Environmental Quality Advisory Council

The Fairfax County Environmental Quality Advisory Council (EQAC) is an advisory group appointed by the Board of Supervisors to provide advice on environmental matters. The Council is comprised of one member from each supervisor district, four at-large members, and one student representative. Each member is appointed to serve a three-year term except the student member who serves for either their junior or senior year of high school. The EQAC charter details the purpose and principal activities of the council, which include the production of an annual report on the state of the physical environment in Fairfax County. The council generally meets on the second Wednesday of each month at 7:15 PM. Meeting information is available via the dropdown menus below.

If you have questions or comments about EQAC or for the EQAC members, please email eqac@fairfaxcounty.gov

Share Your Views at the 2026 Public Comment Meeting

EQAC invites residents to attend the Annual Public Comment Meeting on January 14, 2026. This meeting provides a platform for community members to share their concerns, suggestions, and feedback directly with EQAC, supporting the development of responsive environmental policies that address the needs and priorities of residents. Your voice matters in shaping a healthier, more sustainable Fairfax County! 


LEARN MORE ABOUT EQAC

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.

 MemberTerm
Mt. VernonLarry Zaragoza (Chair)Jan. 2022 - Jan. 2028
Hunter MillKenneth Lanfear (Vice Chair)Jan. 2024 - Jan. 2027
At-LargeEric GoplerudMay 2023 - Jan. 2028
At-LargeAndreana LinJan. 2025 - Jan. 2028
At-LargeKersey ManliclicJan. 2025 - Jan. 2028
At-LargeAlexis DickersonFeb. 2025 - Jan. 2028
BraddockBryan CampbellDec. 2022 - Nov. 2025
DranesvilleKenneth GubinDec. 2021 - Nov. 2027
FranconiaJohna GagnonDec. 2022 - Nov. 2025
MasonJames AlbrightJan. 2025 - Jan. 2027
ProvidenceKathryn AlsegafJan. 2025 - Jan. 2028
SpringfieldClyde WilberDec. 2021 - Nov. 2027
SullyRich WeismanJune 2022 - June 2028
Student MemberNishka ShahJune 2025 - June 2026


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 and the current year. As meeting information and materials become available, they will be added to the meeting pages linked to each meeting date below. Minutes and presentation materials will be made available on individual meeting pages following each meeting. 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.

2026 Meeting Information and Materials:
  • January 14, 2026 – Public Comment +
  • February 11, 2026 +
  • March 11, 2026 +
  • April 8, 2026 +
  • May 13, 2026 +
  • June 10, 2026 +
  • July 8, 2026 +
  • August 12, 2026 *
  • September 9, 2026 +
  • October 14, 2026 +
  • November 18, 2026 +
  • December 9, 2026 +

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

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 below under "Archived Materials" or upon request via email (EQAC@fairfaxcounty.gov). 

DateTitleTypeTo
November 12, 2025Comment on Resilient Trees Draft OrdinanceMemoBoard of Supervisors
November 12, 2025Plan Forward ReviewMemoBoard of Supervisors
September 26, 2025Park Authority Budget for 2027MemoBoard of Supervisors
July 10, 2025Recommendations for the Staff Proposed Ordinance on Large-Scale Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)MemoBoard of Supervisors
June 13, 2025Tree Plantings and Heat IslandsMemoBoard of Supervisors
May 23, 2025Comment on the Plan Forward Environmental ElementMemoFairfax County Department of Planning and Development
April 16, 2025FY2026 Budget RecommendationsMemoBoard of Supervisors
January 15, 2025Policy Required to Address Illegal Dump SitesMemoBoard of Supervisors
July 12,
2024
Comment on the May 17, 2024 Draft Zoning Ordinance Amendment for Data CentersMemoBoard of Supervisors
July 12,
2024
Support for the County Executive’s Update on the Countywide Flood Risk Reduction PolicyMemoBoard of Supervisors
April 18, 2024FY2024 County Budget RecommendationsMemoBoard of Supervisors
March 26, 2024Animal Services Consolidation Proposal in the Proposed FY 2025 BudgetMemoBoard of Supervisors

 

The 2025 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 or Download the 2025 Annual Report on the Environment

View or Download the 2025 Annual Report Executive Summary

graphic cover of the annual report with squares of photos featuring nature scenes from around the county

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
The awards are administered by the Environmental Quality Advisory Council with support from the Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination.
 

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 student member application 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.

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.

2022 and 2023 Resolutions and Positions

December 13, 2023Tidal Wetlands OutreachMemoBoard of Supervisors
December 6, 2023Initial Steps for Addressing Regional Drinking Water Supply VulnerabilityMemoBoard of Supervisors
November 21, 2023Follow-Up on Data Center SitingMemoBoard of Supervisors
October 11, 2023Support for Proposed Revisions to the Fairfax County's Tree Commission's CharterMemoFairfax County Planning Commission
October 11, 2023 EQAC Comments on FCPA Budget ProposalMemoFairfax County Park Authority Board
July 12,
2023
Landscaping and Screening Zoning Ordinance AmendmentMemoBoard of Supervisors
June 14, 2023Recommendations for the Siting of Data CentersMemoBoard of Supervisors
June 14, 2023EQAC Response to Information Recently Provided by County Staff on Parking ReimaginedMemoBoard of Supervisors
April 27, 2023Agritourism - Zoning Changes Must Not Degrade Fairfax County’s Water Supply ProtectionMemoBoard of Supervisors and Planning Commission
April 13, 2023Budget Recommendations from EQACMemoBoard of Supervisors
March 13, 2023Data Centers: VA DEQ Request for Comment and Future PlanningMemoBoard of Supervisors
March 10, 2023Streams and Lakes/PondsMemoBoard of Supervisors
February 9, 2023EQAC Recommends Upholding Existing Environmental Policies During the Planning Commission’s SSPA Workshop Reviews of NominationsMemoPlanning Commission
January 13, 2023EQAC Concerns with the Parking Reimagined Review of the Ordinance Regulating Off-Street Parking and LoadingMemoBoard of Supervisors
December 19, 2022Tree Conservation Code’s Exemption of Linear ProjectsMemoBoard of Supervisors
November 1, 2022Community-wide Energy and Climate Action Plan (CECAP) PrioritiesMemoBoard of Supervisors
October 24, 2022Proposed Changes for Street Trees in the Urban Design Guidelines – Joint Letter with the Tree CommissionMemoDPD-UFMD Workgroup
May 11, 2022Data Centers in Fairfax CountyMemoBoard of Supervisors
May 11, 2022EQAC FY 2023 Budget CommentsMemoBoard of Supervisors
February 16, 2022FY 2023 Budget Requests for Natural ResourcesMemoBoard of Supervisors
January 20, 2022Fairfax County Litter Task Force - Final Report Dated December 14, 2021MemoBoard of Supervisors
 
2025 Meeting Information and Materials:

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

Other 2025 Meetings and Events Involving EQAC:
2024 Meeting Information and Materials:
* denotes a virtual meeting
+ denotes a Public Comment meeting.
 
Other 2024 Meetings Involving EQAC:
Fairfax Virtual Assistant