News Highlights

• The new environmental vision builds on the successes from the original vision and it continues the county’s leadership regionally and nationally.
• The vision isn’t an action plan, but it guides the county’s sustainability initiatives and programs.
• The new vision adds climate change and energy, recognizing the county’s leadership and our commitment to cutting greenhouse gas emissions.

Fairfax County adopted a new environmental vision to guide its sustainability efforts in seven broad areas, ranging from land use to waste management to climate change.

The Board of Supervisors ratified it at their June 20, 2017 meeting, and it updates the board’s original environmental agenda that was put in place 13 years ago.

“Fairfax County is committed to protecting our environment, and I am proud of our many accomplishments that contribute to a green, healthy and sustainable community,” said Chairman Sharon Bulova. “I have supported the Tree Preservation Ordinance, Stormwater Ordinance, Green Building Policy, Private Sector Energy Task Force, Energy Action Fairfax, and the Green Building Partners Program. I look forward to promoting our updated environmental vision as well, which includes even more on carbon emissions, recycling and preserving natural ecosystems for generations to come.”

The county revised the vision to account for new opportunities, techniques, regulations and budget requirements and progress achieved.

“The board’s 2004 environmental vision provided an extraordinary opportunity to reshape and reframe Fairfax County’s approach to ensuring a healthy and resilient environment for its residents, businesses, and visitors,” said Mason District Supervisor Penny Gross who chairs the board’s Environmental Committee. “The updated vision, which includes a new section addressing climate change, recognizes the successes that resulted from the original vision, and continues Fairfax County’s role as a leader on environmental issues, both regionally and nationally,”

While it is not an action plan, the vision is important because it helps to guide our environmental sustainability initiatives and programs.Two key principles direct the vision:

• First, we must conserve our limited natural resources.
• Second, we are committed to providing the resources needed to protect our environment.

The community strongly called for climate change and energy to be added, and county leaders agreed it was critical to state our commitment to cutting greenhouse gas emissions.

The vision recognizes ongoing efforts for a low-carbon future like spearheading the creation of the national Cool Counties pledge, said Kambiz Agazi, the county’s environmental coordinator. Under this initiative, Fairfax County cut its per capita emissions by 10 percent, meeting our declared initial goal.

The vision now connects more closely to how the county provides services, and it focuses on seven core service areas, stating:

• Land Use: “The county will continue to refine and implement land use policies and regulations that accommodate anticipated growth and change in an economically, socially and environmentally sustainable and equitable manner while revitalizing older commercial centers, protecting existing stable neighborhoods, supporting sustainability and supporting a high quality of life. The development priority will be mixed use, pedestrian and bicycle-friendly transit-oriented development in activity centers. Policies and regulations will result, throughout the county, in the development and enhancement of vibrant and vital pedestrian and bicycle-friendly places where people want to live, work, shop, play, learn and thrive in a healthy environment, ensuring the protection, enhancement and restoration of natural resources, and the provision, in building and site designs, for the efficient use of resources.”
   
• Transportation: “A dependable, safe, efficient, accessible, and multi-modal transportation network is necessary to support the travel needs of Fairfax County residents now and into the future. The county will continue to develop policies and strategies that reduce the dependence on single-occupancy vehicle trips through smart development, efficient use of the transportation system, and by expanding the county’s bicycle, pedestrian and transit infrastructure. The county will pursue transportation strategies in support of regional attainment of air quality standards.”
   
• Water: “Fairfax County considers the protection, restoration and enhancement of environmental quality through the sustainable management of its water resources to be one of its highest priorities. Through its policies, regulations, and outreach to the community, the county will implement the best available technology, including advanced and innovative practices to protect and restore streams, wetlands and associated aquatic resources, promote water conservation and ensure the most effective stormwater management, advanced wastewater treatment, and the safest, most reliable drinking water supply for future generations.”
   
• Waste Management: “Fairfax County will use integrated waste management principles to ensure future waste management system capacity and sustainability. The county will promote policies and practices that maximize resource conservation and pollution prevention. The objective is an increase in waste reuse, diversion and recycling. Furthermore, the county will strive to decrease the amount of material disposed of; reduce greenhouse gas emissions by managing landfill gas; encourage the development of renewable energy and alternative fuels for buildings and vehicles; and preserve open space, green space, and wildlife habitats.”
   
• Parks and Ecological Resources: “Parks, trails, and green space provide habitat and other ecological resources that promote the physical and mental well-being of residents through supporting healthy lifestyles and allowing for interaction with our natural environment. A comprehensive county trails system, such as the Cross-County and W&OD Trails, can provide means for environmentally responsible transportation.  Ecological resources that include the soil, water, air, plants, animals, ecosystems and the services they provide are considered natural capital and green infrastructure. The public, or ecosystem, services provided by this green infrastructure are often more cost-effective than the engineered alternatives, and thus are managed as any other infrastructure or capital asset through deliberate inventory, planning, maintenance, enhancement, and restoration to ensure healthy, high functioning, and resilient ecosystems and environment. Maintaining healthy, natural ecosystems is a priority of Fairfax County.”
   
• Climate and Energy: “The county will continue its leadership and commitment to promote and encourage energy efficiency and conservation efforts and renewable energy initiatives by employees, employers and residents. The county will work with local authorities, businesses, and residents to encourage sustainable reductions of the county’s geographical emissions that will contribute to achieving the targets as identified by the Cool Counties Climate Stabilization Declaration and the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments. The county also will continue to support attainment of air quality through regional planning and action.”
   
• Environmental Stewardship: “An informed community works together with Fairfax County and its partners to care for and responsibly manage our treasured natural resources. In partnership, Fairfax County will continue to coordinate and promote education and outreach programs that encourage personal stewardship and promote initiatives at a countywide level.”

We began the process to update the vision last year, and the community’s extensive feedback shaped the final product. We held three public meetings and conducted two online surveys with almost 880 people who provided feedback.

The Board of Supervisors first adopted its vision in June 2004, and it was subsequently revised in March 2007.

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