Tag: environment
Kory’s Report from Richmond: Water supply concerns continued
By Del. Kaye Kory My serious concerns about the governor’s proposal to withdraw Virginia from the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin (ICPRB) have been reinforced upon reading the letter Secretary of Natural Resources Doug Domenech wrote to me in order to calm my fears. Mr. Domenech states that withdrawal from the ICPRB will … Continued
‘Tree gifting program’ aimed at restoring tree canopy
The Fairfax County Restoration Project, a public-private partnership aimed at improving the environment, has launched Reforest Fairfax, a “gifting program” designed to help restore the tree canopy. Each gift of a tree purchases five seedlings to be planted in Fairfax County this fall or next spring to enhance the natural environment. Tree gifts are appropriate … Continued
Kory’s Report from Richmond: Keep Virginia involved in watershed efforts
An open letter to Gov. McDonnell: Don’t endanger our water supply Dear Governor: I urge you to cancel your short-sighted plans to withdraw Virginia from the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin (ICPRB). Virginia has benefitted greatly from its 70-year membership in this commission. I seriously doubt that our Commonwealth would have accomplished on … Continued
Sewage spill pollutes Holmes Run
The City of Alexandria is advising residents to avoid direct contact with waters in Holmes Run downstream of Ripley Street near the intersection with Holmes Run Parkway due a sewage spill. According to the city, two sanitary sewer lines are damaged, one owned by the City of Alexandria and one owned by Fairfax County. Crews … Continued
Candidates clash over roads, taxes, and environment
Saslaw Voters Fairfax County’s Braddock District got a close-up look at some of the candidates running for office in November at a forum Tuesday evening sponsored by the North Springfield Civic Association. Senate Majority Leader Dick Saslaw, who has been in the Virginia legislature since 1976, reminded the audience of some of his accomplishments: bringing … Continued
Friends of Accotink Creek seeks new leadership
Sediment from the beltway HOT lanes project is clogging the Accotink watershed The Friends of Accotink Creek (FACC) has been keeping watch on Annandale’s major watershed since 2004, organizing clean-up and monitoring actitivies. The group also educates the public on watershed protection and takes part in environmental advocacy. But now that the founders of the group, … Continued
Got a flood-related problem? Here’s who to call
Mason Supervisor Penny Gross put out the following information related to last night’s flood: County crews are assessing the damage and need for reports to parks stream valley trails and storm drains, so it’s best to stay away until repairs are made. Storm drains may be backed up or clogged with debris. You can report … Continued
Inova CEO cook-off highlights sustainability
Singleton (left) and Pasternak In an effort to get patients and visitors to make healthier food choices, Inova Heath Systems staged a “Battle of the CEO Celebrity Chefs” in the Fairfax Hospital cafeteria yesterday. The cook-off pitted Inova Fairfax Hospital CEO Reuben Pasternak’s stuffed peppers against Inova Health System CEO Knox Singleton’s squash casserole. The two … Continued
Annandale residents dop off hazardous waste products for safe disposal
Annandale area residents dropped off enough insecticides, paint, fertilizers, acids, household cleaners, car batteries, and other hazardous materials to fill up half of a tractor trailer truck at the Mason Government Center Saturday morning. Fairfax County hired the Clean Harbors company to collect and dispose of unwanted, and potentially hazardous materials to keep them out … Continued
Decorated rain barrels support water conservation
A rain barrel at Green Spring Gardens If you’ve seen some artistic rain barrels around this spring, it’s because the agencies sponsoring the Northern Virginia Rain Barrel Program are hoping to draw homeowners’ attention to the benefits of rain barrels. Rain barrels can be attached to a downspout to capture runoff from the roof. The … Continued
Korean-American community helps clean up Annandale
Steven Choi (left) with members of the Annandale clean-up crew. About 40 to 50 people took part in the annual Annandale Clean-up event Saturday morning organized by the Korean American Association of the Washington Metropolitan Area. Helen Winter, who heads beautification efforts for the Annandale Revitalization Committee, brought trash bags and registered participants at a table … Continued
Annandale cleans up on April 30
Annandale residents and business owners are encouraged to come out and help clean up Annandale on Saturday, April 30. Annandale Community Clean-Up Day is sponsored by the Annandale-based Korean-American Association of Greater Washington and the Mason and Braddock districts. The goal is “to keep our hometown as clean as we can,” says organizer Helen Winter. Volunteers … Continued
Holmes Run orange color – could be harmless bacteria
Russ Smith, an engineer with the Fairfax County stormwater planning department, says the bright orange color in Holmes Run is most likely caused by “iron fixing bacteria,” which shows up when the weather gets warmer. He says it is “totally inert” and is not harmful to people or wildlife. The hazardous materials department has also … Continued
What is this mess?
Holmes Run at Rose Lane Park in Annandale is bright orange. Is it mud or pollution? I’ve seen muddy streams before but not like this. It is coming out of the storm drain.
Volunteers sought to clean up Annandale’s Pine Ridge Park
Volunteers are needed this Saturday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., to help Fairfax ReLeaf clean up the wooded area at Pine Ridge Park in Annandale. Volunteers will pull invasive plants and remove debris to clear the way for native species and future reforestation of the park, located at 3401 Woodburn Road. This project is part of VolunteerFest, … Continued