Long Branch Central Watershed Management Area Project

Project Background

This project was developed as a result of Long Branch Central being declared an impaired water by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). DEQ issued a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) requirement to reduce sediment for Accotink Creek Watershed in August 2017. Under the Accotink Creek TMDL, Fairfax County is assigned a waste load reduction requirement for the 3.7 square mile Long Branch Central watershed of 2,433 tons per year. Meeting these reduction targets is a requirement of the county's Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Permit. In addition, the Long Branch Central WMA project will reduce the sediment load going to Lake Accotink, thus protecting the county's investment in that facility. The Long Branch Central WMA project will improve water quality, meet the Long Branch Central sediment TMDL load reduction targets and improve habitat within the stream corridor.

Project Description

The Long Branch Central Watershed Management Area project is a collaborative effort of the Department of Public Works and Environmental Services, the Fairfax County Park Authority and the Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District.

The primary goals of the project are:

• Meet the Long Branch Central TMDL waste load reduction requirements
• Improve water quality within the Long Branch Central watershed
• Improve habitat and environmental health (ecological lift)

To meet these goals, the county will restore about six and a half miles of stream and 75 stormwater outfalls.

Project Location

The project is in the Braddock Magisterial District between Little River Turnpike and Burke Station, Braddock and Wakefield Chapel Roads.

Project Phase

The project is in the study phase which will result in development of a project implementation plan.

Timeline

• Begin Assessment – Summer 2020
• Complete Restoration Work Plan – February 2023
• Complete First Construction Plans – February 2024
• Begin Construction – Summer 2024
• Construction Ongoing – Through 2031
• Warranty, Monitoring and Maintenance – 2025 through 2034

What to Expect

There will be field studies, plan development and public meetings through 2023. Construction will occur in phases likely beginning Summer 2024 and each phase will be outlined in the project implementation plan. The final construction schedule is dependent upon funding availability and project permitting. When construction occurs, there will be truck traffic to the project sites. Residents should expect periodic deliveries of material using dump trucks to the site throughout the week starting after 7 a.m. on weekdays. Note that at some periods during construction, work may occur on weekends. Deliveries on those days will be made after 9 a.m.

Project Cost and Funding Source

Construction costs for the Long Branch Central Watershed Management Area projects will be developed once projects are defined. Stormwater projects are funded through the county Stormwater Service District.

Presentations to the Community

• Overview of the Biohabitats Team April 11, 2022 (available upon request, email the Project Manager, Charles Smith at charles.smith@fairfaxcounty.gov or Shannon Bell at shannon.bell@fairfaxcounty.gov)
• Long Branch Watershed Management Area Phase 1B Report.
• Field Assessment Results
  • BMP Prioritization
  • RSC Prioritization
  • Stream Prioritization

Recording of the Long Branch Public Meeting held on January 10, 2023

Recording of the Long Branch Public Meeting held on April 11, 2022

Contact

For more information, please email the Project Manager, Charles Smith at charles.smith@fairfaxcounty.gov or Shannon Bell at shannon.bell@fairfaxcounty.gov within the Stormwater Planning Division, Department of Public Works and Environmental Services, or call 703-324-5685, TTY 711.