2003 Land Conservation Awards

(Conservation Currents, Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District, Jan 2003)

NVSWCD’s team of judges examined 15 construction sites nominated for awards in the Erosion and Sediment Control category of the Annual Land Conservation Awards Program. Sponsored by the County’s Department of Public Works and Environmental Services (DPWES), these awards recognize the work of those who have successfully implemented and maintained erosion and controls.

This year’s judges were NVSWCD’s Asad Rouhi, Willie Woode, and Andrea Ceisler, and Virginia Department of Forestry’s Judy Okay.

Rouhi said the judging team looks for several specific things in rating the construction sites. Are the controls that were called for in the plan now in place? Are they built to standards and specifications? Are they adequately maintained?

“We are especially interested in the quality of the temporary and permanent stabilization measures, such as seeding and mulching; whether tree save areas and other sensitive natural resources are sufficiently protected; and if there is evidence of off site damage from inadequate controls,” said Rouhi.

The district has plenty of training and experience that it brings into the judging including site plan review and familiarity with Resource Protection Areas, county soils, stormwater management, and erosion and sediment control regulations.

“It’s an opportunity for us to see how different controls perform on the ground, not just in theory or on paper,” said Rouhi.

The Land Conservation Award winners were formally recognized in a ceremony on January 17. Other awards were also given.
For more information, e-mail Asad Rouhi or call 703-324-1427.

AND THE WINNERS ARE...