Approved March 28, 2023

Meeting held in person with a virtual option via Microsoft Teams

February 28, 2023 MINUTES

*Participated Remotely

Welcome and Introductions

Mr. Peters welcomed all to the meeting and expressed his special appreciation for the guests attending today’s meeting.  He noted that Ms. Billger had requested permission to participate remotely in today’s meeting as she was unable to participate in person because of a family medical issue.

A motion (Bordas-Cameron) to allow Ms. Billger to participate remotely was passed by voice vote.

Trapa Presentation

Mr. Peters recognized Nancy Rybicki, an expert on Trapa bispinosa (Trapa), participating today to assist staff with the presentation.

Mr. Baron provided an overview for the board, using a PowerPoint presentation, on the Trapa initiative at the district.  He explained how Trapa arrived in northern Virginia, what it is, and the difference between Trapa bispinosa and Trapa natans.  He also provided information on the Fairfax County Environmental Improvement Program (EIP) grant that the district received to help manage Trapa in Fairfax County.  Mr. Baron reported that in addition to infestations in northern Virginia, it has recently been spotted in Prince George’s County, Maryland, as well as in other areas of Virginia.

Mr. Baron reported that there are 28 water bodies under consideration for Trapa control as a part of the EIP grant.  In response to a question from Mr. Koerner about how the water bodies are selected, Mr. Baron noted that work under the grant does not apply to ponds on private, individually owned, property.  Every known pond that is on public park land or on common land (such as property belonging to an HOA or place of worship) is being considered.  There are some homeowners’ associations that do not want to participate.   Ms. Rybicki provided some information on the process and timeline of treating and working on infested ponds, adding that only half of the “water chestnut” ponds in Fairfax County meet the requirements of the EIP.  The other half are on individual property (not public land, nor common land belonging to an HOA or place of worship) and do not qualify.

Mr. Cameron shared information on a National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD)/National Fish and Wildlife Federation memorandum of understanding which specifically targets private lands and private waters and is a source of cost share funds for private landowners.  He will share contact information with Mr. Baron and Ms. Rybicki.  There was some discussion about additional sources of funding and collaboration for Trapa eradication in the Commonwealth.  Ms. Rybicki will provide some information to Mr. Cameron that he might be able to use to approach the appropriate leaders in Richmond. 

What followed was additional discussion about funding sources, particularly those that could be used by private individuals in the efforts to eradicate Trapa.  Ms. Torgersen reported on the Stormwater Local Assistance Fund, made possible through enabling legislation, which may provide assistance if there is Trapa in a stormwater management facility, like a wet pond, on private property.  However, if the water body is an amenity pond or a farm pond, this may not be possible.  Ms. Torgersen stated that she would look into the possibility of addressing Trapa through the Stormwater Local Assistance Fund.

Mr. Woode also suggested that manual Trapa removal on private property by volunteers is a possibility.

In response to a question from Mr. Peters about whether Fairfax County Stormwater Management inspectors look for Trapa during their periodic facility inspections, it was noted that while some ponds are inspected regularly others are inspected only rarely.  Ms. Torgersen noted that there is a difference between Fairfax County maintained ponds and privately maintained ponds, the latter being inspected every five years.  Ms. Barfield added that there are two companies who are contracted by Fairfax County to conduct these inspections.

In response to a question from Ms. Cross, Ms. Rybicki reported that it would cost about $1,500 to $2,000, per pond, per year, to treat a pond with subsurface herbicide.

There was a general sense from those in attendance that additional coordination is needed to see what collaboration is possible to eradicate Trapa.  There was additional discussion and questions from the board, associates, staff, and cooperating agencies about funding for private maintenance, partnerships with Fairfax County, and with departments in neighboring jurisdictions, as Trapa has been found in both Prince William and Loudoun Counties.

Ms. Wood shared information with the group about some of the outreach and education materials that will be used in the effort.  In addition, she reviewed the steps involved in early detection and rapid response to Trapa.

Ms. Torgersen shared a link to the Fairfax County website page about Trapa bispinosa:  Trapa bispinosa Early Detection and Eradication | Public Works and Environmental Services (fairfaxcounty.gov).

Mr. Peters thanked Mr. Baron, Ms. Wood and Ms. Rybicki for their presentation.

Introduction of Bonner Leader and Spring Outreach and Education Intern

Ms. Palmer introduced Rebecca Grossi, joining the meeting today via Teams.  Ms. Grossi is the district’s Bonner Leader and has been volunteering with the district during the past several months. Ms. Palmer explained that Ms. Grossi comes to the district as a part of the Bonner Program at George Mason University.  In this program, students get training in their intended field, are paid by GMU, and volunteer eight to ten hours per week during the school year with their agency partner. Ms. Grossi will be working with the district at least through the end of the school year and is primarily working remotely.

Ms. Palmer introduced Cole Gandee, the district’s spring Outreach and Education Intern.  He will be working with the district throughout the spring on several projects including stream monitoring, the Seedling Sale, Envirothon, as well as many outreach and tabling events. Mr. Gandee began his internship on February 6, 2023.

Minutes January 24, 2023

Mr. Koerner reported that he had reviewed the minutes of the January 24, 2023 meeting of the Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District (NVSWCD) Board of Directors and that they had been distributed in advance of the meeting.

A motion (Koerner-Bordas) to approve the minutes of the January 24, 2023 meeting was approved by voice vote.

Treasurer’s Report – January 2023

Mr. Koerner reported that the Treasurer’s Report for January 2023 had been distributed in advance of the meeting.  Hearing no comments, the Treasurer’s Report for January 2023 was accepted by consensus to be filed for audit.

Technical Review Committee

Ms. Bordas reported that the Technical Review Committee (TRC) met on February 21, 2023.

Conservation Assistance Program Applications

The TRC considered four new Conservation Assistance Program-Virginia Conservation Assistance Program (VCAP-CAP) applications.  Ms. Bordas noted that staff are still waiting to hear back from one applicant regarding some questions raised at the TRC about their planting plan.  The other applications were as follows:

Applicant	Program	Location	Supervisor District	Watershed	Type	Size (Estimated size, if different)	Cost Total Cost (estimated cost, if different) Reimbursement
Garrett	VCAP	Clifton	Springfield	Old Mill Branch	BR	693 SF	$37,500 $30,000
Wilber	VCAP	Fairfax Station	Springfield	Pohick Creek	CL	1,500 SF	$8,904 $7,000
Shelton	CAP	Chantilly	Sully	Cub Run	CL	832 SF	$1,598.10 $1,118.90

A motion (Bordas-Koerner) to approve the three CAP/VCAP applications as outlined above and presented to the TRC in February was approved by voice vote.

Program Updates

Ms. Bordas reported that Ms. Fraser updated the TRC on the 2022 achievements and future plans of the VCAP-CAP program. In 2022 there were 107 site visits, 32 projects completed, and 16 projects commenced. In the future, the program looks to expand its outreach, work to recruit lower income applicants, incorporate strategies from other similar programs, and add new project types eligible for funding.  Ms. Bordas congratulated staff members, particularly Ms. Fraser and Ms. Cunha, for their hard work on this program.

Next Meeting of the Technical Review Committee

The next meeting of the TRC will be held on Tuesday, March 21, 2023.

Legislative Committee Report

Mr. Cameron provided highlights from his Legislative Committee report which had been included in the board package.  He reported on several legislative initiatives of interest to and supported by the district, including those concerning solar power facilities and invasive species.  He also reported on some of his activities during the General Assembly session this winter, noting that he has been working closely with the state association. 

Ms. Cross noted that at the Virginia Association of Soil and Water Conservation District’s (VASWCD) Area II Spring Meeting, to be held on April 19, 2023 in Charlottesville, there will be a panel discussion on solar.

Mr. Peters was joined by other board members in expressing appreciation for Mr. Cameron’s efforts.

Remote Participation and Virtual Meeting Policies Review and Approval

In response to recent changes to Virginia Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) law, and subsequent guidance issued by the Virginia FOIA Council, Mr. Woode and Ms. Shackley drafted and circulated in advance of the meeting updated remote and virtual meeting policy information to the board and proposed its inclusion in the NVSWCD policy manual.  This updated policy outlines the situations under which the district board and its committees can hold all-virtual meetings and provides instructions on remote participation of members during in-person meetings.

Following a motion (Cameron-Bordas) to adopt the Remote Participation and Virtual Meeting Policies as drafted and include them in the district’s policy manual was approved by voice vote.

Lake Barcroft Watershed Improvement District Treasurer Nomination

Mr. Peters noted that it is incumbent upon the district board to approve the nomination of Lake Barcroft Watershed Improvement District (LBWID) trustees.  As was announced last month Jerry Mendenhall, who has served as the Trustee-Treasurer for the LBWID for the past thirteen years, is stepping down from that role.  LBWID has advertised for and interviewed potential candidates to succeed Mr. Mendenhall as Trustee.  Following the established process, LBWID has nominated Brenda Pierce to that position and has submitted her credentials to NVSWCD for approval.  Ms. Pierce’s resume had been included in the board package.  Following approval by the NVSWCD Board, Ms. Pierce’s name will be forwarded to the Virginia Soil and Water Conservation Board for final approval.

A motion (Cameron-Koerner) to approve the selection of Brenda Pierce as LBWID Trustee-Treasurer and to forward her name and nomination to the state board was approved by voice vote.

Green Breakfast.

Mr. Glasgow asked Ms. Palmer to report on the upcoming Green Breakfast.  Ms. Palmer reported that the next Green Breakfast will be held online on Saturday, March 11, 2023.  The topic will be Human-Wildlife Conflict with Black Bears and will feature a panel discussion on this topic.  In response to a question from the board about the possibility of returning to an in-person Green Breakfast, Ms. Palmer noted that the restaurant where the breakfast was hosted for years, Brion’s Grille, has closed and that while she is on the lookout for a new location, she doesn’t have any information yet.  Ms. Palmer feels that this may be a longer-term goal for the Green Breakfast rather than something that will happen this year, as it is a challenge to find a space that will not only accommodate the size group the Green Breakfast has drawn historically but also is willing to serve breakfast. 

Tree Commission

Mr. Peters reported that the Tree Commission is now meeting on the first Thursday of each month.  The next meeting will be held this week and the last meeting was held on February 2, 2023.  The Tree Commission is busy planning for its 50^th anniversary celebration.  In addition, there is an upcoming Community of Practice meeting at which Mr. Peters will represent the Tree Commission.  The Community of Practice is a group the Tree Commission established as a part of the Tree Action Plan.  Its purpose is to bring together relevant, interested organizations to collaborate on meeting Tree Action Plan goals.  Mr. Peters will continue to report to the board on the activities of the Community of Practice.

Mr. Peters reported that a question arose at the Tree Commission meeting about VCAP-CAP standards for planting beneath trees.  He will confer with Ms. Fraser and Ms. Cunha following the meeting.

Mr. Peters announced that Fairfax County’s Earth Day celebration, formerly known as Springfest, will be held at Sully Historic Site on Saturday, April 22, 2023, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.  This year’s event will be hosted by the Fairfax County Park Authority. He will be conferring with Mr. Woode and Ms. Palmer after the meeting regarding the district’s participation in this and other spring outreach events.

Mr. Peters announced that this year’s Friends of Trees awards by the Tree Commission will be presented at a ceremony on Tuesday, March 28, 2023 for both the Friends of Trees and Environmental Excellence awards.  Environmental Excellence awards are administered by the Environmental Quality Advisory Council.

Other Items—Directors, Associates, Consultants

Mr. Peters called for any other items from the district’s directors, associate directors, and consultants.

Mr. Cameron asked Mr. Woode if he was able to send Delegate Plum a copy of the district’s Plant This, Not That brochure.  Mr. Woode reported that he was able to send the brochure to Delegate Plum in both printed and electronic formats. 

Mr. Cameron reported on some of his thinking about the siting of solar farms and how state law might be amended to better protect the environment.  He also expressed interest in an analysis of impaired water bodies in the county with a view to understanding why they are impaired and whether past and current efforts are having an impact impairment. 

Ms. Bordas reported that the Virginia Cooperative Extension, Fairfax Office, is seeking a summer intern.

Mr. Peterson reported that Don Wells was inducted into the NACD’s Hall of Distinction at the recent NACD annual meeting.  Mr. Wells is a familiar face in state, regional and national conservation district efforts.  He currently serves as the Secretary/Treasurer of the Executive Board of the VASWCD, on the VASWCD Educational Foundation Board of Directors, and as an elected director of the Hanover-Caroline Soil and Water Conservation District, among many other roles.

Executive Director’s Report and Staff Reports

Mr. Woode noted that staff reports had been included in the board package. He provided the following highlights:

This year is an election year for Soil and Water Conservation Districts.  Information and requirements for candidate filing had been included in the board package.  Mr. Woode listed the requirements and noted that the filing deadline is June 20, 2023.

Staff are working hard to meet the demands of the district and are doing an excellent job.  He commended especially the work of Mr. Gandee and Ms.  Grossi.  He also commended Ms. Palmer for recruiting, hiring, and managing interns.

Mr. Woode noted that efforts are still underway to identify an individual to fill the Agricultural Water Quality Specialist position, noting that the skill set is unique.  Another interview is scheduled for March 6, 2023.

The district’s annual native plant Seedling Sale will open online on Tuesday, March 7, 2023.  Seedling bundling will be done on Wednesday and Thursday, March 29 and 30, 2023, and seedling distribution will be on Friday and Saturday, March 31, and April 1, 2023.  Mr. Woode encouraged any who could volunteer during bundling and distribution to speak with Mr. Baron, the Seedling Sale coordinator.  Mr. Baron had copies of the Seedling Sale flyer available for the board as well as a volunteer signup sheet.  Those who can were encouraged to save and donate newspapers to the effort.

Mr. Woode reviewed some partnership programs in which the district is involved.  He noted that the Fairfax County Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination (OEEC) has asked the district to collaborate on a new Energy Conservation Assistance Program.  Mr. Woode noted that this is similar to work the district has done before as a part of CAP.  This program would be available in non-residential settings, such as places of worship and homeowners’ associations, assisting with energy enhancements that could reduce greenhouse gases.  Mr. Woode asked for authority to move forward with discussions and the development of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).  The district’s role in this would be administrative rather than technical and would involve helping to publicize the program and writing checks.

A motion (Bordas-Koerner) to authorize the Executive Director to work with the OEEC on an Energy Conservation Assistance Program and prepare an MOU and financial agreement was approved by voice vote.

Mr. Woode extended kudos to Mr. Baron and Ms. Wood for their work, among many partners, on the Trapa program. 

Ms. Palmer highlighted several items from her staff report which had been included in the board package, including information on the local Envirothon, to be held on March 25, 2023, at Ellanor Lawrence Park. She also outlined information about upcoming student opportunities, including college scholarships, the poster contest, science fair, and youth conservation camp. 

Ms. Palmer reported that the district has recently been notified that it will be able to use funds from the “plastic bag tax,” funding designated for pollution prevention, among other programs, in support of stream cleanup and storm drain education and labeling.  Ms. Palmer reported that there is up to $60,000 in funding available for the storm drain labeling program.  Ms. Palmer reported that there is a need to replace storm drain labels that have aged or are missing.  Over the years, through this program, over 30,000 of the county’s 80,000 storm drains on residential streets have been labeled. 

Cooperating Agencies

Fairfax County Department of Public Works, Stormwater Planning Division

Ms. Torgersen participated in today’s meeting with her colleague, Linda Barfield, whom she introduced.  Ms. Torgersen noted that Ms. Barfield will be participating regularly at NVSWCD’s board meetings in her new role with Fairfax County Stormwater Planning supporting partnering agencies and groups.  Ms. Barfield worked previously with Fairfax County Urban Forest Management and Maintenance and Stormwater Management.  Ms. Barfield expressed her appreciation for the district and its work and said she looks forward to the continued partnership. 

Fairfax County Health Department

Mr. Shannon was unable to participate in today’s meeting.

Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation

Ms. Cross provided highlights from her report which had been included in the board package, calling specific attention to upcoming grant agreement deliverables, election year requirements, and new campaign finance rules, noting that there has been a change in the regulations since the last SWCD election period. 

As announced earlier in the meeting, the Area II spring meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 19, 2023 at James Monroe’s Highland in Charlottesville.  The Thomas Jefferson SWCD is the host of this meeting which will include a panel discussion about solar power.  Ms. Shackley is coordinating registration for this district.

Natural Resources Conservation Service/US Department of Agriculture

Ms. Iames was unable to attend but provided a report which had been included in the board package.

Virginia Department of Forestry

Dr. McGlone reported that he is retiring, effective July 1, 2023, from the Virginia Department of Forestry (VDOF).  He anticipates that VDOF will fill his position, but he does not know what the timing will be.  The department is in the process of hiring for other positions as well.

Dr. McGlone reported hopeful news about the Spotted Lanternfly (SLF).  A fungal pathogen has been identified that may be a viable candidate for controlling the insect.  It is contained in a pesticide currently on the market and it is now a question of relabeling the pesticide for use in controlling SLF.

Adjournment

There being no other business and following a motion (Koerner-Cameron) the meeting was adjourned by voice vote at 11:54 am.

The next regular business meeting of the NVSWCD Board of Directors will be held on
March 28, 2023, at 9:30 am

Respectfully submitted,