Author: VFB Governmental Relations

Who Ya Gonna Call?

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Andrew Smith
Senior Assistant Director
Governmental Relations
No, this isn’t an ad for the remake of the 1984 classic Ghostbusters movie, nor do I want this to be a scary topic.

One of the subjects I get the most calls about, and proposed resolutions this time of year is about maintenance issues that are handled by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT). Trimming trees, mowing grass, controlling invasive plants, cleaning ditches –all are major issues to farmers. We need to have clear right-of-ways and less worry of weeds invading our crops migrating from the state’s right-of-way. Many can remember the day of knowing their local highway maintenance supervisor and being able to call them up and ask for something to be done. A few years ago VDOT went to a centralized system that is taking many folks a while to warm up to. I can’t say I blame them, we all like face-to-face service or know we are talking to someone we know.

As much as many may not like the centralized system used by VDOT for reporting highway maintenance needs, it’s got big advantages. Reporting is easier whether you do it over the telephone at 800-367-ROAD (7623) or enter a request through VDOT’s online submission form. You can also go back to track the progress of your request by calling or, my favorite, online. However, I find the biggest advantage is it being centralized, allowing headquarters to be able to seeing the needs of the various areas of the state and also monitor the progress of things being taken care of. Beats your number and request being lost by a sticky note being misplaced.

I encourage anyone that needs pot holes repaired, state highway right-of-ways being cleared, or any of the items listed below to go online and submit a request here. Don’t forget to keep your reference number handy to be able to check back on the progress should you need to. Remember there are over 8 million residents in the Commonwealth, VDOT is getting a lot of requests. They operate the third largest state-maintained highway system in the country, just behind North Carolina and Texas with 57,867-miles in the state-maintained highway system.

You can place a work request to assist VDOT in maintaining Virginia’s roadways. You should submit a separate form for each request for:

Bridge work
Culvert cleaning
Curb, gutter or sidewalk repairs
Dead animal removal
Ditch cleaning
Dust control
Grading
Gravel/stone placement
Guard rail replacement
Mowing
Pipes
Pothole filling
Snow removal
Traffic light repairs
Traffic study
Debris removal from roadway
Tree trimming/removal
Water drainage

Remember, once submitted you can use your Call Reference Number to check on the status of your work request by either call 800-367-ROAD (7623). However the easiest is to use their tracking system online by entering your Call Reference Number here.

So, who ya gonna call? Call VDOT!

Senate Action on WOTUS Expected Next Week

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As early as next week, the Senate is expected to schedule debate and votes on legislation to undo the waters of the U.S. rule finalized by the Environmental Protection Agency and Army Corps of Engineers. The Senate is first expected to take up S. 1140, the Federal Water Quality Protection Act. This bipartisan legislation requires the agencies to withdraw the final WOTUS rule and re-propose a new regulation. If the bill fails to garner the necessary 60 votes for cloture, the Senate will likely take up S.J. Res. 22, legislation that provides for congressional disapproval of the WOTUS rule. That resolution will be considered under provisions of the Congressional Review Act and thus would require only 51 votes to procced with an immediate vote.  

The House previously passed H.R. 1732, the Regulatory Integrity Protection Act of 2015, which also requires withdrawal of the WOTUS rule.

Visit fbadvocacy.netto send a message to your senators urging them to support legislation that would halt the WOTUS rule.

Senate Agriculture Committee holds First Biotech Hearing in 10 years

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On Wednesday, the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, & Forestry held a hearing on the federal regulation of agriculture biotechnology with perspectives from producers and consumers.  A recording of the hearing along with witness testimony can be found here.
The hearing on agricultural biotechnology was the first in 10 years and American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) believes it builds momentum for passing a bipartisan legislative solution this year that would protect interstate commerce and prevent a patchwork of mandatory state labeling laws. Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) made the following commitment:
“In order to address legitimate concerns from our farmers, our food companies and consumers, I believe we need to work together, and I am committing myself, Mr. Chairman, to do that in a bipartisan way, to develop a bill that can pass the Senate by the end of this year.”

AFBF will continue to work with the Coalition for Safe and Affordable Food to find a federal solution by the end of the year to protect farmers’ ability to use biotech plant varieties and other innovative technologies.

For more information, visit getamoveon.fb.org.

Timber!!

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Andrew Smith
Senior Assistant Director
Governmental Relations
I have written about this before, but it’s always an important thing to remember. I’ve been fortunate to have traveled the Commonwealth a great deal this year, and it seems everywhere I go I see timber harvesting being conducted. It’s a vital part of the cycle needed for healthy timber production. Over 77 percent of Virginia’s forest is privately owned, much of it in conjunction of farming operations across our state. Forestry generates $17 billion annually in total industry output In Virginia. It’s a great feeling seeing a healthy economy for timber these days, and it’s an awesome sight to see one of our greatest renewable resources being harvested and to begin its journey into forest products.

Whether you are planning to harvest your timber now or just managing your stand, it’s important to know where your boundary lines are, and, even more importantly, that they are clearly marked to help avoid any timber trespass to occur on your land. As I get older I realize that property I once walked often now becomes more of a chore, and I am relatively a “flat lander,” so I am sure it’s even more of a challenge for folks in the western part of the state to walk their property lines. It’s imperative to make sure not only yourself know your lines, but your neighbors do, and a potential harvester can clearly identify those property lines when it comes to the day those tress are cut. The Code of Virginia details how your property should be marked to prevent timber trespass/theft in § 55-334.1. The Virginia Department of Forestry has produced an excellent publication called Prevent Timber Theft. I encourage you to check this publication out.

The Virginia Farm Bureau Annual Meeting that will take place November 30 – December 3 in Norfolk, Virginia this year. One of the education workshops is entitled “Property Security Concerns for Landowners” conducted by Aaron Gilland, President, Dendro Resource Management, Inc. Aaron will give a presentation on the importance of knowing and monitoring  your property, not just for potential theft, but also what to look for in illegal activities on your property and steps to help stop problems from happening. I encourage you to attend the workshop if you are joining us in Norfolk this year.

In the meantime check out the below handouts/articles on the subject!

The Value of Virginia’s Forest (DOF)
Dealing with Timber Theft
2013 Timber Theft Parts I and II by Bill Worrell
Virginia Department of Forestry Publications
Virginia Forest Landowner Education Program (VFLEP)

Making Sense of the Nationwide Stay of EPA’s WOTUS Rule

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In a short video, AFBF’s Don Parrish explains why Friday’s temporary stay of EPA’s controversial Waters of the U.S. rule is welcome news for farmers. He also explains what needs to be done to quash the government agency’s regulatory overreach. 

http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f9?isVid=1

Governor Announces New Agricultural Exports to Canada

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Three Virginia specialty food companies are set to begin exporting their products into Canada.

Gov. Terry McAuliffe announced recently that over the past several months international marketing staff at the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and Virginia’s Toronto-based agricultural trade representative, Argyle Communications, have worked with several Virginia specialty food producers to achieve new international sales.
The Peanut Shop of Williamsburg, and Charlottesville-based Bone Doctors’ Barbecue Sauce and Montebello Kitchens will export products to Canada.

The trade deals represent new revenue streams from Virginia’s second-largest export market for farm and forestry products.

“This is great news and represents an opportunity for other Virginia food businesses,” said Tony Banks, a commodity marketing specialist for Virginia Farm Bureau Federation.

“Each year thousands of our northern neighbors travel to or through Virginia, where they are likely to eat and drink Virginia products. The greater presence and consumer awareness we have in foreign markets, the more opportunity there will be for all Virginia companies.”

Todd Haymore, Virginia’s secretary of agriculture and forestry, said more than 80 percent of the world’s consumer base lives outside of the United States, and every $1 in exports from Virginia generates about $1.30 within the state.

In addition to the new specialty food export deals, McAuliffe will continue efforts to increase exports of Virginia seafood, craft beer and wine to Canada.

Agricultural and forestry exports from Virginia reached a record high of $3.35 billion in 2014, an increase of more than 14 percent over 2013. The commonwealth exported more than $279 million in products to Canada last year.

Breaking News: U.S. Court Places Hold on Clean Water Rule Nationwide

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A U.S. court on Friday issued an order temporarily blocking the implementation of a federal water rule across the country.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit granted a nationwide stay against the so-called Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule, which is intended to clarify which bodies of water are covered by the Clean Water Act. The rule was finalized by the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in May but still faces political and legal opposition.

Statement from Bob Stallman, American Farm Bureau Federation President:

“A federal court today ordered the EPA to stop enforcement nationwide of the Waters of the United States rule. The American Farm Bureau Federation is pleased the Sixth Circuit recognizes that this rule has serious flaws and cannot go forward until the courts have had an opportunity to understand its effect on farmers, ranchers and landowners of all kinds.

“The judges expressed deep concerns over the basic legality of this rule. We’re not in the least surprised: This is the worst EPA order we have seen since the agency was established more than 40 years ago. The court clearly understood our arguments.

“We are confident that the courts will strike down this rule. Unfortunately, we also know stays don’t last forever, and cases like this almost always take years to win. So we again ask the Senate to pass legislation to nullify this rule just as the House has already done. Farmers and ranchers cannot afford to wait.”