– State News: Kaine issues executive order on environmental impact of state government
– Local News: Public meeting on South River study on Thursday
– Sports: Free tickets for Friday’s Waynesboro-Staunton game
– Local News: Flag Day at Wilson Library
– Event: Valley Pride July 26
State News: Kaine issues executive order on environmental impact of state government
Gov. Timothy M. Kaine today issued Executive Order 82, which will significantly expand efforts to reduce the energy and environmental impact of executive branch agencies and institutions. As part of the Governor’s Renew Virginia initiative, this policy promotes energy and water efficient buildings, encourages reductions in employee travel and commuting, and will minimize the use of disposable materials.
“Virginians are blessed to inhabit a state with tremendous natural beauty and abundant resources that support our economy,” Gov. Kaine said. “Because the Commonwealth’s business operation is so large, any action we take to reduce our environmental impact will have a significant effect. I am hopeful that by reducing the environmental impact of government operations, the Commonwealth can inspire private businesses and individuals to adopt similar measures.”
As part of the Executive Order, Gov. Kaine also issued the “Green Commonwealth Challenge” to engage the state workforce in the greening of government. Agencies and institutions that choose to participate will report to the Secretary of Natural Resources information such as the following for the period of June 15 through Nov. 15, 2009:
– The number of in-person meetings avoided through the use of video conferences or conference calls, as well as an estimate of travel miles avoided
– The number of different materials included in the agency’s recycling program
– Electricity bills for the months of July, August and September of 2008, as well as the months of July, August and September 2009
The Secretary of Natural Resources will develop a scoring system and provide guidelines for participating agencies, compile all the reports received by Dec. 1, 2009, and announce the three highest-scoring agencies by Dec. 15, 2009.
State employees are also invited to submit suggestions to reduce the state government’s environmental impact to the Department of Human Resource Management’s Employee Suggestion Program. The employee who submits the best idea, determined by the Chief of Staff and Secretaries of Administration and Natural Resources, will receive one day of annual leave.
Executive Order 82 expands on Executive Order 48, which Gov. Kaine issued in April 2007. To view both executive orders, visit the governor’s website at: www.governor.virginia.
Local News: Public meeting on South River study on Thursday
The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality and the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation in cooperation with the Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission will host a public meeting on June 11, 2009, in Waynesboro on a water quality studies for the South River.
The meeting will start at 7 p.m. at the Waynesboro City Council Chambers, Charles T. Yancey Municipal Building, 503 W. Main St., Waynesboro. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss results of the studies with community members. Refreshments will be provided courtesy of the Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission.
Virginia agencies are working to identify and control sources of pollution in the South River watershed. Sediment and phosphorus pollution decreases the quality of the water and limits the diversity and abundance of organisms living on or near the bottom of the stream. Fecal bacteria pollution in the South River also decreases the quality of the water and prohibits safe swimming. Mercury pollution in the river has resulted in a fish consumption advisory. The South River is listed with impaired quality from the Invista Discharge to its confluence with the North River in Port Republic.
As a result of the study, DEQ developed total maximum daily loads, or a TMDLs, for the South River. A TMDL is the total amount of a pollutant a water body can contain and still meet water quality standards. To restore water quality, pollutant levels have to be reduced to the TMDL amount.
For more information, contact Robert Brent, study coordinator in the DEQ Valley Regional Office in Harrisonburg, by phone at 540.574.7848, or by e-mail at [email protected]. Additional information is also available on the DEQ web site at www.deq.virginia.gov/tmdl.
Sports: Free tickets for Friday’s Waynesboro-Staunton game
Friday night’s Valley League matchup pitting the Staunton Braves against the Waynesboro Generals at Fishburne Military School Park at Kate Collins Field is being sponsored by Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport.
Free tickets are available in the General Aviation Building (brick with blue roof) at the airport in Weyers Cave on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Local News: Flag Day at Wilson Library
In recognition of President Woodrow Wilson first proclaiming Flag Day in 1916, the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and Museum will hand out flags to guests on Flag Day, Sunday, June 14.
President Woodrow Wilson established Flag Day with a Proclamation on May 16, 1916. Communities across the nation celebrated Flag Day that day and in the years to come.
The idea for Flag Day originated in 1885, when a Wisconsin public school teacher decided that his students should celebrate June 14 as “Flag Birthday.” That day marked the 108th anniversary of the official adoption of the Stars and Stripes in 1777. In 1949, 33 years after President Wilson’s proclamation, President Harry Truman signed an Act of Congress officially designating June 14th of each year as National Flag Day.
Event: Valley Pride July 26
Valley Pride, sponsored by the Shenandoah Valley Gay and Lesbian Association, is set for Sunday, July 26, from 4-8 p.m. in Shelters #11 and #12 in Hillandale Park in Harrisonburg.
Hamburgers, snacks, and soft drinks will be provided. Pets, children, and all family members are welcome. Volleyball and live music will be featured.
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