The pipeline for oil needs to be reopened but thanks to our corrupt president biden it got closed which put a lot of people out of work and raised gas prices.

Feral Cats cause the greatest threat to songbirds as far as mortality. Feeding of cats should take place on the private property of the person feeding them. Our public parks and our own yards should not be place for careless people to create hazards by feeding and dumping stray cats. They do not have the right to do this on other people’s property and property that belongs to the public. Period.

Virginia Voters for animal shelters, the Virginia animal control association, the office of the Attorney General and Virginia Federation of Humane Society’s brought this bill forward in order to clarify duplication redundancies in the bill. To include the concerns of victims of dangerous dogs who participate in a variety of public meetings. This bill has been worked on for about a year and a half with a variety of groups and is thought to be an effort to make the statute more usable and functional for animal control officers courts and victims. We see this is a public safety bill

All of the feral cats out here need.to be spayed or neutered an then released back. NO STUDIES need to be done for this. We already know what needs to be done here an all over . These cats did not ask for this lifw thia way but that alao does not mean to euthanasia is the answer either. They deserve life an if you will let rhe shelters do their jobs this can help in so many ways so please make the right choice. I AM THEIR VOICE

All of the feral cats out here need.to be spayed or neutered an then released back. NO STUDIES need to be done for this. We already know what needs to be done here an all over . These cats did not ask for this lifw thia way but that alao does not mean to euthanasia is the answer either. They deserve life an if you will let rhe shelters do their jobs this can help in so many ways so please make the right choice. I AM THEIR VOICE

NO

On behalf of myself and Hanover Community cats we support this bill. Until last September I was unaware how many feral cats were in my county. And surrounding areas. As volunteers, We came together with other rescues and TNR groups and created Hanover community cats we work in conjunction with Hanover AC to help with population control and rescue. Since September we have TNRd over a 150 plus cats and rehome 70plus kittens. What we do makes a difference. As far as bird, and environmental concerns of the feral cat colonies, multiple factors play into that all the new construction directly effects environment birds and wildlife are forced into smaller areas. Colony cats are supported by caregivers, who provide care food,& veterinary care. Please support this bill. TNR works!

TNR programs are essential to controlling the community cat population. Euthanasia shouldn’t be the suggested alternative as these cats live perfectly healthy lives once spayed or neutered and community members take care of them and monitor their health once altered. These Cats should be given an opportunity to live their lives as they’re not hurting anyone or anything. The community cats that i help take care of would much rather have the Canned wet food i offer Them than kill a cardinal or other bird. The only life they’ve ever known is one on the streets and that wasn’t by choice. By allowing all city & counties to offer TNR programs it will ensure the cat population stays low and allows all hands to be on deck to help with the process. Whereas now only a small handful of people / groups can help with tnr which is not only discouraging but also exhausting. Please allow all shelters to help with this so we can continue to enrich the lives of the community cats we care so deeply about.

Please vote No to the plastic conversion plants planned for low-income communities in VA. If you vote for this bill, it would be voting to exempt these plants from waste facility regulations - why would that be good for the environment, good for these communities? https://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?ses=212&typ=bil&val=SB1164

Please OPPOSE SB 1164 bill, which is misleadingly called "Advance Recycling". This bill is similar to HB 2173 patroned by Del. Plum, which initially passed but then was withdrawn (stricken from docket) by his patron when the negative impact of this bill became clear. Here are the many reasons why to oppose this bill: (1) Polluters have created the phrase "advanced recycling" or "chemical recycling" to mislead the public about the practice of burning plastic and other waste material in order to create oil used for energy. (2) Nearly 80% of chemical recycling plants are located in low-income and communities of color, the air pollution expelled from these facilities toxifies the air with particulate matter of arsenic, lead, mercury, and many other compounds that are linked with respiratory illness, neurological disorders, stroke, and cancer; (3) Chemical conversion is a carbon-intensive process -- about half of the carbon content of waste plastics is released as carbon pollution gases during the burning process; (4) The plastics industry has not released any peer-reviewed information documenting the environmental impacts of the entire lifecycle for the chemical recycling process.

I oppose SB 1164. I appreciate Delegate Plum striking HB 2173 (the related House bill) from the docket, and hope that SB 1164 will similarly be removed from the docket. This bill unfortunately reflects the will of the American Chemistry Council, which represents the the plastics and chemical industry, to allow for the a polluting and carbon intensive process riddled with system failures. Passage of this bill would make the plastic and climate crisis worse and doesn't further solutions for our true need: a reduction of single use plastics. We should not be supporting the wasteful "chemical conversion" of plastics through this process which loses ~50% of the carbon content of waste plastic during the process. This bill would end up encouraging increases in plastic production, enabling harmful, polluting facilities to expand across Virginia. These facilities too often severely and negatively impact vulnerable populations with fewer restrictions and reporting requirements, which must be avoided. We should instead be supporting other measures to reduce plastic use and other methods to recycle plastics that are produced and used. I also concur with Clean Fairfax's suggestion that the Plastic Waste Prevention Advisory Council would be an appropriate body to study the implications of chemical conversion in Virginia.

The pipeline for oil needs to be reopened but thanks to our corrupt president biden it got closed which put a lot of people out of work and raised gas prices.

SB 1164 should promote advanced recycling to include education for localities and create jobs. High schools and technical degrees should be offering education on recycling careers. It is a lucrative and creative way to help reduce waste and protect our planet.

My name is Emily Reynolds and I am the Executive Director of Governmental Affairs for the Hampton Roads Chamber. On behalf of our members we ask that the committee support SB1164. This could be an economic and environmental game changer for Virginia. The legislation will enhance job creation and encourage economic development opportunities while being environmentally friendly. That is a win-win. Respectfully, we ask the committee to support SB1164.

The Arlington Chamber of Commerce supports SB 1164, a bill to promote advanced plastics recycling. The goal of this bill is to reduce waste by adding technologies that complement traditional recycling. Moreover, it promotes environmental innovation in the Commonwealth, which supports green jobs. We thus encourage the committee to report this bill.

Good afternoon and thank you for allowing me to comment. My name is Marco Castaldi and I am a Professor of Chemical Engineering at the City University of New York, City College campus. I have achieved Technical Fellow status at the American Institute of Chemical Engineers and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. I have been doing in-depth, hands-on research on varied waste conversion technologies for about 17 years. If there is one thing I have learned in my career as a practicing engineer, researcher and educator is that you have to actually see, investigate and work with technology to make a credible assessment of its potential impact. On that and an overall life cycle basis environmental impacts using advanced recycling technologies are positive. Currently there is a severe mismatch between the amount of materials that are collected for recycling and the amount markets can absorb. Whatever cannot go directly to market should be reprocessed, not sent to landfills. That will enable all the atoms (especially carbon) to be incorporated into a final product and put back into the economy, reducing the need for virgin feedstock. Conversion technologies do produce emissions that are released into the environment. All waste management processes, from reuse to mechanical recycling to chemical or thermal conversion to disposal in landfills release emissions. A review of the published literature reveals that emissions from conversion processes such as plastics-to-fuels are below EPA and state level DEP standards. The Earth Engineering Center, which I direct, has developed technical reports on numerous gasification and pyrolysis technologies (such as Enerkem, Agylix, Braven Environmental and others), through our own research. The center has found that they all emit below the regulatory limits that have been established for their respective systems. Like all manufacturing processes, the main goal of companies developing conversion technologies is to produce a final product that meets certain specifications. All technology developers recognize that the production of a fuel or chemical that has unacceptably high levels of contaminants, compared to the specifications, will have major implications for a potential buyer and user. Chemicals made from waste streams must meet stringent specifications for downstream refiners or manufacturers to accept them, because they have billions of dollars of infrastructure at stake and have multiple options for feedstock. We have a waste problem in the world. We need to consider all options to safely and sustainably manage the enormous amount of waste that you and I generate – nearly four pounds per person per day. The decisions we make about which options to use should be backed by reliable scientific data. Ultimately, the common objective must be to divert as much waste as possible from landfills, recover as much material and energy as possible from waste streams, and recirculate it through the economy. Thank you for your time and the opportunity.

Audubon Naturalist Society opposes SB 1164. We appreciate Delegate Plum striking HB 2173 (the related House bill) from the docket, and we hope that SB 1164 will similarly be removed from the docket. This bill unfortunately reflects the will of the American Chemistry Council, which represents the the plastics and chemical industry, to allow for the a polluting and carbon intensive process riddled with system failures. Passage of this bill would make the plastic and climate crisis worse and doesn't further solutions for our true need: a reduction of single use plastics. We should not be supporting the wasteful "chemical conversion" of plastics through this process which loses ~50% of the carbon content of waste plastic during the process. This bill would end up encouraging increases in plastic production, enabling harmful, polluting facilities to expand across Virginia. These facilities too often severely and negatively impact vulnerable populations with fewer restrictions and reporting requirements, which must be avoided. We concur with Clean Fairfax's suggestion that the Plastic Waste Prevention Advisory Council would be an appropriate body to study the implications of chemical conversion in Virginia. Thank you, Renee Grebe, Northern Virginia Conservation Advocate, Audubon Naturalist Society

The pipeline for oil needs to be reopened but thanks to our corrupt president biden it got closed which put a lot of people out of work and raised gas prices.

Clean water matters.

The pipeline for oil needs to be reopened but thanks to our corrupt president biden it got closed which put a lot of people out of work and raised gas prices.

My name is Jolene Mafnas and on behalf of Food & Water Watch, we support Senator Deeds’s Water Protection bill SB1265 because we believe it will improve the Commonwealth’s inspection and enforcement process relating to natural gas pipelines equal or greater than 24" in diameter, providing necessary defensive measures for proposed projects like the Virginia Natural Gas Interconnect Project. Senator Deed's bill clarifies what "adverse impacts" can trigger stop work orders by DEQ through specifying that these orders may be issued when any water quality standard is violated or adverse impacts are repeated and widespread. SB1265 will give more power to the DEQ to protect our waterways from dangerous pipeline projects. FWW also supports Senator McClellan’s Water Protection bill SB1311 which will improve the review process of erosion and sediment control and stormwater management plans for interstate gas pipeline projects. Although FWW is opposed to any fracked gas pipeline project, these bills can ensure pipeline projects cannot blatantly hurt our environment as we have seen with Mountain Valley Pipeline's destruction to Southwest Virginia's waterways and mountains.

For SB 1265, I urge removal of every instance of this and similar phrasing "...the Department may issue a stop work instruction for every work area in Virginia ...." from this bill because this could easily create a situation of over-reach and politically influenced demands.

My name is David Sligh and I speak for Wild Virginia and our members across the state. I have long experience with state and federal processes for FERC-regulated pipelines, in Virginia as well at WV, MD, and SC. I am a former senior environmental engineer with DEQ and understand the technical needs for reviewing these types of projects and the regulatory requirements challenges that must be met. I am also an attorney and have worked on Clean Water Act section 401 cases in each of the states listed above and others. Wild Virginia strongly supports SB 1265 and SB1311. SB1265 will greatly strengthen DEQ's authority to take effective action to address and stop damages to our waters from major gas pipeline projects. The need for these enhancements to the law has been shown to be necessary by problems with Mountain Valley Pipeline. SB1311 would require submission of all necessary information before a project can be certified by the state. The erosion and sediment control and stormwater management plans are essential to making a reasoned judgment and it is inappropriate to wait until after certification to require them. The agency cannot make a valid finding that compliance with our water quality standards is assured without this pre-decision review of plans. The state has full authority under both state and federal law to deny certification for lack of sufficient information, including the absence of complete E&S and stormwater plans, on a time scale that allows it to avoid unintentional waiver under EPA's regulations. The bill's command that a request be denied if the applicant does not provide sufficient information directly reflects both the wording of the federal regulation and EPA's stated interpretation of that regulation. In a parallel process to the certification provided to FERC for major pipelines, for impacts regulated by the Corps of Engineers, the state already requires detailed plans under the Virginia Water Protection Permit regulation, including cross-sectional and profile drawings for every waterbody crossing. That example is analogous to to this one. It is also notable that FERC has never required a period shorter than one year for state action on a certification request, which allows the state much time to work with the applicant to get complete and adequate plans and finish reviews without risking waiver or having to deny certification because of insufficient information. If FERC or any other agency defines a time limit for state action that is less than one year, that agency must justify that the deadline is "reasonable" in light of the nature and extent of the project covered. For any large pipeline that would cross through multiple watersheds and waterbodies, a greatly-shortened time frame would be very difficult to defend. I am prepared to testify at the committee's hearing or to speak with any member about these issues at any time.

On behalf of 150 organizational conservation partners across the Commonwealth, Virginia Conservation Network (VCN) is in full support of this bill. We hope that it is the will of the House of Delegates to vote to SUPPORT this legislation.

I am writing about bill SB1390. I support this program and feel that we in rural areas need it. I have personally trapped cats in my neighborhood and neutered and spayed them. This is the only way to cut down the cat population. I live in Russell County and we don't even have a shelter for cats. I would love to see a law in Virginia requiring cats to be spayed and neutered. We are the voices of those who can't speak. Thank you.

Corridors help wildlife and humans avoid collisions. Please support.

I strongly support this legislation. It will protect both wildlife and humans.

The pipeline for oil needs to be reopened but thanks to our corrupt president biden it got closed which put a lot of people out of work and raised gas prices.

Please support SB 1274 to protect our fragile wildlife habitats from senseless destruction. We have ENOUGH empty buildings and empty store fronts that could be refurbished to meet needs rather than continue to annihilate our greenspace that wildlife requires, to exist.

Please support SB 1274 which requires state agencies to take into consideration wildlife corridors . I have lived in Colorado and watched wildlife populations improve as state agencies, e.g., Department of Transportation, incorporated how their actions could affect wildlife corridors and how they could mitigate them or make improvements for wildlife populations connectivity. An example of this was building wildlife corridor overpasses over state highways which blocked migration and movement of wild species. Thank you for your time and consideration. John Rosapepe

Greetings, I urge you in the strongest possible sense to support SB 1274. Wildlife corridors are important because habitat fragmentation is the single greatest threat to species and this impacts Virginia citizens. Fragmentation by roads and a large deer population, make Virginia among the top ten states for deer/vehicle collisions every year, costing over $533 million annually. As wildlife move across land or through the water, they increasingly find their habitat shrinking or fragmented by human development. SB 1274 seeks to combat the decline of Virginia’s natural ecosystems by helping wildlife move safely from one place to another. This bill will both protect wildlife and the public of Virginia. If the bill passes, it will help ensure that wildlife corridors are considered and protected across Virginia and across agency jurisdictions. This will allow agencies to best integrate wildlife connectivity, and the corresponding public safety considerations, into their existing operations. Thank you.

This bill is important for the welfare of humans, wildlife and, ultimately, the ecosystems which we share. I fully support this bill.

This bill is important to preserve wildlife, and to prevent crashes. Please support this bill.

Please give some attention to SB 1274 as it passes through your committee. Virginia has a large deer population and we lose many to collisions every year to the tune of over $500million in damages. SB 1274 seeks to combat the decline of Virginia’s natural ecosystems by helping wildlife move safely from one place to another. This bill will both protect wildlife and the public. To do this, SB 1274 builds on the Virginia Wildlife Corridor Action Plan (WCAP), which will compile and condense the best available science on the status of habitat connectivity in Virginia. The WCAP will assess the connections between core habitat areas, list potential projects to improve such connections, and provide an action plan for the completion of those projects. SB 1274 directs DCR, VDOT, and the State Forester to integrate wildlife corridors identified in the WCAP into their own strategic planning guidance documents. Sounds like win/win to me. Thanks, Anne Nielsen, biologist, retired.

Clean water matters.

I do support SB 1390 This bill is good for the cats and people of Virginia It affirms that Trap-Neuter-Return for cats is legal I do support SB 1274 I support the creation and enforcement of wildlife corridors for the safety of both animals, motorists and the preservation of Virginia's wildlife

The Piedmont Environmental Council supports SB 1274. As wildlife increasingly find their habitat shrinking or fragmented by human development, such as roadways, the protection of wildlife corridors is of critical importance to both animals and the general public. SB 1274 builds on the efforts of the Wildlife Corridor Action Plan (WCAP) passed by the General Assembly in 2020 by directing that the wildlife corridors identified in the WCAP are integrated into the strategic planning documents of agencies with activities that could impact wildlife movement and public safety. This will help ensure that wildlife corridors are considered and protected across Virginia and across agency jurisdictions, as well as allow agencies to best integrate wildlife connectivity, and the corresponding public safety considerations, into their existing operations. 

These bills are very much important and I urge considerations.

Friends of the Rappahannock supports SB1274. This legislation directs various agencies to consider and incorporate, where applicable, wildlife corridors and any recommendation of the Wildlife Corridor Action Plan. This legislation will help require agencies to consider the connection of important habitat for brook trout and other aquatic species when planning stream crossing projects and culvert replacements. Thank you for your consideration of this bill and we hope you will support it.

Please pass this bill. It is the humane way to address the feral cat population.

I am in support of this bill; I've seen wildlife bridges in Colorado and thought it was a great idea, one that if gov't agencies and insurance companies worked together to build them, not only would animals be saved, but so many car accidents would be prevented.

I support ability of cats to remaim in place with Trap Neuter and Release. Please pass this bill

The Audubon Naturalist Society supports SB 1274. It's the best of both worlds: win for people (as it will increase the safety of driving in aiming to minimize and avoid wildlife collisions) and it's a win for wildlife who get a boost in being able to live through another day. Building on the efforts of the 2020 Wildlife Corridor Action Plan (WCAP), this bill aims to make Virginia safer for both wildlife and residents by ensuring that wildlife corridors identified in the WCAP are integrated into the strategic planning documents of other agencies with activities that could impact wildlife movement and public safety. Fragmentation is the single greatest threat to species and identifying and preserving wildlife corridors and help reverse the fragmentation trend. Fragmentation of habitats also impacts residents too: VA is among the top ten states for deer/vehicle collisions every year, costing over $533 million annually - when we put roads through corridors, people and wildlife pay with money and lives. This bill will help prioritize preserving and planning around wildlife corridors. Virginia showed leadership by joining a growing, bipartisan movement to protect wildlife corridors with the passage of the WCAP and SB 1274 helps ensure the best and most coordinated outcome of that plan. Thank you, Renee Grebe, Northern Virginia Conservation Advocate, Audubon Naturalist Society

The Virginia Wilderness Committee fully supports this bill both for the safety for people driving and for the wildlife that usually gets the short end of the stick during a collision.

SB 1274 will make Virginia safer for both wildlife and citizens. lt builds on the Wildlife Corridor Action Plan (WCAP) passed by the General Assembly in 2020 by ensuring that wildlife corridors identified in the Wildlife Corridor Action Plan are integrated into the strategic planning documents of other agencies. Protecting wildlife corridors is important because habitat fragmentation is the single greatest threat to species, and this impacts Virginia citizens as well. Fragmentation by roads and a large deer population, make Virginia among the top ten states for deer/vehicle collisions every year, costing over $533 million annually. By prioritizing wildlife movement corridors and planning for them, we can help wildlife move safely through the landscape and reduce these collisions, saving both money and lives. Thank you for your support of SB 1274.

The pipeline for oil needs to be reopened but thanks to our corrupt president biden it got closed which put a lot of people out of work and raised gas prices.

Clean water matters.

I oppose SB1282 because this information will be used to promote political agendas (hence, "every four years") , and it prohibits transparency, again, appearing political: "The bill exempts proprietary information collected by the Department from the mandatory disclosure requirements of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act."

These bills are very much important and I urge considerations.

Please pass this bill. It is the humane way to address the feral cat population.

The pipeline for oil needs to be reopened but thanks to our corrupt president biden it got closed which put a lot of people out of work and raised gas prices.

Clean water matters.

The pipeline for oil needs to be reopened but thanks to our corrupt president biden it got closed which put a lot of people out of work and raised gas prices.

I write on behalf of the Virginia Water and Waste Authorities Association (VWWAA), which represents more than 50 public service authorities (PSAs) across Virginia. First, VWWAA is grateful to Sen. Mason for being receptive to our concerns. Sen. Mason and his office have been very accessible and responsive. VWWAA ask that you oppose, as written, SB 1291. However, there are amendments which, if adopted, would lead to VWWAA to not oppose the bill. VWWAA understands the importance of repairing utility leakages. Indeed, repairing leaks makes up a significant part of most utilities’ annual maintenance budgets. As proposed, SB 1291, authorizes the DEQ to require water audits. VWWAA does not oppose water audits. However, VWWAA does oppose any potential DEQ regulation that may require water leak repairs take precedent over other infrastructure projects that, in the utility’s discretion, may be necessarily more pressing under a given set of circumstances. We are concerned that DEQ could draft regulations, per this bill, as written, to require leak repairs take precedent over all maintenance projects. Recognizing that repairing leaking utility lines is important, utilities should retain discretion over their maintenance plans and budgets. AMENDMENTS REQUESTED The following set of amendments does not harm SB 1291’s intent. • Line 18, after “detection” strike “and repair” • Line 20, after “detection” strike “and repair” • Line 21, after “detection” strike “and repair” • Line 24, after “detection” strike “and repair” • Line 55, after “detection” strike “and repair” To be clear, striking "and repair" does not mean that utilities will not continue prioritizing to the extent possible water leaks. Repairing leaks will continue to be important maintenance responsibilities. Striking "and repair" will clarify that repairs do not supplant other maintenance projects that circumstances -- including water line breaks and emergencies -- in the leak detection plan to be submitted. Thank you for your consideration. Preston Bryant (on behalf of the Virginia Water and Waste Authorities Association)

On behalf of the Virginia Municipal Drinking Water Association, please oppose if necessary or otherwise amend SB 1291 (Mason) to retain local governmental discretion to manage and prioritize local issues in water utility capital improvement plans (CIPs). The bill authorizes DEQ to require “water audits,” which the Drinking Water Association does not oppose. The Association’s concern is that the bill also authorizes DEQ to regulate water leak repair projects thereby taking away local utility management discretion, which is complicated matter of balancing competing local ratepayer needs that extend beyond water leaks. Please strike "and repair" wherever it appears. Concerns 1. Municipal utilities have limited budgets generated by customer payments to manage, repair and replace costly water infrastructure with a priority on continuity of service with safe drinking water. 2. Municipal utilities’ CIPs must be prioritized to address the most pressing issues. For example, it might be more important in any one time to replace a non-leaking but critical water main due to risk of failure than to replace a less critical but leaking line. 3. Similarly drinking water utilities are facing costly new federal and state mandates for public health protection such as lead and PFAS. Leak repairs, which of interest, are usually a lower priority than health protection. 4. Utility managers are in the best position to understand and determine repair priorities for the local water system. A statewide regulation is not a good fit for regulating the professional engineering and utility management to meet local needs. 5. From an aging infrastructure standpoint, we expect that older systems in older “first cities” and their ratepayers will be among most adversely affected by the costs of repair mandates and associated water rate impacts. 6. From a percentage of loss standpoint, based on the following list from DEQ using available information it appears that small systems largely in Southside and Southwest Virginia are likely to be among the most adversely affected by the costs of repair mandates and associated water rate impacts (see table emailed to Subcommittee members separately). 7. These are areas (and others) are generally facing customer affordability challenges already, exacerbated by COVID19 impacts. The Association recommends that it would be more appropriate to proceed with the water auditing element of the bill and defer state regulation of local repair decisions at this time. Requested Amendments • Line 18, after “detection” strike “and repair” • Line 20, after “detection” strike “and repair” • Line 21, after “detection” strike “and repair” • Line 24, after “detection” strike “and repair” • Line 55, after “detection” strike “and repair”

On behalf of 150 organizational conservation partners across the Commonwealth, Virginia Conservation Network (VCN) is in full support of this bill. We hope that it is the will of the House of Delegates to vote to SUPPORT this legislation.

The pipeline for oil needs to be reopened but thanks to our corrupt president biden it got closed which put a lot of people out of work and raised gas prices.

Please vote for SB 1311. This legislation provides essential information and guidance to gas companies during construction of infrastructure projects while protecting our waterways. I met with the DEQ project manager assigned to the MVP project about the continuing failures of MVP's erosion and sediment controls. He told me that even though the MVP project was continuing to pollute the waterways of endangered fish there was nothing he could do because MVP was in compliance with state laws. Then the pipeline was told to stop by the federal courts because of the Clean Water Act and Endangered Species Act. The state needs to update our statutes to protect our waterways and to help companies be successful. This legislation is a crucial step in the right direction. Please vote for this important legislation and have it take effect immediately upon the governor's signature.

My name is Jolene Mafnas and on behalf of Food & Water Watch, we support Senator Deeds’s Water Protection bill SB1265 because we believe it will improve the Commonwealth’s inspection and enforcement process relating to natural gas pipelines equal or greater than 24" in diameter, providing necessary defensive measures for proposed projects like the Virginia Natural Gas Interconnect Project. Senator Deed's bill clarifies what "adverse impacts" can trigger stop work orders by DEQ through specifying that these orders may be issued when any water quality standard is violated or adverse impacts are repeated and widespread. SB1265 will give more power to the DEQ to protect our waterways from dangerous pipeline projects. FWW also supports Senator McClellan’s Water Protection bill SB1311 which will improve the review process of erosion and sediment control and stormwater management plans for interstate gas pipeline projects. Although FWW is opposed to any fracked gas pipeline project, these bills can ensure pipeline projects cannot blatantly hurt our environment as we have seen with Mountain Valley Pipeline's destruction to Southwest Virginia's waterways and mountains.

It's crucial SB 1311 passes and goes into effect immediately upon the signature of the Governor. This important legislation will protect our water and provide gas pipeline companies with the information they need to be successful. Similar to making sure a landowners knows if their land percs before they try to build a home on it. SB 1311 provides a much needed legislative remedy to prevent non-point source pollution from huge pipelines construction. Late this past fall, MVP ignored warnings and appeals from localities and the regional Soil and Water Conservation Board to review their erosion and sediment control plans and to delay new construction until after the winter. There wasn't a state law remedy to keep them from commencing construction that resulted in sediment pollution entering the habitat for the endangered Roanoke logperch. Now MVP is bogged down in federal litigation suits and our waterways are still in danger from MVP's inadequate erosion and sediment controls. This legislation will help update state laws to reflect recent federal court rulings.

My name is David Sligh and I speak for Wild Virginia and our members across the state. I have long experience with state and federal processes for FERC-regulated pipelines, in Virginia as well at WV, MD, and SC. I am a former senior environmental engineer with DEQ and understand the technical needs for reviewing these types of projects and the regulatory requirements challenges that must be met. I am also an attorney and have worked on Clean Water Act section 401 cases in each of the states listed above and others. Wild Virginia strongly supports SB 1265 and SB1311. SB1265 will greatly strengthen DEQ's authority to take effective action to address and stop damages to our waters from major gas pipeline projects. The need for these enhancements to the law has been shown to be necessary by problems with Mountain Valley Pipeline. SB1311 would require submission of all necessary information before a project can be certified by the state. The erosion and sediment control and stormwater management plans are essential to making a reasoned judgment and it is inappropriate to wait until after certification to require them. The agency cannot make a valid finding that compliance with our water quality standards is assured without this pre-decision review of plans. The state has full authority under both state and federal law to deny certification for lack of sufficient information, including the absence of complete E&S and stormwater plans, on a time scale that allows it to avoid unintentional waiver under EPA's regulations. The bill's command that a request be denied if the applicant does not provide sufficient information directly reflects both the wording of the federal regulation and EPA's stated interpretation of that regulation. In a parallel process to the certification provided to FERC for major pipelines, for impacts regulated by the Corps of Engineers, the state already requires detailed plans under the Virginia Water Protection Permit regulation, including cross-sectional and profile drawings for every waterbody crossing. That example is analogous to to this one. It is also notable that FERC has never required a period shorter than one year for state action on a certification request, which allows the state much time to work with the applicant to get complete and adequate plans and finish reviews without risking waiver or having to deny certification because of insufficient information. If FERC or any other agency defines a time limit for state action that is less than one year, that agency must justify that the deadline is "reasonable" in light of the nature and extent of the project covered. For any large pipeline that would cross through multiple watersheds and waterbodies, a greatly-shortened time frame would be very difficult to defend. I am prepared to testify at the committee's hearing or to speak with any member about these issues at any time.

On behalf of 150 organizational conservation partners across the Commonwealth, Virginia Conservation Network (VCN) is in full support of this bill. We hope that it is the will of the House of Delegates to vote to SUPPORT this legislation.

This legislation is good for companies as well as the environment. It's imperative that the state provide companies with crucial information so they can be successful, like requiring a landowner to know if their land percs before they get a building certificate. Director Paylor surprised people when he testified during the Senate committee meeting that Mountain Valley Pipeline's construction was doing better and they had hardly any violations in 2020. That's because the DEQ isn't issuing violations when MVP continues to pollute the waterways of endangered fish due to there not being a remedy in the state statute. SB 1311 provides a remedy to prevent tragedies documented by volunteer citizen monitors since FERC lifted the stop work order in October 2020. MVP ignored warnings and appeals from localities and the regional Soil and Water Conservation Board to review their erosion and sediment control plans and to delay new construction until after the winter. MVP didn't get a DEQ violation for ignoring the warnings from localities and the regional Soil and Water Conservation Board for polluting the headwaters for the endangered Roanoke log perch because they installed the erosion and sediment controls according to the approved plans. Please vote for SB 1311 to protect our waterways from polluted storm water drainage due to massive pipeline projects. We need an immediate legislative remedy to protect our waterways and to bring state statute in alignment with recent court rulings. It's crucial SB 1311 passes and goes into effect immediately upon the signature of the Governor.

Please support SB 1319 Waste Diversion and Recycling Task Force; Department of Environmental Quality to Continue Task Force (Hashmi). Virginia's Solid Waste Management system is broken. Our rural counties continue to be targeted and pressured to host large corporate multi-state landfills under the promise of economic salvation. These huge heavily industrialized facilities disrupt communities, displace residents, destroy landscapes and wildlife habitats and erase cultural and historical resources all in the name of free enterprise and corporate profit.. Virginia does not need additional disposal capacity. DEQ's 2020 Annual Solid Waste Management report reveals sufficient disposal capacity for at least the next 20 years. Virtually all of Virginia's 71 Solid Waste Planning Units report sufficient disposal capacity for the next 20 years with some indicating the existence of additional reserve capacity beyond the 20 year window. Landfilling is an outdated technology and needs to be replaced by more economically efficient, socially responsible, and environmentally sustainable solid waste management policies, practices, and methods. Thank you very much for taking the time to consider this important issue. Sincerely Kevin Halligan Powhatan, Virginia

Clean water matters.

SB1319 is an important step towards bringing Virginia's waste management into the 21st Century. The variety of technologies and approaches available to divert materials from landfills has proven to create more jobs, improve environmental outcomes, and save money for municipalities than continuing the status quo. Virginia's Universities are capable of assisting this task force in identifying best practice technologies, regulations, and business models to achieve better environmental, economic, and social justice outcomes for managing our waste, and I urge you to support this bill. Thank you.

SB1319 – Waste control and recycling; permits. I speak before you today representing Cumberland County Landfill Alert (CCLA). We have read and fully support SB1319 and encourage you to vote yes on this important legislation. The Waste Diversion and Recycling Task Force was created pursuant to SJ 42 in 2020 and this bill amends that resolution. The Task Force needs time to organize, research, hold meetings, and make recommendations in this vital area. The current methods of handling trash are not working and are harmful to our environment and changes are needed. The Waste Diversion and Recycling Task Force does not have an easy task before them, and it will take time to research and review various options to handle Virginia’s trash to find better methods that are not so harmful to our environment – it is doable! It is important for you, our lawmakers, to make sure adequate time is provided for this Task Force. It is time for you to stop fixing things with band aids when a major bandage is needed. Approve SB1319 and give the Task Force the needed time and resources to do a complete, thorough research and make recommendations to improve things for all Virginians. Does Virginia want to continue to be known as the State for Lovers or the Trash State? The decision is in your hands, we do not need more Charles Cities or other similar tragedies already present in Virginia. It is time for you to protect our environment! Thank You.

SB 1319 Waste Diversion and Recycling Task Force: Department of Environmental Quality to Continue (Hashmi) Madam Chairwoman and members of the Committee, my name is Kevin Halligan. I live in Powhatan County Virginia and am a member of the AMMD Pine Grove Project. I am here to speak in support of Senate Bill 1319. SB1319 directs the Waste Diversion and Recycling Task Force to study ways that organic material such as wasted food generated in and outside of Virginia can be diverted from Virginia landfills and either be composted or recovered and donated. Virginia's broken waste management system must be fixed, and it is time that more responsible, efficient, and environmentally sustainable policies and methods of waste management be established. The immediate formation of the Waste Diversion and Recycling Task Force is the first step in bringing needed changes to Virginia's ability to manage solid waste generated within and imported from outside of the Commonwealth. DEQ’s 2020 Annual Solid Waste Report estimates that Virginia Landfills have sufficient disposal capacity for the next 20 years. It should be noted that DEQ only requires that Virginia’s Solid Waste Planning Units project disposal needs for only the next 20 years. Virginia’s 71 Regional Solid Waste Planning Units are responsible for managing the waste generated in the counties and cities of Virginia. These Planning Units are each required to maintain current Solid Waste Management Plans projecting anticipated needs and disposal capacity for 20 years from the date of the plan. These plans must be updated every 5 years. Virtually every Solid Waste Management Unit that I have contacted and Plan that I have reviewed indicates sufficient disposal capacity to effectively manage the region’s waste stream for the Plan’s 20-year window. The plans from Virginia’s most populated Regional Planning Units, Fairfax County, Hampton Roads Planning District Commission, and Central Virginia Waste Management Authority all indicate sufficient disposal capacity for at least 20 years or more. Virginia does not appear to have any pressing need for additional landfill capacity but instead needs to develop more socially responsible and environmentally sustainable waste management methods. Please vote yes to Senate Bill 1319. Thank you for the opportunity speak today. Kevin Halligan 6372 Haleford Drive Powhatan County Va. 23139 Kevin Halligan wkhalligan@gmail.com

SB 1319 Waste Diversion and Recycling Task Force: Department of Environmental Quality to Continue (Hashmi) Madam Chairwoman and members of the Committee, my name is Kevin Halligan. I live in Powhatan County Virginia and am a member of the AMMD Pine Grove Project. I am here to speak in support of Senate Bill 1319. SB1319 directs the Waste Diversion and Recycling Task Force to study ways that organic material such as wasted food generated in and outside of Virginia can be diverted from Virginia landfills and either be composted or recovered and donated. DEQ’s 2020 Annual Solid Waste Report estimates that Virginia Landfills have sufficient disposal capacity for the next 20 years. It should be noted that DEQ only requires that Virginia’s Solid Waste Planning Units project disposal needs for no longer than 20 years. Virginia’s 71 Regional Solid Waste Planning Units are responsible for managing the waste generated in the counties and cities of Virginia. These Planning Units are each required to maintain current Solid Waste Management Plans projecting anticipated needs and disposal capacity for 20 years from the date of the plan. These plans must be updated every 5 years. Virtually every Solid Waste Management Unit that I have contacted and Plan that I have reviewed indicates sufficient disposal capacity to effectively manage the region’s waste stream for the Plan’s 20-year window. The plans from Virginia’s most populated Regional Planning Units, Fairfax County, Hampton Roads Planning District Commission, and Central Virginia Waste Management Authority all indicate sufficient disposal capacity for at least 20 years or more. Virginia does not appear to have any pressing need for additional landfill capacity but instead needs to develop more socially responsible and environmentally sustainable waste management methods. Suspending Permits for new or existing landfills that accept huge volumes of waste will have no adverse impact on Virginia’s waste management needs but will instead prevent the unnecessary disruption of communities, dislocation of residents destruction of cultural and historic resources, wildlife habitats and landscapes. The permitting of huge heavily industrialized, multi-state corporate landfills should be suspended until such time as the General Assembly has had an opportunity to enact legislation that incorporates the findings and recommendations of the Waste Diversion and Recycling Task Force. Please vote yes to Senate Bill 1319. Thank you for the opportunity speak today. Kevin Halligan 6372 Haleford Drive Powhatan County Va. 23139 Kevin Halligan wkhalligan@gmail.com

Virginia Conservation Network (VCN) and its coalition of 150 conservation organizations across the Commonwealth are in full support of SB1396. Please vote in SUPPORT of this legislation. Case for support: http://www.vcnva.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/SB1396-Onsite-Sewage-Fund.pdf

The James River Association strongly support SB1396, along with our colleagues at Wetlands Watch and Friends of the Rappahannock. Adequate wastewater treatment is an environmental and an equity issue. Aging septic systems across the Commonwealth, including those designed to meet out-of-date health and environmental regulations, can send pathogens and nutrient pollution into our communities and our waterways. This is a particular concern within our rural coastal regions, where climate change and recurrent flooding are already inundating these systems and significantly reducing their lifespan. SB1396 will help address these concerns as we work to ensure our wastewater infrastructure adequately protects the health and well-being of all Virginians.

The pipeline for oil needs to be reopened but thanks to our corrupt president biden it got closed which put a lot of people out of work and raised gas prices.

I am writing about bill SB1390. I support this program and feel that we in rural areas need it. I have personally trapped cats in my neighborhood and neutered and spayed them. This is the only way to cut down the cat population. I live in Russell County and we don't even have a shelter for cats. I would love to see a law in Virginia requiring cats to be spayed and neutered. We are the voices of those who can't speak. Thank you.

The pipeline for oil needs to be reopened but thanks to our corrupt president biden it got closed which put a lot of people out of work and raised gas prices.

Will speak to my Bills if needed. Bill Stanley

am writing in support of SB1412. This is an important bill that would help ensure that individuals that work for or adopt animals from commercial breeders or pet shops have not ben convicteed of animal cruelty, neglect or abandonment.

I support SB1390. This bill is good for cats and people of Virginia. TNR for cats is legal. SB1412 and SB1417 is good for the protection of all animals.

This legislation is vital for the protection of vulnerable animals who are otherwise exposed to people with a history of animal abuse. We don't allow sex offenders to work with or have access to children because of the risk they pose. It therefore seems logical and imperative to provide these same protections to animals who, like children, are unable to protect themselves.

I support both SB 1417 and SB 1412 Both of these bills provide for humane treatment of animals, one that is allowing for adoption of animals in testing labs, and the other for keeping animal abusers from being involved in commercial animal trading

VA is a very wealthy state. I find our governor to be a disgusting human being because of his support for late-term abortions. Those who care will continue to fight that issue. In the mean time, let's not forget our responsibility to animals in this state, those that are feral and those used and abused for scientific purposes. Virginia's TNR program is extremely important for cats and the people of VA. I have adopted three cats through this program. SB1390 affirms TNR for cats is legal.

These bills are very much important and I urge considerations.

Please pass SB1412. No one convicted of animal cruelty has any business working in a pet store or for a breeder.

My name is Tabitha Treloar and I’m the Director of Communications for the Richmond SPCA. Support SB1390: The Richmond SPCA is a private, nonprofit humane society that supports supports a robust community TNR program and has done so for more than a decade by providing free sterilization surgeries, vaccination against rabies and other veterinary resources for unowned community cats throughout the Greater Richmond Area. We have always maintained that the community caregivers who trap and bring cats for our services are acting lawfully, and we ask that for your support of SB1390 to make clear that programs of TNR are permitted, that returning a cat after sterilization does not constitute abandonment, and to elevate the practice of TNR that reduces community cat populations. I anticipate that you will hear from opponents of this bill regarding concerns for wildlife. We share concerns for birds as we care for the welfare of all animals; however, blaming cats for the decline of bird populations that rests more broadly on human causes and environmental changes creates a false narrative that will lead to the preventable deaths of cats. You will hear euphemisms related to the removal of cats, but in very plain terms what that means is having them trapped and killed, which is neither humane nor is it an effective solution. It is not possible to trap and kill the entire free-roaming cat population, and it should go without saying that such an approach would be unethical. Unowned cats are already living outdoors, and without TNR, these cats remain unvaccinated and able to reproduce, which leads to exponential population growth. We should remove any perceived obstacles to the proven best practice of TNR, and that is why we ask that you report SB1390. Support SB1412: Please report SB1412 to prohibit anyone convicted of animal cruelty from owning or working at a pet shop or for a commercial breeder or dealer. Virginia code already requires that shelters and rescues such as the Richmond SPCA must obtain a certification from all staff, board members, volunteers and adopters attesting they have not been convicted of cruelty, neglect or abandonment. Currently there is no similar requirement of businesses that house animals sold for profit. SB1412 corrects that disparity in code. Support SB1417: We also ask you to report SB1417 to require animal testing facilities to offer dogs and cats a chance at adoption before euthanizing these animals. Virginia releasing agencies such as ours have the expertise and experience to care for these animals – addressing their medical and behavioral needs – to prepare them to be pets at the end of their time in research so that they can live out their lives in homes.

I am writing in support of SB1412. This is an important bill that would help ensure that individuals that work for or adopt animals from commercial breeders or pet shops have not ben convicteed of animal cruelty, neglect or abandonment. I have worked as a volunteer for the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria for 30 years. In Virginia, for many years, rescue organizations and shelters, like mine, have been required to ensure that their employees and adopters have not been convicted of animal cruelty, neglect, or abandonment. So this bill simply closes the gap. Only those breeders that have 30 or more adult female breeding dogs would be subject to this bill so it would not affect any individuals who simply choose to breed their animals. It only affects 15 companies in Vrginia, so the burden is limited. But the benefit is great. Virginia has done an outstanding job of shutting down puppy mills in the Commonwealth. As a result, unscrupupous breeders and pet shops source their animals from outside the state. Recently a pet shop owner in northern Virginia was convicted of animal cruelty. Nothing prohibits him of simply opening another pet shop in Virginia. This is an outcome we can and should prevent. Thank you for considering my views.

EVERY Animal DESERVES the Same respect Humans get. Abuse is ABUSE and anyone doing this to any life deserves to get their punishment. Homeless people are not being killed, people do try to help them. Homeless animals deserve the same respect and SHOULD be allowed to be helped and to LIVE.

I respectfully ask that you please support this bill that will prohibits anyone convicted of animal cruelty from working in a pet shop or for a dealer or commercial dog breeder.

“My name is Buddy Woodward and I am your constituent. Like many Virginians, I want what is best for community cats, and I enthusiastically support SB 1390. I ask you to SUPPORT SB 1390.” Thank you.

This bill just makes common sense because it imposes the same regulations, with regard to hiring past animal abusers, on commercial dog operations as those already in place for animal shelters. People convicted of animal abuse should not be working with animals.

On behalf of the Virginia Federation of Humane Societies and Homeward Trails Animal Rescue, we ask you to SUPPORT HB 1412 and HB 1417.

Please pass this bill. It is the humane way to address the feral cat population.

I support SB1412. This bill will make the standards consistent with municipal facilities. The bill prohibits any person from serving as an owner, director, officer, manager, operator, member of staff, or animal caregiver of a pet shop, dealer, or commercial dog breeder if they has been convicted of animal cruelty. SB1412 also prohibits pet shops from selling an animal without first obtaining a signed statement from the purchaser that they has never been convicted of animal cruelty. Thank you, Senator Stanley, for raising the bar on animal safety and your continued compassion for those that cannot speak.

cats and dogs deserve to live beyond the circumstances humans gave them. TNR controls the numbers cats, vaccines and altering control the quality of life, controlling the numbers control the number predators for birds and small mammals. all animal that have been subject by humans to testing, deserve to live out the rest of their lives in loving homes anyone convicted of animal cruelty or inhumane treatment of animals should not be allowed to own a pets shop or work with animals. thanks

I am in full support of bill SB1412 seeking to “ Prohibit any person from serving as an owner, director, officer, manager, operator, member of staff, or animal caregiver of a pet shop, dealer, or commercial dog breeder if such person has been convicted of animal cruelty.”. Frankly, this is a reasonable bare minimum requirement. If you have been convicted of animal cruelty, you should not work with, or much less profit from, animals. I saw a comment regarding unfair convictions as a result of exaggeration, and the potential impact of this bill on those cases. While I understand that could happen in theory, it would require many unreasonable people be involved in the process (law enforcement, judge, etc) before this bill even begins to apply. I looked at the organization that posted that comment opposing this bill and cited such cases. I found that on their website they discuss something as simple as making clean water available to animals and pets as “impractical and wholly unrealistic”. Their website also also discussed the inconvenience of not allowing an animal’s drinkable water to freeze. This makes me think that anyone opposing this bill is worried about being convicted for animal cruelty and thus being directly impacted. I have owned many pets and animals throughout my life, and have volunteered with multiple animal rescue organizations in Virginia. I understand that animals get dirty, get sick, get old, and have their own personality quirks resulting in odd behavior. However the idea that “all it takes is one accusation and an animal owner's life can be destroyed forever” is exaggerated (quote from said organization’s page). Those convicted of animal cruelty should be held accountable and not permitted to work with animals in the future. This bill ultimately does way more good than harm. I ask that you please support this bill.

Please protect the animals. Thank you.

A so-called “no-kill" animal facility is one that saves both healthy and treatable (medically and behaviorally) dogs and cats, with a a “save rate” of at least 90%, meaning 10% or less of the pets who enter the shelter are euthanized due to severe illness or "extreme aggression," according to the Peninsula SPCA. That means these shelters exterminate wild animals simply for being wild. The majority of animal surrenders in my area go to Peninsula Regional Animal Shelter, a municipal shelter. The Daily Press reported in 2015 that its euthanasia rate was 43%, "typical for municipal shelters across the country." In contrast, the Cat Corner's Hampton TNR program euthanized 0% of its community cats in 2018 (the closest comparable year) and 6% in 2020. And studies show that TNR reduces expensive euthanasia by 95%. That's good for cats, shelters, donors, and tax payers. TNR also benefits people who find community cats to be a nuisance. It stops multiplying, while also preventing a vacuum in unoccupied territory for more cats to fill. It eliminates fighting, spraying, and mating behaviors. And it helps communities of people who do care for these animals by treating them. Most people think they are saving strays and ferals when they call animal control by turning them into shelters. I would really like for shelters -- ESPECIALLY MUNICIPIAL SHELTERS -- to be encouraged to run TNR programs, educate the public about these programs, and, yes, use government funds, where applicable to do so (even if the latter is not outlined in the Bill). Thus, I support SB1390. I fully support SB1412. But not only should animal caregivers have to submit signed statements that they have never been convicted of animal cruelty, they should also have to submit to background checks to employers or licensing agencies. I fully support SB1417. Animals should be released for adoption after cruel testing at lab testing facilities. Civil penalties are not enough should institutions fail to comply.

I am writing about bill SB1390. I support this program and feel that we in rural areas need it. I have personally trapped cats in my neighborhood and neutered and spayed them. This is the only way to cut down the cat population. I live in Russell County and we don't even have a shelter for cats. I would love to see a law in Virginia requiring cats to be spayed and neutered. We are the voices of those who can't speak. Thank you.

Trap neuter release is an important step in keeping the cat population down

Will speak to my Bills if needed. Bill Stanley

I support SB1390. This bill is good for cats and people of Virginia. TNR for cats is legal. SB1412 and SB1417 is good for the protection of all animals.

This legislation provides the possibility for animals who have been subjected to testing, in many cases involving pain and cruelty, the opportunity to be adopted into loving homes. I support this in the strongest of terms.

I support both SB 1417 and SB 1412 Both of these bills provide for humane treatment of animals, one that is allowing for adoption of animals in testing labs, and the other for keeping animal abusers from being involved in commercial animal trading

VA is a very wealthy state. I find our governor to be a disgusting human being because of his support for late-term abortions. Those who care will continue to fight that issue. In the mean time, let's not forget our responsibility to animals in this state, those that are feral and those used and abused for scientific purposes. Virginia's TNR program is extremely important for cats and the people of VA. I have adopted three cats through this program. SB1390 affirms TNR for cats is legal.

On behalf of The Humane Society of the United States and our supporters in Virginia, thank you for this opportunity to submit written testimony in support of SB 1417. The bill simply provides an opportunity for dogs and cats to live a life in a home as an adopted pet once their time in the laboratory has come to an end—an opportunity that each and every dog and cat deserves. A number of people who have adopted former research dogs and cats can attest to the resilience and affection of these animals once they are given the chance to flourish in a home environment. Several states, including New York, Delaware, and Maryland, have passed similar legislation. Additionally, there are a number of research facilities across the United States that have instituted successful adoption programs for dogs, cats and other animals. Adoption programs, in addition to benefiting the animals, can decrease stress and improve morale among laboratory workers. SB 1417 is a win-win solution for dogs and cats in Virginia facilities and the workers who form bonds with these animals. We respectfully urge you to support SB 1417. Thank you.

These bills are very much important and I urge considerations.

Please pass this bill. Research animals deserve the chance to be adopted.

Must!!!!!

My name is Tabitha Treloar and I’m the Director of Communications for the Richmond SPCA. Support SB1390: The Richmond SPCA is a private, nonprofit humane society that supports supports a robust community TNR program and has done so for more than a decade by providing free sterilization surgeries, vaccination against rabies and other veterinary resources for unowned community cats throughout the Greater Richmond Area. We have always maintained that the community caregivers who trap and bring cats for our services are acting lawfully, and we ask that for your support of SB1390 to make clear that programs of TNR are permitted, that returning a cat after sterilization does not constitute abandonment, and to elevate the practice of TNR that reduces community cat populations. I anticipate that you will hear from opponents of this bill regarding concerns for wildlife. We share concerns for birds as we care for the welfare of all animals; however, blaming cats for the decline of bird populations that rests more broadly on human causes and environmental changes creates a false narrative that will lead to the preventable deaths of cats. You will hear euphemisms related to the removal of cats, but in very plain terms what that means is having them trapped and killed, which is neither humane nor is it an effective solution. It is not possible to trap and kill the entire free-roaming cat population, and it should go without saying that such an approach would be unethical. Unowned cats are already living outdoors, and without TNR, these cats remain unvaccinated and able to reproduce, which leads to exponential population growth. We should remove any perceived obstacles to the proven best practice of TNR, and that is why we ask that you report SB1390. Support SB1412: Please report SB1412 to prohibit anyone convicted of animal cruelty from owning or working at a pet shop or for a commercial breeder or dealer. Virginia code already requires that shelters and rescues such as the Richmond SPCA must obtain a certification from all staff, board members, volunteers and adopters attesting they have not been convicted of cruelty, neglect or abandonment. Currently there is no similar requirement of businesses that house animals sold for profit. SB1412 corrects that disparity in code. Support SB1417: We also ask you to report SB1417 to require animal testing facilities to offer dogs and cats a chance at adoption before euthanizing these animals. Virginia releasing agencies such as ours have the expertise and experience to care for these animals – addressing their medical and behavioral needs – to prepare them to be pets at the end of their time in research so that they can live out their lives in homes.

I am writing in support of SB1417. This is a common sense bill. It would simply provide an opportunity for a dog or cat to be adopted after a research testing facility has completed its use of the animal for research. The opportunity would be available only for those dogs and cats that the facility determines do not provide a health or safety risk, so the public is not at risk. The use of the animal in research is not limited; the opportunity is available only after the facility has decided its us of the animal is over, so the testing facility is not adversely impacted. Finally, this is the decent thing to do. These animals deserve this chance for some affection and a home life after a life of service to people. I have a colleague who regularly adoptedresearch Beagles from research facilities in Pennsylvania, and they make wonderful pets. Thank you for considering my views.

I respectfully ask that you support this bill to animal testing facilities to allow the adoption of their research dogs and cats.

“My name is Buddy Woodward and I am your constituent. Like many Virginians, I want what is best for community cats, and I enthusiastically support SB 1390. I ask you to SUPPORT SB 1390.” Thank you.

These poor animals have given their lives to the benefit of man. The least we can do is give them the opportunity, once their time is up as laboratory test animals, to spend the rest of their lives in a loving home. This bill is a no brainer!

On behalf of the Virginia Federation of Humane Societies and Homeward Trails Animal Rescue, we ask you to SUPPORT HB 1412 and HB 1417.

Please pass this bill. It is the humane way to address the feral cat population.

I support SB1417 for the following reasons. This bill requires any animal testing facility that no longer has need for a dog or cat in its possession to offer the animal for adoption; either to a releasing agency or through private placement. As one who has worked with research and teaching animals at a university that implemented such a program, I can say for certain, that it is a win win for all involved. It is so important for both the staff and students to see a commitment to the welfare of the animals. As the owner of two former research cats, they make wonderful pets. I applaud Senator Stanley for this bill and am proud to have him as my representative. Thank you.

cats and dogs deserve to live beyond the circumstances humans gave them. TNR controls the numbers cats, vaccines and altering control the quality of life, controlling the numbers control the number predators for birds and small mammals. all animal that have been subject by humans to testing, deserve to live out the rest of their lives in loving homes anyone convicted of animal cruelty or inhumane treatment of animals should not be allowed to own a pets shop or work with animals. thanks

Please protect the animals. Thank you.

TNR programs are essential to controlling the community cat population. Euthanasia shouldn’t be the suggested alternative as these cats live perfectly healthy lives once spayed or neutered and community members take care of them and monitor their health once altered. These Cats should be given an opportunity to live their lives as they’re not hurting anyone or anything. The community cats that i help take care of would much rather have the Canned wet food i offer Them than kill a cardinal or other bird. The only life they’ve ever known is one on the streets and that wasn’t by choice. By allowing all city & counties to offer TNR programs it will ensure the cat population stays low and allows all hands to be on deck to help with the process. Whereas now only a small handful of people / groups can help with tnr which is not only discouraging but also exhausting. Please allow all shelters to help with this so we can continue to enrich the lives of the community cats we care so deeply about.