The Chesapeake Bay Commission (CBC) is a tri-state, legislative assembly comprised of cabinet members, legislators, and citizen representatives of Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. The Commission was created in 1980 to coordinate Bay-related policy across state lines and to develop shared solutions. The Chesapeake Bay Commission focuses on a wide variety of issues affecting the health and well-being of the Chesapeake Bay.

Contains an abundance of meeting material including agendas, minutes, hand-outs, and presentations collected by the Secretary of Natural Resources in his capacity as an active member of the Chesapeake Bay Commission. Also included is meeting material and information pertaining to Governor Mark Warner's involvement with the Chesapeake Executive Council. Additionally, this subseries contains information on the Chesapeake Bay Agreement 2000, and the work done by the Commission to protect the Bay, its tributaries, and its living resources.

Researchers should be aware that additional records pertaining to the Secretary's involvement with the Chesapeake Bay Commission can be found under the heading of Conservation and Recreation, Department of. It is unknown why these records were filed in two places by the office staff, and as a result there may be some overlap.

The Chesapeake Bay Local Assistance Department (CBLAD) was originally a separate entity, overseen by the Secretary of Natural Resources. As of July 1, 2004, CBLAD was merged into the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR). Within DCR, it became known as the Division of Chesapeake Bay Local Assistance. Its main purpose is to assist Virginia localities by studying current ordinances and making recommendations to bring them into accordance with the requirements set forth by the Chesapeake 2000 Agreement and the Chesapeake Preservation Act.

Contains general office files and working papers compiled by the Office of the Secretary of Natural Resources with regard to the Chesapeake Bay Local Assistance Department. Despite the subtle name change that occurred after the merger with the Department of Recreation and Conservation, the Secretary's office staff continued to refer to it by its original name. Most of the CBLAD files contain general correspondence and administrative information about the division and its work with the Chesapeake Bay Program and the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act.

The goals of the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) are to conserve, protect, enhance, and advocate the wise use of the Commonwealth's unique natural, historic, recreational, scenic and cultural resources. The agency operates 34 state parks, manages more than 45 natural areas, facilitates statewide programs to reduce water pollution, regulates dams, helps with land conservation efforts and inventories rare and endangered plants, animals and their habitats.

This subseries contains correspondence, meeting material, and other working papers compiled by the Office of the Secretary of Natural Resources with regard to the activities of the Department of Conservation and Recreation. Notable material includes Virginia Land Conservation Foundation Board meeting records, files pertaining to the Invasive Species Council, as well as files devoted to various issues involving Virginia's State Parks. Additional records pertaining to the Secretary's involvement with the Chesapeake Bay Commission can be found in Subseries A. Chesapeake Bay Commission. It is unknown why these records were filed in two places by the office staff, and as a result there may be some overlap. Researchers should utilize the records of both subseries.

The Virginia Council on Indians (VCI) serves as an advisory board to the Governor and the General Assembly. The Council's duties include studying and researching the Indian Tribes in the Commonwealth, and making recommendations to the state on issues affecting Virginia Indians.

This subseries contains correspondence and subject files. Most of the files contain general information on the Council, its budget and programs. The folders labeled "Memorial" contain this same type of information as well as a limited amount of information on a proposed Indian memorial (2005).

The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) administers state and federal laws and regulations for air quality, water quality, water supply and waste management. The DEQ is responsible for issuing permits, conducting inspections, and enforcing environmental regulations. The agency promotes recycling and the prevention of pollution and litter, protects Virginia's coastal areas, and is responsible for reviewing the environmental impacts of state and federal projects.

This subseries contains correspondence, reports and other working papers pertaining to the activities of the Department of Environmental Quality. Notable topics include relations with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), landfill projects, the "Ghost Fleet" of decommissioned ships anchored in the Tidewater area, the 2002 drought and the King William Reservoir Project, and the department's yearly Environmental Stewardship Awards given to individuals and organizations involved in environmental awareness projects. Also included are general correspondence files and other administrative records. A majority of the DEQ records were divided up into the following categories: Air, Special, Waste Management, and Water. The files were alphabetically maintained in this order. Other files that were not included in a specific category can be found in alphabetical order after the categorized records.

The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (DGIF) is responsible for the management of inland fisheries, wildlife, and recreational boating for the Commonwealth of Virginia. DGIF seeks to provide opportunities for all to enjoy wildlife, inland fish, boating and related outdoor recreation. The agency also works to promote safety for persons and property in connection with boating, hunting and fishing.

This subseries contains general correspondence and administrative information, as well as files devoted to particular projects and issues such as elk hunting and chronic wasting disease, the "roadless rule," and various aspects of wildlife management.

The Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) serves as the State Historic Preservation Office. The agency's mission is to foster and support the stewardship of Virginia's significant historic, architectural, archaeological, and cultural resources.

This subseries contains general correspondence, much of which is devoted to pleas to save historic properties, as well as administrative information about the agency. Other files pertain to projects and issues such as those involving the Shenandoah Battlefields Foundation, the Clarkton Bridge over the Staunton River in southside Virginia, preservation of buildings at the Medical College of Virginia campus in Richmond, and most notably, the opening of the Tredegar National Civil War Center, also in Richmond.

The Virginia Marine Resources Commission (MRC) serves as steward of Virginia's marine and aquatic resources, and works to protect tidal waters. The Commission carries out current and long-term State policies effecting saltwater fisheries, handles a permit program that encompasses subaqueous habitat preservation and the protection and preservation of tidal wetlands and coastal primary sand dunes, and operates the Virginia Marine Police department which is responsible for the enforcement of commercial and recreational fishery laws, providing search and rescue operations, enforcing boating safety laws, investigating criminal activity, and providing counter-terrorism patrols.

This subseries contains general correspondence and administrative information about the agency. Most of the files pertain to specific projects and issues, such as crab, oyster, and fisheries management, disaster relief, and the development of the Undersea Warfare Training Range by the U.S. Navy. Also included is meeting information from a variety of roundtables and commissions such as the Menhaden Management Roundtable, the Licensing Roundtable, and the Potomac River Fisheries Commission.

The Virginia Museum of Natural History (MNH) is located in Martinsville, Virginia, and is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution. Its goal is to interpret Virginia's natural heritage in ways that are relevant to the citizens of the Commonwealth. Through exhibits and outreach programs, the museum promotes understanding of the state's natural history and the challenges of preserving and managing natural resources.

This subseries is comprised of mostly administrative files, specifically those that deal with a multitude of personnel problems faced by the Museum of Natural History. Some of the files also include information about the development and dedication of the new museum building, as well as changes in museum leadership.

Contains correspondence and supporting documents that originated or were collected by W. Tayloe Murphy, Jr. during his tenure as Secretary of Natural Resources. The correspondence and documents in this series pertain to many of the Secretariat's agencies and boards, as well as to general natural resources related subjects. Notable files include budget material, the governor's office correspondence and legislators' correspondence, as well as Secretary Murphy's reading files. The reading files contain mostly constituent correspondence responses. Other files of note include the Governor-related files which feature information on meetings and events attended by the Secretary in place of the Governor, as well as information on meetings between the Governor and Secretary Murphy. The Department of Transportation folders contain information on the hotly contested Route 29 Bypass in Charlottesville, and the Environmental Organizations folders contain general information on agencies that worked closely with the Office of the Secretary of Natural Resources.

Secretary Murphy's correspondence and documents are arranged alphabetically by subject or form. The Reading Files are arranged chronologically, but within each year the documents are arranged in reverse chronological order. (Accessions 42294 and 42398).