PRESS STATEMENT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
January 6, 2025
CONTACT:
Linnea Bennett
Director of Marketing and Communications
(410) 212-3819
lbennett@thejamesriver.org
Governor’s Budget Supports Key Conservation Initiatives – but Additional Investment is Needed
RICHMOND, VA – On December 18th, Governor Youngkin released his proposed amendments to Virginia’s biennial budget for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. His amendments add $94 million to programs supporting cleaner water and healthier rivers, including:
- $17.4 million for additional agricultural best management practices and technical assistance, as part of $258 million for soil and water conservation in the two-year budget.
- $17.4 million for upgrades to wastewater treatment plants to better remove nitrogen and phosphorus pollution, added to the $400 million already in the two-year budget.
- An additional $50 million to help the City of Richmond prevent contaminated overflows from its combined sewer system during heavy rain events.
While we are encouraged to see the commitment to these investments, other key priorities to improve water quality and the overall health of the James were left unaddressed by new amendments. These include funding for Virginia’s agencies and core programs to manage stormwater pollution, conserve land, develop strategies to protect migratory fish, educate the next generation of environmental stewards, and enhance community flood resilience.
Virginia is still working to meet its 2025 goals for the Chesapeake Bay Cleanup by reducing pollution loads from stormwater, wastewater, and agricultural runoff. However, reports show that the Commonwealth and the rest of the Bay watershed are not on track to meet these goals on time. Therefore, more investment is needed in the programs and practices that will help us reach these goals as soon as possible.
What’s more, as 2024 showed us, increased rainfall and intense storms are making our watershed communities more vulnerable to flooding and other disasters. If we fail to make educated investments in resiliency planning now, we will face costlier consequences down the road; the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s 2024 Climate Resiliency report highlighted every $1 invested in resilience efforts saved over $10 in disaster recovery.
Lastly, the City of Richmond faces a mandated deadline to address the water quality impacts of its Combined Sewer System. While the Governor’s proposed budget includes $50 million for these projects, this amount falls short of the dollars needed to upgrade this infrastructure by 2035. These necessary improvements will have a lasting positive impact on the James River by reducing pollution entering the river during rainfall events, and the time is now to invest in our future.
“We appreciate Governor Youngkin’s clean water budget proposals to build on the important investments already established in the biennial budget.” said Bill Street, President and CEO of the James River Association. “It is critical that Virginia continue to invest in clean water programs to safeguard its vital water resources like the James River. We will continue to seek measures in the 2025 General Assembly to improve the health of the James River, reduce pollution that limits people’s use and enjoyment of the James River, make our communities more resilient, and to help our vulnerable migratory fish species like American shad.”
ABOUT THE JAMES RIVER ASSOCIATION: The James River Association is a member-supported nonprofit organization founded in 1976 to serve as a guardian and voice for the James River. Throughout the James River’s 10,000-square mile watershed, the James River Association works toward its vision of a fully healthy James River supporting thriving communities. The James River Association believes that “when you change the James, the James changes you”. With offices in Lynchburg, Richmond, Williamsburg, and Scottsville, the James River Association is committed to protecting the James River and connecting people to it. For more information visit www.thejamesriver.org.