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Environment
Committee Info
Contact the Environment Committee
Topic: Easy Composting at Home
Presented by
- Meridian Ehrlich, Girl Scout Troop 4908
Meridian needs this presentation to finalize receiving her Gold Award, this highest rank in Girl Scouts (equivalent to the Eagle Scout Award in Boy Scouts)
We will learn how to compost in a container rather than a compost pile, which many people find quite daunting.
Topic: Resilient Fairfax
Updates on
- Resilient Fairfax
- How RGGI funds are being applied in Fairfax County, and
- The HomeWise program
Speaker:
- Matthew Meyers, Division Manager, Fairfax County Office of Environment and Energy Coordination
- Allison Homer, Planner IV/ Senior Community Specialist at Fairfax County Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination
He will provide an update on Resilient Fairfax and follow up with the appropriate folks on energy supply and renewable energy. They've been tracking the RGGI funds including those available through the State's Housing Innovations in Energy Efficiency. He'll report on its status. The county's Department of Family Services coordinates the energy assistance program while the OEEC coordinates the HomeWise program that supports low and moderate income families in reducing energy cost.
Click here for the presentation.
Host: Environmental Committee, Co-Chair Flint Webb
Topic: Community-wide Energy and Climate Action Plan and the development of the Climate Adaptation and Resiliency Plan
Speaker:
- Matthew Meyers, Division Manager, Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination. Fairfax County Government
Fairfax County is proactively working to address climate change and its various impacts, primarily through two separate initiatives. The Community-wide Energy and Climate Action Plan (CECAP) is focused on developing goals, and implementing strategies and actions that will reduce the amount of greenhouse gases emitted in Fairfax County.
Complementing the CECAP is Resilient Fairfax, an initiative which will encompass the development of a comprehensive Climate Adaptation and Resilience Plan for the county and the community as well as the implementation of strategies to reduce risk to county residents, businesses, and infrastructure. More information on these plans, their component parts and participants is available on the county's website.
Topic: Pre-and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) — Long-lived chemicals and materials potentially in Fairfax drinking water.
Speakers:
- Steve Edgemon, General Manager, Fairfax Water
- Sydney Evans, Science Analyst, Environmental Working Group (EWG)
PFAS:
- From Fairfax Water's page on PFAS:
PFAS are a group of over 6,000 man-made chemicals that have been
manufactured and used in home consumer products such as carpets,
clothing, food packaging, and cookware since the 1940s. Two of these
compounds–Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) and Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid
(PFOS)–have been the most extensively produced and studied, and there
is evidence that exposure to elevated levels PFAS can lead to adverse health outcomes in humans.
- Click here to view Fairfax Water's PFAS Fact Sheet.
- Fairfax Water PFAS Analysis
- Fairfax Water conducted testing at its two main water treatment
plants, the Griffith Treatment Plant (Occoquan Reservoir) and the
Corbalis Treatment Plant (Potomac River), as part of the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Unregulated Contaminant
Monitoring Rule 3 (UCMR3) from 2013-2015. No PFAS were detected during
this testing.
- To continue to build our understanding of PFAS occurrence,
Fairfax Water commissioned additional voluntary testing in April 2021
with an independent lab using current methods that can detect PFAS at
much lower concentrations than the method used in UCMR3. The method used
in April 2021 was the same EPA-approved method that will be used by the
Virginia Department of Health (VDH) for a PFAS occurrence study this
year, with samples taken from the Griffith Plant and the Corbalis Plant.
The results of Fairfax Water's April 2021 samples are shown in the
table on Fairfax Water's PFAS page.
- The EPA has developed health advisories to identify the
concentration of PFOA and PFOS in drinking water at or below which
adverse health effects are not anticipated to occur over a lifetime of
exposure. The EPA health advisory level (HAL) is 70 parts per trillion
(ppt) for PFOA and PFOS combined.
- Results for PFOA and PFOS, the two compounds under review for pending regulation, were well below the EPA HAL.
- This is the Fairfax Water presentation: PFAS in Virginia — Overview and Current Activities.
The EWG reports that PFAS contamination of drinking water
are far more prevalent than previously reported with new detections of
'forever chemicals' in New York, D.C., other major cities
- New laboratory tests commissioned by EWG have for the first time
found the toxic fluorinated chemicals known as PFAS in the drinking
water of dozens of U.S. cities, including major metropolitan areas. The
results confirm that the number of Americans exposed to PFAS from
contaminated tap water has been dramatically underestimated by previous
studies, both from the Environmental Protection Agency and EWG's own
research.
- Based on our tests and new academic research that found PFAS
widespread in rainwater, EWG scientists now believe PFAS is likely
detectable in all major water supplies in the U.S., almost certainly in
all that use surface water. EWG's tests also found chemicals from the
PFAS family that are not commonly tested for in drinking water.
The Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) seeks the public's input
on how to provide for the emerging sport of pickleball and invites
participation in an online survey. The survey will be open through
January 24, 2021.
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
- County agencies have received numerous requests from the public
to provide additional pickleball facilities within its parks, RECenters,
and community centers. In response to requests and the growing interest
in this emerging sport, the Park Authority has initiated a pickleball feasibility study.
- The Park Authority began accommodating pickleball by refurbishing
existing tennis and multiuse courts to allow multiple sports, including
pickleball. They now have nearly 30 outdoor courts lined for pickleball
throughout the County. RECenters and community centers add additional
indoor pickleball court areas, through striping of gym areas.
- This is a repeat of two successful events attended by nearly 200
HOA decision-makers and residents in 2019. Speakers will address topics
of native plant and wildlife habitat conservation, legal aspects of HOA
governance, and examples of community association properties that model
innovative sustainable landscape practices, conservation and design.
Other land management and conservation experts will be on hand at
information tables with specific information and to answer questions.
The Federation has prepared a draft letter
to the BOS and Park Authority recommending that Fairfax County
prioritize the development of pickleball courts to meet the needs of the
growing numbers of pickleball players. To accomplish this, the Fairfax
County Park Authority in coordination with the Department of
Neighborhood and Community Services should:
- Identify locations that can accommodate more indoor courts hours,
- Build new pickleball courts as a long-term solution,
- Convert underused and decaying sports courts to multiple, dedicated pickleball courts as a short-term solution.
- The
Fairfax County Park Authority will reopen garden plots and some
seasonal Farmers Markets with conditions that allow for compliance with
the Governor's orders on social distancing and safety guidelines.
- All garden plots will reopen on Wed., April 29.
- Gardeners will be notified of the opening and guidelines via email.
- Gardeners will be expected to comply with all COVID-19 health and social distancing requirements.
- The gradual re-opening of Farmers Markets will begin May 9, in a phased approach for the markets.
- Reston Farmers Market at Lake Anne Shopping Center will open on Sat., May 9, from 8am-12pm.
- Burke Farmers Market will open on Sat., May 16, at Burke VRE Parking Lot from 8am-12pm
- Mount Vernon/McCutcheon Farmers Market will open on Wed., May 13, from 8am-12pm.
- More
operational details such as pre-orders, limited contact sales and
distribution, and other safety procedures will be announced later this
week.
- Farmers market information can be found online.
- All other park amenities currently closed (like visitors centers and restrooms) will remain closed.
- Start the new year by planning for a more sustainable future in
your own community. Attend the upcoming HOA and Condo Association
Workshop scheduled for Friday, March 6, 2020. Details and registration are here.
- This is a repeat of two successful events attended by nearly 200
HOA decision-makers and residents in 2019. Speakers will address topics
of native plant and wildlife habitat conservation, legal aspects of HOA
governance, and examples of community association properties that model
innovative sustainable landscape practices, conservation and design.
Other land management and conservation experts will be on hand at
information tables with specific information and to answer questions.
- The Federation congratulates its former Environment Committee
Co-Chair Monica A. Billger who was sworn in as a member of the Northern
Virginia Soil and Water Conservation Board of Directors in December 2019
- Speaker: Susan Miller, Public Affairs Officer, Fairfax Water
Ms. Miller will give an overview of Fairfax Water's operations and history.
She will also address water quality issues such as lead, rising salt
levels in the area's source water, water main breaks, and algal blooms.
Lead can leach into our drinking water from pipes and from leaded
solder used on pipes. Sodium can get into our drinking water from salt
used for deicing and anti-icing.
The Fairfax County Federation of Citizens Associations sent to the county Board of Supervisors a letter forwarding our resolution on Undergrounding Utilities & Communication Lines for their consideration and possible action.
- Background - This Resolutions, as adopted by its Membership on
October 24, 2019, is the result of extensive research and review of the
undergrounding of utilities by the Federation Environment and Land Use
Committees, the Federation 2nd Vice President, and several Federation
members. It is submitted to the Board for consideration and action which
will impact the future wellbeing of Fairfax communities.
- Resolution text:
- WHEREAS, the Board of Supervisor's (BOS) adopted a Policy Plan
Objective 41 which encourages County citizens to "Construct underground
transmission and distribution lines, whenever possible, along existing
or planned utility or road rights-of-way, preferably on lot lines which
will least disturb future development of the site; and that ŅVisual
impact should be a key element in the evaluation of proposed
transmission line locations.; and,
- WHEREAS, the BOS's Board Matter (dated March 5, 2019) directed
the County Executive to invite the utility companies (Dominion, Cox,
Comcast, Verizon, etc.) to attend a future Revitalization Board
Committee Meeting to address undergrounding; and,
- WHEREAS, the utility companies joined the BOS's
Revitalization Committee on June 18, 2019 and stated that they were
willing to work with the County on this matter for the Route 1 corridor;
and,
- WHEREAS, the Virginia Legislature passed and the Governor
signed a bill on March 22, 2019, establishing a pilot program, running
until June 30, 2022, for the undergrounding of utilities that allows
local governments to request undergrounding of utilities in areas of
transit oriented development, and for which the County, in a letter to
the Governor, stated the costs to underground utilities cabling should
be shared by the entity, the County and the utility; and,
- WHEREAS, 75% of the Fairfax County Citizens that responded
to the 2019 Fairfax Federation Legislative survey were in favor of
undergrounding of utilities in conjunction with road widening and
improvements and were willing to financially support such
undergrounding; and,
- WHEREAS, Washington, DC, is pursuing a 7 year project of undergrounding its utilities; and,
- WHEREAS, Maryland has completed a thorough analysis of undergrounding its utilities; and,
- WHEREAS, James City County and Prince William County have undergrounded utilities using a variety of funding measures; and,
- WHEREAS, the value added to hardening the grid by
undergrounding of utilities and communication lines is multifold; that
is, undergrounding
- Improves safety and reduces maintenance risks;
- Reduces vehicular utility poles accidents and the consequent related injuries,
- fatalities, and outages;
- Reduces outages from storms, from which damages are costly for business and citizens;
- Removes overhead power and communications lines and their
supporting structuresand fencing, thus reducing deaths of birds and
other wildlife;
- Improves environmental and property aesthetics for communities and businesses.
- THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the Fairfax County Federation
of Citizens Associations supports the undergrounding of utilities and
communication lines throughout the County during the widening of or
improvement to roadways and transportation projects; and,
- BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Fairfax County Federation of
Citizens Associations urges the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and
staff to make undergrounding an infrastructure improvement priority
throughout Fairfax County.
Environment Membership Presentation: Green Electricity
18 April 2019
- Professor Jan Sklarew
of George Mason University will demonstrate several local experiments
that her graduate students are doing in generating Green Electricity
Dr. Jennifer Sklarew brings 25 years of energy and environmental
policymaking and analysis to her research and teaching. She teaches
graduate and undergraduate energy policy and food-energy-water nexus
courses she developed for the Department of Environmental Science and
Policy. Her published and funded work examines how institutional
relationships and catastrophic events drive energy and environmental
policymaking and change. Specific areas of focus include sustainability
and resilience challenges in the energy-water nexus, solutions that
leverage energy-water interdependencies, and energy system transitions
in Japan, India, and China. Dr. Sklarew currently leads a project to
design, build and deploy hydropower micro-turbines on Mason's Fairfax
campus and analyze technological, ecological, geographical,
socio-economic and institutional challenges. Her faculty-student team
will use this data to develop potential solutions and lessons learned,
to which they will add as they conduct additional pilots in overseas
communities facing severe energy and water insecurity.
Presentation Topics
Solar Freedom legislation - Ivy Main, Renewable Energy Chair, Virginia Chapter of the Sierra Club
Salt Management Strategy (SaMS) Development -
William Isenberg, Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ),
Office of Watershed Programs and Office of Ecology, will discuss -
Environmental and Economic Impacts of Over-Salting and How You Can Make a
Difference - the Northern Virginia Salt Management Strategy (SaMS) and
how Homeowner Associations can protect the environment and stay safe.
The Federation urges the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors to
deny amendments to the comprehensive plan which may create adverse
impacts to local environment and it supports the Environmental Quality
Advisory Council position to deny a proposed change to the Comprehensive
Plan:
The Federation supports Fairfax County streetlight conversions to LED,
encourages lighting industry best practices, and requests monitoring
artificial blue light emissions on ocular health, circadian systems and
animal species:
Projects:
- Drinking Water Forum: Monica is organizing a drinking water forum.
We are targeting low income communities in Lee and Mount Vernon
Districts.
- Energy Town Hall: Flint (as Chair of the Baltimore-Washington
Chapter of the Air & Waste Management Association) moderated an
Energy Town Hall meeting with Delegate Jenifer Boysko on September 24th.
In the end the meeting was open to the public and broadcast on Herndon
Public Access Television (http://videoplayer.telvue.com/player/vzE1oMYxyAJsr5CE2LxEdfBlceV604BC/media/383265?autostart=true&showtabssearch=true).
The consensus of the panel was that there are no technical impediments
to the Commonwealth attaining 100% renewable power by 2050 but it will
require a re-making of the electrical grid and the addition of batteries
of various types to maintain grid stability.
- Vulcan Materials Asphalt Plant: Vulcan Materials has requested
rezoning (RZ 2017-MA-013) and a Special Exception (SE 2017-MA-009) for
part of their facility in Mason District from R-2, C-8 to I-6 to add an
asphalt plant to the existing concrete batch plant facility. Flint
commented provided the Planning Commissioners information about the
emissions from asphalt plants on April 18th and has been in conversation
with the Virginia DEQ about any air construction permit application.
The Rezoning and Special Exception request was approved by the Planning
Commission on 14 June (https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/planningcommission/sites/planningcommission/files/assets/documents/pdf/2018%20verbatims/verbatim061418rznsevulcanmaterialsdo.pdf)
and approved by the Board of Supervisors on 10 July 2018. As of 13
September the applicant has not filed for an air construction permit.
Meetings:
- Fairfax County Well Water Clinic: Virginia Cooperative Extension
had a series of meetings to talk about well water quality. Flint
attended the meeting to learn about well water quality issues in Fairfax
County. One surprise was that there are a number of people in the
McLean area that are on well water and are concerned about petroleum and
dry cleaning underground tank spills in the area and the well water
clinic will not measure for petroleum hydrocarbons or dry cleaning
chemicals. Flint provided the following guidance:
- With regard to the gas station spills: "Gas station spills
normally involve hydrocarbons most of which are not soluble and
therefore stay at the top of the water table but there are a couple of
exceptions. Methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE) is an oxygenate additive
that was used for many years that is very soluble and does not degrade
in groundwater. They stopped using MTBE about 10 years ago and now use
ethanol because of the issues with MTBE in groundwater. The other
components of gasoline that could be soluble and could be an issue are
benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene (BTEX). It looks like testing
for MTBE is difficult See the article (https://archive.epa.gov/oust/mtbe-a/web/pdf/ll36methods.pdf).
But it looks like Method 8260 (gas chromatograph with mass
spectrometer (GC/MS) is your best bet for MTBE. 8260 is also the
preferred method for BTEX. You should be sure to note that you are
looking for MTBE so the lab calibrates the MS to measure MTBE
accurately."
- With regards to dry cleaning chemicals: Flint provided a link to
an article about the degradation of chloroethenes in groundwater (https://toxics.usgs.gov/sites/solvents/chloroethene.html)
and provided the guidance: "The article talks about the degradation of
tetrachloroethylene (PCE). One thing I've learned about organic
chemistry is that the same chemical can go by several names.
Tetrachloroethylene is also known as perchloroethylene (PCE, or Perc).
These chemicals are heavier than water so they will tend to sink and
take a long time to degrade in the environment so they are more likely
to get drawn into drinking water wells than most hydrocarbons which tend
to stay in the upper levels of the water table and degrade aerobically
quickly. The EPA screening test method for volatile organic halides in
water is Method 8535."
- There will be a meeting to discuss the results of the well water
testing October 24th, 7 Š 9 pm, Room 206, Virginia Cooperative
Extension. Unfortunately, Flint will not be able to attend this
meeting.
- For more information see https://www.wellwater.bse.vt.edu/clinics.php.
- Virginia Climate Crisis Forum: On 18 September the Faith Alliance
for Climate Solutions held a Climate Crisis forum at James Madison High
School. The Featured speakers were the 2018 candidates for U.S. Senator
from Virginia: U.S. Senator Tim Kaine; and Corey Stewart Chairman
At-Large, Prince William County Board of Supervisors. The two
candidates were questioned separately by a panel that consisted of
Samantha Ahdoot, MD, FAAP, Chair and Co-founder, Virginia Clinicians for
Climate Action; Major General Rick Devereaux, USAF (Ret.), Former
Director of Operational Planning, Policy, & Strategy, U.S. Air Force
and Advisory Board, Center for Climate and National Security; and
Fairfax County Supervisor Dan Storck. The forum was moderated by Rev.
Dr. Jean Wright. Tim Kaine did a reasonably good job handling questions
but Corey Stewart kept saying that it was important to protect coal
jobs and said that sea level rise in the Hampton Roads area is due to
drawdown of the coastal aquifer. With regards to coal jobs Š there are
many more jobs created by the solar power industry than in the coal
industry. With regards to sea level rise while drawing down from fresh
water aquifers can cause ground subsidence (and the appearance of sea
level rise) satellite measurements prove that the sea level is rising.
In the Hampton Roads area there is also an issue with subsidence due to
the geologic forces. As a result of the combination of geologic
subsidence and sea level rise the sea inundation is a critical issue in
the Hampton Virginia
- Plastic Free Forum: Flint attended the Plastic Free Forum on 22
September. There were many concrete ways that people can reduce the use
of plastics in their everyday life. Chap Peterson was there to talk
about his plastic bag bill and Dan Sklarew discussed studies of
micro-plastics and how they are getting into the food we eat.
- The Beck Environmental Lecture: Flint attended some of the Beck
Environmental Lecture with Paul Hawken who talked about his book:
Drawdown: The Most Comprehensive Plan Ever Proposed to Reverse Global
Warming. Drawdown offers 100 concrete solutions to help abate climate
change. Meticulously researched by leading scientists and policy-makers
around the globe, Drawdown pushes through widespread fear and apathy to
give readers a step-by-step guide for making a difference in creating a
just and livable world. The meeting was very well attended with on the
order of 200 in attendance. The measures outlined in the book were well
researched.
- Providence District Council Meeting Climate Reality Check: Flint
attended the 10 October PDC program on climate change. Paula Clements,
Climate Reality Project Presenter, presented her up-date on climate
change and Flint Webb gave a summary of what various Fairfax County
groups are doing in the County, the State and Nationally.
Upcoming Events:
- International Coastal Cleanup and Virginia Waterways Cleanups:
There is a stream cleanup just about every weekend in September and
October. For the Virginia Cleanup Locations see http://www.longwood.edu/cleanva/CleanupEvents2018.html.
- Lake Accotink Park Fall Watershed Cleanup Day: 13 October, 9 am to 12 noon . See http://www.accotink.org/2018/InternationalCoastalCleanuppre-event2018.htm for details.
- Alexandria City C-PACE Public Hearing: 13 October (Saturday) 9 am Š 5 pm City of Alexandria Council Chamber Š 301 King St. See https://apps.alexandriava.gov/Calendar/Detail.aspx?si=19511 for details.
- Citizens' Climate Lobby Virginia Meeting: 13 October 9:30 am Š 4
pm, Louisa County Public Library, 881 Davis Highway, Mineral, VA.
- Friends of Accotink Creek meeting: 16 October, 7 pm, Audrey Moore RECenter, 8100 Braddock Rd, Annandale, VA 22003. See http://www.accotink.org/cgi-bin/cal.pl?ACTION=VIEWDAY&Year=2018&Month=09&Date=18&config=calendar.cfg for details.
- Waste & Recycling Symposium: 17 October 9 am Š 3:30 pm,
Northern Virginia Community College, Annandale Campus, Ernst Center,
Theater & Forum 8333 Little River Turnpike, Annandale, VA. Event
will feature films (Wasted! The Story of Food Waste; Styrofoam Mom; and
The Clean Bin Project), as well as Exhibitors, a Networking and Expo
Forum, and Panel Discussion: Recycling in Northern Virginia. More
information. Presented by the Northern Virginia Community College in
partnership with Fairfax County Solid Waste Management Program.
- Military Preparedness in a Changing Climate: 22 October, 7:30-9:30
pm, Vision Hall Retirement Community, Kathy Martin Community Building,
1735 Kirby Road, McLean, VA. The event will begin with the
award-winning, 40-minute film Tidewater, which tells of the challenges
faced by the 13 military bases and 17 municipalities in the Hampton
Roads area of Virginia, where water is rising and land is sinking. After
the film, a panel of retired senior military experts from the Center
for Climate and Security will outline challenges our military must meet
to protect our nation in a changing climate, with an opportunity for
audience questions. Then we'll discuss how concerned citizens can
encourage Congress to take action to mitigate climate change in order to
protect our national security and economy. For more information and to
RSVP, visit https://tidewater-mclean.eventbrite.com. Sponsored but the Citizens' Climate Lobby and the Center for Climate and Security.
- Environmental Justice and Northern Virginia: 23 October 6:30 Š
8:30 pm, Oakton Library, 10304 Lynnhaven Place, Oakton, VA. How does
environmental justice relate to our community/group? Join Sierra Club
Virginia's Environmental Justice Chair Alexis Szepesy and Program
Coordinator Gustavo Angeles to facilitate a discussion to talk about
environmental justice in Virginia. This is an introduction to
environmental justice and includes GIS maps of our region including:
Ethnicity, health (asthma, COPD, cancer cluster, per cent of population
with health care), power plants, pipelines, coal ash sites, prison
locations, coal mine, etc. RSVP. Sponsored by the Sierra Club/Great
Falls Group.
- Fairfax County Well Water Clinic: October 24th, 7 Š 9 pm, Room
206, Virginia Cooperative Extension offices. Well water
Results/Interpretation: For more information see https://www.wellwater.bse.vt.edu/clinics.php.
- Planning Commission Public Hearing 8800 Richmond Highway: 24
October, 7:30 pm. The testimony from the July 19 meeting has been
transcribed and can be found on the Plan amendment webpage at http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/planning-zoning/plan-amendments/8800-richmond-hwy and the Planning Commission calendar at http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/planningcommission/sites/planningcommission/files/assets/calendar/2017/october2017.pdf.
Any speakers who wish to have their July testimony considered by the
Planning Commission should email Plancom@fairfaxcounty.gov or call the
Planning Commission office at 703-324-2865 and identify the portion of
the transcript to be submitted in lieu of or to supplement testimony at
the October 24 public hearing.
- Virginia Rally for the Trial of the Century: 28 October, 2 - 6 pm,
Federal Courthouse, 401 Courthouse Sq., Alexandria, VA 20121. Stand
with the 21 youth plaintiffs in the landmark environmental Case: Juliana
v. U.S., which seeks to address the impact of climate change on the
well-being of future generations! Their demand - a science-based
National Climate Recovery Plan. Hosted by Our Children's Trust and
Climate Reality: Northern VA Chapter. For more information see https://www.youthvgov.org/october29.
- Trash Day of Action, Battle of the Bottle: 30 October, 4 Š 6 pm,
1812 North Moore Street, Arlington, VA 22209. A protest against plastic
water bottle litter sponsored by Friends of Little Hunting Creek and
Friends of Accotink Creek at the Arlington headquarters of Nestle USA.
See http://www.accotink.org/2018/BattleoftheBottle2018.htm for details. Sponsored by the Trash Action Work Force (TAWF).
- Environment Expo, Theme: Saving the Earth One Person at a Time: 10
November, 8 am Š Noon, Walt Whitman Middle School, 2500 Parkers Lane,
Alexandria, VA. Mount Vernon District Supervisor Dan Storck will host
this event, which will explore how everyone can help save our planet.
The morning will feature an Exhibit Hall with a variety of County
agencies, services provider and educators, informational and hands-on
workshops, and screenings of the film Hometown Habitat. More
information.
- Green Breakfast: 10 November, 8:30-10:00 am, Brion's Grille in Fairfax. Subject TBD.
- Biodiversity of GW Memorial Parkway, Friends of Dyke Marsh -
Quarterly Meeting Program: 14 November, 7:30 pm, Norma Hoffman Visitor
Center of Huntley Meadows Park, 3701 Lockheed Boulevard, Alexandria, VA.
National Park Service (NPS) biologist Brent Steury will summarize the
George Washington Memorial Parkway's eleven-year biodiversity inventory
of its 4,580 acres. NPS experts have documented 5,563 species: 101
species new to the flora or fauna of Virginia, seven species new to the
District of Columbia, three species new to North America, at least 71
species new to science, 106 species state listed for rarity, three
federally-threatened species, and 58 peer-reviewed journal articles
published in the last 11 years. Free program. Sponsored by the Friends
of Dyke Marsh.
- Board of Supervisor 8800 Richmond Highway Public Hearing: 20 November, 4:30 pm.
- Friends of Accotink Creek meeting: 20 November, 7 pm, Audrey Moore RECenter, 8100 Braddock Rd, Annandale, VA 22003. See http://www.accotink.org/cgi-bin/cal.pl?ACTION=VIEWDAY&Year=2018&Month=09&Date=18&config=calendar.cfg for details.
Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy
Approved by the Membership on June 21, 2018
BACKGROUND:
Efforts are underway to bring Commercial Property Assessed Clean
Energy (C-PACE) to Northern Virginia. Progress has been seen in three
local jurisdictions and support from a variety of stakeholders will help
ensure the implementation of C-PACE.
C-PACE is an effective tool to help localities reduce
greenhouse gas emissions by increasing energy efficiency in the private
sector. A market-based financing tool for building owners and
developers, C-PACE allows for upgrades and installation of energy
efficiency, renewable energy, and water saving property enhancements,
without upfront costs. Private capital providers fund building
improvements or new construction after a rigorous assessment of the
project. C-PACE repayments are collected through local property taxes,
and therefore passage of an ordinance is required by law in each local
jurisdiction. Currently property assessed clean energy is only available
for commercial properties, not individual residences, but commercial
properties include common property under the management of nonprofit
organizations such as homeowner associations and places of worship.
In a mark of real progress, Arlington County was the first
locality to pass an ordinance. Authorized last November, the program is
now up and running. Loudoun County voting 9-0 to direct staff to move
forward to draft a C-PACE ordinance and develop recommendations on the
structure of the program. In Fairfax County, staff has begun to
studyŹC-PACE and will report their findings to the Board of Supervisors'
Environment Committee in June. The goal is to have an ordinance passed
this summer in Virginia's largest jurisdiction.
RESOLUTION:
Whereas the 2009 and 2015 Virginia Legislatures approved Property Assessed Clean Energy programs;
Whereas the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved the
ŅCool Counties Pledge in 2007 committing to reducing 2005 County
greenhouse gases (GhG) emissions by 80% by 2050;
Whereas in June 2017 the Board of Supervisors committed to
meeting the limits in the Paris Climate Accord calling for taking action
to keep global temperature increases below 2.7F; Whereas multi-family
residential facilities with five or more units and nonprofit
organizations can benefit from C-PACE; and
Whereas the Virginia Energy Efficiency Council (VAEEC)
estimates that energy efficiency industry accounts for 10,000 jobs in
Fairfax County;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Fairfax County
Federation of Citizens Associations calls for the Fairfax County Board
of Supervisors to enact a C-PACE ordinance.
Plastics in our streams and oceans
Plastics in our recycling bins, and
Plastics at the incinerator.
Presentations:
- Plastics in our Environment -- Kris Unger, Primary Conservator of the Friends of Accotink Creek
What happens to plastic in our environment. The Friends of
Accotink Creek organizes stream cleanups at 12 locations along Accotink
Creek.
- Recycling -- Erica Carter, Recycling Coordinator for Fairfax County Solid Waste Management Program
What can be recycled and recent issues with the market for recycled plastics.
- Lorton Waste to Energy Facility --
- Don Cammerata, Business Manager, Virginia Facilities for Covanta
- Frank Capobianco, Facility Manager, Lorton and
- Joe Walsh, Environmental Director for the Mid-Atlantic Region
How plastics are dealt with at the Lorton Waste to Energy
Facility. The advantages of having plastics in the incinerator waste
stream and how the emissions from the combustion process are controlled.
The Northern Virginia Soil & Water Conservation District's annual seedling sale is now open and orders can be placed online! This
year's sale features native shrubs and trees that will add lovely fall
color to your garden, while also cleaning our water and providing
wildlife habitat. Seedlings can be picked up on April 21 and 22 at the
Packard Center in Annandale.
Solarize Fairfax County is a community campaign to reduce the
cost and complexity for county residents and businesses who want to
invest in clean solar energy.
Solarize Fairfax County provides a free energy audit and solar
energy evaluation of your home, and, if you agree to continue, the Local
Energy Assistant Program (LEAP) will send requests for quotation to
approved solar installers and help you evaluate the offers. The program
runs from April 18th through June 30th. For more information see the
web sites set up for the program: http://www.SolarizeFairfaxCounty.org and http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/energy/energyactionfairfax/.
Speak up for the environment and our
natural resources and learn strategies to bring about change. The
Audubon Society of Northern Virginia is hosting an Advocacy Workshop on Saturday, March 18, from 1:30 to 4:30 pm, at Green Spring Gardens in the Annandale area. Register by March 13. For more information and to register, visit http://audubonva.org/
A draft update to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors' Environmental Vision has been produced, and public feedback is sought. To offer input, please answer an online survey that will be available online through Monday, March 6.
The Northern Virginia Soil & Water Conservation
District welcomes applications by persons interested in serving on
the Board of Directors. Applications should contain supporting
information including related experience and training, and the
applicant's willingness to participate fully in carrying out the
responsibilities of the district. The board will nominate a person to fill the vacancy and complete the remainder of the term through December 31, 2019. The next general election to fill this position will be held on November 5, 2019.
Please submit a nomination package, including cover letter, resume, and application no later than 11:59 pm on March 3, 2017, to Laura Grape,
NVSWCD Executive Director. For questions and to obtain an application,
call Laura at 703-324-1425 or the office main line at 703-324-1460.
Applicants are encouraged to request a copy of Guidelines for NVSWCD Director Participation and the 2016 NVSWCD Annual Report, which can be sent via email. More information about the district and its programs is available online.
86th Green Breakfast
Saturday, March 11, 2017
Breakfast begins at 8:30 am, $10 at the door, cash preferred.
Brion's Grille - 10621 Braddock Rd, Fairfax, VA 22032
No prior registration required.
Virginia's Renewable Energy Future
Kelsey Crane, Northern Virginia Conservation Program Coordinator
Susan Stillman, Legislative Issues Chair
Sierra Club Virginia
Enjoy a hot buffet breakfast, while learning about
Virginia's Renewable Energy Future from Kelsey Crane, Northern Virginia
Conservation Program Coordinator and Susan Stillman, Legislative Issues
Chair of Sierra Club Virginia. Kelsey and Susan will share how much
energy we are currently using in Virginia, what is the Commonwealth's
current energy mix for renewables and fossil fuels, and discuss how can
we increase our use of renewables. In addition, they will share
the Sierra Club's efforts to share the value of existing federal
environmental protections, including the EPA, Clean Power Plan, Paris
Agreement and more.
Breakfast includes an all-you-can eat hot buffet with fresh
fruit and coffee, tea, orange juice or water. If you would only like a
beverage, please contact Northern Virginia Soil & Water at conservationdistrict@fairfaxcounty.gov.
The Federation's Environment Committee and Board recommend
that the Federation co-sign a letter that has been written by the Faith
Alliance for Climate Solutions. The letter urges the Board of
Supervisors to take action to achieve the carbon reduction goals that
they set several years ago. The letter is expected to have multiple
co-signatories and will be delivered February 28.
In the February 16 meeting the membership will vote whether to
approve the Fairfax Federation signing this letter. Because the main
program at this meeting is presentations and Q&A's with the county
and public schools' CFOs, we must limit discussion on this letter to a
short period and move to a vote. Members who have questions or concerns
should initiate dialog with the co-chairs of the Environment Committee,
Monica Billger and Flint Webb, link above, so that maximum information
sharing occurs prior to the membership meeting.
Below you will find:
- an overview of the Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions
- the draft letter and
- a justification statement for the letter
About the Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions
- The Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions describes its mission:
- We unite people of faith in Northern Virginia to develop local solutions to the climate crisis.
- Our robust interfaith network is at the forefront of local action on climate change.
- The group was founded in 2013 as a non-profit
organization. It is based in Northern Virginia, centered on
Fairfax County. More information is available at its website:https://www.faithforclimate.org/.
- A diverse group of faith leaders are associated with this
group. Individual involvement and organizational alliances are
revealed on the website under the headings:
- Resources - Local Leaders and Local/National Organizations
- About - Leadership - Staff/Board of Directors/Community Council
Proposed Letter from Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions and Allies to the Board of Supervisors
|
Dear Board of Supervisors,
Climate change and the energy policies that contribute to it
are affecting our community. We already see the consequences of
those policies right here in Fairfax County:
- we are stretching our budgets with excessive energy costs, when energy efficiency would protect both our wallets and our planet;
- we are putting our residents at risk, both because we may
be experiencing the increased respiratory diseases that are associated
with milder winters and longer, hotter summers, and because eastern
sections of the county face the flooding that is associated with
sea-level rise;
- we are growing more slowly than neighboring jurisdictions
that have robust environmental policies, we are falling short of the
sustainability guidelines for federal commercial leases, and we are
embodying less rigorous environmental visions than those held by leading
businesses like Amazon Web Services and Google, all of which
jeopardizes our lease revenue and property tax dollars; and
- we are endangering our children's health, the welfare of
our most vulnerable residents, and our community's future by
contributing to climate change.
Thankfully, you have recognized and acknowledged these
dangers. You have pledged to act on climate change and address our
critical need for solutions.
In 2007, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved a
climate stabilization declaration, which is referred to as Cool
Counties. The declaration noted that civic life and climate change
are intertwined, and, in its own words, declared the following:
- there is a consensus among the world's leading scientists
that global warming caused by human emission of greenhouse gases is
among the most significant problems facing the world today¯
- the economic arguments for implementing climate solutions are compelling and
- counties have a unique role to play in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and preparing for the impacts of climate change.
The declaration was approved by the Board of Supervisors in
2007. It was announced with great fanfare in the Washington Post
and at an annual meeting of county governments. It continues to be
featured prominently on the Fairfax County website and in the county's
Environmental Vision statement. Its goals align with those of the
Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments.
We congratulate the Board of Supervisors for its repeated, firm, public commitment to this policy.
We urge you to act on it.
We, the undersigned, recognize that climate change poses a
vital threat to residents, businesses, and vulnerable people in Fairfax
County. We recognize that Fairfax County's policies can make a
difference, and that transparent, accountable leadership is urgently
needed.
We strongly encourage you to achieve the following, with implementation beginning in 2018.
- Develop and implement a comprehensive plan to meet your
stated goal of a minimum 2% annual reduction in greenhouse gas emissions
within the county geographic area, leading to an 80% reduction by 2050.
- Establish a staffed Sustainability Office with a mandate
for meeting the county's goals, funded permanently by the
county budget, and having a director reporting directly to the County
Manager. The office's activities could include proposing and
implementing such programs as those related to energy efficiency,
transportation, renewable energy adoption, public outreach and
education, and engaging the business community.
- Issue annual reports on your progress toward the goals,
with the municipal energy dashboard as a good first step, to ensure that
the county's work is transparent and accountable.
We are asking for nothing more than your fulfillment of the public commitment you made to solve this critical issue.
We call on you to finish the work you started a decade
ago. The problem is real, and solutions are within our
grasp. Your leadership is needed now.
Sincerely yours,
|
Justification Statement
How Fairfax County's inaction is already costing us money
- The declaration commits Fairfax to reducing "county
geographical GHG emissions." That means the county will shrink emissions
from both public sources (schools, libraries, buses) and private
sources (homes, businesses, cars). The best way to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions is energy efficiency. More efficient
homes and businesses would mean less money paid to Dominion Power and
Washington Natural Gas every month. By not acting on this policy,
the county is not helping homeowners and small business owners reduce
their utility bills. The county is not even reducing its own
utility bills, and residents ultimately sign those checks, too. The
county's inaction costs us money.
- Climate change affects us in Fairfax County. Taxpayers
are on the hook for a $30 million bond to build a levee to protect
Huntington from floods. Sea level rise is expected to permanently flood
areas along the Potomac from the northern end of the county near
National Airport through Belle Haven/Mount Vernon and down to Pohick
Bay. That will require either the construction of additional
costly levees or the abandonment of homes and businesses. Although
floods are a constant feature of life on Earth, climate change means
less frozen water and more liquid water, which in turn means the loss of
land. And warmer waters expand causing additional sea level rise
and flooding. By not acting on our local contribution to climate
change, the county is not doing the bare minimum to protect us from
these losses.
- We are growing more slowly than Arlington County, which has
robust efficiency and clean energy programs for residents and business
owners. In addition, the county leaves much to be desired in
meeting the federal guidelines
for sustainability that shape federal agencies' choices of office
locations. We cannot attribute our slower residential growth and
historically low office vacancy rate solely to the county's
environmental policies. However, it is clear that the county is
not doing what it could to attract the residents and commercial lessors
that are committed to sustainability.
How much will taking action cost?
- There is no extra money in the budget. Funding an
office dedicated to implementation of the 2007 pledge means less funding
for other programs, all of which are valuable.
- However, climate change presents a threat that will negatively impact everyone in Fairfax County:
- the children and seniors who suffer increased asthma and respiratory disease;
- the homeowners who find themselves flooded;
- the public safety officers and educators who respond to
climate refugees and perpetrators of violence in climate-driven
conflicts, all of whom arrive here from around the world; and
- County residents are not saving as much money as they could be on their utility bills.
- Spending money on this initiative is the single best way to serve everyone's interests, both now and in the coming decades.
- Arlington County, Montgomery County, and Washington, D.C.
have offices that are solely dedicated to public and private adoption of
efficient, clean energy. The size of the offices' budgets ranges
from $1.75 million (Arlington) to $20 million (D.C.).
- As a starting point for discussion, we could imagine funding
an office that costs even less than the lowest figure available.
Again for discussion, perhaps that office might have a $1 million annual
budget and begin funding in FY 2019.
- The budget for the county is in the realm of $2
billion. An office funded at even a minimal amount would represent
.0005% of the total budget and would be the single best way to protect
all people in Fairfax County, both now and in the future.
`
Jim McGlone, Urban Forest Conservationist, Virginia Department of Forestry, will cover Neighborhood Forest Management
- Neighborhood trees are a major asset for any neighborhood.
They improve property values, reduce vacancy rates, reduce heating and
cooling costs, reduce stress, and improve community cohesiveness. But,
it is important that they are properly maintained and cared for during
their life and safely removed at the end of their life. Untended trees
are a risk to you and your neighbors. Jim McGlone will talk about how
to manage your neighborhood trees so they live long and prosper. He
will also teach us how to see the signs of their decline so they can be
treated or removed safely. Jim McGlone is an Urban Forest
Conservationist for the Virginia Department of Forestry, is a Tree Risk
Assessment Qualified and Certified arborist and has been helping
homeowners in northern Virginia for over 10 years.
- Presentation Handouts:
Approved Federation Positions
Environment Committee Archives
Environment Committee Archives2015
The statewide Virginia Waterways Cleanup, a part of the Ocean
Conservancy's International Coastal Cleanup, runs from September
1st through October 31st. Volunteers adopt sites to clean along streams,
rivers and the coastline throughout the state. Fairfax and its
neighboring counties are home to many cleanup sites that are looking for
volunteers, so get on out there and do your part! For a list of sites
and volunteer registration information, please visit the Clean Virginia Waterways website.
Environmental Report - Flint Webb, P.E. Environment Committee Chair:
- I attended the Air & Waste Management Association conference
on climate change in Chicago the beginning of September and there was a
very interesting paper on creating Intensity-Duration-Frequency curves
(storm rain fall per recurrence period) and when they completed the
exercise for a town just north of the US border in British Columbia they
discovered that the expected rainfall intensities would be about twice
as high as would be expected looking backwards at the past
rainfall. It would be interesting to see how the curves would
change for Fairfax County. I have suggested that the Northern
Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District (NVSWCD) include climate
change impacts as a future Green Breakfast topic.
- I attended the Green Breakfast on 19 Sep. The subject
was what your weeds are telling us about the soil conditions in our
lawns.
- On August 27th I attended a meeting of Sierra
Club Great Falls Group and the Chesapeake Climate Action Network (CCAN)
which included a screening of "Sea of Change" a documentary about sea
level rise in Hampton Roads. The CCAN is pushing the Safe Coast
Virginia bill in the state legislature. The web site on the bill
is (http://chesapeakeclimate.org/virginia/safe-coast/, and http://chesapeakeclimate.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/CCAN-VA-Coastal-Protection-Act-Factsheet-PDF.pdf).
The bill would have Virginia join the Regional Greenhouse Gas
Initiative (RGGI) and use the funds from auctioning off emission credits
to
- Fund climate change adaptation measures such as sea walls/dykes,
- Stimulate job growth in southwestern Virginia, 3) Invest in clean energy and efficiency and reduce carbon emissions.
The bill was introduced in last session as HB 2205/SB 1428
by Del. Ron Villanueva (R-Virginia Beach) and Sen. Donald McEachin
(D-Richmond). I would hope that the Federation will be able to
support the legislation. If you get a chance you might want to
bring in some copies of the pdf summary of the bill in the second
link. While flooding is not as much of an issue in Fairfax as it
is in Hampton Roads, it is still an issue in parts of the county and
does need to be considered in infrastructure planning.
- I have also been involved with the Fairfax League of
Conservation Voters evaluating the local candidates. The FLCV is
planning to come out with endorsements of candidates next week.
September
Green Breakfast
http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/NVSWCD/
77th Green Breakfast
Saturday, September 19, 2015***
Breakfast begins at 8:30 am, $10 at the door, cash preferred.*
Brion's Grille - 10621 Braddock Rd, Fairfax, VA 22032
Join the Conservation District for a delicious breakfast and then
settle in for a lively and informative presentation about weeds and lawn
health from Fairfax County Cooperative Extension's Adria Bordas.
*Breakfast
includes an all-you-can eat hot buffet with fresh fruit and coffee,
tea, orange juice or water. If you would only like a beverage, please
contact Northern Virginia Soil & Water at conservationdistrict@fairfaxcounty.gov.
***MARK YOUR CALENDARS!***
Take special note of the date, this event does not fall on the second Saturday of the month as it normally does.
Here's a list of plant sales going on all over the area this fall:
National Public Lands Day (NPLD) is the nation's largest
single-day volunteer event for public lands. 2015 marks the 22nd
year of NPLD and there will be volunteer events in all 50
states and DC. To find a listing of local events, please visit NPLD's website. Most events are on the 26th, but others are scheduled earlier or later in September.
September Watershed Calendar
Program Updates
Become an Energy Master!The award-winning Energy Masters program,
which trains a corps of volunteers in energy efficiency and water
conservation techniques and in community education and outreach, is now
accepting applications for the fall training session. Once trained,
volunteers make hands-on improvements in the homes of,
and provide energy and water efficiency education
to residents living in affordable housing developments in Arlington
and Alexandria. Applications are accepted until September 15th and are
available on the Arlingtonians for a Clean Environment website. Volunteers age 16 and older and welcome to apply.
Snakeheads Found in Potomac Above Great FallsThe
invasive and destructive snakehead has recently been found in Potomac
waters above Great Falls, which was thought to be an impenetrable
barrier to the fish. The Potomac Conservancy has a good article
on how and why this could have happened, as well as a link to
a scientific study on what it could mean to the Potomac's native
fish population.
Remove Invasive Plants From Fairfax County's Natural Areas
Invasive
invaders such as kudzu, wisteria, honeysuckle and stilt grass are
pushing out important native flora and diminishing the health of our
parklands. Help turn the tide against these exotic invaders by joining
the Invasive Management Area (IMA) volunteers and pulling these weeds
out by their roots. The IMA volunteer calendar and
scheduled workdays can be found online.
Friday, September 4
Sunset Nature Stroll
Time: 6:30 - 7:30pm
Location: Walker Nature Center, 11450 Glade Dr., Reston, VA
Start the Labor Day weekend with a relaxing stroll through
nature. Ramble through a stream valley in search of animals getting
ready to turn in for the night and try to catch a glimpse of nocturnal
animals waking up. Enjoy the color change over Lake Audubon as the sun
sets and watch for bats circling above the water. Reservations required
by September 1st. Please call (703) 476-9689 and press 5 or email naturecenter@reston.org. $5/person for Reston Association members; $7/person for all others.
Saturday, September 5
Stream Monitoring Workshop: McLean
Time: 10am - 12:30pm
Location: Little Pimmit Run Stream Valley Park, McLean, VA
Help monitor Little Pimmit Run as it flows through a rehabilitated
length of stream that has been restored to replicate a more natural
flow and habitat. To RSVP and get directions, please contact Dan Schwartz.
 Saturday, September 5Accotink Creek Multi-Site Cleanup Day
Times and locations: Multiple
Help the Friends of the Accotink at one (or more!) of their three cleanups along Accotink Creek in the Fairfax/Annandale area:
-9 to 11am, Accotink Creek at Pickett Rd., Fairfax City
-Noon to 2pm, Accotink Creek at Barkley Dr., Fairfax
-3 to 5pm, Accotink Creek at Woodburn Rd., Annandale
Tuesday, September 8
Best Trails for Autumn Hikes
Time: 7 - 8pm
Location: REI Fairfax, 11950 Grand Commons Ave., Fairfax, VA 22030
Want to know where to go for the best fall colors? For the
best vistas as leaves fall off the trees? How to identify some of the
marvels you'll see along the trails? Find out from the
editor/photographer for a half-dozen trail guides on our area. There is
no charge for this event, but advance registration is required and space is limited. Presented by the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club.
Saturday, September 12
Stream Monitoring with Friends of the Accotink: Lake Accotink
Time: 9:30 - 11:30am
Location: Lake Accotink Park, Springfield
Help the Friends of the Acccotink monitor their favorite stream as
it spills over the dam at Lake Accotink and into a rocky and wooded
stream channel. For directions and to RSVP, please visit the Friends of the Accotink website. While you are there, check out some of their many other September volunteer opportunities!
Saturday, September 12
Fall Gardening Workshop and Plant Sale: Fall Chores and Cover Crops
Time: 9am - Noon
Location: Teaching Garden at St. Benedict's Monastery, 9535 Linton Hall Rd., Bristow, VA
Join the Master Gardeners of Prince William County as they guide
you through two fall gardening topics. Discuss fall chores to ready the
garden for winter, including clean up, plant division, and soil
preparation. In the Cook's Garden, discuss the importance of fall cover
crops and how they lead to enhanced soil health and better productivity
in the spring. The workshops are free, but remember to bring some money
for the Fall Plant Sale! Please RSVP in advance: (703) 792-7747 or master_gardener@pwcgov.org.
Saturday, September 12
Virginia Indian Festival
Time: 10am - 4pm
Location: Riverbend Park, 8700 Potomac Hills St., Great Falls, VA
Discover the history of the first inhabitants of
Virginia. Enjoy dancers, music, cultural demonstrations, food and
crafts. The cost of admission is $5 per person, No RSVP required. For
more information, call 703-759-9018 or visit the Riverbend Park website.
Saturday, September 12
"Behind the Scenes" Tour of Huntley Meadows
Time: 10am - 1pm
Location: Huntley Meadows Park, 3701 Lockheed Blvd, Alexandria, VA
Come celebrate Huntley Meadows Park's 40th anniversary by
taking a naturalist-guided tour of some seldom-seen places and features
of the park. Please dress for going off trail. For ages 10 to adult -
$8/person for county residents; $10/person for all others. Register online or call 703-768-2525 for more information.
Saturday, September 12
Bat Fest!
Time: 6 - 8pm
Location: Hidden Oaks Nature Center, 7701 Royce St., Annandale, VA
First, observe live local bats from Bat World NOVA, and then go on
an evening bat hike to discover the array of backyard bugs
attracting these natural bug zappers. Enjoy games and crafts and
learn about white-nose syndrome affecting bats. See bats being
fed and how tropical bats provide food for us. Discover the array of
bats that call Fairfax County home. Please register online. $7/person for Fairfax residents; $9/person for all others.
Sunday, September 13
Build-Your-Own Worm Composter
Time: 2 - 3:30pm
Location: Walker Nature Center, 11450 Glade Dr., Reston, VA
Ever thought about composting, but just don't have the
space? Worm composting is a natural method of recycling food waste. It's
so simple and odor free that it can be done anywhere. Build a bin to
take home and learn how to turn your kitchen scraps into rich organic
soil and compost tea. Co-sponsored by Reston Community Center.
Reservations required by September 10th. Please call (703) 476-9689 and press 5 or email naturecenter@reston.org. $30 per bin for Reston Association members; $35 for non-members.
Sunday, September 13
Buttermilk Creek Bird Walk
Time: 7:30 - 10:30am
Location: 11032 Ring Road, Reston, VA. Park at the Uplands Pool parking lot and meet at the trail head.
Join hike leader Bill Brown and enjoy a tour through
the Reston woods in search of our fine feathered friends. Free -
adults only please.
Tuesday, September 15
Dispose of Unwanted Pesticides
Time: 9am - 1pm
Location: Merrifield Garden Center, 12101 Lee Hwy., Fairfax, VA 22030
Do you have containers of pesticides that have been sitting in
your garage for years because you don't know what to do with them?
The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
(VDACS) and the Virginia Cooperative Extension's Pesticide Disposal
Program is here to help. Please fill out a registration form ASAP (form
says it must be returned 30 days in advance of the event, but for
smaller homeowner quantities of material, later registration is OK)
listing the pesticide types and quantities that you want to
dispose and return it to VDACs or your local Extension Office. Once
you get confirmation, take your pesticides to the designated drop off
location at the designated time and have them safely disposed of.
Wednesday, September 16
What is Healthy Forest? Presentation by Joe Marx
Time: 7:30pm
Location: Norma Hoffman Visitor Center at Huntley Meadows Park, 3701 Lockheed Blvd., Alexandria
At the time of European contact, the Mid-Atlantic
states were blanketed with a largely deciduous forest that was
manipulated by native peoples to a much wider extent than is
commonly realized. Today, many hope that the
remaining forestland can be preserved in a healthy condition, but
what should we aim for? What is the right balance? What is
sustainable? Joe Marx is an instructor in geology and forest
ecology with Graduate School USA's and Audubon Naturalist Society's
Natural History Field Studies Program. The meeting is co-sponsored by
the Friends of Dyke Marsh, the Potowmack Chapter of the Virginia Native
Plant Society, the Fairfax Chapter of Virginia Master Naturalists, the
Fairfax County Tree Commission, and the American Horticultural Society.
Free and open to the public - no RSVP required. More information
available on the Friends of Dyke Marsh website.
Saturday, September 19
Green Breakfast
Time: 8:30am Location: Brion's Grille, 10621 Braddock Rd, Fairfax, VA. In the University Shopping Center
Join the Conservation District for a delicious breakfast and then
settle in for a lively and informative presentation about weeds and lawn
health from Fairfax County Cooperative Extension's Adria Bordas. The
cost is $10 at the door, cash preferred. Breakfast includes a hot
buffet, fruit, coffee, tea, orange juice and water. If you would like
only a beverage, please contact the Conservation District in advance: Conservationdistrict@Fairfaxcounty.gov.
Saturday, September 19Watershed Cleanup Day - Multiple Sites!Time: 9 - 11:30am Location: 8 participating county parks
Be part of the International Coastal Cleanup by collecting
tires, bed springs, bottles, cans and other debris from these Fairfax
County Parks: Hidden Oaks Nature Center, Hidden Pond Nature Center,
Huntley Meadows Park, Lake Accotink Park, Riverbend Park, Sully Historic
Site, and EC Lawrence Park. Wear boots, old clothes and bring gloves.
Trash bags and appreciation provided. This is a great community service
project! Please call ahead to reserve a section of the watershed to
clean. Contact information for these and all other International Coastal
Cleanup locations in Virginia are available on the Clean Virginia Waterways website.
Saturday, September 19
Virginia Working Landscapes Pollinator Workshop
Time: 8:30am - 5pm
Location: Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Front Royal, VA
How can we establish a landscape - in both our rural and urban
areas - that works for people as well as our important native
pollinators? The morning portion of this workshop will focus on
pollinator habitat, monarch conservation and local bee research. The
afternoon session will be a field tour to showcase properties that have
established pollinator habitat. Lunch is included in the $25 workshop
fee. Please register online.
Saturday, September 19
Fall Garden Day Plant Sale and Festivities
Time: 9am - 3pm
Location: Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Rd., Alexandria, VA
Fall is a great time to plant, and Green Spring Gardens is
hosting numerous local plant vendors to satisfy your gardening needs. A
silent auction, bake sale, live music, and food add to the
festivities. Come and support one of Virginia's most innovative
public gardens. Free admission.
Saturday, September 19
Burke Lake Boat Fishing
Time: 9am - Noon
Location: Burke Lake Park, 7315 Ox Rd., Fairfax Station, VA
Burke Lake is one of the premier local fishing destinations.
This fishing clinic is offered to all skill levels and
covers fishing basics. Students learn about the fish in Burke Lake as
well as tricks to catch them. Test your new skills on a trip around
the lake by boat. Bring your own rods, bait and tackle or rent them
from the park. Children younger than 13 must be accompanied by a
registered adult. Please register online. $37/person for county residents; $39 for non-residents.
Saturday, September 19
Fall Lawn Care and Soil Fertility
Time: 10:30am - Noon
Location: Fairlington Community Center, 3308 S. Stafford St., Arlington
Fall is one of the most important times to care for you lawn
and ensure it is in resilient shape for the coming winter and spring.
Learn useful tips about grass care and what you can do to
improve the long-term fertility of your soil. Free, but please
register in advance.
Saturday, September 19
Long Branch Nature Center Fall Plant Sale
Time: 1 - 4pm
Location: Long Branch Nature Center, 625 S. Carlin Springs Rd., Arlington, VA 22204
Want to make your yard welcoming to local birds, bees and
butterflies? Plant native and they will come! Choose from a great
selection of attractive, tough plants that support pollinators and other
wildlife. Rain date: Sunday, Sep. 20, 1-4. For more information, call 703-228-6535.
Saturdays, September 19th and 26th and Sundays, September 20th and 27th
Multiple Opportunities: Naturalist Led Kayak Tours of the Potomac
Times: Varies by trip
Location: Riverbend Park, 8700 Potomac Hills St., Great Falls, VA
Riverbend Park is offering multiple opportunities to get out
onto the Potomac River on a naturalist guided kayak trip
this September.
-September 19th: Mini Float Trip, 11am. Take a wagon ride down to the launch site and then enjoy a 1.5 mile guided kayak trip on the Potomac.
-September 20th: Float and Fish Kayak Tour, 9am. This 6
hour tour starts at Algonkian Regional Park and ends at Riverbend. A
naturalist will show you the best fishing holes along the way.
-September 20th and 27th: Sunrise Kayak Tour, 7am. Experience sunrise over the Potomac during this two hour guided trip.
-September 20th and 27th: Sunset Kayak Tour, 5pm. Sunset over the Potomac brings great color to the sky during this 1.5 hour guided tour.
-September 26th: Wildlife of the Potomac Kayak Tour, 5pm. Look for osprey, deer, and bald eagles during this 1.5 hour naturalist-led tour.
-September 27th: Intro to River Kayaking, 10am. Get
instructions from a naturalist for the 1st half hour, and then use your
new skills on the water during the half-day kayak pass that is included
in the cost of the workshop.
Sunday, September 20
Slug Fest!!
Time: 2 - 4pm
Location: Hidden Pond Nature Center, 8511 Greeley Blvd, Springfield, VA
The only celebration of slugs on the east coast! There will be
slug racing, crafts, fortune telling, skin exfoliation, slime tossing
and the world premiere of "Unsalted: The Story of the Slug Determined,
at All Costs, to Win the Slug Race." $8/person for county residents; $10
for all others. Please register online.
Tuesday, September 22
Green Homes and Gardens
Time: 1:30 - 3:30pm
Location: Walker Nature Center, 11450 Glade Dr., Reston, VA
For ages 55 and up. Want to Save Money, energy and the
environment and learn how you can be "green?" Get advice from an energy
coach, tips from an interior designer, and sustainable gardening ideas
from the Reston Association's natural resource manager. Take a short
tour of the LEED Gold Nature House and its gardens. Reservations
required by September 17th: (703) 476-9689 and press 5 or naturecenter@reston.org. $5/person for Reston Association members; $7/person for all others.
Saturday, September 26
Northern Alexandria Native Plant Sale
Time: 9am - 2pm
Location: Church of St. Clement, 1701 N. Quaker Lane, Alexandria, VA 22032
Formerly the Park Fairfax Plant Sale, this long-running
native event has a new name and a new location, but still
offers a large selection of native plants from multiple vendors. Grab
something new for your property! Driving directions and more information
can be found on the sale's website.
Saturday, September 26Accotink Creek Multi-Site Cleanup DayTimes and locations: Multiple
Help the Friends of the Accotink at one (or both) of their two cleanups in the Springfield/Franconia area
9 - 11am: Accotink Creek at Franconia-Springfield Pkwy, West Springfield
Noon - 2pm: Accotink Creek at Telegraph Rd., Lorton
Saturday, September 26
National Public Lands Day
Times and Locations: Multiple
National Public Lands Day (NPLD) is the nation's largest
single-day volunteer event for public lands. 2015 marks the 22nd
year of NPLD and there will be volunteer events in all 50
states and DC. To find a listing of local events, please visit NPLD's website. Most events are on the 26th, but others are scheduled earlier or later in September.
Saturday, September 26
Get Nuts! Native Seed Collection
Time: 10am - 1pm
Location: Leesylvania State Park, Woodbridge, VA
Help the Potomac Conservancy collect native tree seeds which
will go to local nurseries to grow trees for reforestation efforts
across the region. A picnic lunch will be provided for all volunteers.
For more information and to RSVP, please visit the Conservancy's website.
Saturday, September 26
National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day
Time: 10am - 2pm
Locations: Various
What do prescription drugs have to do with water quality? A
lot! Many people mistakenly dispose of unwanted prescriptions by
flushing them down the toilet, but this leads to all sorts of
potentially harmful compounds - endocrine disruptors and hormones, just
to name a few - getting into our rivers, because traditional sewage
treatments plants don't remove them. Help prevent this problem by
taking unwanted or expired medications to the Drug Enforcement Agency's
National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day. Participating locations in the
DC area will be posted online starting September 1st.
Saturday, September 26
Burke Lake Night Hike
Time: 7 - 8:30pm
Location: Burke Lake Park, 7315 Ox Rd., Fairfax Station, VA
Take a hike around the lake with a park naturalist to look for
wildlife and nocturnal goings-on! Suitable for all ages, but children
must be accompanied by a registered adult. $8/person for Fairfax County
residents; $10/person for all others. Please register online or call 703-323-6600 for more information.
Sunday, September 27
Earth Sangha Native Plant Sale
Time: 9:30am - 2pm
Location: Franconia Park, Springfield, VA
Earth Sangha is a local non-profit that raises a huge variety of
native plants from seeds collected in local natural areas. The plants
are often sold for local ecological restoration projects to
governments, non-profits, schools, and others, but they would look just
as good in your yard! Check out their website for more information and directions to the nursery.
Sunday, September 27
Microscopic Monsters!
Time: 3 - 4pm
Location: Ellanor C. Lawrence Park, 5040 Walney Rd., Chantilly, VA
Warning! EC Lawrence's Walney Pond is inhabited by millions of
tiny monstrous creatures unseen by humans. Use a microscope to discover
the invisible organisms that make the pond their home and learn why
such tiny creatures are so important. Ages 7 to adult; $5/person for
county residents and $7 for all others. Please register online or call 703-631-0013 for more information.
Sunday, September 27
Lake Accotink Canine Cruise
Time: 6pm
Location: Lake Accotink Park, 7500 Accotink Park Rd., Springfield, VA
Treat your canine companion to a special cruise aboard Lake
Accotink Park's pooch-friendly pontoon boat. Catch the last rays of the
sun as it dips toward the distant lake shore while your dog scans for
ducks, geese and other lake dwellers. $6 per person, no charge for dogs.
Limit one dog per person. Please call 703-569-0285 to reserve your ticket.
Do Your Part! Urban Nutrient Management Cost Share Funding Available
For
a limited time, the Conservation District will work with Fairfax
County homeowners associations (HOAs) and owners of individual
properties to develop a 3-year nutrient management plan for their lawn
areas. Individual properties must be 2 acres or larger. For
HOAs, no size restrictions apply, but management plans will only
be created for common areas.
The
program is a modest cost-share in which the property owner or HOA pays
for soil tests ($10 each, plus mailing) which are processed by Virginia
Tech. The results of the soil test(s) will be used by the
District's Senior Conservation Specialist and Certified Nutrient
Management Planner to develop the nutrient management plan and provide
guidance on recommended fertilizer/lime applications, the size of the
area to be treated, opportunities to reduce or eliminate grass, dates
and duration of applications, a lawn care calendar, and opportunities
for controlling weeds. If implemented, the plans will reduce lawn
care costs and maintenance, and also support healthy local waterways,
the Potomac River, and the Chesapeake Bay. To sign up, please
contact Willie Woode at willie.woode@fairfaxcounty.gov. This program is funded by a grant from the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation.
For
individual properties that are less than 2 acres, please consider the
Fairfax County Master Gardeners' Home Turf program: http://fairfaxgardening.org/home-turf/.
Sign Up Now for the Fall Virginia Waterways Cleanup
The
Virginia Waterways Cleanup, Virginia's Contribution to the
International Coastal Cleanup, runs from September 1st through October
31st. Volunteers adopt sites to clean along streams, rivers and the
coastline throughout the state. Last year, over 8,000 volunteers
participated. Consider becoming a site captain and leading your own
cleanup, or volunteer at an existing cleanup. Prospective site captains
can begin registering their sites at the Clean Virginia Waterways
website. In a few weeks, registered sites will be posted
and volunteers can go to the website to see what cleanup
events are occurring near them.
Lists of Great Outdoor Summer Destinations in Virginia
The
Virginia travel website has put together lists of great natural
destinations that would make for the perfect summer escape.
Included are descriptions of each destination, directions and a map. The
lists include:
-Great tent-only camping
-The 30 best hikes in the state
-Great swimming holes
-Relaxing tubing spots
-Great Outdoor Getaways around DC (from DCist)
What are you waiting for? Pack your bags and go!
Arlington Master Naturalists Accepting Applications for Fall 2015 Basic Training Class
Applications
may be closed for the Fairfax Chapter, but the Arlington Chapter
of the Master Naturalists is still accepting applications,
and as a regional chapter, Fairfax Citizens are welcome to
apply. Master Naturalists are a corps of volunteers who work
to protect and manage parks and natural areas in their communities by
participating in education, stewardship, and citizen science projects.
Basic training is taught by local experts, and trainees will learn about
ecology, geology, native flora and fauna, habitat management, and more.
Training classes will be held on Mondays from 9am -3pm from
September 14 to December 14. Mornings will feature indoor
classes while afternoons will be used for outdoor field training.
Applications are due August 17th. Visit http://armn.org/apply/ for an application.
Chesapeake Bay Cleanup Plan Upheld in Court
The
multi-state, EPA-led cleanup plan for the Chesapeake Bay, commonly
called the "Pollution Diet," was ruled to be legal by the Federal
Circuit Court of Appeals in Philadelphia. The challenge to the
cleanup was lodged by the American Farm Bureau, the National Association
of Home Builders and other groups that claimed the EPA had
overstepped its legal authority by regulating runoff from farms and
new development. Environmental groups and municipal wastewater agencies
joined the EPA in defending the plan. The Baltimore Sun's synopsis of
the decision can be found online.
Audubon at Home Backyard Wildlife Sanctuary Certification Program
Would
you like to turn your garden into a welcoming space for birds,
butterflies and other native wildlife and help enhance the value of our
urban green spaces? Get free advice from Audubon Ambassadors on
how to make your yard more wildlife friendly. Participating properties
that become Certified Wildlife Sanctuaries earn a yard
sign that can proudly be displayed for all the neighbor's to
see (and to get them on board)! The Audubon at Home Wildlife
Sanctuary certification program assists homeowners in restoring their
home's natural habitat by providing information on sustainable gardening
practices. These practices include using native plants, removing
invasive species, reducing use of pesticides and fertilizers, and
creating space for native flora and fauna.
Audubon
at Home ambassadors will visit and consult with you on suitable native
plants, landscaping, water retention, or other best practices. To learn
more about the program, visit the Audubon Society of Northern Virginia website.
Invasive
invaders such as kudzu, wisteria, honeysuckle and stilt grass are
pushing out important native flora and diminishing the health of our
parklands. Help turn the tide against these exotic invaders by joining
the Invasive Management Area (IMA) volunteers and pulling these weeds
out by their roots. The IMA volunteer calendar can be found online.
Calendar of Events
Wednesdays, August 5th, 12th, 19th and 26th
Wednesdays in the Garden Class and Lecture Series
Time: 7 - 9pm
Location: Arlington Central Library, 1015 N. Quincy St, Arlington, VA 22201
This series of
indoor and outdoor programs, taught by Arlington Food Assistance Center
volunteers and Virginia Commonwealth Extenstion Master Gardeners,
is designed to teach gardening skills to a wide audience. Topics by
date:
August 5, Vegetables for Fall
August 12, Composting: Why and How
August 19, Food Preservation: Canning, Drying, Freezing (in the auditorium)
August 26: Tour of Central Library Gardens.
No registration required. To confirm topic and room number, check the Arlington Library Events Calendar at http://library.arlingtonva.us or call the library at 703-228-5990.
Saturday, August 8
Scotts Run Nature Preserve Hike
Time: 9 - 11am
Location: Scott's Run Nature Preserve, McLean
Take a three-mile,
naturalist-led hike in this beautiful nature preserve
along the Potomac River. The hike overr moderate terrain
highlights the Scotts Run natural features, scenic overlooks
and waterfall. Bring water and meet at the west parking lot (at the
intersection of Georgetown Pike and Swinks Mill Rd). There
are no facilities at the Preserve. Ages 13 to adult. The cost
is $6 for Fairfax County residents and $8 for all others. Please RSVP online. For more information, call 703-759-9018.
Saturday, August 8
Native Species Planting
Time: 9-11am
Location: First United Methodist Church, 6201 Belcrest Rd, Hyattsville, MD
Help improve
stormwater management in the Anacostia River Watershed by bayscaping the
grounds of the First United Methodist Church. Bayscaping involves
planting native plants that prevent erosion and absorb and treat more
runoff than traditional gardens. For more information and to RSVP,
please visit the Potomac Conservancy website.
Saturday, August 8
What's That Weed?
Time: 9am - Noon
Location: Teaching Garden at St. Benedict's Monastery, 9535 Linton Hall Rd, Bristow, VA 20136
Having trouble telling
your stilt grass from your multiflora rose? Let the Prince William
Master Gardeners set you straight in this informative and free
workshop. While you're there, sniff your way through the
fragrance garden with guide Ruth Johnston. Please RSVP in advance: 703-792-7747 or master_gardener@pwcgov.org
Sunday, August 9th, 16th, 23rd and 30th
Two Kayaking Classes on the Potomac at Riverbend Park
Time: 7am and 10am
Location: Riverbend Park, 8700 Potomac Hills St., Great Falls, VA
Sunday brings two
kayaking classes to Riverbend Park: The Sunrise Kayak Tour starts
at 7am and lasts for two hours, and at 10am the half-hour Intro to River
Kayaking Class pushes off. Both tours are led by park
naturalists. The Sunrise Tour will focus on the natural and human
history of the island-dotted section of the Potomac around the
park. The Intro Class will cover river hazards, water safety and
paddling basics. Participation in the Intro Class comes with a half day
kayak rental, so you can test out your new skills. Costs: $38 for the
Sunrise Tour and $29 for the Intro Class. Costs are higher for
out-of-county participants. Please RSVP online.
Thursday, August 13
Children's Event: Knee Deep in a Creek
Time: 10 - 11am or 1:30 - 2:30pm
Location: Walker Nature Center Campfire Ring, on Soapstone Dr. between Glade and Lawyers
Get your future stream
monitors out into the cool waters of Reston's Glade Stream where they
will get to search for minnows, tadpoles, frogs and other creatures.
Wear wading shoes and clothes that can get dirty. Reservations are
required by August 10th. Please call 703-476-9689 and press 5 or email naturecenter@reston.org.
Saturday, August 15
Build-Your-Own Composter Workshop
Time: 1 - 4pm
Location: Falls Church Community Center, Falls Church, VA
Are you interested in
turning kitchen and yard scraps into black gold? Then sign up for one of
the few remaining slots at the Build-Your-Own Composter workshop.
Participants will assemble a 55-gallon, tumbler-style composter using
recycled wood, plumbing pipe, a recycled plastic food barrel, and nuts,
bolts, and screws. The cost of the workshop is $75 and all materials are
included. To RSVP, please contact Dan Schwartz.
Saturday, August 15
Prince William Stream Monitoring Workshop and Certification - Open to All
Time: 10am - 2:30pm
Location: Jean McCoy Conference Room, Sudley North Government Building, 7987 Ashton Ave., Manassas VA 20109
Fairfax County is
not the only NoVA jurisdiction with a stream monitoring
program. Prince William County is in the process
of increasing the number of streams it monitors and the number of
volunteer citizen scientists it trains. This class and
field training will introduce new monitors to the Virginia Save Our
Streams monitoring protocol, and reintroduce those experienced monitors
that just need a refresher. The workshop is open to all residents of
Northern Virginia and will be led by Leah Miller, Director of the Izaak
Walton League of America's Virginia Save Our Streams program, and
staff and volunteers from the Prince William Soil and Water
Conservation District. Stream Monitor Certification will also be
offered. Registration is free but please RSVP in advnace. For more information and registration, email waterquality@pwswcd.org.
Saturday, August 15
Raiders of the Lost Trash: Lake Accotink Litter Cleanup
Time: 8:30 - 10:30am
Location: Lake Accotink Park, 7500 Accotink Park Rd., Springfield, VA
Joins the Friends
of Lake Accotink Park and help remove floating trash from the lake
itself. The Park Authority will supply canoes and trash bags. Wear
clothes that you don't mind getting wet/muddy and bring a "grabber" if
you have one (makes it easier to reach trash on the edges). Wear gloves
and get ready to make a difference! Please RSVP online.
Saturday, August 15
Backyard Wildlife Habitat Workshop
Time: 1 - 2pm
Location: Green Spring Gardens, 4601 Green Spring Rd., Alexandria
Learn what's needed to
turn your family yard into a certified wildlife habitat. Tour Green
Spring Gardens to see how they attract birds, bees and
butterflies. Use recycled materials to make a bird feeder and take home
wildlife garden seeds. Suitable for ages 5 to adult. $6 per person for
Fairfax County residents, $8 for all others. Please RSVP online.
Sunday, August 16
Stream Monitoring Workshop: Lorton/Newington
Time: 10:30am - 1pm
Location: Pohick Creek, Lorton area
Help monitor beautiful
Pohick Creek as it flows by the southern terminus of the Cross County
Hike and Bike Trail. For diretions and to RSVP, please contact Dan Schwartz.
Sunday, August 16
Pond Life
Time: 10 - 11am
Location: Ellanor C. Lawrence Park
Meet a naturalist by EC
Lawrence Park's Walney Pond and get ready to find out who is
living beneath the pond's surface. Learn about tadpoles,
dragonfly nymphs, water scorpions and anything else that is caught.
Suitable for all ages 2 and up. All family members must register. The
cost is $5 per Fairfax County resident and $7 for all others. Bring
boots that can get wet. Please RSVP online.
Wednesday, August 19
Stream Monitoring Workshop: Lake Fairfax Park
Time: 5:15 - 7:45pm
Location: Lake Fairfax Park, Reston
Join certified monitor
Bob Speegle at his adopted site and help monitor the health of
Colvin Run as it flows out from beautiful Lake Fairfax. For directions
and to RSVP, please contact Dan Schwartz.
Wednesday, August 19
Best Civil War Trails in the Region
Time: 7 - 8pm
Location: REI store in Rockville, MD
The area bounded by
Gettysburg, Petersburg, the Shenandoah Valley and Harpers Ferry saw
pivotal events in the Civil War. Larry Broadwell and William Needham,
two contributors to the new "Hiker's Guide to Civil War Trails in the
Mid-Atlantic Region," will show their favorites among the 27 routes
covered in this new book. There is no charge, but advance registration
at www.rei.com/rockville is required by August 18th and space is
limited. Presented by the Sierra Club's Potomac Region Outings group.
Saturday, August 22
Stream Slosh!
Time: 10:30am - Noon
Location: Walker Nature Center, 11450 Glade Drive, Reston, VA
Dip into a cool stream
to escape the heat of summer. Use a net to search for fish and
frogs, and turn over rocks to find insects. Wear your wading shoes and
clothes that can get dirty. Net and buckets provided. Please RSVP
by August 19th: $5/person for Reston Association Members, $7 for
non-members. Call 703-476-9689 and press 5 or email naturecenter@reston.org.
Saturday, August 22
Evening Walk in the Wetlands
Time: 8 - 10pm
Location: Huntley Meadows Park, 3701 Lockheed Blvd, Alexandria, VA
Join Huntley Meadows
naturalist PJ Dunn on a hike of the trails after dark, looking and
listening for owls, beavers and other nocturnal animals. $6 per person
for Fairfax County residents, $8 for all others. Please RSVP online.
Sunday, August 23
Carderock, C& Canal and Great Falls Hike
Time: 8:30am
Location: Carderock Recreation Area, North Parking Lot
Take a lovely 9 mile
loop hike with an early start to beat some of the summer
heat! From Carderock, hike the C & O Canal, head up the
woodland Gold Mine Trail and saunter down to the Tavern/Visitor's center
at Great Falls for a snack break. After a brief stop at the scenic
Great Falls overlook on Olmstead Island, return to Carderock via the
riparian Billy Goat B Trail (not the more challenging A trail!). A
discussion of the history of the C & O Canal and local ecology is
included free of charge. Bring snacks, lunch, water and binoculars, if
you have them. Carpooling and rides for the carless at the Forest Glen
Metro at 8am. Please email hike leader Ron LaCoss for directions or to arrange for a ride. Presented by the Sierra Club's Potomac Region Outings group.
Tuesday, August 25 or Saturday, August 29
Fall and Winter Vegetable Gardening: Extending Your Harvest
Time: 7 - 8:30pm on the 25th and 10:30am - Noon on the 29th
Location: Fairlington Community Center, 3308 S. Stafford St., Arlington, VA 22206
Join us for a
terrific session on fall gardening - what to plant when and simple tips
for success. Think healthful greens like kale, collards, bok choy and a
wealth of lettuces. Fall is a delightful time to garden, with cool
autumn days and waning pest populations. Learn inexpensive techniques
to extend your harvest and even how you can enjoy some of your crops in
the dead of winter! We'll also cover end-of-season clean up, putting
your garden to bed and tool care to give you a head start for next
spring. The workshop is free, but please RSVP in advance.
Thursday, August 27
Free Paddle Night on the Anacostia River
Time: 5 - 7:30pm
Location: Kenilworth Park, 4000 Deane St NE, Washington, DC
Discover the Anacostia by joining the Anacostia Watershed Society for a FREE Paddle Night on the river! The Watershed Society
provides the canoes, life jackets, paddles, and safety lessons:
everything you'll need to have a great paddling experience. First-come
first-served, so come early for a better chance of getting out on the
water. Right next to Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, Kenilworth Park is one
of the best places to see a quieter and more serene Anacostia
River. Please register in advance online.
Saturday, August 29
Pollinator Walk at the American Horticultural Society's River Farm
Time: 10am - Noon
Location: River Farm, 7932 East Boulevard, Dr., Alexandria, VA 22308
Join the American
Horticultural Society, the Friends of Dyke Marsh and Georgetown
University's Center for the Environment for a pollinator walk in the
four-acre Andre Blumel Meadow at River Farm. Walk leaders are
Sylvia Schmeichel, River Farm Manager and Horticulturist, and Dr. Edd
Barrows, Georgetown Professor of Biology and
Entomology. Participants will learn about the meadow's native
plants, general ecology, pollinators and no doubt more. In case of
heavy rain, the rain date is September 12. The event will be
held if it is overcast and drizzly. For more information, please see the
Friends of Dyke Marsh website.
Saturday, August 29
Life in the Leaf Litter
Time: 10am - Noon
Location: Ellanor C. Lawrence Park, 5040 Walney Rd., Chantilly
Join a naturalist for a
hike and explore the forest floor. Uncover the diversity of soil
organisms and the crucial role that invertebrates play in helping
forests to stay healthy. $10 per person for Fairfax County residents,
$12 for all others. Ages 8 and up. Please RSVP online.
- Why Rain Barrels?
Rain barrels can be placed under your
downspouts to capture runoff from the roof. By installing a rain barrel
at your home you will:
- Provide your plants with water they will love!
Unlike treated water, which is "softened" with dissolved minerals, rain
water is naturally soft. The water stored in your rain barrel is better
than municipal water for washing your car and watering indoor or
outdoor plants.
- Save money and water! Instead of water
from the tap or faucet, you can use the water you've saved to keep your
home landscape happy and growing. You'll also reduce your municipal
water bill!
- Protect the Chesapeake Bay! Water
stored in your rain barrel won't rush off into our streams. Instead, as
you use the stored rain water around the home and garden, it will absorb
slowly into the ground replenishing groundwater supplies. By decreasing
the volume of storm runoff, rain barrels also help moderate stream
erosion and the resulting pollution that is impairing the Chesapeake
Bay.
- Rain Barrel Workshops
- Rain barrels purchased from retail sources can
be expensive. As part of a regional initiative, the district offers
build-your-own rain barrel workshops and distributes low-cost rain
barrels to Fairfax County citizens. At the workshops, you will learn how
to install and maintain a rain barrel and take one home!
- Registration is required for all programs.
Registration closes 3-4 days prior to the event. The fee per barrel is
$55 for build-your-own workshops, $65 per barrel for distribution
events. Only two rain barrelswill fit in most vehicles. Register for a Rain Barrel Workshop or Sale.
- Your-Own Workshops - $55
- Sunday, March 22, 9:30 AM Š 11:30 AM
Mason District Government Center, 6507 Columbia Pike, Annandale
- Saturday, April 11, 10:00 AM Š 12:00 PM
Green Acres Community Center, 4401 Sideburn Road, Fairfax
- Saturday, May 16, 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Walker Nature Center, 11450 Glade Dr, Reston
- Distribution Events/Rain Barrel Sales - $65
- Saturday, March 21st 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Arlington Central Library, 1015 N. Quincy Street, Arlington
- Online registration is handled by our rain barrel partner organization, Arlingtonians for a Clean Environment. Instructions on registration by mailing a check are also available on their website.
- Questions? Please read the rain barrel FAQs. Also, try following the link above. For other questions, email the rain barrel program or call 703-324-1428, TTY 711.
Environmental Report - Flint Webb, P.E. Environment Committee Chair:
Activity since the November 20th Membership meeting - some key activities of the Environment committee:
- Friends of Accotink Creek (FAcC) Town Meeting: The Friends of
Accotink Creek held their monthly town meeting on December 15, 2014.
The minutes are available at http://www.accotink.org/2014/FACC_Meeting_20141215_Notes.pdf. Key items discussed were:
- Whole Foods Funds/Mastenbrook Grant: Environmental
Consulting Services, Inc. has indicated an interest in conducting a
muscle survey of the Accotink below the Lake Accotink damn with the
Partnership for the Delaware Estuary.
- Coalition of Watershed Friends in Fairfax: The FAcC is
exploring the possibility of developing a coalition of watershed
friends groups in Fairfax County.
- Virginia Stream Restoration Funding: Fairfax County
recently received a grand from the Virginia Stormwater Local Assistance
Fund to cover stream restoration projects in Wakefield Park, the
Daventry neighborhood and on an interimittent tributary in Lake Accotink
Park. These projects may offer opportunities to rescue native plants
which might be relocated to the recent Brookfield Pond project.
- Elections: The FAcC held elections.
- Long Branch (south) Trail: The County has received a
proffer to construct a 10 foot wide asphalt trail along the Long Branch
south tributary to the Accotink. The plans indicate that the trail will
eventually run the length of Long Branch South to the Springfield Metro
station.
- Stream Monitoring: 20 volunteers showed up to help out
at the December 13th quarterly monitoring at Lake Accotink Park
including one person in a wheelchair.
- Americana Park Planting: There is a plan for wet
meadow planting in the Americana park next spring. Earth Sangha will be
providing the plants. DPWES is hoping that the FAcC will be able to
provide volunteers to help with the planting.
- Trail Hikes: Kris Unger would like to schedule regular trail hikes on the afternoons of the second Sunday every month.
- Environmental Quality Advisory Council (EQAC) meeting:
At the December 20th EQAC meeting the main subject was the Fall
Cankerworm spraying. The meeting was set up as a debate between Fairfax
County Pest Management Branch and a consortium of citizen and
environmental groups including the Audubon Society of Northern Virginia,
Friends of Dyke Marsh, Friends of Mason Neck, Northern Virginia Bird
Club Friends of Huntley Meadows and the Mount Vernon Council of Citizens
Association Environment and Recreation Committee. The consensus of the
EQAC was to continue spraying with better community outreach. It was
pointed out that individual homeowners can ask that no spraying take
place over their property.
- January 10th Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) Green Breakfast:
- The guest for the January 10th Green Breakfast was Lily
Whitesell, Watershed Specialist, Northern Virginia Soil and Water
Conservation District. Ms. Whitesell introduced the new Conservation
Assistance Program (CAP). The CAP provides incentives for Fairfax
County civic and homeowner associations to utilize more sustainable
practices for community property Š indoors or outdoors. The program
will provide support for Watershed conservation and energy conservation
programs. For more information see the web site: http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/nvswcd/cap/.
- The Northern Virginia SWCD is also conducting a survey
of homeowners about water and electricity conservation practices to find
out whether programs such as the CAP will be effective in reducing
stormwater runoff and/or reducing energy usage. To take the survey go
to https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/XNNNFTZ.
- Finally the SWCD announced the annual native seeding
sale. The theme is NOVA Natives inspired by the new native plant guide
available for download at www.plantnovanatives.org. For more information on the seedling sale see: http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/nvswcd/seedlingsale.htm.
- Upcoming Events:
- January 19th, 7:00 to 9:00 pm: Friends of Accotink Creek Town Hall Meeting, Audrey Moore RECenter. See http://www.accotink.org/ for details.
- January 21st, 7:30 pm: Environmental Quality Advisory
Council (EQAC) annual public hearing on the environment. Conference
Rooms 2 and 3 of the Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government
Center Parkway. For more information see http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dpz/eqac/.
- January 26th - 29th, 6 - 8:30 pm: I-66 Widening Public Hearings at several locations in the County. See http://transform66.org/ for details.
- January 28th, 7 - 8:30 pm Green Spring Gardens Master
Plan Revision, Park Lawn Elementary School, 4116 Braddock Road,
Alexandria. For more information see www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/plandev/green-spring-gardens.htm.
- February 16th, 7:00 to 9:00 pm: Friends of Accotink Creek Town Hall Meeting, Audrey Moore RECenter. See http://www.accotink.org/ for details.
- February 21st, 11:30 am - 3 pm, Fairfax County Park Friends gathering, Frying Pan Farm Park.
Federation is partnering with the Friends of Accotink Creek to help clean up a segment of Accotink Creek
20 November 2014
On October 11th the Federation is partnering with the Friends
of Accotink Creek to help clean up a small segment of Accotink Creek.
This will be the first of a series of Federation partnered stream
cleanup events on different watersheds throughout the County so we can
all can become familiar with the problems facing all our streams.
Accotink Creek was chosen for the first Federation stream cleanup event
because Accotink Creek flows through all but 2 magisterial districts (as
well as both the City of Fairfax and the Town of Vienna). This
particular site was chosen for its central location in the County. The
Friends of Accotink Creek will provide gloves and trash bags. Please come and help our streams. Here is the Friends' guidance to folks who plan on volunteering
Activity since the last Board meeting some key activities of the Environment committee:
- On August 18th and September 15th attended the Friends of Accotink Creek (FAcC) Town Hall Meeting.
- International Coastal Cleanup: The FAcC will be leading
cleanups at 13 sites. The Federation will be sponsoring the cleanup at
Accotink Creek and Old Lee Highway on October 11th. The site has good
parking and easy stream access. The Federation has agreed to help get
the word out to encourage participation. For more information see: http://www.accotink.org/2014/InternationalCoastalCleanuppre-event2014.htm.
- Accotink Creek Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL): The
Virginia DEQ has started working on developing a TMDL for Accotink
Creek. They will be gathering new data rather than basing the TMDL on
data that was gathered when developing the pervious TMDL that was thrown
out by the Court. For more information see: http://www.accotink.org/TMDL.htm or the DEQ site: https://www.virginia.gov/connect/commonwealth-calendar/events/lists/public-hearing/2014/09/10/tmdlpublicmeetingaccotinkcreekandlongbranchinfairfaxcounty.
- Whole Foods outreach/fundraiser: The FAcC has started
identifying how they want to spend their portion of the proceeds from
the Whole Foods fundraiser. They have earmarked $500 to support field
trip and other similar programs to educate Fairfax County school-aged on
ecology and the natural environment of Lake Accotink and the stream.
The Friends of Lake Accotink will also be donating a similar amount to
the same cause. The FAcC would also like to do a survey of the muscle
populations in the lower Accotink Creek. The hope is that if the survey
is done properly the data may be able to be used in the development of
the TMDL. The FAcC is also looking into getting water quality chemistry
sensors to use for teaching stream monitoring.
- Scout projects: There are a number of scout (Boy Scout and Girl Scout) projects that the FAcC has been helping out with.
- Fairfax HS stream monitoring: The FAcC is assisting the
Fairfax High School teach international baccalaureate (IB) about stream
ecology by having them doing stream monitoring.
- 501(c)3 filing: The FAcC has filed with the IRS for
501(c)3 tax exempt status. The IRS has reviewed our submittal and
requested some minor changes to the bylaws, which have been taken care
of.
- Merrifield park historical marker: The FAcC is working
on getting a historical marker in the Merrifield part commemorating the
“negro” neighborhood that used to be there.
- On September 13th the new Fairfax County Park Authority
Director, Kirk Kincannon spoke about his vision for the County Parks.
It appears that Mr. Kincannon hopes to solve the tight budget situation
by augmenting the paid staff with more volunteer help from the
community. Mr. Kincanon came back to Fairfax County after a stint
managing the parks in Bolder Colorado
- The Federation Membership meeting on September 17th
included Friends of Accotink Creek. Kris Unger presented for the FAcC
and Danielle Wynne presented on the FCPS Get2 Green program. The FAcC
presentation can be found below. The Get2 Green web site is: http://www.fcps.edu/is/science/get2green/index.shtml.
- On Sunday, September 21st I attended the People’s Climate
March in New York city. Over 400 thousand people attended the event
from all over the world. I met one couple from Alaska and several
people from France. There were a veriety of perspectives on the climate
change issue from people calling for increased use of nuclear power to
people who wanted the discontinuation of nuclear power; from people
calling for a moratorium on hydraulic fracturing to people who saw
cheaper natural gas as being a good interim measure as renewable power
comes on line and grid managers get used to managing power swings that
may occur.
Upcoming Events:
- October 11th, 3:00 to 5:00 pm: Federation co-sponsored stream
clean up Accotink Creek at Old Lee Hwy: From I-66 take Exit 62 onto
Nutley Street (243) south, at end of Nutley turn right on Arlington Blvd
(50), go about .75 miles to Fairfax Circle and turn left on Old Lee
Hwy. Parking near bridge, across the street from Arties/Bowl America
(near Home Depot lot), is where we meet. Personal Google Map
Drive/Bike/Transit directions. There is adequate parking and the FAcC
will supply trash bags and gloves.
- October 20th, 7:00 to 9:00 pm: Friends of Accotink Creek Town Hall Meeting, Audrey Moore RECenter.
- October 21st, 7:30 to 10:00 pm: Providence District Council Membership Meeting, Dunn Loring Administrative Center room 111.
- Speaker: Ms. Danielle Wynne, Ecologist DPWES, Stormwater Planning Division
- Topic: Ms. Wynne will discuss the environmental health
(or lack thereof) of the streams in Providence District. She will also
discuss recent stormwater system improvements and how they have improved
the health of our streams and the plans for future stormwater
improvements and what they are expected to do for the health of our
streams.
- October 22nd, 6:00 to 10:00 pm: Air & Waste
Management Association (A&WMA) Baltimore-Washington Chapter
Hydraulic Fracturing dinner meeting, Outback Stakehouse, 15107 Sweitzer
Lane Laurel, MD 20707,
- Speakers: Karen Irons, P.E., Air Quality Permits Program
Manager of the Maryland Department of the Environment Air &
Radiation Management Administration and
Cathe Kalisz, P.E., Policy Advisor for the American Petroleum
Institute.
- Cost: $35 for non-A&WMA members included dinner.
- RSVP to Tiffany Dillow (tdillow@dixonenvironmental.com).
Membership Presentation: Stream Stewardship
18 September 2014
Friends of Accotink Creek Presentation on Stream Stewardship
- This presentation will discuss stream and watershed stewardship, and ways that civic associations can collaborate with the Friends of Accotink Creek and other groups to support the local watershed. This will be part of the FACC Community Presentation lecture series.
- We will cover:
- Human impacts to the watershed, including pollution/litter, impervious surfaces/stormwater runoff, and habitat loss
- FACC Spring and Fall Stream Cleanups (FCA will be
leading a cleanup on Oct 11, 3-5pm, near Fairfax Circle, behind the Home
Depot)
- Wakefield Run Stream Restoration
- Collaborative grant example
- Elaine Tholen, an Environmental Educator at Fairfax County Public Schools, will present the school district's environmental stewardship program, Get2Green.
She will talk about partnerships that make the program work, and the
possibility for community engagement. She is also a co-founder of NoVA Outside, an Alliance of Environmental Educators.
- Kris Unger is the Primary Conservator of the Friends of Accotink Creek, and a founding board member of the Fairfax County Restoration Project. He works with Lands and Waters on school-based watershed education and restoration projects.
- Accotink Creek runs 26 miles through one of the finest wildlife corridors of rapidly-developing Fairfax County. The Friends of Accotink Creek is an all-volunteer organization dedicated to restoring, promoting, and protecting the Accotink Creek watershed. Our motto is "Find just one other person who cares"
and we partner with volunteers, communities, schools, businesses, and
government agencies to protect, restore, and improve the Accotink
Watershed.
71st Green Breakfast: Vision for Our Parks
- Vision for Our Parks presented by Kirk Kincannon, Director of the Fairfax County Park Authority
- The Fairfax County Park Authority is the largest
landowner in Fairfax County. With over 23,000 acres in 420 parks across
the County, there is a lot to manage and many different interests to
balance. This is an opportunity for the public to meet Kirk Kincannon,
the new director of the Fairfax County Park Authority and hear about his
vision and direction for our county parks.
- In November 2013, the Fairfax County Park Authority Board
appointed Kirk Kincannon as Director of the Park Authority, a place
where his parks and recreation career began. Kirk held progressively
more responsible positions within the Authority, ultimately holding
director positions for the City of Alexandria, VA, Wythe County, VA and
the City of Boulder, CO, where he honed his abilities to leverage public
and private partnerships in order to supplement park and recreation
opportunities for the communities he served. He grew up in Fairfax
County and we are glad to welcome him home.
- Brion's Grille: 10621 Braddock Rd., Fairfax, VA 22032
-- located in the University Shopping Mall (Braddock Road and Route 123)
across the street from the Roanoke River Road entrance to George Mason
University.
- Breakfast begins at 8:30 a.m., $10 at the door, cash
preferred. Breakfast includes an all-you-can eat hot buffet with fresh
fruit and coffee, tea, orange juice or water. If you would only like a
beverage, please contact the Northern Virginia Conservation District at conservationdistrict@fairfaxcounty.gov.
Activity since the last Board meeting some key activities of the Environment committee:
- On June 16th attended the Friends of Accotink Creek (FAcC) Town Hall Meeting.
- Whole Foods outreach/fundraiser: The Friends of Accotink
Creek along with the Friends of Lake Accotink received a portion of the
profits and were given an opportunity to talk to patrons about the
streams. The two friends groups will share the $3500 proceeds.
- International Coastal Cleanup: The FAcC will be leading
cleanups at 13 sites. The Federation will be sponsoring the cleanup at
Accotink Creek and Old Lee Highway on October 11th. The site has good
parking and easy stream access. The Federation has agreed to help get
the word out to encourage participation. For more information see: http://www.accotink.org/2014/InternationalCoastalCleanuppre-event2014.htm.
- Park Authority Budget: The FAcC is very concerned about
the decline in Park funding and is hoping that carryover funds will be
used to cover some of the shortfalls.
- Route 1 Widening: The FAcC has a lot of experience (all
bad) monitoring highway widening activities and is looking for partners
from the South County to help monitor VDoT erosion and sediment control
measures in the Accotink watershed.
- Virtual Stream Walks: The FAcC has several virtual stream walks highlighting pretty views and problem areas. See: http://www.accotink.org/DMLongBranchCentralJune2014.htm.
- On July 7th attended the kickoff meeting for the Long
Branch Center Stream Valley group. The emphasis of the meeting was on
organizational structure but the group is looking to partner with HOAs
or other civic groups that would like to help maintain the stream. The
Long Branch Center runs from the southeast edge of the City of Fairfax
to about the intersection of Braddock Road and Wakefild Chapel Road.
There is a virtual tour of the Long Branch Central on the FAcC web site
above. For more information see: http://www.accotink.org/2014/LBSV_Meeting_Minutes_2014_07_07.pdf.
- The subject of the July 12th Green Breakfast was the Lake
Barcroft Watershed Improvement District. Lake Barcroft is a privately
managed lake in the Cameron Run watershed. The residents of the Lake
Barcroft watershed pay for the maintenance of the lake and the dam. One
thing that struck me about the presentation was that they dredge the
lake every year. This may be another way to pay for dam maintenance in
other parts of the county rather than the County having to allocate
millions of dollars every decade or so. For mor information see: http://www.lakebarcroftwid.com/.
- On July 17th there was a joint FAcC and Friends of Lake
Accotink Park (FLAP) meeting. Much of the discussion focused on how to
spend the $3500 from the Whole Foods event discussed above.
- On Saturday, May 17th a Rain Barrel Workshop was held in
Reston. We strongly encourage everyone to build and/or buy rain
barrels. The rain barrels will capture the rainfall keeping it from
eroding our streams (and save money by not having to buy treated water
to water your plants). For more information about Rain Barrel Workshops
and buying rain barrels see http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/nvswcd/rainbarrels.htm.
- At the July 21st Friends of Accotink Creek (FAcC) Town
Hall Meeting in addition to the topics discussed at June 16th Town Hall
Meeting the following new subjects covered were:
- Federation Membership Meeting: Kris Unger is coordinating the
FAcC presentation at the September 18th Federation Membership meeting.
The subject will be Stream Stewardship focusing on how civic
associations and schools can help maintain the streams. Kris is
planning to reach out to the Fairfax County Schools to have them present
what FCPS is doing to promote stream stewardship.
- Lower Accotink Canoe Trip: Several members of the FAcC
canoed the lower portion of the Accotink from Springfield to its mouth.
There is a virtual at: http://www.accotink.org/DMLongBranchCentralJune2014.htm.
- Black Community Marker: The FAcC would like to put a
plaque to commemorate the black community that used to be in the
Merrifield area and is considering using some of the Whole Foods funds
to pay for the project.
- On July 22nd attended the Fairfax Center Area Study
meeting. The meeting discussed changes/updates to the Comprehensive
Plan for the portion of Providence District west of the City of Fairfax,
north of the I-66/Route 50 (Lee Jackson Memorial Highway). One comment
I made was that there was a problem with creating a wildlife corridor
through the central part of the County and comprehensive plan should
reflect this goal.
- Project Clean Stream is more than a stream cleanup, it's a
reminder that people can pull together for our parks, streams and the
Chesapeake Bay. Thanks to your support and efforts, Project Clean Stream
continues to grow in 2014:
- over 425,000 pounds of trash (this is equal to 212 tons: that's a boatload of trash!)
- more than 7,500 volunteers like you!
- In fact... We could take all of the Project Clean Stream volunteers & fill 3 cruise ships!
- We worked w/ hundreds of businesses, schools, environmental groups, and communities at over 250 PCS Cleanup Sites!
- So thank you for all of your hard work and efforts. Next
time you walk outside and don’t see trash at your feet, give yourself,
and your fellow volunteers, a pat on the back!
- Project Clean Stream is possible thanks to the support of
our partners, sponsors and thousands of volunteers. We encourage you to
continue environmental stewardship throughout the year.
- Trash is just one of the many pollutants that harm our
streams, open spaces, and the Chesapeake Bay. Learn more about how you
can improve water quality with our Reduce Your Stormwater website and our new facebook game: Stormwater Sentries!
- Help Project Clean Stream grow with a donation to the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay: allianceforthebay.org/donate
- Visit cleanstream.allianceforthebay.org, or contact Dan Brellisor Joanna Freeman.
- There are a huge number of things HOAs and other civic groups can do. Individual homeowners can:
- Just make sure that the runoff from their roof does not flow
directly to your drive way or the gutter, but is forced to go across
your yard or garden before entering an impervious channel,
- Remove invasive species from their yard,
- Put rain barrels on their downspouts,
- Use porous pavers on their drive way,
- Put in rain gardens to retard the surface water flow, or
- Install green roofs to name just a few.
- HOAs can:
- Spread the word about Low Impact Development (LID) approaches like those listed above to their members,
- Remove invasive species from their common areas,
- Help the County get access from their members so the County can do stream restoration or other storm water sewer maintenance,
- Make sure that their storm water management ponds are kept free of trash and debris so it functions properly,
- Sponsor stream cleanup events,
- Change their storm water management dry pond into a wet pond or a dry pond with plantings flood-tolerant plantings,
- Install rain gardens in their public property,
- Use porous pavers in their parking spaces and driveways, and
- Install green roof on common buildings to name just a few.
- Other Civic Associations can:
- Help spread the word about the need for LID measures, storm water management restorations and storm sewer maintenance,
- Help get the County access to storm water management amenities for maintenance and stream restoration,
- Sponsor stream cleanup events, or
- Help pay for a stream restoration project, I believe
that one of the Vienna civic associations is working on helping fund a
restoration project in the Town of Vienna.
- Homeowners, HOAs, the Chamber of Commerce and any other civic association can certainly do things to slow the storm water flow!
- At several of the stream cleanups I have participated on
have been attended by high school students that needed volunteer hours
and I have personally signed their volunteer certifications. The
Friends of Accotink Creek has also sponsored several Boy Scout and Girl
Scout Eagle and Silver projects involving improving our parks or helping
to slow runoff.
- For more about what the Fiends of Accotink creek has done I invite you to visit the Friends of Accotink Creek web site: http://www.accotink.org.
Membership Presentation: Debate on the Expansion of the Lorton Construction Debris Landfill and the Green Energy Park in Lorton
May 2014
Resolved: Resolved that the Lorton Construction Debris Landfill expansion be allowed.
The Federation will sponsor a formal debate (opening remarks
by one side, rebuttal and opening remarks, rebuttal and closing remarks,
closing remarks) followed by a Q&A for both sides from the
Membership.
- Should EnviroSolutions
be permitted to continue the operation of the Lorton Landfill until
2040? Their application includes a green energy park proposal that
proponents say will push Fairfax County forward in terms of renewable
energy.
- But many opposed to the application, including some members of the South County Federation,
believe that promises were broken in the past. These feelings stem from
a previous application in which EnviroSolutions was to build a park on
the landfill after it closed in 2019.
- For more background on the issue see the following:
- Bill Lecos, speaking on behalf of EnviroSolutions will speak on behalf of the Lorton CCD issue (see their website at fairfaxgreenenergy.com.
- Representatives of the South County Federation will speak in opposition (see their website at closelortonlandfill.org).
- The Environment Committee is very split on the issue of
the Expansion of the Lorton Construction Debris Landfill and the Green
Energy Park in Lorton; some feel that the project is nothing more than
Greenwashing and others think that the development of renewable energy
in Fairfax County is a good that outweighs the expansion of the
landfill.
- The Board of Supervisor public hearing on the issue is expected this spring.
There were 12 bills that I thought were good that were eventually
signed into law. There were 3 bills that I had identified for support
that are dead and there are 8 bills that I had identified for support
that were either continued to 2015 or on which there was no final action
taken. Of the bills that I had targeted for opposition there were 2
that were passed into law (a loss) and one that was not acted on.
- Hybrid Car Tax:
Several bills call for the elimination of the $64 annual
hybrid car fee. In the house: HB 47, 72, 975. It looks like the bills
are all being consolidated into HB 975. On the Senate side there is SB
1, 38, and 127. It looks like all the bills have been consolidated into
SB 127. All these bills simply delete “hybrid electric motor vehicle”
from the law, leaving the $64 per vehicle registration fee for
all-electric and alternative fueled vehicles. There does not appear to
be any attempt to recover the lost revenue.
- Consumer Renewable Energy Bills: There are a number of bills that are aimed at encouraging renewable energy use:
- HB 1001 Electric Utilities: on-bill financing program for
electric energy efficiency measures: This bill requires utilities to
set up a program I have been advocating for years were homeowners can
borrow the capital costs for energy efficiency programs from the utility
over 5 years.
The bill was continued to the 2015 in the Commerce and Labor committee by voice vote.
- SB 222 Solar panels; community associations authority:
The bill would prohibit homeowner’s associations from restricting the
installation of solar power devices.
The bill passed both houses and was signed by the Governor.
- Renewable Portfolio Standard Changes: There were a
number of bills that would reform the renewable portfolio requirements
or otherwise encourage renewable power generation in the Commonwealth,
some of them are summarized here:
- HB 1063 and HB 910 Renewable energy property; tax credits for
installing: This bill would tax credits for biomass, geothermal,
hydroelectric, solar photovoltaic, solar thermal, and wind energy
systems.
HB 1063 was “Stricken from the docket by the Finance
Committee by voice vote. HB 910 was continued to 2015 in the Finance
Committee by voice vote.
- SB 653 Renewable energy property tax credits: The bill appears to be very similar to HB 1063 and HB 910.
Passed both houses and was signed by the Governor.
- HB 821 Electric utility regulation; renewable energy
portfolio standard program, etc.: The regulation would require the
State Corporation Commission to establish a registry for renewable
energy certificates.
The bill was “Left” in the Commerce and Labor Committee.
- HB 822 Electric utilities; renewable energy portfolio
standard program: This bill would eliminate the double credit for
renewable energy for meeting the RPS Goals.
The bill passed both houses and was signed by the Governor.
- HB 1081 Electric utility regulation; renewable energy
portfolio standard program: This bill would reform the renewable energy
portfolio standards requirements.
The bill was “Stricken” from docket by Health, Welfare and Institutions committee by voice vote.
- HB 1025 Biofuels Production Incentive Grant Program;
repeals scheduled expiration of grant program: The bill would repeal
the scheduled expiration of the grant program scheduled for 2017.
The bill passed both houses and was signed by the Governor.
- HB 363 Electric utility regulation; approval of
generation facilities: This bill would require the State Corporation
Commission to consider environmental effects when approving new electric
generating facilities.
The bill was “left” in the Commerce and Labor committee.
- HB 818 Energy and Environment, Virginia Commission on;
established, report: Establishes a legislative commission to review and
recommend steps to implement the Virginia Energy Plan.
The bill was tabled in the Rules committee by voice vote.
- SB 123 Wind Energy projects; regulations to mitigate
adverse effects of turbine blades on wildlife: The bill would require
the Board of Games and Inland Fisheries to adopt regulations to mitigate
the effects of turbine blades on wildlife.
The bill lost after reconsideration in the Senate by a vote of 18-Y 20-N after reconsideration.
- SB 418 Solar equipment; certified pollution control
equipment and facilities: The bill would add solar equipment to the
definition of certified pollution control equipment and facilities that
are exempt from state and local taxes.
The bill passed both houses and was signed by the Governor.
- SB 615 Carbon dioxide; regulating emissions: This bill
would establish State CO2 emissions standards consistent with U.S. EPA
regulations.
The bill passed both houses and was signed by the Governor.
- SB 643 Electric utilities; cost of offshore wind
facilities: The bill would require that utilities to include offshore
wind in their utility planning.
The bill passed both houses and was signed by the Governor.
- There were also several bills that would affect stormwater programs:
- HB 58 Stormwater management programs; clarifies appeals
process for persons subject to permit requirements: This bill would
clarifies the appeals process.
The bill was incorporated by the Agriculture, Chesapeake and
Natural Resources bill HB 1173 by voice vote. HB 1173 passed both
houses and was signed by the Governor.
- HB 261 Stormwater management program; regulations,
single family residence: This bill would authorize the State Water
Control Board to adopt regulations that create a procedure for approving
permits for individual parcels in a common plan of development, provide
a General Permit for Discharges of Stormwater from Construction
Activities.
Also incorporated into HB 1173 by voice vote.
- HB 131 Chesapeake Bay; voluntary tax contributions for
restoration, report: This bill would require an annual report about how
the funds for the voluntary income tax check-off program are spent.
Passed both houses and signed by the Governor.
- HB 806 Tree replacement; VDOT to adhere to locality’s
policy: This bill would require VDOT to adhere to any local tree
replacement policy adopted by the locality in which the construction
project is located.
The bill was “Left” in the Transportation committee.
- HB 654 Wetland and stream mitigation banks; hydraulic
unit boundaries: The bill would allow the use of hydrologic unit system
or dataset other than the National Watershed Boundary Database and
adjustment of the hydrologic unit boundaries of such dataset based on
the availability of more accurate information. I’m not sure what to
think of this bill, Bill Nell could you explain this to me?
The bill passed both houses and was signed into law.
- Trash Control Bills:
- HB 117 Paper and plastic bags; imposes tax of five cents on
disposable bags used by purchaser, etc.: The bill would impose a $0.05
tax on disposable paper and plastic bags. The merchant would retain one
cent of the collected tax.
The bill initially passed unanimously the House in a “Block
vote”. Passed unanimously in the Senate, then rejected in the House by
1-Y to 97-N. Then the Senate insisted on a substitute by a vote of 37-Y
to 1-N. The House rejected the substitute. Senate requested a
conference committee. The House accepted the request. The Senate
appointed Hanger, Ruff and Marsh to the conference and the House
appointed Wilt, Sherwood and Keam. Then the LIS states “House: Failed
to pass in House.”
- SB 320 Paper and plastic bags, disposable; localities in
Planning District 8 authorized to impose: This bill would allow
localities to set a bag tax.
A Senate substitute printed to the web only (14101048D-S1).
- Pedestrian and Bicycle Friendly Bills:
- HB 277 Pedestrian; crossing highways: This bill would
require vehicles to stop for pedestrians in a crosswalk where the legal
maximum speed is 35 mph or lower.
The bill was “left” in the Transportation Committee.
- Bills to oppose:
- HB 426 I-66 improvement: This bill would require the
Commonwealth Transportation Board to include two non-high-occupancy
vehicle lanes inside the Capital Beltway.
The bill was “left” in the Education Committee.
- HB 856 Hazardous waste; removers requirement that permit
is required from DEQ to transport: This bill would remove the
requirement that a permit is required from the Department of
Environmental Quality to transport hazardous waste. Not just any truck
driver should be able to transport chemicals that could kill hundreds of
people if they were spilled in an accident.
The bill passed both houses and was signed by the Governor.
- Happy Earth Day (belated). It has been a busy week for the Environment committee:
- Monday was the Friends of Accotink Creek meeting
- The Fairfax County Restoration Project held the first
annual Green Inspirations Environmental Film Festivals Monday (4/20) –
Thursday (4/24) in the evening at the Cinema Arts theater at 9650 Main
Street, Fairfax, VA 22031. Some notable short documentaries that were
shown were:
- Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring
- Four Mile Run: Reviving an Urban Stream (an excellent film for showing the problems with streams in our urbanizing county).
- Mud (this is a 1950s era film that describes the silt
problems in from construction and what the state of the art was for
reducing erosion were back then).
- Others that I was not able to see.
- And continuing next week:
- Friday through and Sunday: EPA’s People, Prosperity and the
Planet Competition at the USA Science and Engineering Festival,
Sustainability Pavilion, located in Hall E of the Walter E. Washington
Convention Center, 801 Mount Vernon Place (between 9th and 7th Streets
NW on L Street NW), Washington, DC 20001. See http://www.epa.gov/p3/.
- Saturday, North County Human Service Center, 1850 Cameron Glen Drive, Reston 20190. See http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dpwes/recycling/shredding.htm.
- Saturday: Earth Day Symposium and Concert Faith
Congregations: Partnering for Climate Change Solutions, commemorating
the 51st anniversary of the publication of Silent Spring. Symposium
1:00 – 3:00 pm at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fairfax,
2709 Hunter Mill Road, Oakton, VA 22124. RSVP http://tinyurl.com/426Fairfax. And the concert is from 7:30-9:30 pm with Jim Scott, the founder of the UU Green Sanctuary movement
- Saturday Accotink stream cleanups:
- 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM, Accotink Creek at Pickett Road bridge , Directions
- 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM, Accotink Creek at Barkley Dr bridge , Directions
- 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM, Accotink Creek at Woodburn Road bridge , Directions
- Sunday: Fairfax County Electric Sundays
- April 27: I-66 Transfer Station, 4618 West Ox Road, Fairfax 22030
- Friday, May 2nd Young People’ Day in Court: May 2
could be an historic day, as young people have their day in court, at
9:30 AM in the United States Court of Appeals in Washington, DC1. This
concerns the legal case that young people have filed against the United
States federal government. For more information see “Assessing
‘Dangerous Climate Change’: Required Reductions of Carbon Emissions to
Protect Young People, Future Generations and Nature” provides the
scientific basis. http://www.cadc.uscourts.gov/internet/home.nsf
- Friday and Saturday: Pick up the “Bee-Friendly” native
plant seedlings you ordered from the Northern Virginia Soil and Water
Conservation District. Colony collapse disorder and habitat loss has
taken its toll on bees, but native bees and other wild insect
pollinators still contribute over $50 billion in ecological services in
the United States, according to the Xerces Society. Learn more about bee colony collapse.
The trees and shrubs in this year's seedling sale will help provide
habitat for bees and add beauty to your landscape. Enjoy! See http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/nvswcd/seedlingsale.htm.
Speaker: Mr. Randy Bartlett, Deputy Director of Public Works and Environmental Services
- Mr. Bartlett discussed the programs supported by the
Stormwater Services District Tax and an update on the regulatory
requirements driving the program. Stormwater services represented
nearly 4% of the Capital Improvement Program budget or 0.5% of the
FY2014 adopted budget.
Environment Committee Archives2013
2014 Virginia Environmental Legislation Priorities
Winter 2013
Environment Committee Report
February 2013
- Uranium Mining – February 19
- Uranium mining may be dead in the General Assembly but an
article in the E&E News suggests that the lobbyists have taken the
fight to Governor McDonnell.
- Traces of Anxiety Drub Affect Behavior in Fish – February 14
- EPA Invites Communities to Apply for Smart Growth Assistance – February 13
- The EPA put a call out to communities that would like
smart growth implementation assistance (SGIA). The program will provide
assistance in four areas:
- Community Resilience to Disasters and Climate Change –
Projects should aim to develop planning principles and building design
guidelines that ensure future development provides communities with
better protection against storms, floods, and other natural disasters.
- Redevelopment for Job Creation – Projects should
aim to support growing industries that provide quality jobs for existing
residents using land use policies that direct development to existing
neighborhoods, are pedestrian-friendly, allow for transit connections,
and are close to businesses and public services.
- Manufactured and Modular Homes in Sustainable
Neighborhood Design – Projects should help communities that are using
manufactured and modular homes to address sudden population and economic
growth. These communities should provide a mix of uses and maximize
existing streets and other infrastructure investments, community
gathering spaces, and water and energy efficiency.
- Medical and Social Service Facilities Siting –
Projects should aim to explore planning for high-quality community
service facilities, including health care centers and social services
centers, in ways that support neighborhood economic development and
healthy communities.
- For more information on the SGIA program and applications visit http://epa.gov/smartgrowth/sgia.htm. For more information on the Partnership for Sustainable Communities visit http://www.sustainablecommunities.gov
- Metropolitan Washington Air Quality Committee, Technical Advisory Committee – February 12
- Tier 3 tailpipe emission standards: EPA is in the
process of developing tailpipe emission standards for cars and
light-duty trucks. The emissions of heavy-duty trucks will also be
affected by revised fuel sulfur standards. The rule is expected to
include tailpipe emission standards for oxides of nitrogen (NOx),
reactive volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and particulates (PM) and
will lower the sulfur content limits for gasoline to allow for use of
3-way catalyst controls. The rule is expected to lower NOx emissions
from existing vehicles by 25%. The reductions in current vehicles is
achieved by the introduction of cleaner fuels. The rule is projected to
be published in the Federal Register this March. The TAC approved a
letter for action by the MWAQC to go to EPA endorsing the new standards.
- New road-side air quality monitors: EPA is
requiring States (including the District of Columbia) to install road
side ambient air quality monitors. One of the new Virginia monitors
will be installed near the mixing bowl. The exact location of the new
monitor has not been determined yet but it is expected that wherever the
new monitors will go they are likely to be among the highest reading
monitors in the region. The Virginia Department of Environmental
Quality (VDEQ) has upgraded all the ozone monitors so that the QA/QC can
be done overnight.
- Mobile emissions budget: The VOC and NOx budgets
are projected to continue to drop due to new tailpipe emissions
standards but are projected to start increasing again in 2040 as the
area continues to grow. Due to changes the mobile emissions budget will
need to go through a second round of public review.
- Stakeholder Member Appointments: Ana Prados was
re-appointed to the TAC representing the Federation. Other stakeholder
representatives come from the Edison Electric Institute, the
Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority and the Department of
Defense.
For more information see http://www.mwcog.org/committee/committee/documents.asp?COMMITTEE_ID=97.
- First Round of Public Meetings Fairfax Connector Silver Line, Phase 1 Bus Service Plan – January 31 - February 11
- The Fairfax Connector held a number of public hearings on
the proposed bus service changes that will take place once the Silver
Line to Wiehle Road has opened up in December of this year. There will
be 12 new Fairfax Connector routes, 21 existing routes (41% of all
Connector routes) will be modified and six routes will be discontinued.
Many of the routes being modified had been terminating at the West
Falls Church Metro stations – they now will terminate at the Wiehle Road
Metro station instead. Other routes that will be modified are routes
that had terminated at the Tyson’s Westpark Park and Ride and those will
terminate at one of the Tyson’s area Metro Stations instead. The
discontinued routes are duplicated by Metro Service or some of the new
routes. The time between Silver Line trains is expected to be 6 minutes
during rush hour; the same as the current and future Orange Line. To
accommodate Silver Line trains going through the Roslyn tunnel the Blue
Line frequency will be decreased or some Blue Line Trains may terminate
at the Roslyn Metro Station. The Connector expects that there will be
no increased cost to the system as a result of the changes and in fact
they are expecting the time between busses will decrease due to the
shorter bus runs. The plan will be taken up by the Fairfax County Board
of Supervisors in July. For more information see the Fairfax Connector
Silver Line, Phase 1 Bus Service Plan web site http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/connector/routes/dullesrail/.
- Friends of Accotink Creek (FAcC) – February 4
- The FAcC has started planning the Sustainable Living
Presentations as part of the Lands and Waters Grant. There are four
specific topics being developed:
- Stormwater Management @ Home: This program would
involve having professionals look at stormwater management issues at
individual homes or neighborhoods and discuss remedies including rough
cost estimates.
- Composting for Your Home: Discuss options for composting household food scraps and how to use home compost.
- What is an RPA and What You Can and Can’t Do: This will be a basic primmer on Resource Protection Areas.
- Permeable Pavers: This will discuss the different types of porous pavers and how they could be use in your yards.
- Native Plant Landscaping: This will be a basic
introduction to the wonderful native plants and how they could be used
in your yard.
- All these programs are in development but may be
available to your homeowner or civic association later this year. If
there are any of these topics that your HOA or CA would like to have
contact Flint Webb, the Federation Environment Chair and he will put you
in touch with the folks preparing the presentations.
Federation Board Meeting – January 24
- The Federation Board was treated to an excellent
presentation about the litter clogging up our streams from Elizabeth
Martin. The presentation is posted on the Environmental Committee Federation web page below
The Board requested additional information and failed to act on the
proposed resolution. One of the new issues discussed in the debate
surrounding the litter resolution was the problem of shopping carts
being discarded in the streams. Replacing shopping carts are a
significant cost to commercial businesses in the area and are also
difficult to remove from our stream valleys. There was also a
discussion about requiring businesses to charge for shopping bags;
several bag bills were introduced this year but they died in committee.
This issue will be re-introduced in conjunction with the 2014
Legislative Program.
- Friends of Accotink Creek (FAcC) – January 22
- The FAcC has been given a grant from Lands and Waters. The Grant includes three parts:
- Sustainable living Presentations: Prepare a set of
presentations for Home Owner Associations, Civic Associations and
District Councils on a number of environmental issues.
- Community Engagement: Originally the concept was
to outreach to specific HOAs and homeowners to explain the need for
stormwater easements so the County can go forward on projects that are
being held up due to lack of necessary easements.
- Filing for 501(c)(3) status: This will require
preparation of Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws. The organization
will be a member organization. There was some discussions about the
advantages and disadvantages of registering as a 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4)
organization but the upshot was that the advantages of being able to get
tax deductible donations outweighed the limitation on political
activity.
- FAcC also had a tour of a construction site to
identify issues with the stormwater management procedures. The plan is
to develop a number of citizen inspectors that could help the County
identify improper stormwater management at construction sites to help
leverage their funding.
- FAcC has also started planning for the spring stream
cleanups and would like to use the cleanups to educate the public with
other issues in our streams including erosion, invasive plants, rare and
endangered native plants, and hazards such as poison ivy. The plan is
to have a designated person to walk the stream with the volunteers to
point out things along the way.
- FAcC officially signed their position supporting EPA’s attempt to regulate peak flow as a surrogate for sediment loading.
- Upcoming Meetings/workshops:
- February 25 – Monthly Meeting of Friends of Accotink
Creek. 7 pm Audrey Moore Rec Center, 8100 Braddock Road, Annandale, VA
22003. See http://www.accotink.org.
- February 25 - State Implementation Plan Revision -
1997 Fine Particulate Matter National Ambient Air Quality Standards. 7
pm, Fairfax County Government Center, in conference room 2/3. For
further information see http://townhall.virginia.gov/l/ViewNotice.cfm?GNID=438.
- February 26 – Master Naturalist training program
starts. The training includes 40 hours of training meeting on Mondays.
For more information see http://www.virginiamasternaturalist.org/fairfax.html#training.
- February 28 – Air & Waste Management
Association, Baltimore-Washington Chapter meeting. Dr. Ana Prados
(Federation MWAQC TAC representative) will be speaking on using
satellite data to monitor air quality. 6:30 – 9:30 pm, National
Association of Clean Air Agencies (NACAA) offices located at 444 North
Capitol Street, NW - Suite 307- Washington, DC 20001. Conflicts with
the Federation Board meeting so I will be missing the February Board
meeting.
- The Charlottesville Area Tree Stewards have received
approval from MAC-ISA to give CEUs for 5 of their Tree Steward training
classes.
They include:
- Urban Landscaping on 3/5, Ian Robertson (this one is at UVA)
- Roots and Soil on 3/12, Mike Abbot (at Ivy Creek)
- Riparian buffers, Martin Johnson and Selecting the right tree Janet Eden on 3/19.
Classes are from 9:00 to noon at the Dept. of Forestry
building in Fontaine Research Park, Charlottesville, unless specified
otherwise.
Each class will provide 3 credit hours, and registration is $25.
For questions and to register, email C’ville.area.tree.stewards@gmail.com or Doris Stamper dstreefarm@gmail.com
Please register early, since space is limited to 5 professionals per class.
- March 6 – Trees, the Dirty Truth
- the next exciting Roanoke Tree Care Workshop put on by Trees Virginia, March 6, 2013, Virginia Western CC, Roanoke VA,
- 7:30 – 8:00 Registration Networking Breakfast
- 8:00 to 8:30 Welcome
- 8:30 – 9:15 “The Potential of Biochar for
Tree Management” Ancient practices may prove to be a new tool for soil
enhancement. This talk will review the potential use of biochar, a type
of charcoal, to increase soil productivity. New research regarding the
use of biochar as a soil amendment will be presented.
Dr. Kelby Fite, Arboriculture Researcher, Bartlett Tree Research Lab
- 9:15 – 10:00 “Trees: A Green, Cost Effective Stormwater Management Practice”
Discover how effective trees and forests are at
intercepting, infiltrating, consuming, and cleaning stormwater in our
communities. Learn how much stormwater can be reduced, which trees to
plant and where, simple retrofits that work, and how municipalities are
receiving credit for TMDLs and MS4 permits.
Vincent Cotrone, Regional Urban Forester, Penn State University
- 10:00 – 10:15 BREAK
- 10:15-11:00 “Understanding Nursery Production –
From Propagule to Tree” Increase you understanding of ornamental tree
production from start to finish when grown in containers or the field.
Jim Owen, Asst. Professor of Horticulture, Hampton Roads Agricultural Research and Extension Center
- 11:00 – 11:45 “New Tree and Plant Health Care
Opportunities for 2013” We will discuss new insect pests and control
options, disease control and plant growth regulators.
Jean A. Scott, Tree Healthcare Specialist, Rainbow Tree Care,
- 12:00 – 1:00 LUNCH
- 1:00 – 3:00 3 Concurrent Rotating Sessions:
- Registration is open at treesvirginia.org
- March 15 & 16, 2013 – Community Tree Conference – Asheville NC
- for Arborists, Property Owners, Design Professionals and All Tree Enthusiasts
- Featuring Philip van Wassenaer Consulting Arborist, Urban Forest Innovations, Inc. of Toronto, Ontario
- Lenoir-Rhyne University Center for Graduate Studies 36 Montford Avenue, Asheville NC 28801
- Sponsored by Asheville GreenWorks thanks to a Grant from North Carolina Urban and Community Forestry.
- March 25 – Monthly Meeting of Friends of Accotink
Creek. 7 pm Audrey Moore Rec Center, 8100 Braddock Road, Annandale, VA
22003. See http://www.accotink.org.
- April 6 – 25th Annual Potomac River Watershed Cleanups start. See http://fergusonfoundation.org/trash-free-potomac-watershed-initiative/potomac-river-watershed-cleanup or http://www.accotink.org/PotomacWatershedCleanuppre-event2013.htm.
Board Presentation: Litter
January 2013
Environment Committee Archives2012
Membership Presentation: Home Energy Conservation
December 2012
The December meeting will focus on home energy with two presentations:
- Susan Hafeli, Fairfax County Utility Analyst, will
discuss the Energy Action Fairfax program. Susan managed the County’s
$9.6 million federal stimulus energy grant which included conducting
energy audits in a number of communities in Fairfax County including
several Federation Member associations.
She is a Utility Analyst in Fairfax County’s
Department of Cable and Consumer Services. Susan has taken the lead on
the County’s residential energy education and outreach program, staffs
the County’s inter-departmental Energy Efficiency and Conservation
Coordinating Committee, and has spent the last several years managing
the County’s $9.6 million federal stimulus energy grant. In addition,
with Board approval, Susan participates in state public-utility
regulatory proceedings to help ensure that the interests of the County’s
residential customers are protected. Prior to joining the County,
Susan practiced utility law in Texas and the District.
- Philip Haddix, Project Manager from The Solar
Foundation, will present Solar Powering Your Community: Impediments to
Residential Solar in Virginia. Philip will discuss the advantages and
impediments to residential solar energy in Virginia.
He manages The Solar Foundation’s projects and
performs research in support of new and existing initiatives. In
particular, Philip is active in executing the foundation’s duties under
the SunShot Solar Outreach Partnership program and provides research and
management support on several labor market and schools-based projects.
Philip’s prior professional experiences in the energy and environmental
arena include stints with the Sierra Club/Blue Green Alliance and the
Solar Energy Industries Association. He holds a Masters of Public
Affairs from the School of Public and Environmental Affairs at Indiana
University with concentrations in Energy and Environmental Policy and a
bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from the University of West Georgia.
Philip has also been accredited as a LEED Green Associate by the U.S.
Green Building Council.
- Together the two presentations will give us a vision of
what we and the county can do to reduce energy costs and what we can do
to solar power our neighborhoods.
Environmental Committee Report
December 2012
- Introduction to Water Quality Regulations Effecting Urban Trees – December 6
The Northern Virginia Urban Forestry held their 4th
Quarterly Roundtable in Herndon. The topic was an Introduction to Water
Quality Regulations Affecting Urban Trees. The speakers were:
- Bruce McGranahan from Land Development Services, Fairfax
County. Bruce spoke on New Virginia Stormwater Regulations. The
phosphate limit for Virginia is 0.41 lb/ac/year. The new regulations
will go live on July 1, 2014. From the County’s perspective the State
has delegated authority to issue Virginia Stormwater Management Permit
authority to the Counties. The Commonwealth (and the Federal EPA
through the County’s MS4 permit) will hold the County responsible for
meeting the pollution goals. One major change is that the Bay Total
Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) will require that the 1” storm is considered
in evaluating the performance of controls – not the major storms that
have been the focus previously.
- Joan Salvati from the Department of Conservation and
Recreation. Joan spoke on the Chesapeake Bay TMDL ‘Pollution Diet’.
The take home message is that once DCR started looking at the modeling
that EPA used to set the TMDL they realized that their data was way out
of date. They modeled based on how the County was years ago and now the
amount of impervious surfaces is much greater than it was in the model.
The stormwater management controls were also out of date so one of the
major efforts that the County needs to do is to develop a good
inventory of all the stormwater management Best Management Practices
(BMPs) being used in the County and keep up the list every year. There
was a question about rumors about the Bay TMDL program being taken over
by the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). DEQ currently handles
the point source TMDL program but DCR handles the area source TMDL
programs. The explanation is that if DEQ takes over the areas source
TMDL program they will also be taking over the personnel.
- Buck Kline from the Virginia Department of Forestry
who spoke on Forest Land Conservation. Mr. Kline was concerned that the
regulations don’t give credit for reducing forest loss. He also
mentioned that the Forestry department has a simple on-line calculator
that can be used to calculate the value of the trees on any property at inforest.frec.vt.edu.
- After the presentations Jim McGlone with the
Virginia Department of Forestry facilitated a discussion about how to
use the information about the TMDL to encourage planting and saving
trees. Mr. McGlone also discussed the need to track new tree plantings.
Anyone how has a new tree planting project should send information
about the planting to the DoF. They will need the number of trees, the
number of volunteers involved with the planting, the number of volunteer
hours, the location of the plantings and the date.
- After lunch there was a discussion about future
projects. There were a number of projects that were discussed they fell
roughly into two broad categories: the need to educate and the need to
gather accurate data about tree cover and the tree inventory. One
project that will be of particular interest to the Federation is the
need to educate Home Owner Associations on the importance of and proper
maintenance of trees. Another effort will be to educate landscaping
companies on the proper way to plant new trees and how to pick good tree
stock.
- USGS Lecture: Bird’s Eye View: Offshore Wind Energy – December 5
I attended the USGS Public Lecture Series. The subject was
Birds at Sea and Offshore Wind Energy. The speakers were Alicia Berlin
and Allan O’Connell. The upshot of their research so far is that there
is not enough information about the migration patterns of sea birds to
determine that off shore wind generators will not interfere with their
migration patterns. However, the Bureau of Ocean Energy is very
actively researching the issue and are using the information as soon as
it is collected when evaluating possible offshore wind lease areas. The
plan is to not allow leases in areas frequently visited by sea birds.
The problem is that sea birds are so far out at sea that they are not
seen by land-based birders.
- Planning Commission Environmental Committee – November 29
At the November 29th Planning Commission Environmental
Committee they approved the Green Building Comprehensive Plan Policy
Guidance. The Committee is considering expanding the policy developed
for the Tysons Corner Urban Center should be expanded to other parts of
the County. The Committee could also not reach a consensus on whether
and how to deal with pubic-private partnerships.
- Westchester house in the RPA – November 28
I met with the homeowner next to the Westchester Drive
property that is going to be built entirely in the Long Branch of the
Accotink. The developer mistakenly cut down a tree tin the neighbor’s
yard and the neighbor wanted the developer to save a maple that was
scheduled to be cut down as compensation for the tree that was
mistakenly taken down but there was a question about the viability of
the tree. We met with the County arborist to evaluate the tree. The
arborist noticed that the tree had been split through and had healed.
The County arborist felt that the tree was not safe due to the split and
would have recommended that it be taken down before the house could be
occupied in any event.
- Friends of Accotink Creek – November 19
Attended the Friends of Accotink Creek meeting. There was a
presentation by Vivian Morgan-Mendez and Fernando Mendez of Friends of
Nottoway. They discussed the 12-year successful battle to save Nottoway
woods from ball field expansion. The group is now turning their
attention to solving erosion problems in the woods. Other issues that
were discussed were:
- Metro West construction sediment control violations.
- Eleven Oaks Development and how to track sediment controls.
- Developing a way to track major development projects so we can keep an eye on sediment controls better.
- Developing a program to update civic associations on the progress on watershed management plans.
- Katie Keating’s Girl Scout Gold project to replace an information kiosk. And
- A video production of stream cleanup.
- Winterize Your Home – November 10
The City of Fairfax held an event to help residents get ready
for winter. There were vendors to talk about energy audits, sealing and
caulking, insulation, windows and doors, chimneys, HVAC systems, and
thermostats.
- Green Breakfast – November 10
The topic for the 59th Green Breakfast was
Conservation Practices for All Landscapes: From Your Downspout to the
Chesapeake Bay. Lily Whitesell from the Northern Virginia Soil and
Water Conservation District (NVSWCD) discussed measures homeowners can
take to help the Bay.
Five things to know are:
- Know your nearest stream
- Is there a Resource Protection Area in your yard? See http://fairfaxcounty.gov/gisapps/myneighborhood/myndefault.aspx.
- What is the topography? Where does the water flow into and from your property?
- Are there problem spots? Does water collect or pond and stay there for a week after a rain?
- What is the soil like? See http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/nvswcd/soilsinfo.htm.
And the 5 things to do are:
- Prevent pollution. Pick up the trash in your yard.
- Rain barrels, cisterns or downspout diversions. The
NVSWCD has rain barrel workshops periodically and has some re-purposed
pickle barrels.
- Use conservation landscaping. Plant more plants. They recommended the tree benefit calculator http://www.treebenefits.com/calculator/mapselect.cfm.
- Rain gardens and soil amendments. Mulch in your grass
clippings and fall leaves to add organic matter to your soil and help
the soil retain moisture.
- Use permeable driveways, walkways and patios. Before you re-surface your drive way consider replacing it with porous pavers.
- Upcoming Meetings
- December 12, 12:30 – 3:30 pm – Remove Invasive Alien Plant Species in Americana Park. For more information see http://www.accotink.org/cgi-bin/cal.pl?ACTION=VIEWDAY&Year=2012&Month=12&Date=12&config=calendar.cfg.
- December 13, 7:30 – 10 pm – Fairfax Federation
Environmental Membership meeting, Hidden Oaks Nature Center, 7701 Royce
Street, Annandale, VA 22003. Topics: Energy Action Fairfax by Susan
Hafeli, Fairfax County Utility Analyst and Solar Powering Your Community
by Philip Haddix from the Solar Foundation.
- December 17, 7 – 9 pm – Monthly Meeting of Friends
of Accotink Creek. Audrey Moore Rec Center, 8100 Braddock Rd.,
Annandale, VA 22003. For more information see http://www.accotink.org/cgi-bin/cal.pl.
- December 19, 12:30 – 3:30 pm – Remove invasive Kudzu vines in Lake Accotink Park. For more information see http://www.accotink.org/cgi-bin/cal.pl?ACTION=VIEWDAY&Year=2012&Month=12&Date=19&config=calendar.cfg.
- December 26, 12:30 – 3:30 pm – Remove invasive Kudzu vines in Lake Accotink Park. For more information see http://www.accotink.org/cgi-bin/cal.pl?ACTION=VIEWDAY&Year=2012&Month=12&Date=26&config=calendar.cfg.
- December 29, 8:30 am – 4 pm – Virginia Invasive
Plant Symposium. Middleburg Community Center, 300 West Washington
Street, Middleburg, VA. To register see http://www.pecva.org/index.php/events.
- January 7, 7:30 pm on - Environmental Quality
Advisory Council public hearing. This is an early notice for the
Environmental Quality Advisory Council’s (EQAC) annual public hearing on
the environment. EQAC is appointed by the Fairfax County Board of
Supervisors to advise on environmental matters. The public is
encouraged to attend EQAC’s public hearing to share views on the state
of the environment and to identify environmental issues applicable to
Fairfax County. EQAC welcomes written and/or verbal testimony. Board
Auditorium Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center
Parkway, OR South County Center, Room 221A (Woodlawn), 83502 Richmond
Highway, Alexandria, VA. For more information see http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dpz/eqac/.
- January 12, 8:30 – 10 am. 60th Green Breakfast,
Brion’s Grille, 10621 Braddock Road, Fairfax, VA 22032. Topic Kevin
Munroe, Manager of Huntley Meadows Park will talk about the Huntley
Meadows wetland restoration project. For more information see http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/nvswcd/announcements.htm.
- January 13, 7 – 9 pm – Sierra Club/Great Falls Group
Program, Patrick Henry Library, 101 Maple Avenue, East, Vienna, VA.
Topic: Natural Gas Hydrofracking. For more information e-mail Susan
Bonney at sbonney001@aol.com.
- February 13 – Tree Stewards training starts. See http://treestewards.org.
- February 26 – Master Naturalist training program
starts. The training includes 40 hours of training meeting on Mondays.
For more information see http://www.virginiamasternaturalist.org/fairfax.html#training.
- Stormwater Management Ordinance Meeting – September 24
I attended the first meeting of the stormwater management
ordinance planning. The interested parties were divided into four
working sessions. Because of the large number of interested parties
there were two working groups dealing with Single Family Exemptions and
Infill Development. The other working groups dealt with Stormwater
Facility Inspections by Owners, and Nutrient Credit Offsets/Impacts on
Pro Rata Share Program. The main focus on the Single Family Exemption
and Infill Development session that I attended was on whether
disturbances of less than 2500 ft2 should be exempt in all cases or
whether there the exemption threshold should be expanded to 5,000 ft2
for areas outside an Resource Protection Area (the Chesapeake Bay
Ordinance sets the limit inside the RPA to 2500 ft2) and then the
applicant could be allowed to disturb more area based on special
controls they put in place and the conditions of the site such as the
soil conditions, the local hydrology and downstream conditions. I
advocated for the lower limit. The next meeting is scheduled for
October 17th.
- Friends of Accotink Creek (FAcC) Meetings – September 17th, August 20th and July 16th
- Fall International Coastal Cleanup: Cleanups are planned at 21 locations in Fairfax County organized by Cleanup Virginia (www.cleanupvirginia.org)
started September 15th. The Friends of Accotink Creek are organizing
15 of the proposed cleanup locations and would like to not only supply
bags and gloves but have people on the stream to provide information
about the steam – pointing out erosion problems, invasive species and
hazards such as poison ivy.
- Solar Powering Your Community – September 17th
I attended the Solar Powering Your Community workshop in
Richmond. The purpose of the meeting was to help local community
leaders understand the regulatory and building code issues involved with
installing solar collectors in local communities.
There were presentations about the Federal and state
regulations involved with installing solar energy in local communities
and how the differences in State laws affect the percentage of energy
that comes from solar energy. One of the most important factors is
whether the State has renewable portfolio standards (RPSs) for power
generation (Virginia does not). Another important factor is whether the
State encourages third party power purchase agreements. In the third
party power purchase agreement model, a power provider installs the
solar collector equipment and incurs the capital costs up front with the
customer signing a contract to pay a fixed cost for power from the
provider. The power purchaser such as a big-box store would get cost
certainty while the supplier can take advantage of tax credits sell
Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) required by states with RPSs and can
amortize the capital costs over the duration of the contract.
Unfortunately, Dominion has sued the power purchase companies because
they have a monopoly. But a single government entity, company or
homeowner could incur the capital costs themselves and then use the
power for their personal use and in fact run the meter backwards when
power is generated in excess of what is needed.
There were also presentations about the building permit requirements for solar installations and the financial considerations.
The workshop was sponsored by the Department of Energy. For more information about the Workshop see www.solaramericacommunities.energy.gov/cities.
The people putting together the workshop has indicated a desire to set
up a similar workshop in Northern Virginia and I suggested that the
Federation could help facilitate that effort.
- Construction of a new home in the Accotink Resource Protection Area – September 8th to 18th
I have been helping a neighbor review the construction
plans for a new home that will be constructed entirely in the Resource
Protection Area (RPA) for the extreme upper portion of the Long Branch
of the Accotink. I first learned about the plans to build the house in
the RPA on Saturday morning on the 8th. It turns our that if the
construction is being done in a lot that was established prior to the
delineation of the RPA there is a process that can permit the
construction without having any public hearings which is the case for
this particular property. On September 19th we met at the site and
reviewed the plans with the County, the developer and Mike Wing from
Supervisor Smyth’s office. Reviewing the tree survey it appears that
there was a tree that was removed that was actually on the neighbor’s
property. We also learned that there is a requirement that the
construction plan include an analysis of the “overland relief” –
essentially a determination of how deep the water will get if the
primary outfall were to be blocked. In the case of this particular
property the water would be 12-14 feet deep before it would eventually
make it over the W&OD. There are also currently erosion problems
both on the subject property and down-stream in the Stonewall Manor
development but there is no requirement for the builder of a single
house to mitigate for existing inadequate capacity problems. With
policies like this it would be impossible to meet the flow limits in the
new Accotink Creek Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) standard.
- Northern Virginia Urban Forestry Quarterly Roundtable – Benefits of Urban Trees: Economic and Social – September 13th
I attended the Northern Virginia Urban Forestry Quarterly
Roundtable in Alexandria. The topic for this roundtable was the
economic and social benefits of urban trees. There were presentations
about by Steve Colman from the Washington DC Parks and People who
discussed the successes they have had re-vitalizing DC city parks by
planting trees and establishing community gardens. There was also a
presentation by Josh Brown (a former Fairfax County cop) about the
security advantages of trees and the proper selection of tree species to
cut down on crime by making public areas more vital and attractive to
law abiding citizens.
- Metropolitan Washington Air Quality Committee (MWAQC), Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) – September 11th
Ana Prodos attended the September MWAQC TAC meeting.
Ozone Season Summary: Nine exceedances of the ozone (O3)
National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS). The number of exceedance
days compared to the number of 90°F+ days continues to go down due to
emission reductions. This is a key indicator of the successfulness of
regulations reducing emissions of O3 precursors. Ozone creation is
assisted by high temperatures so when the number of exceedances is less
than the number of 90°F+ days it means that the emission reductions are
working.
The Council of Government emission goals exceed the 35.5
gallons per mile 2016 Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards.
There is a shortfall of about 3%. The new CAFE standard calculation
already assumes increased electric vehicle use.
- Green Breakfast – Fairfax’s Energy Triangle - September 8th
I attended the Green Breakfast about Fairfax’s Energy
Triangle. The Energy Triangle is the Lorton area. The presentation was
made by Conrad Mehan from Envirosolutions, Inc. Envirosolutions has a
construction debris landfill that will soon be full. The plan is to
place wind turbines, collect landfill gas to give to the County’s
turbine generator. The power generated could be sold to the nearby
Covanta plant which then would sell it to the grid (circumventing the
Dominion Power’s Monopoly). They could also put solar collectors on the
closed construction debris land fill to generate additional power. One
advantage of coupling wind power generation with solar power generation
is that it turns out that the wind is usually greater when the sun is
not shining so by coupling the two you get a more stable energy source.
- Upcoming Meetings
- October 17th – Second session of the Stormwater
Management Ordinance Workshops. Topics to be discussed are Stormwater
Facilities in Residential Areas (two workgroups), Adequate Outfall
Requirements, and Restrictions on the Use of Certain BMPs. The meetings
will be from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM in the Herrity Building. For more
information see the County web site at http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dpwes/stormwaterordinance.htm.
- October 18 – Northern Virginia Conservation Trust
Workshop. Topics to be covered are: Protecting your land with
Conservation easements, Creating and enhancing wildlife habitats, and
Protecting your soil and water resources. Fairfax County Government
Center, Conference Rooms 9-10, 12000 Government Center Parkway, 6:30 –
8:30 pm. For additional information see www.workshop.nvct.org or call 703-354-5093 x24.
Environment Committee Archives2011
George Lamb was appointed as a Director of the
Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District to fill the seat
of the late Sally Ormsby in 2009. Over the past two years he’s learned
much about practical conservation and realized that very few people have
the opportunity or experience to practice conservation. He spends
weekends fighting invasive plants in his backyard and chasing his two
daughters. He is also Vice Chair of the Fairfax County Environmental
Quality Advisory Council (EQAC), which is appointed by the Board of
Supervisors to advise them on environmental issues across the County. By
training, George is a computer scientist and works for Cisco Systems in
Herndon.
Conservation in the United States has a long and
proud tradition. One hundred and seven years ago, John Muir convinced
Teddy Roosevelt to go camping in the Yosemite Valley. Over three days he
lobbied the President to create a national park to preserve the valley
and a stand of giant redwoods. In the 1930’s great dust storms that
ravaged the Midwest had moved east and “blotted out the sun over the
nation’s capital and drove grit between the teeth of New Yorkers.” Thus
was born the Soil Conservation Districts that restored conservation on
our farm lands. Today we live and work in very different ways then John
Muir and the 1930’s farmers, yet we inhabit the same lands as they did.
In this talk we’ll discuss what it means to be a 21st century
conservationist in Fairfax County, what is being done to advance the
Fairfax County environmental agenda, and how to participate in an urban
conservation ethic.
Ana Prados,
our representative on the Metropolitan Washington Air Quality
Committee, Technical Advisory Committee is one of the professors for a
course that teaches how to use NASA satellite data to track air quality.
The web site to sign up for the course is: http://airquality.gsfc.nasa.gov
- She is currently project PI (project Lead) for NASA
Applied Sciences Trainings in the areas of Air Quality, Water, and
Disaster Management, and also an instructor for air quality and to some
degree for water.
http://water.gsfc.nasa.gov
- People who have additional questions are encouraged to contact her directly.
Environment Committee Archives2008
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Scott's Run - McLean, Virginia
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