Watershed plan unveiled

By Eric Spiegel

Mt. Vernon, Va. –  The Fairfax County Stormwater Planning Division held a community forum Thursday to present a draft management plan for three Fairfax County watersheds – Belle Haven, Dogue Creek and Four Mile Run.  The forum was designed to promote understanding of watersheds and allow county officials to show its residents proposed plans to help improve and maintain watershed functions.

The goal of the watershed management plan as presented by Daneille Wynne, a project manager with Fairfax County, is to improve and maintain watershed functions in the county, to protect human health and safety by reducing stormwater impacts, and to involve stakeholders in the protection, maintenance, and restoration of the county’s watersheds.

Held at Mt. Vernon High School, the forum began with an introduction to watershed planning by Fairfax County’s Fred Rose.  The presentation continued with Wynne, followed by  a presentation from Bill Frost of consulting firm KCI.  The forum ended with questions from the audience and breakout sessions that allowed residents to learn more about more specific watershed plans.

After Wynne’s presentation explaining what a watershed is and how it impacts the community, Frost presented how studying the current watershed’s states along with implementing changes and improvements can increase the quality of the environment for the community.

Some community members raised their concerns with the County’s plans.  Karl Lady, a resident of Dogue Creek, voiced his feelings about the plans lack of attention to pollution in Dogue Creek.  Another resident, Mary Jo Detweiler, raised her concerns about the plans estimated costs.

The draft plan can be accessed online and residents are encouraged to submit comments about the plan on the county’s Web site until Sept. 7.

Eric Spiegel is a photographer and writer who lives in Northern Virginia. Visit his Web site at ericspiegelphotography.wordpress.com.