Virginia’s Citizen Environmental Boards successfully fought off an attempt by legislative allies of developers and other polluter interests to disband the citizen-staffed boards during the 2008 General Assembly Session in Richmond. Legislative attempts to pass bills that would have eliminated the citizen boards were defeated through the combined efforts of environmental groups, elected officials and concerned citizens. Revised legislation was passed that strengthens the Citizen Environmental Boards, preserving their permitting authority and oversight.

Virginia’s three environmental regulatory boards—Air Pollution, Water and Waste Management—are composed of Governor-appointed Virginia citizens. The Citizen Environmental Boards approve environmental regulations and certain permits, seek input from the public, conduct public hearings and impose administrative sanctions or initiate legal action where necessary when environmental laws or permit conditions are violated.