities for everyone. That Sunday opportunity allowed me the chance to spend time with my grandfather, who introduced me to hunting at a young age. Hunting is a chance to make long lasting memories with family and friends, it gets people outdoors instead of being cooped up in an office building, and if you are blessed to harvest an animal, you can now fill your freezer with wonderful organic meat. Now, why would we keep people from doing that one day of the week? Please approve HB1799 and allow us sportsman the opportunity to hunt on sundays. Personally I would be eternally grateful.

Please do not proceed with this bill. As someone who enjoys using the State Forests and WMA for recreation other than hunting, Sundays are our only time from Sept-May that we are assured that there is no one hunting in those places. As a tax payer I have a right to enjoy those places as well as any hunter. I am a frequent visitor to Fairystone Farm WMA. We deserve to have one day that we know that we are not going to be interfering with hunters and possibly in an unsafe situation.

Please do not proceed with this bill. As someone who enjoys using the State Forests and WMA for recreation other than hunting, Sundays is our only time from Sept-May that we are assured that there is no one hunting in those places. As a tax payer I have a right to enjoy those places as well as any hunter. I am a frequent visitor to Sandy Point State Forest. The Forest is used by hikers, bikers and equestrians just about daily. We deserve to have one day that we know that we are not going to be interfering with hunters and possibly in an unsafe situation.

I do not support hunting on Sundays on public lands.

Good Day, My name is Brian Balling, I’m a self-employed home improvement contractor that lives in Virginia Beach with my wife who’s a stay at home mom to our two kids (7yrs and 19 months old). I find it important to know a little about the person that is writing to you and showing their support for the Bill. HB1799 is not only a Bill that will help myself, but many others that live similar situations. Many years ago it was passed and signed into law that you could hunt Private Land and many public waters on Sunday, it’s time to pass into law this Bill and open up all land in Virginia to Sunday hunting. There’s many of us that look forward to hunting season all year long and plan vacation to hunt that one ideal week in hopes of having a successful hunt. Many of us work during the week and the only time off we have are the weekends to go hunt, and current laws prevent us from having those two days to hunt. Now there’s always the option to go join a hunt club or pay to lease land that allows you to hunt private lands on Sunday, however for many of us like myself, that’s not a luxury we have, we can’t afford to pay all that money just to hunt Sunday when there’s so much public land that we could enjoy and hunt on Sunday but until this law passes and is signed into law we have to look for other options. For myself being self employed you would think that I could just take off any day during the week and go hunt, however during hunting season I get very busy because of the holidays and people wanting to get projects done just before thanksgiving or in between then and Christmas. Also if I don’t work then I don’t get paid, no one to pay me for days I don’t work. Many others like me have to weigh the same options and hope they have paid vacation time or days off they can take just to get that extra day of hunting in during the week. What would Sunday hunting public land do for me? It would give me the flexibility to choose which day on the weekends I might wanna go hunt or plan a weekend to go camp at one of the many places. The biggest thing it would do is be able to plan a long weekend trip to the western part of the state and go hunt the National Forest. Would be able to take my 7 year old son on a Friday and head west, pick a spot to park and setup camp for the weekend, then get a late evening hunt in. Wake up Saturday and walk the woods with my son teaching him how to enjoy nature and an important skill. Then get up Sunday and be able to get out in the woods one last time before having to pack up camp and head home that evening. As of right now if I wanted to do a trip like this I would need to plan to do so as a Thursday thru Saturday trip and take him out of school an extra day, to me this isn’t an option because school is important and need to attend. You may say that you could still enjoy the woods on Sunday without hunting, that we could but why would I want to plan a trip and drive 4-5 hours across the state to have a few hours to hunt Friday and all day Saturday just to enjoy the woods on Sunday, I could easily do that at one of the public lands within an hours drive. The point is to be able to go around Virginia and hunt areas that I normally wouldn’t be able too because of the limitations of work and kids in school. Sunday hunting public land will bring more state revenue and teach a skill to future generations by being able to have more time in the woods and not be limited by an old fashioned law. Vote Yes Thank you

Our right to hunt our public lands should not be limited to days of the week, we have the right to hunt every day of either season!

The ban on Sunday hunting has gone on long enough. It is tantamount to a tax on the poor and the working man who cannot hunt during the week. Why can we fish on Sunday but we can’t hunt? The Department of wildlife resources supports Sunday hunting. There is no biological or safety reason to not allow it. There are plenty of states that have hunting on Sunday on public land yet Virginia is caught in the dark ages. Non-hunters have said that they want a day of the week that they do not have to worry about people with guns in the woods. This is ridiculous because I hunt the George Washington national forest and see hikers, fishermen, and bikers every day of the week. Many do not wear blaze orange but hunters are required to. For those who say Sunday should be a day for worship, they are entitled to go to church , and do not have to hunt. The ban on Sunday hunting on public land is a discrimination against non-landowners and people who can’t afford to lease private land. It needs to stop. It disproportionately affects minorities and the poor.

This proposed bill sounds like a wonderful idea. I'm all for it. Anything to expand gun rights for good, wholesome, law-abiding citizens should be passed.

Members of the House Agriculture Chesapeake and Natural Resources Committee, My name is Cyrus Baird, and I am writing you today to encourage you to SUPPORT HB1799 – bipartisan legislation supported by Delegates Edmunds and Willett that would repeal the antiquated and inequitable blue law prohibiting hunting on Sunday’s on public lands within the Commonwealth. On a professional level, I am representing thousands of Virginia sportsmen and women as the Manager of Government Relations for Safari Club International, an international non-profit with the mission of protecting the rights of hunters and promoting wildlife conservation worldwide. On a personal level, I am a passionate, lifelong Virginia hunter and resident. As you are aware, Virginia’s Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) is a self-funded agency, taking little to no appropriated dollars from the General Assembly. Instead, they rely on license sales from sportsmen and women, along with federal excise taxes placed on popular hunting and fishing equipment to fund their agency. Part of DWR’s mission is to purchase and manage public lands using hunting, fishing, and trapping license fees and with Wildlife Restoration Funds. However, hunters are still the only user group prohibited from accessing these lands on Sundays. In 2014, Governor McAuliffe signed into law legislation that repealed the ban on Sunday hunting on private lands. Since then, sportsmen and women across the Commonwealth have urged lawmakers to repeal the ban limiting hunting access on public lands. Dozens of other states currently allow hunting on both private and public lands 7 days a week - leaving Virginia stuck in the past with an antiquated blue law that isn’t based on wildlife management, science, economic, religious or other reasons to justify their closures. In recent years, states neighboring Virginia have all passed legislation expanding Sunday hunting. One of the top cited reason hunters stop hunting is "lack of access" or "lack of time". Allowing citizens of the Commonwealth, particularly hunters who don’t have the opportunity or ability to access private lands, another day to access public lands to hunt will encourage more participation, and in turn, generate more funding for conservation through the DWR. This same legislation received bipartisan support from this committee in 2020 (HB1632), including from Delegates Plum, Keam, Willett, Gilbert, Edmunds, Wilt, Webert, Ransone and Bloxom before ultimately being voted down 13-9. Opponents often argue the need for a “day of rest” or a day free from hunters in the woods pursing game usually citing “safety concerns” for non-hunters recreating on public lands. According to the National Shooting Sports Foundation, hunting results in fewer injuries per 100,000 participants than many sports, including golf and tennis. Virginia also requires a hunter education course for all new hunters and youth hunters 12 and over making hunting on Sundays is no more dangerous for anyone than on any other day of the week. 40+ other states have some form of Sunday hunting opportunities available for their citizens – so the blueprint for how hunters and non-hunting users can coexist on public lands is one that can be easily replicated in the Commonwealth. As Virginia and this legislature continues to push for, and make progressive strides in 2021, it is time to allow equal access and opportunity for all on public lands…including hunters. Please support HB1799.

As a hunter who relies solely on public land to pursue my passion of getting outdoors in the pursuit of wild game, I urge you to support HB1799. Hunters and anglers provide more funding for public land projects in the state of Virginia and across the nation than any other recreation group, and this should be reflected in the access we’re provided. This bill would only provide equal access to the vast public land our state has to offer. We aren’t asking for more than other groups of outdoor enthusiasts; just equality. Working a normal work week and having children with obligations on Saturdays, I only hunted three days of the 2020/2021 deer season. Having Sunday available would have at least doubled my opportunities to enjoy my passion and would provide more opportunity to pass that on to my sons. Teaching them to harvest meat from the land around them is important to me and many others in this state. While I understand there is concern for the safety of others who want to enjoy the outdoors, the day of the week doesn’t change that concern for us. As hunters, safety is the number one thing in our minds when we go out. We’re taught in mandatory hunter’s safety courses to identify targets and what is beyond that target before taking a shot. There is no data to support the argument that outdated Blue Laws banning Sunday hunting provides any additional safety for the public. The vast majority of states in this country allow hunting on public lands on Sundays, and they do not have reports of additional incidents involving hunting. As stated before, hunting and fishing licenses provide much of the funding for public lands and wildlife in the state. The ban on Sunday hunting impedes on the recruitment and retention of hunters which hurts the overall outlook for our land and wildlife. Please consider this bill for the future of Virginia’s outdoor heritage and the impact to our public lands and wildlife.

The Honorable Kenneth Plum Chairman, Agriculture Chesapeake and Natural Resources Pocahontas Building 900 E. Main St, Richmond, Virginia 23219 Dear Chairman Plum; On Behalf of the Backcountry Hunters and Anglers (BHA), the nation’s fastest growing conservation organization, and our 1,500 area members, we write to you in support of HB 1799 to allow hunting on Sunday on public lands. Our members in Virginia and across the country vary in age, are active, politically diverse and come from all walks of life and backgrounds, but we are strongly united in support of public lands and waters. We believe that restrictions on Sunday hunting are an impediment to equitable outdoor access for all Virginians and are damaging to the recruitment and retention of hunters. Access to hunting areas and limited time afield are the reasons most often cited for the decline in hunter participation. Whether or not you are personally a hunter, we all benefit from more hunters in the field through the funding for conservation provided by license sales and taxes on hunting equipment. Virginia is missing out on increased economic activity, outdoor recreation jobs and economic benefits for our rural communities by hanging on to an antiquated Sunday hunting restriction. Our neighbors in West Virginia and North Carolina have recently moved to expand Sunday hunting on public lands, joining the 39 other states that have no Sunday hunting restrictions. It is time for Virginia to follow suit. There is no better time than now, when interest in outdoor recreation is as high as it has ever been. Whether we go to the National and State Forests, Wildlife Management Areas, National Wildlife Refuges or State Parks to camp, ride horses, hike or to harvest game and feed our families, we are all gaining valuable outdoor experiences that are truly great for our physical and mental well-being. Throughout the hunting seasons all types of outdoor recreation continue on public lands every day of the week without conflict or incident. The truth is that we can all coexist and recreate in the outdoors together. Hunting is safe and does not impede and should not inconvenience any outdoor uses. Meeting all types of people on the trails of our great public lands is an experience to be cherished. Public lands belong to all of us and we should all be equally free to enjoy our outdoor pursuits any day of the week. That is why we are asking you to take a stand for our unique American conservation heritage by supporting HB 1799. We thank the Committee for your consideration. Sincerely, Jeffrey Amell Chair, Capital Region Chapter Backcountry Hunters & Anglers

I would like to write in support of this bill. I am avid outdoorsman and hunter. The tradition of hunting continues to decline in this state and country. Hunting revenue directly impacts our environment and helps to fund Virginia Department of Wild Resources. As it currently stands, I am have no access to private land. As a result, my hunting season is a little more than ten days. It is unfair expectation that hunters that would like to spend more time in the field need to join a hunt club. Hunt clubs can cost upwards of $1,000 a year. How can we foster the next generation of outdoorsman or outdoorswomen when the expectation is to spend thousands of dollars to just gain access? We need to open access up in this state. Opening Sundays to hunting immediately opens the possibility of weekend trips to the mountains for citizen of this state to hunt. A two day trip to a small western town to hunt not only aids their local economy but continues to grow our tradition. A 3-4 hour drive for 12 our access on a Saturday isn't enough to plan a trip around. We need to think long term and remove blue laws that hurt tradition and the funding of our wildlife management.

Hunting should be allowed on public land ! After all it was your idea to allow hunting on Sunday in the frist place !

Just writing to support hunting on all lands in Virginia on Sundays just like our neighbors in West Virginia.

I’m a 25 year old blue collar man, most of the time I work 6 days a week and Sundays are my days off. I love to hunt but I’m limited because I can’t hunt public land on Sunday. I feel that it’s old fair being a sportsman that I can hunt public land, until this year with DWR requiring access permits, hikers and others have enjoined the land while my hunting license and fishing license provided 80% of the funding for upkeep. However even now half the people aren’t going to have a access permit that use the trails or boat launches. It’s only fair to let’s the ones that, for the most part, take care of the land and value the great land we have to offer in Virginia for a sportsman. Please consider these thoughts tomorrow when you address the bill. Thank you for your time, Deven

I am writing to opposed any change to that would open the door further for Sunday hunting on public lands. Presently, park lands are more overcrowded than ever due to the pandemic pushing more people to outdoor recreation. The loss of safe recreation on the State Forests and WMA's on Sunday's would have a large impact on the other facilities in the the state which are already suffering with overcrowding and no parking spaces.

As a person who works full time to provide for my family , weekends are all that I have to hunt. I love hunting public land but by the time I pack several miles in the mountains, hunt half a day , it's time to return to the truck. Sunday hunting would allow me more time to enjoy the mountains and everything encompassed within. My family also depends on the game that I fill our freezer with. So the extra day would serve me well to ensure our freezer is full. Thank you for giving Virginians the opportunity to weigh in on this matter and I do hope that our opinions help in making what should be an easy decision.

Please preserve the current ban on Sunday hunting on our public lands. Our public lands belong to everyone in our Commonwealth, and it's proper and fitting to keep one day each week in which EVERYONE in our Commonwealth can experience our public lands without the noise, stress, and risk of injury or death from hunting. Sincerely, Allen Muchnick Manassas VA

I rely on public land for all of my hiking, camping, fishing, and hunting. My greatest challenge to weekend hunting is access to hunting areas. The current restrictions on Sunday hunting are an impediment to my ability to hunt and deny me equitable outdoor access. Sunday's are a prime day for me to go hunting and I can't. Expanding Sunday hunting to include public lands statewide would create additional opportunities for me and other hunters to participate during the hunting seasons and bolster both state and local economies.

please consider all of the deer killed by cars and the amount of damage caused by deer including crop damage, the population needs to be brought down. hunting is more humane than a car

I am in support of expanding hunting opportunities in Virginia by allowing Sunday hunting on public lands allowing access to public land by those who fund the land. I encourage your support of HB1799-Edmunds. Thank you.

Any child who participates in other school programs such as fall sports in most cases cannot hunt on Saturdays due to these important commitments so in short not hunt at all. When Sundays are eliminated the only choice is hard to find private land.

HB1799 should be passed to allow hunters to hunt public land on Sundays. I understand and respect those opposed to this based on religious beliefs, but just as it is a choice to attend worship services - it should also be a choice to hunt public land on Sundays. The fact that it is not currently allowed is somewhat puzzling. In a way, the current law is separating the "have's and have not's". It should be all or nothing. While I am personally in favor of Sunday hunting for a variety of reasons, I believe that the same set of laws should apply equally - even if that meant no Sunday hunting at all - as long as it is the same for both public and private property. With that being said, I support Sunday hunting for all, not just those that are fortunate enough to own (or have permission to hunt) private property. Also, there are workers all across the state that only have limited time to hunt due to time off or work schedules. Sunday hunting on public lands would also give those people a few additional days to hunt. Additionally, this same logic should be applied to hunting regulations in regards to private and public lands. While this is not a part of HB1799, it is hard to believe that public land and private land in the same counties have different deer regulations in regards to what sex the animal must be in order to be harvested. Craig County would be a good example for deer during muzzleloader and general firearms season - either sex may be taken on private property on any day while you can only harvest antlered deer on public lands, with the exception of a small number of either sex hunting days. I believe discrepancies in regulations such as this, in addition to Sunday hunting on public lands should be addressed and changed immediately. Thank you for your time and serious consideration of these changes.

I would like to say I support this bill. It give public land hunter the same opportunity as one's who hunt private

I would like to first start by thanking everyone for taking the time to read this statement. I have hunted in the mountains of Virginia my whole life except on Sunday. I have an 8 year old and a 4 year old that love the outdoors we hike and camp and bike ride just like other outdoor enthusiasts. The sportsmen and women who hunt are the only group left out when it comes to accessing public lands on Sunday. We pay for a lot of maintenance of these lands through or National Forest permit we purchase each year which by the way hunters and fishermen are the only people that have to have it to use these lands. Please don’t exclude us any more from enjoying these lands on Sunday. With busy schedules sometimes Sunday is the only day I can take my kids hunting and since I don’t have private property to hunt they get excluded from this activity in which we love. So please consider allowing us to hunt on Sunday on public lands. Thank you Jason Warf

Mr. Edmunds Will this include Dept of Defense lands i.e. AP Hill, Belvoir, Quantico, Pickett? These lands were left out of the last bill and this would be a perfect time to include them. They could also be given the power to accept or decline if they do wish. Thank you!

Not necesssary to have Sunday Hunting. We have 1 day of peace as landowners to enjoy the outdoors. Please vote this down. Hunt Clubs are an issue for private landowners six days a week, piling on another day is un-necessary and very disturbing.

Please do not allow hunting on Sundays. It is important for those of us who don't want to be shot to have at least one day to safely visit wilderness areas of our beautiful commonwealth. Thnak you for taking time to read my comment

Please vote to support Sunday hunting on public land. Just as when it was approved for private land, it will give folks that work 6 days a week a chance to hunt public land on possibly their only day off. Western Counties this would only be up to 6 Sundays; most counties it would be 4, when including muzzleloader season and general firearms season. Eastern county public access would allow 8 additional days. Public land access should be able to be enjoyed by all, and these few additional weekends should be available to Va public land sportsmen and women.

I urge the committee to approve Bill 1799. It is imperative that sportsmen and women who utilize public lands for hunting be able to access and hunt Virginia Public Lands on Sundays.

I am a Virginia hunter. I frequently use public land to hunt. I do NOT want to see Sunday hunting expanded to public land.

As a lifelong Virginian and a young hunter, I believe that Virginia public lands should be available to hunt on Sundays. Retention and recruitment of new hunters is a crucial component of Virginia's conservation strategy and the success of DWR. More time hunting means more hunters and more hunters means more dollars for DWR to work with each fiscal year. Conservation thrives when more people are bought into hunting and fishing.

Thank you taking the time to review my comments. I’ve been a VA hunter for nearly 40 years. I’m a father of 4 and very much love the many outdoor opportunities our state has to offer. At the same time I need to point out that the amount of money paid in from my family and many similar families across the state in the form of hunting / fishing licenses, state forest permits, quota hunt applications, etc. is significant. I have no problem with the costs. However, as a hunter I would enjoy having access to the lands 7 days a week like the other user groups in VA are already enjoying. Some may be concerned with safety with mixed user groups. I hunt many WMA’s within VA and scout frequently on Sundays, rarely have I encountered other user groups. When I have we have used the lands safely and successfully together. Virginia also requires a thorough hunter education course for all new hunters and youth hunters 12 and over. The course is very valuable and puts an extreme focus on safety. It’s worth mentioning that according to The National Shooting Sports Foundation, hunting results in fewer injuries per 100,000 participants than many sports, including cycling, bowling, golf and tennis. I am also a proud DOD employee at Norfolk Naval Shipyard. I’m certain that the committee and all the working class folks out there can can relate to busy work weeks. Our primary time off (weekends) is extremely valuable to our health and mental well being. Currently, half of that weekend (Sunday) a VA hunter is unable to hunt unless they have access to private property. With the cost of land leases and hunt club memberships at all time highs many Virginians simply cannot justify the expense to gain private land access. They rely on public land access. Lack of access is one of the main reasons many quit purchasing licenses. Opening Sundays to hunting on public land would allow thousands of working class VA hunters and their families more time in the field to enjoy their passions and make memories. Please consider correcting this outdated restriction. Respectfully, Nathaniel Whelan 757-714-3572 HuntVA

Virginia Bicycling Federation has consistently opposed this bill on the grounds that non-hunters should have one day a week to use public lands without the added potential danger of gunfire. Our public lands should be accessible to all ages (such as the very young), abilities, races, and backgrounds. People of color routinely report feeling excluded from outdoor activities, and removing the one day a week that outdoor users are free from worry of crossfire or worse sets them back. Veterans, victims of violence, and those suffering from post traumatic stress disorder, among many other health issues, should have an opportunity to avoid the invoking sound of gunfire as they enjoy the peace of the Virginia outdoors as many of us would choose to. This position is not anti-gun, anti-hunting, nor partisan. Let's continue to have public lands accessible to all.

Please pass this! It’s not fair to hunters to be the only ones not be able to use public land on Sunday. You can kill a fish on Sunday why is that any different then a mammal? It’s terrible to be working 5 or 6 days a week and not be able to do what we love. Hunting national forest that’s completely different experience than private. I would love to be able to camp and hunt on the weekends. It especially sucks for the out of state hunters they get off work Friday night, drive, hunt 1 day and have to drive back because you can’t hunt because of a 100 year old way of thinking. Now especially with COVID we can watch our local church service in the woods. There’s no argument for not passing this bill.

Opening publicly managed lands to hunting on Sunday will provide an opportunity to further manage the game populations in Virginia, increase hunter recruitment, retention, and reactivation in correlation to DWR objectives, provide an equal access to lands by hunters (who are the only group barred from legal pursuits on these lands), and do so safely. There is no evidence from the more than 30 states that allow hunting on Sunday that any increased risk will arise to hunters or other users of these lands on Sunday. The increased access and opportunity to hunt Sunday’s in Virginia will, as evidenced by financial analysis by the State, increase revenue to the Commonwealth and small businesses in rural communities. With all the above said, there is no rational basis nor any game management or public safety rationale to continue with the Blue Law prohibition against public land hunting on Sunday in Virginia.

I am a Virginia native and a lifelong hunter. As I do not own land of my own suitable for hunting, and I do not have access to any other private property for hunting, I avail myself of Virginia's many Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) each year to hunt a variety of game species. As a public-land hunter, current law prohibits me from hunting on WMAs and other public lands on Sundays. Given my busy work schedule (I am an attorney specializing in civil litigation), I generally have no time available during the week for hunting and I am largely confined to weekends. The upshot of Virginia's prohibition on Sunday public-land hunting is that each year I am deprived of 1/7 of the value of my hunting license compared to hunters who enjoy access to private property. Put another way, I pay 1/7 more per-day for my hunting license than do hunters with access to private land. I am also effectively deprived of 50% of my available time for hunting, while private land hunters are not. That hardly amounts equal protection of the law, as there is no rational basis for charging hunters limited to public property more per diem for their licenses than the amount charged to hunters having access to private property - hunters who may also access WMAs. As access to private property for hunting shrinks each year the number of public-land hunters relative to the total hunting population increases. At the same time, the total number of hunters shrinks each year, a phenomenon driven in part by a decline in places to hunt and in the time available for hunting. Prohibiting Sunday hunting on public land exacerbates this problem, contributing to the overall, continuing decline in the number of hunters. That decline should gravely concern everyone who values conservation in Virginia. Hunters and anglers provide the bulk of conservation funding through revenues generated by hunting and fishing license sales and excise taxes paid on sales of hunting and fishing equipment, firearms, and ammunition. Many hunters (myself included) also voluntarily join conservation organizations such as the Virginia Deer Hunters' Association, the Boone and Crockett Club, Safari Club International, or Ducks Unlimited (to name a few), all of which contribute considerable money, time, and human capital toward preserving and protecting wild species of all kinds (not just game species) and their habitats. If the number of hunters continues to decline, the funding needed for conservation necessarily declines, as well. And such a decline in funding should alarm everyone, hunters and nonhunters alike. The single greatest threat to all wild species, worldwide, is habitat loss. We see this fact demonstrated daily in Virginia as suburbs encroach upon forests and agricultural land, driving wild species out. The investments made by hunters - particularly public-land hunters - in habitat preservation provide the greatest bulwark we have against a total, inexorable elimination of wild habitat. I would add I respect religious objections to Sunday hunting - I consider myself a faithful, observant Catholic, and I attend Sunday Mass weekly. That said, no one will force anyone to hunt on Sunday if they do not wish to do so. But the opportunity to hunt on Sunday should not be kept from a hunter merely because the only property to which he or she has access is public land. For those of us who would like to go hunting on a Sunday, public lands should be open and available.

Members of the Committee: I would respectfully ask you to oppose HB1799 - Sunday Hunting During season, hunters have six days per week to practice their sport, despite the fact that the number of hunters has been steadily decreasing both in Virginia and nationally. The rest of our citizens who appreciate the great outdoors - bikers, hikers, birders, equestrians, fisherman, ATV users, etc. is steadily increasing. Park attendance is booming. (See: http://bit.ly/parkvisitors ) We appreciate the fact that ONE DAY OF THE WEEK - SUNDAY we can go outdoors and not need to worry about being annoyed by the sound of gunshots or worse yet - being hit by a stray bullet. Hyperbole? Not at all. (See: http://bit.ly/cyclistshotbyhunter) As the number of outdoor users has increased with Covid lockdown, I think the timing of this legislation couldn't be worse. As we see increases in obesity, heart disease, diabetes, etc. the Commonwealth should do everything in its power to get people off the couch and exercising. The great outdoors is one of the best ways to accomplish this. Our citizens deserve one day per week to safely enjoy their favorite outdoor activities in peace, solitude and safety. I hope you will choose to lay the bill on the table. Respectfully, Champe Burnley Richmond

As your constituent and a proud hunter, I am emailing you to encourage you to support Delegate Edmunds and Delegate Willett's HB1799, legislation that will repeal the ban on Sunday hunting on Virginia's public lands. In 2014, then-Governor McAuliffe signed into law legislation that repealed the ban on Sunday hunting on private lands. Since then, sportsmen and women across the Commonwealth have urged lawmakers to repeal the ban limiting hunting access on public lands. In Virginia, the vast majority of the funding for the Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) comes from hunting and fishing license sales and federal excises taxes placed on hunting and fishing equipment. Despite helping pay for the majority of the funding for the agency that purchases and maintains these public lands for all to enjoy, hunters are currently the only user group prohibited from using them 7 days a week. Dozens of others states, including states neighboring Virginia, currently allow hunting on both private and public lands 7 days a week - leaving Virginia stuck in the past with antiquated blue laws that aren't based on wildlife management or science to justify their closures. Allowing citizens of the Commonwealth, particularly hunters, another day to access public lands will encourage more participation, and in turn, generate more funding for conservation through the DWR. This same legislation received bipartisan support in committee last year before ultimately being voted down. The time has come to allow for equal access and opportunity for all across the Commonwealth. Please support HB1799.

The National Deer Association (NDA) fully supports Sunday hunting nation-wide, including the repeal of Sunday hunting prohibitions where applicable. Virginia is one of just 11 states that currently have bans on Sunday hunting. These prohibitions are remnants of the historical “Blue Laws” which were designed to regulate morality on the Sabbath. There are no adverse biological effects of hunting on Sunday. Studies indicate that hunters will take advantage of Sunday hunting opportunities, if legal. The NDA believes that allowing Sunday hunting will help provide economic benefit to rural communities, help with hunter recruitment and retention, and provide hunters more opportunities to help state agencies reach their harvest objectives. On behalf of our Virginia members, we ask that you vote YEA on HB 1799.

I support this bill. Please vote "yes."

On behalf of Scenic Virginia's numerous supporters across our beautiful Commonwealth, we respectfully ask Committee members to support this bill to designate the Lower Rappahannock as a Virginia Scenic River. This designation process starts at the local level and does not advance without it. Savvy localities use their Virginia Scenic River designations to enhance tourism, promote economic development opportunities, and increase civic pride. We thank you for your consideration of this bill.

The Rappahannock River is truly a scenic waterway and one of Virginia's great rivers. Make it official. Make this 79 mile stretch part of the Virginia Scenic River System.

I am writing to voice my support of this bill. This bill will add a 79 mile portion of the Rappahannock River as a State Scenic River. Currently the Rappahannock River is already designated as a State Scenic River from its headwaters to the Ferry Farm Bridge in Fredericksburg. This new section will continue the river's scenic designation from Fredericksburg/Stafford down to the Richmond/Lancaster and Essex/Middlesex county lines. As an avid recreational user of the Rappahannock I believe this bill is important to the preservation and protection of this important natural resource. V/r, Shane Riordan 22401

Virginia Conservation Network (VCN) and its 150 Partner organizations across the commonwealth SUPPORT: - HB1819 from Delegate Cole (http://www.vcnva.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/HB1819-Rappahannock-River.pdf) and - HB1928 from Delegate Aird. (http://www.vcnva.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/HB1928-broaden-historic-easements.pdf) It is our sincere hope that members of the committee will vote in support these pieces of legislation.

The Piedmont Environmental Council supports HB 1819. This legislation, which would designate an additional 79 miles of the Rappahannock River as state scenic, has strong local support and is in-keeping with Department of Conservation and Recreation studies that found this section of the Rappahannock River qualifies for scenic designation.

I strongly support this bill to designate a 79-mile portion of the Rappahannock River as a State Scenic River. Anyone who has been to Caledon State Park and seen the eagles fly over the river knows why the 79 miles downstream from the Ferry Farm Bridge in Fredericksburg needs to be added to the Scenic River designation. Thank you, Delegate Cole, for supporting this bill.

I strongly support HB1819 to designate 79 miles of the Lower Rappahannock River as a State Scenic River. This designation would draw attention to the central role that the Rappahannock plays in our region's quality of life and enhance its economic value. Thousands of Virginians and tourists from out of state take advantage of its recreational opportunities, and this designation would likely attract more visitors interested in fishing, boating, and sightseeing who would create more business for the Lower Rappahannock River's communities. Additionally, it would also most likely add to the value of properties along that section of the Rappahannock. By making the river an even more valuable asset to the region, this bill would also facilitate the long-term protection of the Rappahannock and help preserve it for future generations.

I am very much in support of the intend of this bill, and believe it is critical for our region to expand the Rappahannock Scenic Designation. This is very important as it will add a 79 mile portion of the Rappahannock River as a State Scenic River. This new section will continue the river's scenic designation from Fredericksburg/Stafford down to the Richmond/Lancaster and Essex/Middlesex county lines.

Please support this bill. The Rappahannock is a cultural and natural treasure. The river played a major role in the development of our nation. Not to mention, one of our greatest leaders, George Washington, grew up on it’s banks. As development in the region continues the health of the Rappahannock River is threatened. The scenic designation would help protect the river. It is also supports a strong fishing industry not only in the Rappahannock but also in the Chesapeake bay.

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on HB 1819. Friends of the Rappahannock SUPPORTS this legislation. This bill will extend Virginia Scenic River Designation for the Rappahannock River from the Route 3 Ferry Farm Bridge in Fredericksburg to the Richmond/Lancaster and Essex/Middlesex County lines. Spotsylvania, Stafford, Caroline, King George, Westmoreland, and Essex Counties, and the City of Fredericksburg have all passed the required resolutions of support for the bill. This bill has bipartisan support amongst its patrons and copatrons. If successful this bill would make the Rappahannock River the longest designated state scenic river portion in VA with 165 river miles. Thank you for your consideration of this bill and we hope you will support it.

I support all the proposals that I have checked. Please continue to protect our fishing waters. Robert KIlmer

Please make this happen! We are so fortunate to have this beautiful river. Let’s do all we can to protect it for future generations!

As a citizen who lives in the state and on the Rappahannock river and has seen the impact of poor stewardship, I ask that the General Assembly support these bills.

Rappahannock River is a generational legacy and I support expanding a 79-mile portion as a component of Virginia Scenic River Systems. The river provides for work and much recreation for our citizens.

Please preserve this beautiful river. It is a huge asset for recreation and tourism. It contributes to quality of life and draws businesses to this area.

As a waterfront property owner, we have been enjoying the beautiful views of the Rappahannock river, in the summer for over 4 decades. So has our many neighbors. Sunrises are awesome. Please designate the entire river "Scenic".

I love the Rappahannock and I want it to be protected. I’m hopeful that in the future, caring for our environment will be a top priority, given that it provides everything we need to survive and thrive.

I strongly support HB 1819, designating 79 miles of the Lower Rappahannock River as a State Scenic river. It is important to preserve this pristine environment not only as a natural habitat for wildlife of all sorts, but also as a soul-restoring resource for this and future generations.

I am writing in support of Scenic River designation for the remaining mileage of the Rappahannock River. The Tidal Rappahannock represents more than just an ecological treasure. Those 79 miles represent the unique history of our area and provide some views largely unchanged In over 400 years. The Rappahannock River truly is a Scenic River in its entirety, and the prestigious designation as such will help highlight its attributes far and wide.

As an avid Naturalist, I strongly urge the continuation of of adding more miles of Virginia rivers to the Scenic Rivers System. This is highly important not only to wildlife but to our States citizens. Thank you.

Sunday hunting should be allowed on public lands! So many times after church, I want to take my kids out and enjoy small game hunting, but I am unable to because I do not own private land. Deer hunting public land should be allowed on Sunday’s as well because not everyone has the luxury to hunt private land. The working class has to work 6 days a week at times, and that makes for a very short hunting season! Support the youth, support the public land hunters, and open Sunday hunting on public lands!

I am an owner of Virginia Outdoor Center (VOC). VOC provides river trips by canoe, kayak, tube and stand up paddle board. I fell in love with the Rappahannock River as a young teenager in the 1950's. George Brumble, one of my Scout leaders was an avid canoeist who taught canoe classes and the canoeing merit badge to many area scouts. Because of my early wonderful experiences on the Rappahannock I have spent the last 50 years supporting non-profits, area scout troops, churches, schools, and events to raise awareness and money to protect the river. Virginia Scenic River Designation of the lower Rappahannock will be one of the most important lasting gifts we can bestow on this river. Thank you to everyone who now and in the past have worked tirelessly for the protection of the river.

I am writing to support passage of HB 1902 banning polystyrene and HB1819 designating a portion fo the Rappahannock River as scenic. HB1902 is critical to enhancing the public and environmental health of the citizens of Virginia. Polystyrene never degrades - it just breaks into smaller and smaller pieces, which then are in the environment, causing health issues and despoiling our soil and water. There is no need for polystyrene as there are plenty of cost-effective alternatives. You can see more information on alternatives at this link: https://documents-takomapark.s3.amazonaws.com/public-works/polystyrene-ban/PW-20150624-cost-analysis-hand-out.pdf. I am asking you to move this bill out of committee and to vote in favor of it. HB1819 is a small step in the right direction of preserving our natural resources here in the Commonwealth. Some portions of the Rappahannock River are already designated scenic, and adding this section would help enhance the health of the entire river while bringing enjoyment to everyone, tourists and residents alike. Our rivers are valuable resources. Let's preserve them. I am asking that you support passage of this bill. With thanks, Leanne

Its time we consider moving away from Esoteric conservation models. Please consider removing the restriction on Sunday hunting public lands. There have been reports in prior years showing the positive economic impacts. DWR offices are still working weekends even if people are not hunting public lands.

Hunting should be allowed on public land ! After all it was your idea to allow hunting on Sunday in the frist place !

Thank you, Delegate J.G. Cole, for your support of HB1819 designating 79 miles of the Rappahannock River as a component of the Virginia Scenic River System.  Virginia has a growing outdoor recreational economy and the Rappahannock River provides Virginia residents and tourists an opportunity to enjoy paddling, fishing, and endless hiking opportunities along its banks.  As the owner of River Rock Outfitter, a retail and livery provider in Fredericksburg, Virginia, I expect positive outcomes for my business and those I service because of this prestigious designation.  We anticipate that there will be increased media exposure surrounding the designation as well as promotion by businesses like mine who will celebrate the newly acquired status.  We look forward to highlighting the many attributes of the Rappahannock River including its free-flowing and widely maintained natural state, available access points, and water quality.  All important attributes of a designated Virginia Scenic River System.  Public recognition will likely increase the river’s worth and attractiveness to visitors further establishing Virginia, and particularly the areas surrounding this portion of the Rappahannock River, as an outdoor recreational center.  We look forward to supporting these visitors with the gear and provisions they need to have fun and recreate responsibly on the beautiful Rappahannock River.  The Rappahannock River is a state treasure and all those who have worked hard to preserve and care for it are deserving of this designation. 

As a citizen who lives in the state and on the Rappahannock river and has seen the impact of poor stewardship, I ask that the General Assembly support these bills.

Sunday hunting should be allowed on public lands! So many times after church, I want to take my kids out and enjoy small game hunting, but I am unable to because I do not own private land. Deer hunting public land should be allowed on Sunday’s as well because not everyone has the luxury to hunt private land. The working class has to work 6 days a week at times, and that makes for a very short hunting season! Support the youth, support the public land hunters, and open Sunday hunting on public lands!

Its time we consider moving away from Esoteric conservation models. Please consider removing the restriction on Sunday hunting public lands. There have been reports in prior years showing the positive economic impacts. DWR offices are still working weekends even if people are not hunting public lands.

Hunting should be allowed on public land ! After all it was your idea to allow hunting on Sunday in the frist place !

Dear Chairman Plumb and Members of the Committee : I am writing you on behalf of the Virginia Transportation Construction Alliance (VTCA). Our Alliance represents the Transportation Construction Industry in Virginia. One of our membership segments is the Aggregate Producers in Virginia. Our Aggregate Producers Members represent over 90% of all the metal/nonmetal mineral production in the Commonwealth and falls under the jurisdiction of the Depart. of Mines, Mineral and Energy. We support HB 1855: Changes to the Dept. of Mines, Minerals and Energy to the Department of Energy. The Aggregate Producer Members of VTCA have no issues or concerns with this proposed legislation as written. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or need further information. Gordon Dixon Executive Vice President VTCA

Sunday hunting should be allowed on public lands! So many times after church, I want to take my kids out and enjoy small game hunting, but I am unable to because I do not own private land. Deer hunting public land should be allowed on Sunday’s as well because not everyone has the luxury to hunt private land. The working class has to work 6 days a week at times, and that makes for a very short hunting season! Support the youth, support the public land hunters, and open Sunday hunting on public lands!

Its time we consider moving away from Esoteric conservation models. Please consider removing the restriction on Sunday hunting public lands. There have been reports in prior years showing the positive economic impacts. DWR offices are still working weekends even if people are not hunting public lands.

Hunting should be allowed on public land ! After all it was your idea to allow hunting on Sunday in the frist place !

I support the phasing out of polystyrene packaging, it is bad for the environment and we need to look alternative packaging that can more easily be recycled.

I strongly support passage of HB1799 allowing hunting on Public Lands on Sunday for several reasons. The number of hunters in Virginia continues to decline rapidly largely due to limited opportunities to hunt on non-private lands. This effects the take rates in both deer and waterfowl which is leading to continued growth of populations beyond the carrying capacity. Lack of adequate hunting pressure and increasing populations are also inflicting serious damage to forest regrowth and proliferation of invasive exotics. We must STEWARD our natural resources with better hunters (not automobiles) across all landscapes both public and private.

Please support HB 1902 (Carr) and please support HB 2074 (Simonds) Thank you kindly, --Tyla Matteson, Chesterfield County

I strongly support HB1902 and expanding the restrictions on the use of polystyrene containers. Life cycle assessment of polystyrene has categorically demonstrated their toxic and long-term impacts on our aquatic and marine environments. There are numerous biodegradable alternatives available that will not pollute and clutter Virginia and our waterways and the Chesapeake Bay. This bill would take a big step toward cleaning up our environment at a minimal cost that is worth every penny to consumers. Let's make these prohibitions extensive and permanent.

I strongly SUPPORT this bill outlawing the use of polystyrene containers by food vendors. It does a good balance of employing penalties while also giving non-profit organizations the right to appeal.

I strongly support HB1902. While I recognize compostable carry-out containers are seen as more expensive and small restaurants are already hurting, the damage polystyrene does to our environment is too large to ignore and we cannot save money in the short run at the expense of our long term health and well-being. Plus, there can be economical alternatives!! The chemical industry has argued that recycling is the solution to their harmful products, but the New York City Department of Sanitation recently determined that EPS foam food containers cannot be recycled in a manner that is economically feasible or environmentally effective for New York City. Please support this bill and help us combat the global crisis of plastic pollution!

Friends of Accotink Creek support HB 1902, the ban on expanded polystyrene food and drink containers. 1)EPS containers can leach harmful chemicals into food and drinks: EPS contains styrene, a lab animal carcinogen and possible human carcinogen and neurotoxin. Styrene can migrate from polystyrene containers into food and drink when heated, or in contact with fatty or acidic foods. Low-income communities often lack access to grocery stores and are forced to rely on fast food options, which are often stored in EPS containers. 2) The EPS manufacturing process can harm the health of factory workers: Workers are exposed to many toxic chemicals including Styrene, Toluene, Xylene, Acetone, Methyl Chloride, and Methyl Ketone. 3) The EPS manufacturing process pollutes the air: All blowing agents currently used in EPS manufacture pose dangers to the environment. The CFCs damage the ozone layer. The blowing agent pentane creates earth-level smog and has already been restricted in some regions for air quality reasons. 4) EPS is too expensive to recycle: The NY City Dept of Sanitation recently determined that that it is not economically viable to recycle EPS foam food containers. 5) EPS is not biodegradable, it litters our parks and streams: Polystyrene containers break into smaller pieces, creating trash that is harder to collect and remove. After the CA cities of Santa Cruz and Pacific Grove banned EPS foam food containers, EPS litter on local beaches decreased up to 71%. EPS containers are bad news, the sooner they are banned the better. Thank you, Delegate Carr, for introducing this bill.

Friends of Accotink Creek support HB 1902, the ban on expanded polystyrene food and drink containers. 1)EPS containers can leach harmful chemicals into food and drinks: EPS contains styrene, a lab animal carcinogen and possible human carcinogen and neurotoxin. Styrene can migrate from polystyrene containers into food and drink when heated, or in contact with fatty or acidic foods. Low-income communities often lack access to grocery stores and are forced to rely on fast food options, which are often stored in EPS containers. 2) The EPS manufacturing process can harm the health of factory workers: Workers are exposed to many toxic chemicals including Styrene, Toluene, Xylene, Acetone, Methyl Chloride, and Methyl Ketone. 3) The EPS manufacturing process pollutes the air: All blowing agents currently used in EPS manufacture pose dangers to the environment. The CFCs damage the ozone layer. The blowing agent pentane creates earth-level smog and has already been restricted in some regions for air quality reasons. 4) EPS is too expensive to recycle: The NY City Dept of Sanitation recently determined that that it is not economically viable to recycle EPS foam food containers. 5) EPS is not biodegradable, it litters our parks and streams: Polystyrene containers break into smaller pieces, creating trash that is harder to collect and remove. After the CA cities of Santa Cruz and Pacific Grove banned EPS foam food containers, EPS litter on local beaches decreased up to 71%. EPS containers are bad news, the sooner they are banned the better. Thank you, Delegate Carr, for introducing this bill.

Please support this bill to ban styrofoam. I regularly pick up styrofoam carry out containers and cups while picking up litter in northern Virginia. It's nearly impossible to pick up off the ground or remove from the water after it has broken into microtrash. Beyond the threat of ingestion by wildlife and pollution to waterways, styrofoam is dangerous to human health. This ban will bring us a step closer to solving the plastic pollution problem we face in Virginia.

GET RID OF ANY/all polystyrene containers. No good for the environment on the production OR usage of said items. NEONICOTINOIDS are killing pollinators by the billions. STOP USAGE OF ALL NEONICOTINOIDS, period!! Senior citizens have been paying exorbitant fees/taxes in VB; the very least you can do is let us park for free. Nit only in parks, but all public parking facilities in Va. Beach!! BALLOONS KILL ANIMALS. Intentional balloon release is ridiculous, and should not be allowed. Proven to kill hundreds (if not thousands) of animals/sea life per year. Production of balloon is poison to our ecosystem; release of them is folly and unnecessary. They take WAYYYY TOO LONG TO DECOMPOSE. They pollute waterways and forests. Outlaw the release of ANY balloons.

The amount of this material that ends up in our natural spaces is astonishing and destructive. I spend a lot of time cleaning up polystyrene when I am out walking. While I don't mind doing it, I would much rather be enjoying nature. The amount of this material that also gets dumped into landfills is also extraordinary. I am hoping that the General Assembly will address this topic this term.

As a citizen who lives in the state and on the Rappahannock river and has seen the impact of poor stewardship, I ask that the General Assembly support these bills.

Polystyrene food service containers wind up at trash too often. There are compostable alternatives available. Companies need to incentivised to use these. I very much support this bill.

I support this bill. Several of the food vendors we use have already switched to compostable containers that have the same qualities as the polystyrene containers but can be composted instead of landfilled. The existing polystyrene containers for too often end up as trash in our rivers and steams.

I am writing in support of HB1902. There is no reason to continue allowing the use of dangerous and unsightly expanded polystyrene food service containers. These containers can be found along almost every roadway and waterway in Virginia. Residents may be responsibly placing spent styrofoam into the trash cans, but they are the first to blow out of waste receptacles when they are tipped into collection vehicles. Provide incentives and assistance for restaurants that need to transition to alternative containers but please do give localities the power to ban them!

I walk the W&OD trails on a regular basis and see all kinds of trash in Four Mile Run. Tons of non-biodegradable trash is in our woods and waterways. The longer we wait to do something the greater the problem will be - let's do this now. Thank you.

On behalf of the PW Chamber's 1200+ members, we oppose this legislation because of the financial burden it will place on an industry already hurting during the pandemic. Restaurants and other like establishments have largely transitioned to carry-out options in order to stay open, by banning these food containers we are placing an increased financial burden on these businesses. We urge you to oppose the bill.

What took so long? There are more European and Asian countries than there are states that have laws governing use of polystyrene food service containers! I wish that this action had been proposed many years ago. Yes, I do supports HB1902 and with any luck will become law ASAP!

As a 16 year old high school sophomore who understands that time is of the essence in taking steps to improve and protect the environment, I wholeheartedly support HB 1902. Anyone who has spent time working to clean up the Commonwealth’s parks, streams, rivers, and byways, as I have, is well aware of the fact that polystyrene is dangerous. Of course, it does not break down, as pointed out by so many, but it does splinter into large, small, and microscopic fragments that clearly are finding their way into waterways and wildlife. Polystyrene is a danger to the health of the Chesapeake Bay, for which I am an advocate, and it is a danger for humans. According to the World Health Organization, styrene, and polystyrene are probable carcinogens. Those in the restaurant industry would be well-served to avoid these foam containers, especially if they are used for hot food. Even from a convenience perspective, these containers are bulky to place and store in refrigerators. In reading these comments, I am completely mindful of the incredible toll that the pandemic has had upon the restaurant industry, and I sympathize; however, the bill can contemplate an easing-in of legislation and hardship allowances. I suggest that restaurants that begin immediately switching to alternatives to polystyrene food service containers post this decision on restaurant or outlet doors to advise their customers of this worthy effort. As a consumer, I would applaud an environmentally conscious establishment, and I believe that others would follow suit. I do not wish to wait two years before I can vote to prevent continued damage to the environment in our beautiful Commonwealth. HB 1902 prospectively protects the world that my generation will inherit.

This bill would be deeply detrimental to small business in the food service industry which, during the Coronavirus pandemic more than ever, rely on take out orders to keep their customers satisfied and their employees on jobs. Even after the official pandemic is over, consumers expectations will have been shifted permanently and this legislation would be devastating to family run business which are often limited in their ability to change their procedures quickly. I am a small business owner but I am not in the food service industry. This bill would not directly affect my business. But I stand opposed to it because of the negative impact that it would have on the other small business owners in my community.

I strongly support restrictions on polystyrene containers. There are numerous biodegradable alternatives available which will not pollute and clutter Virginia, as well as our waterways and the Chesapeake Bay. This bill would take a big step toward cleaning up our environment at very little cost.

Good evening! My name is Emily Reynolds and I am the Executive Director of Governmental Affairs at the Hampton Roads Chamber. On behalf of our members, we respectively ask that you oppose HB1902. There are a few reasons we have concerns with this bill: • The hardships it will cause small businesses, particularly our restaurants • The higher costs and inconvenience imposed on individuals and families across Virginia • But for another very important reason -- because it sends a discouraging and unwelcoming message to advanced recycling and manufacturing businesses who provide a market-based solution to reducing plastic waste. Virginia has welcomed Braven Environmental to Virginia which processes waste plastics. There are as many as 6 other companies that process plastics that could relocate to Virginia. We would like to focus in a positive way to recruit this new technology not just for the environment but also for economic development and job creation. We want to try to grow jobs and have a market-based approach to plastics. Passing this bill today to start in 2023 and be complete by 2025, sends a negative message to recycling manufacturers. If this were to be referred to the Plastics Prevention Advisory Council, it could come back in a year or two OR we may not need a bill like this due to these manufacturing facilities being welcomed and successfully eliminating waste for the environment. We understand that this bill has been tailored to remove this burden from non-profit organizations and certain other uses and that the effective dates are 2023 and 2025. However, passing this bill now with delayed effective dates will send an unwelcoming signal to a market-based solution which is beneficial to Virginia and needs to be encouraged to locate here. We believe the better choice is to support the recruitment of this technology and these businesses to Virginia. Thank you for your time.

I maintain about 2 miles of the Potomac Heritage Trail. I clear brush and blow downs, clear water channels and otherwise keep the trail safe and navigable. But the thing i spend most of my time doing is picking up trash and the vast majority of that is polystyrene containers. Please do pass laws to restrict the use of polystyrene containers.

I am a Trail Maintainer with the PATC. A good 25% of the garbage that I pick up in my weekly trash collection hike along the Potomac Heritage Trail (parallels the Potomac just outside DC) is polystyrene. A good amount of that floats down from points up river. The Potomac, being tidal, deposits a lot of it on the shore, but I am certain that most of it floats on down to the Chesapeake. Taking polystyrene out of the trash "stream" would make a significant dent in the garbage that is inflicted upon our environment.

Amid these times of pandemic and political turmoil in the days before inaugurating Joseph Biden as President, I wish to urge you to vote for the future of this State. Every opportunity you have to protect the environment and prevent dangerous climate change ought to be a clear choice. Today you have the opportunity to eliminate one of the worst plastic pollutants of our planet from the businesses in our State. I know what these expanded polystyrene take-out containers do, and how the plastic accumulates in our environment. Before the pandemic, I spent daily walks down Reston Avenue near Home Depot where I found countless items discarded onto the ground. The little stretch of grass includes a drain that leads to the Potomac River and further to the Chesapeake Bay. Garbage often included Styrofoam cups and packaging. Please take this small step toward a healthier, cleaner community. There are several municipalities in the U.S. that have completely banned these unwanted materials. It cannot happen soon enough here in Virginia. In fact, I believe that Styrofoam ought to be banned completely from use. Yes, the producers ought to be stopped from pouring this contaminant into our product stream, to enter and clog up our waste stream. Yes, we know the recyclers are not prepared or even capable of re-working the material. So, now is the time for you to take this little step, a step towards a clean and healthy Virginia. Thank you for your support, in advance. Patricia Kaiser Reston Virginia

Thank you for the opportunity to submit testimony on behalf of HB 1902, prohibiting the use of expanded polystyrene food service containers in Virginia. Oceana works to advance science-based policies that will restore the ocean’s abundance and biodiversity. We represent Oceana supporters across Virginia, and we stand in strong support of HB 1902 and urge the Virginia General Assembly to pass this important legislation. In Virginia, a healthy Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Ocean support over 86,000 jobs and $4.8 billion in GDP, but plastic pollution is a growing threat to marine ecosystems and the communities dependent on healthy shorelines. Plastic food containers, plastic bags and other throwaway plastics are profoundly flawed by design. Companies are choosing to make something that will be used just once from a material that is created to last forever. In the end, coastal communities and marine life are left to deal with the consequences of this growing global problem. The amount of plastic flooding our seas is staggering. The equivalent of a garbage truck full of plastic is dumped into the oceans every minute. Plastic pollution is everywhere, and that includes Virginia’s coastlines and waterways. According to a 2014 study, microplastics were found in 59 out of 60 water samples from the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. Additionally, plastic debris can affect all types of marine life, from zooplankton to dolphins and sea turtles. Tens of thousands of individual marine animals have been observed to be suffering from entanglement in, or the ingestion of, plastic. Thankfully, states are taking action by passing policies limiting the use of single-use plastic, including expanded polystyrene food service containers like takeaway containers and cups. Just last year, New York banned expanded polystyrene food containers and packing material. Virginia has a chance to follow suit, decrease the amount of plastic waste that enters our waterways and ocean, and protect marine life and coastal communities from plastic waste by passing this bill. We strongly support HB 1902 for limiting the plastic pollution that impacts the Chesapeake Bay, marine life along the Atlantic Coast and communities that depend on a healthy ocean. We thank you for the opportunity to provide comments and urge you to pass this important legislation. Thank you for your time and consideration. Caroline Wood Field Campaigns Manager, Mid-Atlantic Region Oceana

Styrofoam food and beverage containers are a major source of plastic pollution in our state, threatening our wildlife and waterways. Toxic chemicals from Styrofoam, a petrochemical product, can also leach into food and drinks, leading to increased rates of cancer, neurological issues, and depression in people with high exposure. And on top of all this, studies have shown that Styrofoam cannot be recycled in an economically feasible and environmentally responsible way. Styrofoam containers should be banned.

Sunday hunting should be allowed on public lands! So many times after church, I want to take my kids out and enjoy small game hunting, but I am unable to because I do not own private land. Deer hunting public land should be allowed on Sunday’s as well because not everyone has the luxury to hunt private land. The working class has to work 6 days a week at times, and that makes for a very short hunting season! Support the youth, support the public land hunters, and open Sunday hunting on public lands!

The Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce is opposed to HB 1902. The restaurant industry has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic and many such businesses have relied heavily on take-out services to remain open. Please consider the additional cost and burden this legislation will levy on an already struggling industry and oppose this bill.

The Arlington Chamber of Commerce is opposed to HB 1902 relating to the prohibition of expanded polystyrene food service containers. In our experience, many of the food vendors who use polystyrene are small, mom & pop type delis, who are trying their hardest to maintain small profits through reducing costs, and polystyrene often is the lowest-cost container for them. In the spirit of helping these businesses, the Chamber would support incentives to help them reduce the use of polystyrene, but not regulations or prohibitions to reduce their use, and thus we ask you to oppose the bill.

It is the policy of the Virginia Recycling Association (VRA) to encourage efforts that would authorize localities to prohibit or impose a local tax on expanded polystyrene food containers. Expanded polystyrene (EPS), also known as foam polystyrene, is a major source of litter and is a challenge to recycle in traditional municipal recycling programs. When these materials are collected and sent to recycling facilities in Virginia, they are categorized as residue or contamination and disposed at landfills or waste-to-energy facilities. Some customers in Virginia, local municipalities or commercial haulers, are also facing fees or penalties for having these “contaminant” materials in the recycling streams as there are no viable end markets. There is one EPS recycling drop-off in Virginia (Ridgeway, VA), however the company accepts only white, clean, dry, and free of debris EPS with examples such as insulated coolers or protective packaging for electronics, household goods or toys. As such, there are no viable outlets for EPS food containers in the state. According to a study undertaken by the World Economic Forum, 32% of the 78 million tons of plastic packaging produced annually is left to flow into our oceans1. EPS is known to persist in the environment, and it is lightweight and floats. Toxic chemicals also stick to the EPS particles and further break down over time into microplastics. These microplastics and foam particles may be ingested by wildlife causing the polystyrene and toxins to enter the food chain. In regards to human health, styrene, a monomer part of EPS, is “reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen” according to the Department of Health and Human Services National Toxicology Program2. Styrene can enter the food and beverage when heated or made in contact with fatty or acidic foods. Various states have adopted restrictions on single use plastics in the form of bans or fees.

Zandra's has not used Styrofoam containers for quite some time now, we made the business decision to move away from those products over a year ago. However, many restaurant do and the extra cost of up grading to other products is not an easy one to make. I believe this is the wrong time to be putting such a ban in place when many businesses are struggling to keep their doors open. The last thing the restaurant industry needs is more cost especially when they are being forced to survive on carryout and delivery. I think this is an idea that need to be looked at in 2-3 years once the recovery is on it way.

On behalf of the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber's 800+ members and their nearly 35,000 employees, we oppose this legislation. We oppose this legislation due to the the financial burden it will place on an industry already hurting during the pandemic. Restaurants and other like establishments have largely transitioned to carry-out options in order to stay open, by banning these food containers we are placing an increased financial burden on these businesses. We urge you to oppose this bill.

Please ban Styrofoam! There is no reason to use this material for single use products. There are many better products for our environment.

Based on 26 years of statewide data collected by volunteers during litter cleanups, I am writing in support of HB1902 and other efforts to remove expanded polystyrene (EPS) products from Virginia’s waste stream. Alternative products are available, acceptable and affordable. DATA DRIVEN DECISION: Volunteers during the annual International Coastal Cleanup in Virginia (organized by Clean Virginia Waterways of Longwood University) not only remove trash from Virginia’s environment, but they also collect data. Over the past five years, food and beverage-related items account for 54% to 61% of all litter recorded. And 83% of all trash found is made of plastic. In 2019, volunteers reported that 32% of all small pieces of litter (less than 2.5cm) were made of EPS (behind 59% that were made of other plastics). Maryland, New York, Maine and more than 100 municipalities in the US have seen the need to tackle the problem of polystyrene litter by banning its use, and encouraging the use of alternatives that can be recycled or composted. Passing this common-sense bill will give businesses more than enough time (five years) to find creative market-based solutions that use new technologies that will lead to truly biodegradable food packaging options. Relying on recycling is clearly not working to stop the huge amount of plastic trash accumulating along Virginia’s roads, on our beaches, and in our rivers; this is especially true for EPS. Recycling of EPS foodware has proven to be infeasible economically. I can be reached at registerkm@longwood.edu or 434-395-2602 if your committee would like more details on the 26-years of data collected by Virginia’s volunteers about Virginia’s litter problems. Respectfully, Katie Register, Executive Director Clean Virginia Waterways of Longwood University

There are proven alternatives to styrofoam. Styrofoam is one of the worst contributors to pollution both in our landfills and in nature. It doesn’t break down. Paper products are cheaper and if not soiled, recyclable.

I urge you to support the ban on expanded polystyrene food and beverage service containers (HB 1902). EPS foam containers for takeout food and beverages are a major source of plastic pollution in Virginia. Made of styrene, a known hazardous substance linked to various types of cancer, EPS foam is a petrochemical derived product that is a serious concern for human health and wildlife. Toxic chemicals from EPS foam containers can leach into food and drinks and then be ingested, especially when the food or beverage is served hot. People who work in areas with high concentrations of styrene have increased rates of cancer, neurological issues, and depression. For low-income communities and communities of color, this concern is especially acute. Often suffering from insufficient access to grocery stores with affordable and nutritious food, these communities are forced to rely on fast food options, which are often stored in EPS containers. The chemical industry has argued that recycling is the solution to their harmful products, but the New York City Department of Sanitation recently determined that EPS foam food containers cannot be recycled in a manner that is economically feasible or environmentally effective for New York City. Global plastic production is projected to quadruple between 2014 and 2050. In addition--we cannot “recycle” our way out of this problem; we must find solutions to reduce plastic at the source. Eliminating the production and consumption of single-use plastic products is an effective way to reduce plastic pollution and combat this global crisis. After the California cities of Santa Cruz and Pacific Grove banned EPS foam food containers, EPS litter on local beaches decreased by as much as 71 percent. And it’s possible to replace many EPS food containers with a cheaper alternative. Virginians’ health, communities, and natural areas are under siege from plastics. Plastics are now found in our air, water, and soil. Recycling has been overwhelmingly shown to not be a feasible solution. We need to enact efficient waste reduction policies and encourage businesses as well as Virginians to reduce waste generation to protect Virginia residents, communities, and our environment from the scourge of plastic litter.

I am writing to support passage of HB 1902 banning polystyrene and HB1819 designating a portion fo the Rappahannock River as scenic. HB1902 is critical to enhancing the public and environmental health of the citizens of Virginia. Polystyrene never degrades - it just breaks into smaller and smaller pieces, which then are in the environment, causing health issues and despoiling our soil and water. There is no need for polystyrene as there are plenty of cost-effective alternatives. You can see more information on alternatives at this link: https://documents-takomapark.s3.amazonaws.com/public-works/polystyrene-ban/PW-20150624-cost-analysis-hand-out.pdf. I am asking you to move this bill out of committee and to vote in favor of it. HB1819 is a small step in the right direction of preserving our natural resources here in the Commonwealth. Some portions of the Rappahannock River are already designated scenic, and adding this section would help enhance the health of the entire river while bringing enjoyment to everyone, tourists and residents alike. Our rivers are valuable resources. Let's preserve them. I am asking that you support passage of this bill. With thanks, Leanne

I am asking for your support of HB1902. I live on Thalia Creek which leads into the Lynnhaven River and one of my favorite activities is kayaking. Every time I go out, I bring two tall kitchen garbage bags with me to pick up the trash that I find in the creek. Every time, I fill both bags. In fact, I went out last week and was shocked at the amount of styrofoam I found. The problem with styrofoam is that it never goes away. It just breaks down into smaller and smaller pieces into microplastics. Styrofoam is toxic--it is hazardous to the people who are involved in making it, it leaches toxic chemicals into our food and drink, and into our waterways. It cannot be recycled because it has food residue on it! There are affordable alternatives available for food vendors to use, and there is plenty of time allowed for businesses to be in compliance. I urge you to be leaders and bring our community out of the dark ages of pollution and into a cleaner, safer future. Thank you!

I want to express my support of the ban on polystyrene. We are running out of space in our landfills. Creating plastic requires the burning of fossil fuels, which pollutes the air and water nearby. The containers often end up in creeks and rivers, and eventually the oceans. There are options available, like the compostable containers I get in a meal delivery service from Vegetable and Butcher. We need to stop being lazy and find more sustainable packaging.

I support HB1902 | Carr | Expanded polystyrene food service containers; prohibition. Thank you!

I would like to voice my support for HB1902. Polystyrene foam containers are a considerable source of litter, often ending up in our inland waterways, Chesapeake Bay and Ocean waters. This is a material that easily breaks up to become microplastics which can ultimately be ingested by fish and other wildlife. It is a material that is not recyclable in our area and is designed to last for decades but is only used for a very short period of time before being discarded. I appreciate that the timing of the implementation of this bill will allow restaurants to find affordable alternatives and will not be an issue during this pandemic and its resulting take-out, disposable culture. Thank you for your consideration.

I am a private citizen who urges the passing of HB1902 to ban single-use styrofoam. It is a small but important step toward improving our environment. From reading the bill, I see that the ban wouldn’t take effect for a few years and has exceptions for economic hardship. These are important to cushioning the effects on struggling businesses, however, I would like to see this bill take effect sooner. Legislators, please, let’s make plastics producers responsible for paying to clean up the environmental mess created by their products!

Waterkeepers Chesapeake is writing in support of Virginia House Bill 1902 that will ban the use of expanded polystyrene (EPA) foam (known as Styrofoam) in food containers by July 1, 2025. Bills similar to HB1902 have been passed in more than 100 municipalities in the U.S., as well as in Maryland, New York, and Maine. Waterkeepers Chesapeake is a coalition of 17 Waterkeeper programs dedicated to protecting water quality in the Chesapeake region, including the James Riverkeeper, Potomac Riverkeeper and Shenandoah Riverkeeper, that represent thousands of residents. Polystyrene is one of the most frequently observed plastic litter in our waterways, and is a threat to human health. Made of styrene, a known hazardous substance linked to various types of cancer, EPS foam is a petrochemical derived product that is a serious concern for human health and wildlife. Toxic chemicals from EPS foam containers can leach into food and drinks and then be ingested, especially when the food or beverage is served hot. People who work in areas with high concentrations of styrene have increased rates of cancer, neurological issues, and depression. Recycling and incineration are not the answer. EPS remains in our environment for generations. Recycling is a false solution to the single use plastic crisis and the resulting pollution that threatens our health, wildlife, and environment. Pollution from the incineration of plastics, including EPS foam, does not fall evenly on Virginia communities. A 2019 study found that 79% of garbage incinerators are located in black, Indigenous, and people of color communities, and the pollutant fumes produced by incinerating plastic have toxic effects when inhaled We don’t need single-use polystyrene cups and containers – there are plenty of recyclable, compostable, and, better yet, reusable alternatives available. HB1902 allows five years for small businesses in the state to comply with the ban on EPS foam foodware. This gives businesses plenty of time to find economical alternatives. It is clear that EPS foam foodware is a threat to our health, environment, and waterways. Please support and pass HB1902 into law. Robin Broder Deputy Director Waterkeepers Chesapeake robin@waterkeeperschesapeake.org

On behalf of the PW Chamber's 1200+ members, we oppose this legislation because of the financial burden it will place on an industry already hurting during the pandemic. Restaurants and other like establishments have largely transitioned to carry-out options in order to stay open, by banning these food containers we are placing an increased financial burden on these businesses. We urge you to oppose the bill.

I would like to express my support of both of these bills.

I strongly support HB1902 as proposed. Expanded polystyrene (EPS), also known as foam polystyrene, is a major source of litter and has very few markets. When these materials are collected and sent to recycling facilities in Virginia, they are categorized as residue or contamination and disposed at landfills or waste-to-energy facilities. Some customers in Virginia, local municipalities or commercial haulers, are also facing fees or penalties for having these “contaminant” materials in the recycling streams as there are no viable end markets for EPS. According to a study undertaken by the World Economic Forum, 32% of the 78 million tons of plastic packaging produced annually is left to flow into our oceans. EPS is known to persist in the environment, and it is lightweight and floats. Toxic chemicals also stick to the EPS particles and further break down over time into microplastics. These microplastics and foam particles may be ingested by wildlife causing the polystyrene and toxins to enter the food chain. In regards to human health, styrene, a monomer part of EPS, is “reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen” according to the Department of Health and Human Services National Toxicology Program . Styrene can enter the food and beverage when heated or made in contact with fatty or acidic foods. Various states have adopted restrictions on single use plastics in the form of bans or fees.

I would like to voice my support for HB190. EPS foam is one of Virginia’s biggest forms of plastic pollution. The material is incredibly hazardous for people and the environment; it polluted the land and has been linked to cancer, depression, and neurological issues. This issue is not one that can be solved by recycling. Recently, the New York City Department of Sanitation determined that is is not economically nor environmentally effective to recycle EPS foam food containers. Although the material is currently a key part in industries heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, like restaurants, this bill gives time for businesses to switch. Alternatives, like paper of plant-based plastics, are comparative in cost and will only become less expensive as demand increases. To ensure that Virginia can continue to have a competitive economy in the upcoming years, we should start now to gain and edge. It is imperative that we stop the blight that EPS pollution has placed on humans, animals, and our home.

I strongly urge you to support this bill. Plastic pollution is not the lasting legacy we want to leave, but styrofoam will linger in our waterways and greenways long after we're gone. Maryland and Washington DC have already banned these harmful and unnecessary products, and we should follow their lead and ban them, too.

Its time we consider moving away from Esoteric conservation models. Please consider removing the restriction on Sunday hunting public lands. There have been reports in prior years showing the positive economic impacts. DWR offices are still working weekends even if people are not hunting public lands.

I would like to voice my support for HB190. My fellow Virginians have already provided very thoughtful comments on this subject. I would simply like to say that this is the right thing to do. Thank you for your consideration.

My name is John Rosapepe & I am a resident of Chesterfield County. I would like to voice my support for HB190. I was born at Portsmouth Naval Hospital 69 years a go near the mouth of the James River. My great grandparents were dependent on the river. I learned to fish in the James River Watershed. I also learned to canoe on the river. I currently take care of my 92 year old mother & take her to the river in her wheelchair. I have seen Virginia make great strides in making the James River healthy for fish, wildlife and humans in the past six decades. However one area that still bedevils the river is trash especially polystyrene food service containers which I too often see in the eddies of the river. There is no need to use or produce these containers anymore which all too often end up in our waterways. When they break down they contribute to the toxic plastics we find in our waterways. When I visit my brother in Maryland & we take something out to eat they don't use these containers - they have been banned. This bill allows for a five year phase out so businesses will not be harmed financially or by container shortages in the supply pipeline. Thank you for consideration and vote for this bill. John Rosapepe

I'm writing to ask you to please support HB 1902. I routinely walk along a short section of Richmond Hwy. in Alexandria/Fairfax County with a garbage bag and pick up trash. The amount of plastic waste, particularly styrofoam and plastic bags/bottles, is appalling. Contrary to claims that polystyrene recycling facilities are available in the area, there are none. As my waste management company's website states: "Despite the fact that it can be recycled in some areas, much of the Styrofoam we use is contaminated with food or drink and is not even acceptable at a drop-off site or a mail-back recycling program. Because of this, we end up with no other choice than to throw the material into a trash can to be taken to sit in a landfill. The biggest issue with this is that polystyrene does not break down at all. And, although polystyrene only comprises about 2 percent of the total municipal solid waste stream by weight, it comprises roughly 30% of the total volume in the landfill due to its excessive use in packaging." A couple of years ago, scientists from the University of Hawaii found that plastics, including polystyrene, degrading at landfills, contributed to greenhouse gases, which in turn influence climate change (https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/08/180801182009.htm). Our ongoing COVID-19 crisis may be significant, but our looming climate crisis is even bigger and needs to be dealt with right now. While I can empathize with the restaurant industry being dependent on takeout orders during COVID-19, the fact is that some restaurants have smartly switched to recyclable or biodegradable materials for their takeout containers. If necessary, they should charge more to compensate for the costs. Thanks very much for your consideration.

Hunting should be allowed on public land ! After all it was your idea to allow hunting on Sunday in the frist place !

Dear Delegates I understand that HB 1902, Expanded polystyrene food service containers; prohibition; civil penalty is on the agenda of the Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources Committee on January 13, 2012. I am asking you to vote to forward this measure so that it can be voted on by the entire House of Delegates. My delegate, Kathleen Murphy is not on your committee, so I only asking you to give her a chance to consider this bill because it will affect all Virginians, not just the constituents of those who happen to be on this committee. EPS products are a major source of toxic pollution and claims that it can be recycled are bogus. If that was so, why do I find discarded Styrofoam products strewn along the paths and streets whenever I go out for a walk or a hike in places like Great Falls Park, Riverbend Park, Seneca Regional Park? For something to be recycled, it has to be deposited in a recycling container. That is not happening. Moreover, the amount of EPS produced and discarded is so great that no recycling effort would be able to keep pace. Two states including Maryland have banned Styrofoam already. So has the District of Columbia. Individual jurisdictions in 10 other states have also banned it. Study after study, except those sponsored by the EPS Industry, consistently conclude that: “Polystyrene is not recycled because it is not economic to wash, degrease, transport, and store in order to recycle.” “There continues to be no meaningful recycling of polystyrene foam food service ware and biodegradable or compostable food service ware is an affordable, safe, more ecologically sound alternative.” “There is currently no meaningful recycling of food service Expanded Polystyrene products, due in part to contamination from food residue.” There are many other alternatives to styrofoam. Just ask River-Sea Chocolate Factory and Cafe in Chantilly, Virginia. They are able to sustain their business without using toxic, polluting, unrecyclable materials. Thank you, Robin Kent Great Falls, VA

Friends of the Rappahannock, a watershed group that strives to be the voice and active force for a healthy and scenic Rappahannock River, supports HB1902, a bill to ban the use of single-use expanded polystyrene food containers by food vendors in Virginia.

Please pass this bill to ban Single Use Styrofoam Containers. The hopes that were expressed last year that delayed the activation of this ban have not come to fruition. There are no recyling operations that have come into the state. The harm done to our environment--roadsides, streams, rivers and oceans--is an abomination upon the future of our kids and grandkids. Each of you are aware of the science related to the dangers brought about by these containers. It is time for Virginia to become a better steward of our resources and put this ban into effect as soon as possible.

January 13, 2021 Kenneth R. Plum, Chair House Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources Virginia General Assembly RE: House Bill 1902, banning expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam food service containers Dear Chairman Plum and Members of the Committee, The Virginia Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation would like to convey our support for Virginia House Bill 1902, which would ban the use of expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam (commonly known as Styrofoam™) food containers by July 1, 2025. Bills similar to HB 1902 have been passed in more than 100 municipalities in the US, as well as in Maryland, New York, and Maine. The Surfrider Foundation is a grassroots environmental organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the world’s ocean, waves, and beaches for all people. We submit these comments on behalf of our 80 chapters, 90 youth clubs, and more than 500,000 supporters, activists, and members in the United States, including our local Virginia Chapter. EPS foam is part of the deluge of plastic pollution that is poisoning our bodies and natural areas in America. Plastics have now been found in our air, water, and in our bodies. EPS foam is consistently one of the top ten items found in beach clean ups. There is still no conclusive evidence on how long it takes EPS foam to fully degrade, it may take hundreds of years. HB 1902 allows five years for small businesses in the state to comply with the ban on EPS foam foodware. This gives businesses plenty of time to find economical alternatives, and the COVID-19 pandemic will be history. There are now many economical alternatives to EPS foam for restaurants and businesses. EPS foam (resin number 6) is not economically feasible to recycle as it has little to no value and high contamination from food residue. New York City’s Dept of Sanitation has done extensive research on the recyclability of EPS foam and found that, in the eight largest recycling programs in North American that collected EPS foam, none were recycling EPS foodware. EPS food containers pose a human health risk, as they can leach small amounts of the toxin styrene when they come into contact with warm food or drink, alcohol, oils, and acidic foods. The US National Library of Medicine states that chronic exposure to styrene in humans results in negative effects on the central nervous system, such as headaches, fatigue, weakness, depression, and hearing loss. Pollution from the incineration of plastics, including EPS foam, does not fall evenly on Virginia communities. A 2019 study found that 79% of garbage incinerators are located in black, Indigenous, and people of color communities and the pollutant fumes produced by incinerating plastic have toxic effects when inhaled. It has become clear that EPS foam foodware is not worth the health risks to our families, and the degradation of our beautiful Virginia natural areas, waterways, and coastlines. This bill gives adequate time for the food industry to find alternatives to this dangerous material. Please support and pass HB 1902 into law. Sincerely, Aimee Rhodes, Chair Virginia Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation Chair@vb.surfrider.org

EcoAction Arlington has worked to protect and improve air, water, and open spaces in the Arlington community for over 40 years. We strongly support HB 1902, which would ban food vendors from dispensing prepared food to a customer in single-use polystyrene. Made of styrene, a known hazardous substance linked to various types of cancer, EPS foam is a petrochemical derived product that is a serious concern for human health and wildlife. Toxic chemicals from EPS foam containers can leach into food and drinks and then be ingested, especially when the food or beverage is served hot. There are plenty of recyclable, compostable and even better reusable alternatives. During our clean up events, polystyrene is a common plastic litter that our volunteers remove from our parks and streams. Numerous states and municipalities have passed similar bans and they are effective in removing waste from our environment. From 2008 to 2012, after the California cities of Santa Cruz and Pacific Grove banned polystyrene foam food containers, polystyrene litter on local beaches decreased by as much as 71%. Polystyrene foam is a serious threat to our health and our environment. I urge you to pass this bill again.

Lynnhaven River NOW strongly supports the reenactment of HB 1902, which prohibits Expanded Polystyrene food service containers. These containers are everywhere in our marine and estuarine environments in Coastal Virginia, littering our waterways, wetlands, salt marshes, beaches, waves and stormwater systems. Once they are in the environment, they never go away and only break into smaller and smaller pieces, eventually entering the food chain as microplastics. Additionally, the notion that “advanced” recycling techniques will solve the EPS litter problem is folly, as these single-use products are not even accepted by recyclers. Now is the time to ban these toxic products and transition to more environmentally friendly alternatives, or better yet, reusable containers. We are aware of the stress on restaurants as a result of the Covid restrictions. However, that is not a consideration in this legislation as chain restaurants have until 2023 to implement this change and other restaurants have until 2025.

The James River Association supports HB1902, a bill to ban the use of single-use expanded polystyrene food containers by food vendors in Virginia. Phasing out these containers will help reduce the amount of plastic litter reaching our waterways, where it can break down into microplastics and be taken up by fish and humans. So-called “advanced recycling” is not an answer to the proliferation of plastic reaching our rivers and streams. Despite the delay urged by industry representatives during the 2020 General Assembly, there has been no evidence of this technology coming to Virginia nor has there been evidence that this technology is even feasible, scalable, or environmentally sustainable. The proven solution for reducing the polystyrene foams within our landfills and waterways is to promote reusable, compostable, and truly recyclable alternatives. These alternatives are available and cost-competitive, and will only become more so given the growing demand within our region. Maine, Maryland, and New Jersey have already taken steps to ban polystyrene foam. It’s time for Virginia to join the effort. We urge the Committee to support HB1902.

We as a restaurant group started buying better to go containers years before most got away from foam and for us, the big driver was creating a better container and presentation for the customer. Which has historically resulted in us selling more to go food than any non-chain full service restaurant in town. And the good news is, the side effect is that everything we buy is recyclable or compostable through the end user at home. We use a mix of PLA products like Greenware that if recycled instead of composted as they should be commercially, it can ruin a whole batch of other recycle. Having lived and worked in San Francisco, I know it’s a education point: Trash, Recycle, Compost- different bins and teaching the end consumer to look at the labels and for the municipality to offer recycling and composting services. We buy the nicest, most affordable containers- even in this pandemic with cash flow concerns- because these containers as the best value for our guests and for us to have repeat guests. Please don’t take the option to use these products away from us, your vendors and guests. Lets teach guests how to recycle, reuse and compost. Thank you.

On behalf of the Virginia Restaurant, Lodging & Travel Association I want to take a moment to share our opposition with you related to HB1902. As you know, the restaurant industry has suffered catastrophic losses as a result of COVID-19. Last year for several months, restaurants were limited only to carry out and delivery of food. As restrictions have been lifted, but occupancy limits and social distancing requirements remain in place, a greater number of restaurants have come to rely carry out and delivery of food orders to help supplement their businesses. While no restaurant is currently breaking even, these orders have become a significant amount of sales while COVID-19 restrictions remain in place. Unfortunately, HB1902 would remove one such commonly utilized foodservice container option by prohibiting restaurants from being able to use polystyrene containers. This measure will cost restaurants upwards of $38k per year in additional costs. During the current fight against COVID-19, we need to ensure all sanitary container options are available for to-go orders, and polystyrene containers have done an excellent job of preventing the spread of disease. It will take years for restaurants to recover from the hardships caused by COVID-19. As such, I strongly urge you to oppose this legislation as it would be extremely harmful to the restaurant community and will lead to additional permanent closures and job losses in order to comply.

On behalf of more than 150 conservation organizations across the Commonwealth of Virginia, Virginia Conservation Network supports HB1902 and respectfully requests that committee members vote in support of this legislation to reduce the long-lasting, avoidable, well-documented, and destructive impacts of expanded polystyrene waste products. We are appreciative of Delegate Carr's perseverance to protect Virginia's irreplaceable water resources and communities. Thank you for your consideration in this growing and critical pollution issue.

My name is Elly Boehmer, and I am the State Director of Environment Virginia. Thank you for this opportunity to comment on this issue. I am asking that you vote yes on HB1902- the bill to ban foam cups and take out containers. Most can agree that plastic pollution is a huge problem, and nothing that we use for a few minutes should be allowed to pollute our rivers and oceans for hundreds of years. But year after year, Americans throw away billions of single-use plastic cups and takeout containers. We’re producing more plastic than ever. In particular, polystyrene foam, what most of us call Styrofoam, threatens our environment and our wildlife. It breaks apart easily into tiny particles called microplastics, and persists in the environment forever. In fact, every bit of polystyrene ever made is still out there. Global plastic production is projected to quadruple between 2014 and 2050. We cannot recycle our way out of this problem; we must find a way to reduce plastic at the source. The solution to the massive amounts of plastic waste in our environment is actually pretty simple: We need to ban or restrict the worst offenders, including polystyrene. That is why over 50,000 signed Environment Virginia’s petition to pass a statewide ban on single use foam cups and takeout containers. Whether you are driving down a country road in rural Virginia, kayaking down the James River or walking through a city park, you have seen the impacts of plastic pollution and how much single use foam contributes to this issue. Banning this single-use plastic is critical to reduce plastic pollution. After the California cities of Santa Cruz and Pacific Grove banned EPS food containers, EPS litter on local beaches decreased by as much as 71%. Opponents to banning foam typically attempt to place the blame, incorrectly, on consumers and recycling programs. In practice, that argument is flat-out wrong. We know attempts to recycle polystyrene products don’t work. A recent study conducted by New York City found that recycling polystyrene products was not economically feasible nor environmentally beneficial, citing 30 years of failed foam recycling programs. Secondly, successful recycling programs rely on collection, and 97 percent of recyclers don’t accept polystyrene foam. What makes us think that all the polystyrene containers littering Virginia’s streams that weren’t thrown into garbage cans will suddenly be thrown into recycling cans? The best way we can prevent polystyrene from polluting our environment for generations is to produce less of it. When we think of the phrase, “reduce, reuse, recycle,” the emphasis has to be on the first “R.” The truth is we are all already paying the cost of plastic pollution. By 2050, there may be more plastic in the ocean than fish. Think about that for a second -- that’s just absurd. This deluge of plastic not only impacts the beautiful places we love to explore in our state, but Virginia’s fishing and tourism industries that rely on a clean and healthy environment as well. Foam cups and takeout containers are dangerous, an eyesore and completely unnecessary. Banning them is a simple, cost effective way to improve water quality and quality of life. At the end of the day, we can’t wait any longer to curb plastic pollution in Virginia. We need to stop using dangerous single-use plastics like polystyrene, and our elected officials must move forward with banning them. Please support HB 1902 today with a vote yes.

We (Clean Fairfax), ask that the House Agriculture, Chesapeake, and Natural Resources Committee vote yes on HB 1902. EPS foam containers for takeout food and beverages are a major source of plastic pollution in Virginia. Made of styrene, a known hazardous substance linked to various types of cancer, EPS foam is a petrochemical derived product that is a serious concern for human health and wildlife. Toxic chemicals from EPS foam containers can leach into food and drinks and then be ingested, especially when the food or beverage is served hot. People who work in areas with high concentrations of styrene have increased rates of cancer, neurological issues, and depression. For low-income communities and communities of color, this concern is especially acute. Often suffering from insufficient access to grocery stores with affordable and nutritional food, these communities are forced to rely on fast food options, which are often stored in EPS containers. The chemical industry has argued that recycling is the solution to their harmful products, but the New York City Department of Sanitation recently determined that EPS foam food containers cannot be recycled in a manner that is economically feasible or environmentally effective for New York City. Global plastic production is projected to quadruple between 2014 and 2050. We cannot recycle our way out of this problem; we must find solutions to reduce plastic at the source. Eliminating the production and consumption of single-use plastic products is an effective way to reduce plastic pollution and combat this global crisis. After the California cities of Santa Cruz and Pacific Grove banned EPS foam food containers, EPS litter on local beaches decreased by as much as 71 percent. And it’s possible to replace many EPS food containers with a cheaper alternative. Virginians’ health, communities, and natural areas are under siege from plastics. Plastics are now found in our air, water, and soil. Recycling has been overwhelmingly shown to not be a feasible solution. We need to enact efficient waste reduction policies and encourage businesses as well as Virginians to reduce waste generation to protect Virginia residents, communities, and our environment from the scourge of plastic litter. EPS foam is one of the most common items found at our community clean ups and our litter monitoring sites. We are struggling with EPS foam in Fairfax County and we need your help. Thank you for your time, Zach Huntington Clean Fairfax Clean Streams Program Manager Litter Free Virginia

The Virginia Manufacturers Association (VMA) opposes HB1902. Banning products from the market is not a sustainable solution and will hurt small businesses and Virginia's competitiveness for economic development. Polystyrene products have been instrumental in the fight against COVID-19 infections. Takeaway packaging for food service and health care facilities is essential. Virginia's Safety & Health Codes Board is literally establishing permanent COVID-19 regulations this week, so the need for these products is endless. Advanced recycling and recovery technologies can convert used polystyrene foam into brand new plastics or fuels and other useful products for new manufacturing, accelerating our path toward a circular economy. Polystyrene foam cups weigh between 2 to 5 times less than comparable packaging products. This means less energy is required to ship them, which results in fewer air emissions and a lighter environmental footprint. A polystyrene hot beverage cup requires about 50% less energy to produce than a similar coated paperboard cup with a corrugated sleeve. Banning polystyrene products is unlikely to reduce litter. The City Auditor of Honolulu, HI, found that a ‘simplistic ban on a single kind of litter or trash is unlikely to reduce the overall amount of litter and its harm to the environment. San Francisco ban had a similar result—no litter reduction, only a change in litter type.