Commentary

As we make our annual treks to the beach this year we need to contemplate that our children and grandchildren may have a very different coastline to visit in the future. According to a study released by the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) in Reston, if climate change continues unabated ocean beaches will decline by 58 percent along the mid-Atlantic coast, and 167,000 acres of dry land and about 161,000 acres of brackish marsh will be replaced by 415.6 square miles of newly open water and 50,000 acres of saltmarsh by 2100. Central to the NWF's concern is the fact that these coastal changes will destroy the habitat of thousands of species of fish and wildlife in the coastal marshes, swamps, seagrass beds, and estuary beaches.
 
The NWF report is based on applying the Sea Level Affecting Marshes Model (SLAMM) to the Chesapeake Bay Region looking at a range of sea-level scenarios from the 2001 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) ranging from a 12.2 inch rise to a 27.2 inch rise by 2100. The report is available at www.nwf.org/sealevelrise. The sea level rise would come about because of an estimate by the IPCC that average temperatures in the state could rise 5.4 degrees Fahrenheit this century with global warming. Precipitation patterns are likely to change with more extreme weather events such as floods and droughts. Virginia is particularly vulnerable to a sea level rise having 3,300 miles of coast.
 
Of course, the problem begins with global warming brought on by carbon dioxide produced by the burning of coal, gas and oil building up in the atmosphere and trapping the sun's heat. Global temperature rose by about one degree Fahrenheit in the last century, but at the current levels of polluting the atmosphere global warming this century could be 2-10 degrees. Not only would the lifestyle of humans be affected, but as the NWF report makes clear the very existence of many fish and wildlife species could be at risk.
 
Another report issued last week by the U.S. Climate Change Science Program concluded that global warming brought on by carbon dioxide emissions from burning fossil fuels is having adverse effects on the nation's forests, water resources, farmland, and wildlife. Precipitation and weather patterns will shift, forest fires will be more frequent, mountain snowpacks will be reduced, and insect outbreaks will increase, according to the report. For a copy of the report go to www.climatescience.gov.
 
All the dire predictions are based on current societal behavior and do not need to happen if we as humans clean up our act. Federal legislation now being debated co-sponsored by Virginia Senator John Warner would require a reduction in carbon emissions. Virginia's Energy Plan seeks a modest reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of 30 percent by 2025. I serve on the Governor's Commission on Climate Change that is preparing a Climate Change Action Plan for the state.
 
Individual changes in behavior can help save the planet for our children and grandchildren. My weekly newsletter, Virginia E-News, contains suggestions for individual action. Subscribe to it at www.kenplum.com.
 
Have fun at the beach this summer, and join the movement to save our beaches, the wildlife they contain, and our quality of life.

State of the Commonwealth 2008

Primary Elections on Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Delegate Ken Plum's Weekly "Virginia Report"
on Reston Comcast Channel 28

Announcements

Thanks to all who contributed to the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life. At the South Lakes Relay last Saturday, over $351,000 was raised for cancer research!
 
Our Military Kids is an organization providing tangible support to the children of deployed and severely injured National Guard and Military Reserve personnel through grants for enrichment activities and tutoring that nurture and sustain the children during the time a parent is away in service to our country. OMK grants are made to honor the sacrifices military parents make and to ensure that their children better cope with challenges arising during a parent's deployment or recovery from severe injury. To contribute or to learn more, go to www.ourmilitarykids.org. 
 
Fairfax County businesses can signup for Fairfax County's Community Emergency Alert Network (CEAN), a software program that sends emergency alerts and day-to-day updates about severe weather and traffic to registered Fairfax County users. Individuals can register to receive messages by phone, pager, e-mail, and SMS text message, and now businesses can too. To register for CEAN as a business, go to www.fairfaxcounty.gov/cean and click on "register as a business." For more information about CEAN, go to www.fairfaxcounty.gov/cean or call the Fairfax County Office of Emergency Management at 703.324.2362, TTY 711.
 
Support recycling everywhere you go with a Virginia Recycling Association sponsored license plate. The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles requires a minimum of 350 pre-paid applicants to produce a specialized license plate. For more information on getting your plate go to www.vrarecycles.org or call 804.302.4231.

Calendar of Events

Reston Association (RA) will host a series of District Roundtables in June. Residents may participate in an open comment forum on a wide range of topics facing the community and to hear about the Association's activities and projects. Each meeting will be hosted by the District representative from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. with light refreshments served.

• Tuesday, June 3 – Lake Anne/Tall Oaks District Roudntable at Lake Anne Elementary School, 11510 North Shore Drive, hosted by RA President and Lake Anne/Tall Oaks Director, Robin Smyers
• Wednesday, June 4 – North Point District Roundtable at Buzz Aldrin Elementary School, 11375 Center Harbor Road, hosted by North Point District Director Frank Lynch
• Thursday, June 5 – Hunters Woods/Dogwood District Roundtable at Southgate Community Center, 12125 Pinecrest Road, hosted by Hunters Woods/Dogwood District Director Cheryl Beamer
• Wednesday, June 11 – South Lakes District Roundtable at Terraset Elementary School, 11411 Ridge Heights Road, hosted by South Lakes District Director Kathleen McKee.

Members are welcome to attend any or all of the Roundtables. For more information email karen@reston.org or call 703.435.6514.

The Virginia Department of Game & Inland Fisheries will hold a Conservation Landscaping Workshop & Charlette, "Techniques for Urban Design," on Thursday, June 5, 8:15 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at wetland Studies and Solutions, Gainesville, VA. Seewww.wetlandstudies.com for details. Primarily intended for working professionals in the Planning and Zoning, Community Development, Landscape Architecture and Landscape Design fields and others involved with land-use issues or landscaping practices. Up-to-date information about land conservation methods that protect, improve, or minimize adverse impacts to wildlife habitat and water quality. Participants will be eligible for CEU's.Each participant will receive a set of materials containing fact sheets, plant lists and in-depth background information as well as a "Low-Impact Development Tutorial" CD, a "Rain Gardens Technical Guide" CD and the Reining in the Storm" DVD. Call 804.367.6989 or email Carol.Heiser@dgif.virginia.gov for details about registration.

Come to Celebrate Fairfax! to enjoy rides, concerts, performing arts, exhibits, food and fireworks. This annual event is held Friday, June 6, through Sunday, June 8, at the Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax. The festival's hours are Friday 6:00 p.m. to midnight; Saturday 10:00 a.m. to midnight; and Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. For more information about Celebrate Fairfax! visit www.celebratefairfax.org or call 703.324.3247, TTY 800.828.1120.

Attend a panel discusson on "Virginia Tech: The Aftermath" on Tuesday, June 10, 7:00 p.m. in the Auditorium of St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 11900 Lawyers Road, Reston. The panel will discuss helping victims of crime, particularly family members of homicide, support services, legislation and other efforts to address the issues that contributed to the tragedy on April 16. Contact LuAnn Maciulla McNabb at contactus@angelfundva.org for more information.

Join Governor Timothy M. Kaine and supporters of rail transit in the Dulles Corridor at the Dulles Corridor Rail Association's Tenth Anniversary Celebration, June 11, 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Westin Hotel at Reston Heights. Visit www.dullescorridorrail.com for more information.

Governor Timothy M. Kaine will hold a Transportation Town Hall Meeting on Wednesday, June 11, 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. at the Harper Parker Middle School Auditorium, 701 Potomac Station Drive NE, Leesburg, to discuss the upcoming transportation special session on June 23. Staff from the Unclaimed Property Division of the Virginia Department of Treasury will also be in attendance to help citizens check for money, stocks, bonds, dividends, utility deposits, insurance proceeds and tangible property being held by the state. The event is open to the public.

Make plans for a great day of golf to benefit the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra on Thursday, June 19, at the Reston National Golf Course. Check-in and registration begins at 8:00 a.m. with a Shotgun Start at 9:00 a.m. Format is a four-person scramble. Cost is $600 per foursome and includes breakfast, lunch, games, and prizes. For information about sponsorship opportunities or to sign up call the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra offices at 703.563.1990 or email amorrison@fairfaxsymphony.org.

A free regional mortgage clinic to help Virginians avoid home foreclosure will be hosted by the Virginia Foreclosure Prevention Task Force on Saturday, June 21, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Chantilly High School, 4201 Stringfellow Road, Chantilly. Walk-ins are welcome at the clinic; however, space for the individual counseling sessions is limited and pre-registration is strongly encouraged. To register for a clinic counseling session, visit the Virginia Foreclosure Prevention Task Force website at www.VirginiaForeclosurePrevention.com.

Attend the Rotary Senior Senior Prom on Saturday, June 21, 2:00 to 4:30 p.m. at St. Joseph's Church in Herndon. This dress-up event is for anyone who has reached 50 or better – and their families – and will feature great food and music. Call 703.437.5886 to RSVP.

Mark your calendar for a Conference on Community Collaboration in Preventing Family Violence, sponsored by the Virginia Family and Children's Trust Fund (FACT) on Wednesday, June 25, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in Richmond. For more information go to www.fact.state.va.us or email fran.inge@dss.virginia.gov.

Save the date for the Virginia Sustainable Building Network's 13th Anniversary Celebration & Annual Meeting on Wednesday, June 25, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., University of Richmond Jepson Center. This year's them is "One Planet Living." Download the registration form at www.vsbn.org.

Enjoy the Roosevelt Island Walk on Saturday, June 28, 9:50 a.m. Meet walk leader Squire Muse at the Reston East Wiehle Park & Ride to begin a 4-5 hour adventure via bus, Metro and on foot for a walk from Rosslyn over the bridge to Roosevelt Island. Advance registration required by Wednesday, June 25. Call Reston Museum at 703.709.7700.

The 14th Annual Rucker Memorial Golf Tournament will be held on July 14 at Hidden Creek Country Club, Reston, VA. Proceeds benefit the programs of Reston Interfaith, Inc. For questions or to get involved, phone 571.323.9582 or email amy.mcdowell@restoninterfaith.org.

Authorized and Paid for by Kenneth R. Plum

Delegate Kenneth R. Plum | 2073 Cobblestone Lane | Reston | VA | 20191