Environmental Quality Advisory Council

Listed below are the current members of the Environmental Quality Advisory Council. If you are interested in serving as a member of EQAC, please contact your district supervisor's office to express your interest.

Visit Fairfax County's CivicWeb to learn more about EQAC members, their terms and other committees they participate in, as well as other Fairfax County Boards, Authorities, and Commissions. 

Below, you will find the EQAC meeting dates for 2026. There is also information about other meetings that involve EQAC, where at least 2 members of the council may be attending.

Each January, EQAC holds a public comment meeting to hear public input on issues of environmental concern. In addition to the annual public comment meeting, EQAC has added a public comment period to some in-person meetings. Monthly meetings with a scheduled public comment period are noted on the meeting schedule below. Find out how to participate. The public is also invited to attend any EQAC meeting and to submit correspondence for consideration by EQAC at any time.

Summaries of past public comment meetings, including speaker and written testimony, are available upon request. Materials may be requested via email to eqac@fairfaxcounty.gov.

• January 14, 2026 – Public Comment +
• February 11, 2026 +
• March 11, 2026 +
• April 8, 2026 — Joint EQAC-Park Authority Board Meeting
• April 8, 2026 +
• May 13, 2026 +
• May 19, 2026 — Boards, Authorities and Commissions Review Discussion
• June 10, 2026 +
• July 8, 2026 +
• August 12, 2026 — Farewell Celebration
• August 12, 2026 *

* denotes a virtual meeting 
+ denotes a Public Comment meeting. Find out how to participate.

Other 2026 Meetings and Events Involving EQAC:

• January 16, 2026 — Planning Commission Joint Review Committee
• February 24, 2026 — Board of Supervisors Environmental Committee
• April 16, 2026 — Wetlands Board Meeting
• May 12, 2026 — Chairman McKay's Spring Social
• June 4, 2026 — Wetlands Board Meeting
• June 4, 2026 — Tree Commission Meeting

EQAC issues recommendations to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors via two mechanisms: the Annual Report on the Environment and resolutions or positions issued during EQAC meetings. Resolutions and positions for the current year and the immediate past year are provided below. Resolutions and positions from years prior are available upon request via email (EQAC@fairfaxcounty.gov). 

Resolutions and Positions:

Legislative Proposals:

At the July 8, 2026, meeting, EQAC submitted to the Fairfax County Legislative Team five legislative initiatives for consideration, listed in order of priority:

• Require Virginia to Adopt International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) Updates Within 18 Months of Publication
• Authorize Local Jurisdictions to Mandate Composting and Organics Diversion for All Generators
• Enact a Statewide Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Program for Lithium-Ion and Other Rechargeable Batteries
• Authorize Counties, Cities, and Towns to Ban Disposable Plastic Bags
• Authorize Local Jurisdictions to Adopt a State-Established “Stretch” Energy Efficiency Code More Stringent Than the Uniform Statewide Building Code

REVIEW LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS

The consolidated 2026 Annual Report on the Environment (ARE) is now available. Each year, EQAC prepares an Annual Report on the Environment that summarizes environmental conditions, trends, programs, legislation and issues in Fairfax County and presents EQAC's recommendations to the Board on a variety of environmental topics and concerns. The report is prepared entirely by EQAC and reflects the Council's views.  For quick reference, an Executive Summary highlighting the report’s priority recommendations is also available.

Past reports are available upon request. Please email EQAC@fairfaxcounty.gov to obtain digital versions of earlier reports.

VIEW THE 2026 ANNUAL REPORT ON THE ENVIRONMENT

Each year, the Fairfax County Environmental Excellence Awards recognize individuals, organizations, businesses and county employees who:

•  Advance or support the county's environmental goals and policy statements
• Dedicate personal time and expertise beyond normal fiscal or civic responsibilities
• Demonstrate leadership as a role model for others

Each year, EQAC solicits applications from Fairfax County high school students who are interested in becoming a student member of EQAC. The application is open to all interested high school sophomores and juniors who are in good standing. Eligible public school, parochial, private school and homeschooled students are encouraged to apply.

The EQAC Student Member Application period is currently closed. If you have questions about the student membership application process, please email eqac@fairfaxcounty.gov or call 703-324-7136 TTY 711.

Past Member Testimonials

Former student members of EQAC have prepared testimonials regarding their service.

Nishka Shah

Joseph Tso

Oaklen Kalinichenko

Jacob Hammond

Clare Sparling

Hana Burkly

Anna Nguyen

Talia Schmitt

Kevin Sun

Meeting materials originating prior to January 2024 are available upon request. Please email EQAC@fairfaxcounty.gov to request past materials.