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TextEnivronmental News in the Braddock District
Fight The Bite: Protect Yourself From Mosquitoes This Summer
West Nile Virus is spread through the bite of an infected Mosquito. In
some people, West Nile Virus will produce no symptoms, while others may
experience fever, fatigue, headache, or swollen lymph glands. A few may
experience serious complications, such as a stiff neck, severe headache,
change in mental status, paralysis, seizures or even death. The best way
to protect yourself from West Nile Virus is to prevent mosquito bites.
Apply insect repellent containing DEET, wear light-colored, long sleeved
shirts and pants, and eliminate mosquito breeding sites by removing
sources of standing water from around your house.
Fairfax County address this issue through its Disease Carrying Insects
Program (DCIP). Established in 2003 to monitor and control West Nile
virus (WNV), DCIP has since expanded to include ticks and tick-borne
diseases. The mission of the DCIP is threefold: vector and disease
surveillance, vector management and community outreach activities. For
more information on the County’s DCIP program please vist:
http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/hd/westnile/
To help you combat mosquitos this summer, in the Braddock Office we have
MosquitoDunks, which float on water and will kill mosquito larvae for 30
days or longer. While floating, they slowly release a long-term,
biological mosquito larvicide that gradually settles in the water where
it is eaten by the mosquito larvae. These are great to use in bird baths,
flower pots, water gardens, rain barrels or roof gutters. So stop by the
office and pick up a pack.
Input Sought for Pohick Creek Watershed Plan
A community forum will be held on Tuesday, July 27, 2010 to review the
Draft Pohick Creek Watershed Plan. This forum is open to all residents,
and will be held in the Sangster Elementary School cafeteria (7400
Reservation Drive, Springfield, VA 22153). Registration is from 6:30 p.m.
to 7 p.m. The meeting is from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. and will include an
introduction to the watershed planning process and the draft plan
document. Participants will be asked to provide their feedback and
comments on the plan and on projects that are proposed for Pohick
Creek.
Watershed plans are important tools for improving the water resources,
natural habitat and overall health of each of the county’s 30 watersheds.
The Pohick plan was initiated by Fairfax County with participation from
local residents and is part of an ongoing watershed planning effort. It
is a recognition that the practice of stormwater/watershed management has
rapidly evolved to include newer technologies, innovative techniques and
many regulatory changes governing water quality at the local, state and
federal levels. This plan is intended as a management tool to be used
over the next 25 years, and fulfills Fairfax County’s commitment to the
effort of improving water quality in the Chesapeake Bay. Projects costs
over the next decade could reach $46 million.
Pohick Creek originates near the George Mason University campus and its
headwaters primarily drain the Burke area. The Pohick Creek watershed
makes up more than 9 percent of Fairfax County and covers more than 36
square miles, which makes it one of the largest watersheds in the County.
The watershed contains two other major tributaries, Middle Run and South
Run, which flow from northwest to southeast. This watershed ultimately
drains into Pohick Bay and Gunston Cove before reaching the Potomac
River.
A copy of the draft plan is available in the Braddock District office or
can be accessed at the following site:
http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dpwes/watersheds/pohickcreek_docs.htm
Supervisor Cook looks forward to receiving your comments on this
important effort. Any civic or homeowner association interested in having
a presentation on this draft plan or in obtaining a CD with the full plan
should contact Danielle.Wynn@fairfaxcounty.gov Public comment period
closes 30 days after the public meeting.
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