Halfway through this year’s legislative session, our focus remains on bringing a rural perspective to Richmond, grounded in what matters to our Valley communities. We’re working with conservation partners and Valley legislators to protect the resources our communities depend on. Below, we’ve highlighted the key issues we’re monitoring. If you have questions or concerns, our staff is here to help connect you with the right information.
Outdoor Access
The Virginia Great Outdoors Act (VGOA) returned to the General Assembly in 2026 with a transformative vision for the Commonwealth’s natural and historic legacy. The Act seeks to establish a long-term funding mechanism to support land conservation, expand public access, and address the significant maintenance backlogs across Virginia’s existing public spaces. For those of us in the Valley, the VGOA could directly support projects like the Shenandoah Rail Trail and the Seven Bends State Park.
VGOA is supported by Our Virginia Outdoors coalition, of which the Alliance is a member.
Seven Bends State Park, Hollingsworth Entrance. Credit: vastateparksstaff on Flickr.
In its 2026 version, the VGOA introduced a strategic funding source: a proposed tax on data center facilities. This approach recognizes the “nexus” between large-scale industrial development and the impact on our natural resources—specifically the high land and water usage required by these facilities. VGOA was continued to 2027 to allow for further consideration of a consistent, dedicated funding stream.
Conservation Funding
We are also monitoring the state’s biennial budget to ensure the farmers and landowners who act as stewards of the land have the resources they need. Here is the current landscape:
The bad news: The Virginia Conservation Assistance Program (VCAP), which provides cost-share and technical assistance for urban and suburban landowners to manage stormwater runoff, faced a significant setback in the introduced budget. Funding for the program was essentially gutted, leaving a major gap in resources for residential rain gardens, permeable pavement and conservation landscaping. As the budget currently stands, VCAP is significantly underfunded.
- The action: We support budget amendments that would restore vital funding to this program, eliminating current waiting lists and ensuring that local water-quality projects can continue to move forward without delay.
A suburban rain garden, an example of a project funded by VCAP, collects stormwater runoff on a residential property. Photo credit: Virginia Association of Soil & Water Conservation Districts
The mixed news: Virginia Agricultural Cost Share (VACS) funding. There is a stark contrast between the two years of the state’s new budget to help farmers implement clean water and soil health practices. While Year 1 (FY2027) looks strong, the introduced budget provided only a fraction of the necessary support for Year 2 (FY2028).
- The better news: Thankfully, one of our local representatives, Delegate Justin Pence (R-33rd), is leading the charge. Drawing on his own background as a Shenandoah County farmer and Farm Bureau leader, Delegate Pence has submitted a budget amendment to provide the $71.9 million needed to bridge the gap in the second year.
VACS funds support best management practices like cover crops, shown above, which help prevent erosion on unused fields. Photo credit: Headwaters Soil & Water Conservation District
Without these amendments, Virginia risks falling behind on its water quality goals for the Chesapeake Bay and the Shenandoah River.
Protecting Local Voices and Clean Water
While we advocate for conservation funding, we’re keeping a close watch on several issues related to solar siting and housing, that could affect local decision-making ability of our Valley communities. We’re also following legislation to address the emerging threat of PFAs, the forever chemical making its way into our water supply.
If you’re interested in details about these topics, here’s who on our staff can answer questions or put you in touch with the right partner:
Local Decision Making on Housing and Energy Siting
Kim Sandum
ksandum@shenandoahalliance.org
Land Conservation & Agricultural Cost-Share
Kevin Tate
ktate@shenandoahalliance.org
Virginia Great Outdoors Act
Kim Woodwell
kwoodwell@shenandoahalliance.org
PFAs
Joe Moore
jmoore@shenandoahalliance.org
The pace in Richmond is fast and the outcomes are often uncertain. Decisions made during these final weeks of the session will be consequential for our region. If you’d like more information on any of the updates above, or if you want to know how to effectively advocate for these issues with your own representatives, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our team. Thank you for standing with us to keep the Shenandoah Valley vibrant, protected, and represented.