The role of the Legislative Committee is to support the NVSWCD Board of Directors by providing policy advice and draft communications for their consideration and to facilitate the expression of its official views to the Virginia Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts (VASWCD), the General Assembly of Virginia, and executive branch agencies of the Commonwealth of Virginia, Fairfax County and other entities associated with the local, state, or federal government, as useful to advance the mission of the NVSWCD.

The NVSWCD Board of Directors meets the fourth Tuesday of every month to discuss district business. The meetings are usually held in the Herrity Building, 12055 Government Center Parkway in Fairfax, on the 9th floor. Meetings begin at 9:30 a.m. (unless announced otherwise) and are open to the public. The NVSWCD Legislative Committee meets two weeks prior to the Board of Director’s regular monthly meeting. You can learn more about our monthly Board of Director's meetings here. 

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Overall Legislative Priorities

• Presentation to the Fairfax County Delegation in the General Assembly outlining the legislative priorities of SWCDs in 2026 and seeking support on January 10, 2026
• Letter of Support to Senator Marsden outlining the legislative priorities of SWCDs in 2026 and seeking support in the General Assembly session dated December 31, 2025
• Letter of support to Delegate Lopez outlining the legislative priorities of SWCDs in 2024 dated August 8, 2024
• Letter of support to Senator Marsden outlining the legislative priorities of SWCDs in 2024 and seeking support in the 2024 General Assembly session dated December 27, 2023
• Letter of support to Delegate Bulova outlining the legislative priorities of SWCDs in 2022 and seeking support in the General Assembly session dated January 17, 2022

Climate Resilience and Policy

• Position: NVSWCD supports the Fairfax County's Community-wide Energy and Climate Action Plan (CECAP)
  • Letter of support to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors dated January 17, 2022

Dam Safety and Management

• Position: NVSWCD supports funding for the Lake Barcroft dam to improve dam safety against the risk of catastrophic flooding
  • Letter of Support to Senator Surovell in support of a budget amendment in the General Assembly to complete infrastructure improvements at Lake Barcroft Dam dated November 12, 2024

Invasive Species Management

• Position: NVSWCD supports an ordinance to control running bamboo in Fairfax County
  • Letter of support to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors dated February 9, 2022
  • Letter of support to Fairfax County Supervisor Lusk dated September 28, 2021
• Position: NVSWCD supports legislation that addresses the removal and management of invasive plants
  • Letter of support to Delegate Bulova of the Virginia House of Delegates District 37 for several bills in the General Assembly dated January 26, 2022
  • Letter of support to Delegate Krizek of the Virginia House of Delegates District 44 for several bills in the General Assembly dated January 26, 2022
  • Letter of support to Chairman Ware of the House Committee on Agriculture Chesapeake and Natural Resources for several bills in the General Assembly dated January 26, 2022
• Position: NVSWCD supports funding for programs to manage and eradicate Trapa bispinosa (Trapa or Water Chestnut), an invasive aquatic weed spreading across Northern Virginia
  • Report outlining roles and agenda items of the Legislative Committee, including a letter of support for funding for programs to manage and eradicate Trapa dated July 2021
• Position: NVSWCD supports clear labeling for invasive plants at plant nurseries
  • Statement from VASWCD in support of HB 47 patroned by Delegate Seibold at the General Assembly, 2024

Native Plants

• Position: NVSWCD supports the use of native plants in conservation landscaping to reduce water use and pollution and provide habitat for wildlife
  • Statement from VASWCD in support of HB 528 patroned by Delegate Krizek at the General Assembly, 2024

Solar Energy

• Position: NVSWCD opposes solar development on forests and prime farmland and supports installation of solar energy facilities on new and existing structures, parking lots, transportation amenities, and brownfields
  • Statement from Scott Cameron on behalf of VASWCD in support of HB 206 patroned by Senator Surovell dated November 19, 2024
  • Statement from Scott Cameron on behalf of NVSWCD in support of SB 316 patroned by Senator Salim dated January 22, 2024
  • Statement from VASWCD in support of HB 197 patroned by Delegate Krizek at the General Assembly, 2024
  • Statement from VASWCD in support of HB 198 patroned by Delegate Krizek at the General Assembly, 2024
  • Statement from VASWCD in support of HB 199 patroned by Delegate Krizek at the General Assembly, 2024
  • Letter of support to Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman McKay to support economic incentives for responsible solar development dated September 26, 2023

Virginia Conservation Assistance Program

• Position: NVSWCD supports state-wide funding for VCAP
  • Letter to Delegate Delaney encouraging the pursuit if statewide funding over funding for localities dated January 26, 2022