Natural-resources secretary emphasizes Chesapeake Bay goals, permitting efficiency and pollution prevention
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Summary
Secretary David Bulova told the House Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources Committee his secretariat will pursue regulatory efficiency, cross-agency collaboration, and prevention-focused work to meet Chesapeake Bay milestones and address emerging threats such as PFAS and invasive species.
Chair Alfonso Lopez introduced Secretary David Bulova, who framed his office's priorities and operational approach.
Bulova said the secretariat's guiding mission is fulfilling the constitutional duty to conserve Virginia's natural resources and that the office will emphasize public engagement, permitting efficiency, durability in decisions through stakeholder involvement, and prevention of pollution at source. “Good science drives good policy,” Bulova said, and he urged lawmakers to use agency staff as technical resources.
Bulova reiterated a near-term deadline: "If you'll recall, we passed legislation in 2020, that was signed that mandates nutrient management plans and stream exclusion programs for our partners unless we meet our Chesapeake Bay Watershed Implementation Plan goals by July 2028." He said meeting those goals will require continued funding for agricultural best-management practices, wastewater-treatment-plant upgrades and the Stormwater Local Assistance Fund.
He warned the committee to anticipate challenges from invasive species, PFAS contamination and potential federal funding cuts that could affect agency staffing and program delivery; he noted that roughly 20% of the Department of Environmental Quality’s staff budget is federally funded and asked members to consider those vulnerabilities when evaluating state program capacity.
Bulova also introduced deputy secretaries, agency directors and a chief resilience officer and said the administration will pursue cross-secretariat collaboration — for example, on housing affordability, transportation salt management and wildlife habitat corridors — to align environmental protection with other policy goals.
The presentation concluded with an offer to brief members and respond to questions; Chair Lopez thanked the secretariat and the committee proceeded to questions.
