Numerous volunteer opportunities exist for participating in both watershed planning and watershed stewardship in Fairfax County.
Watershed Planning
Fairfax County has initiated a process to develop comprehensive watershed management plans for each of the county's 30 watersheds. A watershed is an area of land that drains to a particular river or water body. The overall goal of watershed planning is to protect and restore the county's streams and other natural resources. A watershed management plan serves as a tool to identify and address sources of pollution and to ensure future protection for county water resources.
Why should you participate?
There are numerous reasons why you should think about participating in the development of the management plan for the watershed in which you live, including:
- to protect and improve the quality of your community and environment;
- to share your concerns and solutions for solving watershed problems;
- to improve the quality of local streams and parks; and
- to prioritize future expenditures for environmental protection.
How can you participate?
As part of the watershed planning effort, there will be four public meetings during the development of each watershed plan to provide education on watershed topics, seek input on stream and watershed-related concerns, and review the plans:
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Issue Scoping Forum
The county will present the project to the community and develop an initial list of watershed issues and concerns. -
Community Watershed Forum
The second forum will prepare the community for informed input on development of the watershed plan and engage them in developing specific strategies for protecting the watershed. -
Draft Plan Review Workshop
This forum provides an opportunity for the community to be introduced to the draft watershed plan. Comments concerning the content are welcome and encouraged. The public comment period for the draft plan will continue for approximately one month following this forum. -
Final Plan Review Workshop
At the final meeting with the community, the final draft of the plan will be presented to demonstrate how the public's comments have been incorporated and to solicit any final remarks and/or recommendations.
For more information concerning the watershed planning effort, the current plans under development, and upcoming events, please visit Watershed Planning or contact the Stormwater Planning Division, Watershed Planning and Assessment Branch via e-mail or by calling 703-324-5500, TTY 711.
Watershed Stewardship
The goal of watershed stewardship is to improve the health of Fairfax County's streams by promoting watershed awareness through positive actions and advocacy. These actions may include conducting a stream cleanup in your neighborhood, stenciling a storm drain, or constructing a rain garden in your community.
How can you participate?
Numerous opportunities exist for citizens interested in improving the water quality of our streams throughout Fairfax County and the other aquatic environments downstream, including:
Volunteer Biological Stream Monitoring
Aquatic forms of insects (called "benthic macroinvertebrates") live on the bottom of rocks and debris lying on the stream bed. These small organisms play a very big role in helping us determine the health of a stream. Data collected by volunteers is incorporated into a number of different water quality reports, including the Stream Protection Strategy Baseline Study. Join the hundreds of existing volunteers in collecting this important information and make a difference in the health of Fairfax County's streams!
Storm Drain Labeling
Storm drain inlets are located at low spots along most of the roads in Fairfax County to reduce flooding. A common mistake is to think that the water entering the storm drain goes to a treatment plant. This network of storm drains actually empties stormwater directly to our streams. Therefore, pet waste, trash, paint, motor oil, or any other substance dumped into them is carried along with it. Marking our storm drains with markers that state, "No Dumping, Drains to Our Streams," is a great option for engaging students, scouts, or concerned homeowners and educating our neighbors.
Stream Cleanups
Floatable trash, such as styrofoam cups, aluminum cans, plastic bottles and plastic grocery bags, is commonly caught on the banks of our streams and the land next to them. This trash is not only unsightly but is also a hazard to the animals that make this area their home. These are some of the organizations in Northern Virginia involved with stream cleanups, helping reduce the amount of trash in our stream valleys and preventing it from continuing downstream:
- Clean Fairfax Council
- Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District
- Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (Adopt-A-Stream Program)
For more information about stream cleanup opportunities in Fairfax County, please contact the Stormwater Planning Division at 703-324-5500, TTY 711 or via e-mail.
Other Watershed Stewardship Events in Fairfax County
Contact the Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District at 703-324-1425, TTY 711 or via e-mail, to receive a semi-monthly watershed events calendar by e-mail. The extensive calendar includes opportunities for volunteer stream monitoring, stream cleanups, tree plantings, watershed walks, water treatment facility tours, storm drain marking, and many other exciting events.
Community Watershed Organizations
There are many groups of residents who are taking active steps toward improving the water quality of their streams through organized efforts. For information on existing groups, please contact the Stormwater Planning Division at 703-324-5500, TTY 711 or via e-mail. For ideas on how to organize a watershed group, visit the Environmental Protection Agency's watersheds page.