The Fairfax County Environmental Quality Advisory Council (EQAC) is an advisory group that has been appointed by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors to advise the Board on environmental matters. The Council is comprised of one citizen representative from each Magisterial District, four at-large members, and one student representative. Each member is appointed by the Board of Supervisors to serve a three-year term, except the student member, who serves during his or her junior or senior year of high school.
EQAC provides advice to the Board of Supervisors through its Annual Report on the Environment and through resolutions and correspondence resulting from discussions at EQAC's monthly meetings. EQAC recommendations typically focus on improvement of the County's efforts in environmental protection and enhancement; they also can address legislative issues as well as state, regional, and federal matters. Environmental issues considered by EQAC include water quality, air quality, noise, hazardous materials, solid waste, stream valley protection, deer management, light pollution, visual pollution, and the use and preservation of ecological resources.
Each year EQAC holds a public hearing (usually in December) to obtain citizen input on issues of environmental concern. The public is encouraged to attend and share views on the state of the environment and to identify any environmental issues applicable to Fairfax County. The public also is invited to attend any EQAC meeting and to submit correspondence for EQAC's consideration at any time.
If you have questions about EQAC, contact Noel Kaplan of the Fairfax County Department of Planning and Zoning at 703-324-1380, TTY 711 (Virginia Relay) or send an e-mail message.
