JCC Planning Commissioner Peck Resigns

By Desiree Parker Saturday, July 09, 2011

James City County Planning Commissioner Reese Peck will be resigning his post at the end of the month to head the state’s Stormwater Management Program.

Last month the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) divisions of soil and water conservation and Chesapeake Bay local assistance were merged into a new Division of Stormwater Management. Peck said Friday evening that he will be accepting the position to lead the new division, and will be resigning not only because of the time commitment, but also to ensure there is no appearance of a conflict of interest.

“Water policy and environmental protection have been a lifelong passion of mine and an area in which I have extensive experience, so I readily accepted DCR's offer to head up this newly created division,” said Peck.

He is a former Deputy Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources in South Dakota and has over 18 years of government experience dealing with environmental protection and community development issues.

He has a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from SUNY Albany and a Masters of Public Administration from University of South Dakota. Peck also went through the career-switchers program and taught special education at Denbigh High School in Newport News.

Over the past several years the DCR has taken on responsibility for much of the state’s stormwater management and administration of the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act, according to Peck, which added to the department’s responsibilities.

This led to the DCR's decision to integrate the Chesapeake Bay local assistance division with soil and water conservation, which “would allow for a more collaborative and effective approach to addressing water quality from all stormwater related sources,” Peck said.

He is resigning effective at the end of the month not only because his new position will take up a lot of his time but also to avoid any appearance of a conflict of interest, as several of the programs he will manage have regulatory oversight of James City County.

“It has been a privilege to serve the people of James City County the last four years and I will truly miss not being able to serve out the rest of my term,” said Peck.