News
50 Years of Environmental Planning
In 1972, the CSPDC undertook a regional water, sewer, and solid waste inventory and plan that revealed various levels of inadequacies in the present and future abilities of jurisdictions in the region to provide services. Many of the jurisdictions lacked the financial resources to upgrade existing systems and provide for future needs. Also, in 1972, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) required a detailed Water Quality Management Plan which resulted in even more comprehensive analysis and planning for the District. These early planning efforts by the CSPDC helped our jurisdictions with decision-making tools and identification of resources to protect and preserve and shape the development of the region. Since then, the CSPDC has continued to provide environmental planning services to the region to improve the quality of life for its citizens.
During Fiscal Year 1997, the CSPDC was involved with two significant regional environmental projects which encouraged local participation. The first project was the Wellhead Protection Program, where the CSPDC received a grant from the EPA through the VA Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to develop the program, evaluate regional groundwater assets and vulnerability, provide models for wellhead protection strategies, and more.
The second project was the Potomac Tributary Strategy for the Southern Shenandoah Region, where the CSPDC facilitated a regional response to the Virginia Nutrient Reduction Strategy for the Southern Shenandoah Basin. The strategy was developed as a result of the 1987 Chesapeake Bay Act which included a commitment to reduce loads of phosphorus and nitrogen entering the Bay by 40% by 2000.
In 2018, DEQ began phase III of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Implementation Plan (WIP III). Virginia is required to submit a plan to EPA that ensures pollution control measures needed to fully restore the Bay are in place no later than 2025. DEQ contracted with the CSPDC, and other Bay PDCs across the state, to work with localities and stakeholders in the region with identifying Best Management Practices (BMPs) and programmatic actions, and explore ways to implement BMPs.
Lexington Area Selected for Walkability Institute
The Virginia Walkability Action Institute, a program hosted by the Virginia Department of Health in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, focuses on opportunities to enhance walkability in communities. The Institute brings together multi-disciplinary teams to pursue policy, systems and environmental changes to increase physical activity and reduce chronic disease.
A team from the Lexington area has been selected to participate in the program. Team members include Amanda McComas from the Central Shenandoah Health District, Arne Glaeser and Leslie Straughan from Lexington, Tom Roberts from Buena Vista, and Ann Cundy from the CSPDC. The program kicked off in April, and will conclude in September 2019. The team will develop an action plan for improving walkability in the Lexington area.
First Walk-Bike Summit in SAW Region Held
Sixty elected officials, planners, advocates, and public health practitioners gathered on April 26 at the Murphy Deming College of Health Sciences for the Staunton-Augusta-Waynesboro (SAW) region’s first annual Walk-Bike Summit. The Summit’s mission is to “improve the health, safety, and economy of our community by connecting community partners who want to make Staunton, Augusta County, and Waynesboro a more walk and bike friendly place to live and visit.” After hearing a keynote address from Pete Eshelman, the director of the Roanoke Outdoors Foundation, and updates on ongoing local initiatives to create new opportunities to walk and bike in our region, attendees brainstormed goals and action steps to advance the Summit’s mission through their personal and professional work. There are plans of making this an annual event.
2020 VATI Input Sessions
The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) will host two input sessions to discuss the proposed FY2020 Virginia Telecommunication Initiative (VATI) guidelines and criteria. The first session will focus on gathering feedback and input from internet service providers, while the second input session will focus on gathering feedback and input from units of local government and citizens. The first meeting will be held on May 17 in Richmond and the second May 28 in Glen Allen. Registration is requested for attendance.
DHCD has $19 million in VATI Funds to implement broadband infrastructure deployment in partnership with units of local government and private internet service providers across the Commonwealth. The funds will be used to extend service to areas that presently are unserved by any broadband provider.
May is National Bike Month
May is National Bike Month – an annual celebration to increase awareness and participation in bicycling, and showcase its many health and environmental benefits.
The CSPDC’s Bike the Valley and RideShare programs are assisting the Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coalition with events and activities centered around Bike to Work Day (May 17) in the cities of Harrisonburg, Staunton, and Waynesboro.
On Friday, May 17: Staunton’s Bike & Walk to Work Commuter Breakfast will be held at the Wharf parking lot from 7:30 – 9:30 am. Harrisonburg’s Bike Everywhere Day will be held at Court Square downtown from 7:00 – 10:00 am. On Saturday, May 18: Waynesboro will host Bike the Greenway on the South River Greenway at Constitution Park from 8:00 am – 12:00 pm. All three events are free and open to the public.
Visit Bike the Valley and SVBC for additional bike activities being held throughout May, including Bike to School Day on May 8, and the Ride of Silence on May 15.