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 (Jan. 22) 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 (note you won’t actually talk to the Senator, it will be an aid who handles these calls and keeps “score” of who contacts the Senator and the bills the caller wants the Senator to either support, or not.):
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 This is due to outdated government regulations.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.
Committee Member Name, District Party Capitol Office District Office
Black, Richard H. 13 R (804) 698-7513 (703) 406-2951
Cosgrove, John A. , Jr. 14 R (804) 698-7514 (757) 547-3422
Ebbin, Adam P. 30 D (804) 698-7530 (571) 384-8957
Hanger, Emmett W., Jr. 24 R (804) 698-7524 (540) 885-6898
Marsden, David W. 37 D (804) 698-7537 (571) 249-3037
McEachin, A. Donald 9 D (804) 698-7509 (804) 226-4111
Miller, John C. 1 D (804) 698-7501 (757) 595-1100
Obenshain, Mark D. 26 R (804) 698-7526 (540) 437-1451
Petersen, J. Chapman 34 D (804) 698-7534 (703) 349-3361
Puckett, Phillip P. 38 D (804) 698-7538 (276) 979-8181
Ruff, Frank M., Jr. 15 R (804) 698-7515 (434) 374-5129
Stanley, William M., Jr. 20 R (804) 698-7520 (540) 721-6028
Stuart, Richard H. 28 R (804) 698-7528 (804) 493-8892
Watkins, John C. 10 R (804) 698-7510 (804) 379-2063
Free the Freshwater 