Authority: Title 2.2, Chapter 2, Article 7; and § 2.2-201, Code of Virginia.
A. The Secretary of Natural Resources shall report to the Chairmen of the Senate Committees on Finance and Agriculture, Conservation, and Natural Resources, and the House Committees on Appropriations and Conservation and Natural Resources, by November 4 of each year on implementation of the Chesapeake Bay nutrient reduction strategies. The report shall include and address the progress and costs of point source and nonpoint source pollution strategies. The report shall include, but not be limited to, information on levels of dissolved oxygen, acres of submerged aquatic vegetation, computer modeling, variety and numbers of living resources, and other relevant measures for the General Assembly to evaluate the progress and effectiveness of the tributary strategies. In addition, the Secretary shall include information on the status of all of Virginia's commitments to the Chesapeake Bay Agreements.
B.1. The Secretary of Natural Resources shall develop a long-term plan to adequately fund the water, waste and hazardous waste regulatory programs in the Department of Environmental Quality. In developing the plan, the Secretary shall seek input from representatives from local governments, private sector organizations and the public. The plan's objective is to develop a financial strategy for the programs that will protect the public and maintain state primacy in environmental matters delegated to Virginia by the federal government. The plan shall address, but not be limited to these factors: (1) the likelihood of additional general fund resources for environmental activities; (2) projected workloads in the various environmental regulatory programs; (3) cost containment strategies in regulatory management through increased reliance upon technology; and (4) changes to federal environmental policies and funding practices. An interim status report shall be submitted to the Chairmen of the Senate Finance and Senate Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources Committees, and House Appropriations and House Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources Committees by December 6, 2002. The final plan shall be submitted by November 14, 2003.
2. In developing the plan, the Secretary shall cooperate with the House Appropriations, House Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources, Senate Finance, and Senate Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources Committees. The Committees shall make periodic inquiries on the progress and content of the plan.
C. The Secretary of Natural Resources may consider an unsolicited proposal to develop a public-private educational and infrastructure facilities (PPEA) project associated with the Virginia Recreational Authority’s Explore Park facilities. Any such proposal shall conform to § 56-575.1 et. seq., Code of Virginia, and shall provide for a continuing interest in the facilities by the Commonwealth, and for enhanced educational and recreational opportunities to be provided by the non-state participants in the project. The proposal shall be submitted to the Chairmen of the House Appropriations and Senate Finance Committees by October 1, 2003. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as to obligate the Commonwealth to enter into any resulting PPEA project.