PEER in Virginia

PEER's environmental work is solely directed by the needs of its members. As a consequence, we have the distinct honor of serving resource professionals who daily cast profiles in courage in cubicles across the country.

Find out about Virginia’s whistleblower law

Following are PEER news releases, white papers, surveys and other activities for Virginia:


News Releases for Virginia
March 27, 2008  LOUDOUN COUNTY STAFFER FIRED FOR FILING ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT — Warnings about Growth Dangers Suppression Sparks Free Speech Challenge
May 29, 2007  VIRGINIA WETLANDS FIGHT SPARKS CHARGES — Top State Official Issues Threats and Calls for Silencing Corps Employees
May 22, 2006  POLITICS OBSTRUCT CIVIL WAR DAMAGE CASE AGAINST DEVELOPER — Senator and Top Park Official Intervene to Lower Fine for Archaeological Violations
White Papers for Virginia
Ten Ways to Clean Up Virginia's Environment — Restoring Principles of Good Government at DEQ (January 2005)
In this pamphlet, employees of Virginia's Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) offer recommendations for how the agency can be improved to better protect the environment and serve residents. Suggestions include "get politics out of DEQ," "commitment to enforcement" and "treat industry fairly." more >>

PEER does not have a Virginia chapter, but if you would like to start one, let us know.

As a service organization, PEER relies on current or former agency employees to point out issues to work on. If you work for a resource management agency, and you struggle with:

  • political interference with science-based decisions,
  • undue influence of industry into permitting decisions,
  • a management hostile to the conservation views of staff,
  • censorship of job-related opinions, or
    • anti-government threats from your community

PEER can help!
Our job is to deliver the problem to your agency decision-makers and the public while protecting the anonymitiy of the messanger. This may be as simple as a letter from PEER to your supervisor that says, "we're watching," or as complex as a legal challenge to your administration. To see examples of common tactics we've used in other states, check out our agency surveys, white papers and news releases.

As with all of our work, every project is employee directed. That means you call the shots.

For more information, contact PEER at info@peer.org or (202) 265-7337.