REPORT

Survey Monkey Breakout Sessions

Envi

sion

in

g

Our

Futu

re

Survey Monkey results

Who Responded?

How Important Is Each Issue?

Issue Less Moderately Extremely

Water Quality (Nonpoint)

1% 27% 73%

Water Supply 6% 22% 72%

Energy Supply 7% 32% 61%

Climate Trends

8% 35% 58%

Societal Growth

2% 52% 43%

Highlights of Breakout Sessions:

Energy supply

Sample comments . . . Why don’t we have a national

energy policy and national Renewable Portfolio Standard?

Decentralized (distributed) is the way to go.

Need more discussions with people at local level to learn what they want and need.

Conservation, conservation, conservation.

Wat

er

quality

Nonpoi

nt em

phasis

Sample comments . . . Will we need permits in the future?

Can we regulate nonpoints into compliance?

Will states be allowed by federal law to be laboratories of innovation?

All water problems are local.

Do all streams need to be fishable/swimmable?

More sample comments . . .

Micro-scale biomass & other market uses of manure

We need to recognize the true cost & value of water.

It all comes back to finances/revenue.

This is not the beer-tasting seminar?

Wat

er

supply

Sample comments . . . We have done the studies. We know

there is not enough water.

Localities need leadership and resources from the state to address water supply challenges.

Outreach and education.

The Commonwealth holds water resources in trust for the public good.

More sample comments . . .Gray water uses. Potable water

not always needed.

Accurate data needed regarding exactly what our water resources are.

Mega-projects???

Land Redevelopment Waste Management Aging infrastructure Air & Water Impacts Planning Land Conservation

Socie

tal

grow

th

Sample comments . . . Business community needs to step up,

demand what’s needed (forgetting Agenda 21debate), and help make it happen.

Volunteers help with litter & public works During drought, the aquifer can fall 1

foot over a 50-mile area due to the water withdrawals of 2 facilities. What does this bode for the future?

We lose the equivalent of 2 Lexingtons to development each year.

More Sample Comments . . .

In some regions, we are left with shells of communities & infrastructure

Can private sector partner with state government to address issues?

Regional, collaborative solutions needed. “Planning” has a negative connotation for

many. This time around . . . How can we move

forward actually to resolve these issues?

Yet more comments . . . It’s become “in vogue” to hate

government. That’s wrong. Government can lead. We can all

contribute. State government can provide analytic

tools & data to assist local governments in making decisions.

Share successes. “Sustainability” is not a dirty word . . .

& not a property rights issue.

Comments continued . . . Re-activate SWAT team (Local

Assistance Team) to assist local governments & to look statewide.

Public/private partnerships of industry & local governments

Evaluate incentives & see if working well

Look at accountability (imposing costs/penalties) as well as incentives

Climat

e tr

ends

Sample comments . . .

The Army Corps of Engineers officially acknowledged climate change in 2009.

Weather & sea level are changing – the reason doesn’t really matter, does it?

Two focuses: respond to emergencies; plan where we’re going in the future

Huge issues – bigger than anything we’ve ever dealt with before

More sample comments . . . In some low-lying areas, homeowners

can’t even get insurance. State take lead in developing risk models.

Feds can do study if for a whole region. Local planning is also vital. US Corps of Engineers Silver Jackets will

come out to help communities on request. VIMS did study of recurrent high tides.

SNR looking at platform to raise issues to next level.

What will the FUTURE hold?

A prediction from The National Intelligence Council

MAJOR TRENDS:

End of U.S. global dominanceRising power of individuals against statesRising middle class whose demands challenge governmentsGordian knot of water, food, and energy shortages

The future is “malleable.”

Our effort is to encourage decision-makers,

Whether in government or outside,

To think and plan for the long term

So that negative futures do not occur

And positive ones have a better chance of

unfolding.

National Intelligence Council

Report IssuedDecember 10, 2012

Quoting Council Chairman Christopher Kojm

Your thoughts . . .

What should our next steps be?