Agriculture & Environmental

Environmental and natural resource planning is a long-standing project area for the Regional Commission.  Recent efforts include coordination of the development and implementation of the Region’s Chesapeake Bay Watershed Implementation Plan, development of a Regional Solar Suitability Analysis and Regional Green Infrastructure Plan, and assistance with local water supply plans.  The Commission’s Land Use and Environment Committee provides valuable input on these projects.

In 2012, RRRC expanded this project area to include food system planning in an effort to foster a sustainable agriculture economy in the region.  The Commission adopted a Regional Farm and Food Plan in 2015, and has since worked to implement the plan’s Priority Projects overseen by its Rappahannock-Rapidan Food Policy Council.  The Purely Piedmont local food marketing and label program is one of its successes. 

Through its experience in, and commitment to, the public participation process, the Commission can ensure that the diversity of community opinion on such matters is consistently represented.  Combining this facilitation experience with technical and policy expertise, RRRC assists its member jurisdictions in meeting state and federal regulations and maintaining the region’s outstanding natural resources.