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2004 Special Session I

Budget Amendments - HB5001 (Conference Report)

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Additional Land Conservation Funding

Item 383 #5c

Item 383 #5c

First Year - FY2005 Second Year - FY2006
Natural Resources
Conservation and Recreation, Department of FY2005 $2,500,000 FY2006 $2,500,000 GF

Language
Page 300, line 1, strike "$25,666,442" and insert "$28,166,442".
Page 300, line 1, strike "$25,666,442" and insert "$28,166,442".
Page 301, line 15, after "H.", and insert "1.".
Page 301, line 22, after "funding;", insert:
"descriptions of projects that received funding;".
Page 301, after line 24, insert:
"2. Included in the amount for Preservation of Open Space Lands is $2,500,000 in the first year and $2,500,000 in the second year from the general fund to be deposited into the Virginia Land Conservation Fund,
§ 10.1-1012 Code of Virginia.
3. The Chairman of the Virginia Land Conservation Foundation, or his designee, shall review the criteria used to evaluate grant applications. Based on this review, the Foundation shall develop new review criteria that better quantify the relative merits of each prospective grant parcel. The measurable criteria shall include, but are not limited to, the following: (1) the status of the parcel under a locality's master plan as a Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area, (2) the degree to which securing the parcel will protect local drinking water supplies, (3) the degree to which the parcel satisfies recreational needs of population centers, or other recreational needs as identified in the Virginia Outdoors Plan, (4) the extent to which the affected localities have identified the parcel as having important local water quality or recreational benefits, (5) other criteria that are relevant to the particular classes of open space preservation provided under Virginia law, and (6) the cost-effectiveness of the parcel in satisfying these criteria compared to alternatives. By November 19, 2004, copies of the proposed revisions to the grant review criteria shall be provided to the Chairmen of the House Committees on Appropriations, and Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources, and the Senate Committees on Finance, and Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources.
4. Beginning November 1, 2005, and annually thereafter, the Chairman of the Virginia Land Conservation Foundation shall submit a report to the Chairmen of the House Committees on Appropriations, and Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources, and the Senate Committees on Finance and Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources, and the Director of the Department of Planning and Budget on the activities of the Virginia Land Conservation Foundation including, but not limited to, implementation of the Foundation's strategic plan; projects under consideration for funding, with their scores on the new grant review criteria developed pursuant to paragraph H.2. above; projects funded, with their scores on the new grant review criteria developed pursuant to paragraph H.2. above; and expenditures from, interest earned by, and financial obligations of the Virginia Land Conservation Fund."


Explanation
(This amendment appropriates $2,500,000 in general funds each year for the preservation of open spaces, natural areas, agricultural lands, historic sites, and other significant natural and cultural assets of the Commonwealth, and will contribute to improved water quality by preventing pollution from polluted agricultural and urban runoff.)