A Penny For Your Thoughts

A lot of people talk about the environment, and the next opportunity to join in the discussion is this coming Tuesday, December 14, when the Fairfax County Environ-mental Quality Advisory Council (EQAC) will hold its annual public hearing at 7:30 p.m. in the Board Auditorium at the Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway in Fairfax. EQAC is an advisory group of volunteers appointed by the Board of Super-visors to advise the Board on environmental matters.

Tuesday night’s public hearing helps EQAC members obtain citizen insight about issues of environmental concern and identify specific environmental issues applicable to Fairfax County. Issues considered by EQAC include water quality, air quality, noise, hazardous materials, solid waste, stream valley protection, wildlife management, light pollution, visual pollution, and the use and preservation of ecological resources. EQAC publishes an extensive report to the Board each year and also rates how well the county is doing in these various areas. The Council welcomes both written and verbal testimony. For additional information or to be placed on the speakers list, call the Fairfax County Department of Planning and Zoning at 703/324-1210, or send an e-mail message to EQAC@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Other novel environmental opportunities were considered at the Board of Supervisors meeting on Monday. Fairfax County has received a $40,000 grant from the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, as part of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Grant program, to implement a low impact development (LID) project at Fire Station 30 in Merrifield. Although not in Mason District, the project will include a stormwater retrofit featuring three LID best management practices: a bio-retention basin, also known as a rain garden; a green roof, and permeable pavers. These integrated practices will address both water quality and water quantity issues by retaining and infiltrating a significant amount of stormwater currently running off the parking lot there. Providence District Supervisor Linda Smyth, whose office also is located on the site, is providing key leadership support and her office will be responsible for monitoring outcomes of the project as well as educational materials and public outreach.

Chesapeake Bay Watershed Grants are available for many small projects that address water quality and water quantity. For more information about grants, log on to www.dcr.state.va.us.

The Board also received recommendations from the Laurel Hill Adaptive Reuse Citizens Task Force, a volunteer group appointed in 2002 to consider future uses for many of the former District of Columbia Department of Corrections facilities in the Lorton area of the county. Many of the former prison buildings are historic, and could be rehabilitated for modern uses. A combination of residential, retail, professional and education-related uses would focus on the former Reformatory and the Penitentiary area. Residential ideas include senior housing and so-called magnet housing for qualified public employees such as schoolteachers, firefighters and police trainees. The complete report of the Laurel Hill Task Force may be viewed on-line at www.fairfaxcounty.gov. Supervisor Penny Gross may be emailed at mason@fairfaxcounty.gov

Supervisor Penny Gross may be emailed at mason@fairfaxcounty.gov