We’re trying to organized a call in day for SB629 – a bill designed to set a recreational use standard for Virginia’s streams and clarify your right to float them.
I called several legislators last year and it really is quite easy and painless.
. wrote:The VA Senate Agriculture, Conservation, and Natural Resources Committee is expected to vote on the Freedom to Float bill by the end of this week. Call your Senator this Wednesday to express your support for navigation in Virginia’s streams! You can find out who your legislator is here:
You can find the phone numbers of all Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources committee members below. Even if you are from out of state your support is appreciated.
Also remember to email your representative if you have not done so already!
Topline message: I strongly support having the freedom to float and paddle in Virginia’s streams. Please vote for SB629 to support recreation in Virginia.
Sample script: Hi my name is ___________ and I live in __________. I’m calling to ask that Senator ________ vote for the Freedom to Float, Senate Bill 629, which would decrease restrictions on recreation in Virginia’s waterways. I strongly support having the freedom to float and paddle in Virginia’s streams and urge Senator ______ to support recreation in Virginia by voting for SB629.
Additional talking points you could use
- Virginia is one of the most restrictive states in the U.S. regarding paddler access to streams. This is due to outdated government regulations.
- Paddling in Virginia was virtually unrestricted until 1999. Since then, a small number of landowners have threatened paddlers and blocked access to several Virginia streams. These occurrences have rapidly escalated over the past several years threatening the future of recreational paddling in Virginia.
- Recreational paddling has a large positive impact on local economies. Nationwide outdoor recreation contributions to $646 billion annually to the economy and is responsible for 6.1 million jobs.
- Our state is missing out on economic opportunities from paddling and preventing its citizens from enjoying some of Virginia’s most pristine streams.
Members of the Senate Ag. Committee:
Black, Richard H.
13th District; R
(804) 698-7513
(703) 406-2951
Cosgrove, John A. , Jr.
14 th District; R
(804) 698-7514
(757) 547-3422
Ebbin, Adam P.
30 th District; D
(804) 698-7530
(571) 384-8957
Hanger, Emmett W., Jr.
24 th District; R
(804) 698-7524
(540) 885-6898
**Bill’s Sponsor** Marsden, David W.
37 th District; D
(804) 698-7537
(571) 249-3037
McEachin, A. Donald
9 th District; D
(804) 698-7509
(804) 226-4111
Miller, John C.
1 st District; D
(804) 698-7501
(757) 595-1100
Obenshain, Mark D.
26 th District; R
(804) 698-7526
(540) 437-1451
Petersen, J. Chapman
34 th District; D
(804) 698-7534
(703) 349-3361
Puckett, Phillip P.
38 th District; D
(804) 698-7538
(276) 979-8181
Ruff, Frank M., Jr.
15 th District; R
(804) 698-7515
(434) 374-5129
Stanley, William M., Jr.
20 th District; R
(804) 698-7520
(540) 721-6028
Stuart, Richard H.
28 th District; R
(804) 698-7528
(804) 493-8892
Watkins, John C.
10 th District; R
(804) 698-7510
(804) 379-2063
For a full calendar of paddle sports and wilderness first aid course offerings, clickHERE Other options are available, just ask!
From Facebook wrote:
Thank you to everyone who has already called in today! They are hearing our message and we’ve been getting wonderful responses from Senate offices. While many offices seemed positive and informed on the legislation, several hadn’t even looked at the bill so keep the calls going to make sure they do. Staffers are keeping a tally of calls so if you haven’t done so already please take a minute to let them you support Senate Bill 629 and let us know their response. Feel free to call Senators who are not your representative and be sure to let them know if you paddle in their district. We appreciate your support for the Freedom to Float in Virginia!
For a full calendar of paddle sports and wilderness first aid course offerings, clickHERE Other options are available, just ask!
Just wanted to share that after emailing and calling all members of the Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources committee members that I have gotten numerous positive responses and many staffers noted the high number of calls on the bill. The particularly positive responses I received were from staffers for Senators Obenshain, Hanger, Ruff and Black all of which are key votes. They couldn’t say if the Senators have changed their position but each of them sounded particularly well informed and seem to care about this issue. Several mentioned that their bosses wanted to support this last year but had slight issues with this language so lets hope that this years bill cleared up their reservations. Most of the calls only took 2 minutes and the staffers are keeping a tally so make sure to call committee members today! -Shannon
I have no idea how he feels about stream navigation rights. He was Delegate from the Eastern Shore prior to his Senate election. He was assigned to Senate Ag.
His Senate District includes Eastern Shore, parts of Norfolk, and parts of Virginia Beach.
