Approved April 9, 2024                                                                       

A hybrid meeting held in Suite 941 of the Herrity Building and virtually via Microsoft Teams.                   

Ms. Bordas called the meeting to order at 10:02 a.m. Those present included:

• Rhonda Bitterli, Director, NVSWCD
• Adria Bordas, Director & Committee Chair, NVSWCD
• Chirs Koerner, Director, NVSWCD
• Jim McGlone, NVSWCD Associate Director
• John Peterson*, Associate Director, NVSWCD
• Asad Rouhi, NVSWCD Associate Director
• Willie Woode, Executive Director, NVSWCD
• Shannon Bell, DPWES-MSMD
• Morgan Perpall, DPWES-SWPD
• Scott Baron, NVSWCD
• Meghan Cunha, NVSWCD
• Trish Feth*, NVSWCD
• Judy Fraser, NVSWCD
• Denisa Hendriyadi, NVSWCD
• Heather Hunter-Nickels, NVSWCD
• Don Lacquement, NVSWCD
• Ashley Palmer, NVSWCD
• Dan Schwartz, NVSWCD
• Sophia Wood, NVSWCD

* =Virtual Attendance

INTRODUCTIONS
Ms. Bell introduced Ms. Perpall to the Committee members. Because Ms. Bell has changed positions, Ms. Perpall will replace her as Stormwater Planning’s representative on the Committee. All other Committee members introduced themselves.
 

MINUTES

The Committee reviewed the minutes from the February 20^th meeting. Mr. McGlone and Mr. Woode noted minor revisions to make. A motion to approve the minutes as revised (Fraser-McGlone) passed without objection.

CONSERVATION PLANS AND AGRICULTURAL BMPS

Ms. Hunter-Nickels presented one Soil and Water Quality Conservation Plan, one Nutrient Management Plan, and one Agricultural BMP cost-share project.
 

Conservation Plan: Shields Special Permit Application
The owner of this property in Herndon wishes to apply for a special permit; having a completed Soil and Water Quality Conservation Plan can help with the application.  The 5-acre property has 350 linear feet of RPA, an existing stable and fences, but no current agricultural activity. The owner wishes to bring in 1-2 horses.

The property shows some evidence of runoff, and the grass seems to be cut quite short. In addition, the fence, which predates the establishment of the RPA, provides less than a 25-ft buffer of the stream. A large divot is present in the pasture, and it is not clear what caused it.

The plan recommends the following:

• Create a sacrifice area.
• Install a manure composting facility with a concrete base and cover.
• Move the fence away from the stream to create a 25’ vegetated buffer. If horses are not brought to the property, revegetate a full 100’ buffer.
• Do not mow or allow the grass to be grazed below 3”.

The Committee suggests not addressing the divot now, but keeping an eye on it to see if it erodes, and if it does, convert it into a stone-lined swale. Mr. Lacquement notes that the pictures show areas of moss. Mr. Woode suggests planting these areas with mixed vegetation.

Nutrient Management Plan: Earth Sangha - Noman Cole Nursery Site

The plan for this 23-acre property in the Pohick Creek Watershed was requested by Urban Forestry Management Division. The site is on the grounds of the Noman Cole Pollution Control Plant and is proposed to be converted into a native plant nursery for Earth Sangha. The nursery would use 11 of the 23 acres, all outside of the RPA. The acreage is currently a mix of open fields and wooded areas with lots of invasive species. Native plant cultivation will take place in pots; no in-ground planting is planned.

The plan recommends the following:

• Keep operations out of the RPA.
• Minimize impervious surfaces.
• If they change their mind and do decide to plant bare root seedlings in the ground, follow the recommendations of the Nutrient Management Plan.

The Committee asks if water and electricity will be provided. Ms Hunter-Nickels states that the Noman Cole Plant will provide water and may provide electricity. The Committee asks if any vehicles will be used. Ms. Hunter-Nickels responds that a gas-powered Gator may be used to transport plants. Mr. McGlone states that, for pollution prevention purposes, the Nursery should include a simple gas spill area by their refueling station.

Ms. Fraser asks if they will have any buildings on site. She suggests adding them to the plan, even if plans for a building are tentative. Ms. Bordas suggests the nursery can use crushed glass from the Lorton Landfill for their walkways instead of gravel, and Mr. Schwartz asks if this material could be used for the gravel driveway as well. Mr. Rouhi suggests there might be a dust hazard using this material at the surface, but it is worth contacting Solid Waste to inquire, since the material is readily available and may be free.

Agricultural BMP – Lombardozzi Stream Crossing and Buffer Enhancement

Ms. Hunter-Nickels presented the DCR-approved plan for the Lombardozzi stream crossing and buffer enhancement Agricultural Cost-Share project. The project will remove the existing fence around the stream, install a new fence at a 25’ offset from the stream banks, and install a hardened stream crossing for horses. Ms. Hunter-Nickels showed the cross section of the crossing, which uses geotextile covered with 6 inches of VDOT #1 stone and 3 inches of #21A stone. The next step in the process is for Mr. Lombardozzi to find a contractor.

The Committee recommends using pre-washed stone to reduce fines washing downstream. Ms. Hunter-Nickels understands the recommendation but also adds that the design has been carefully reviewed by DCR and meets all statewide specifications.

CAP-VCAP PROGRAM
Ms. Cunha presented four new applications and four reimbursement requests.

NEW APPLICATIONS

Crosby Conservation Landscaping: Great Falls, Dranesville District, Pond Branch Watershed

• Applicant just installed a permeable paving driveway and now wants to address the soggy area next to the driveway.
• The area will receive runoff from the permeable paving’s underdrains.
• The goal is to revegetate the area and better soak up any residual water from the driveway.
• Size – 1,300 ft²; Cost Estimate - $13.916.25; Cost-Share Request - $7,000.
• The Committee recommended swapping New York Aster for the New England Aster.

Thomas Conservation Landscaping: Centreville, Sully District, Cub Run Watershed

• Drainage swale between the property and the neighboring property stay wet for a long time.
• The swale receives downspout runoff from the Thomas roof.
• The plan calls for planting the swale with a few silky dogwood and lots of groundcovers and ferns.
• Size – 550 ft²; Cost Estimate - $8,482,50; Cost-Share Request - $6,786.
• The Committee recommends Joe Pye Weed and/or Ironweed for the soggy conditions.
   

Smith Conservation Landscaping: Vienna, Hunter Mill District, Difficult Run Watershed

• The property has a large bare area in the front where a diseased tree was removed.
• The area receives runoff from upslope and the driveway. Runoff then flows down a steep hill to the backyard.
• The plan is to replant the bare area and parts of the hill and use jute netting to hold plants in place.
• Size – 975 ft²; Cost Estimate - $8,008.80; Cost-Share Request - $6,407.04.
• The Committee recommends American hornbeam instead of Hop hornbeam.

Policicchio Conservation Landscaping: City of Alexandria, Four Mile Run Watershed

• A sloped property with pooling water in the rear along the back fence.
• The owners recently had to remove two struggling trees.
• The plan calls for replacement of much of the lawn in front and back with natives and undergrounding downspouts so that they partially flow to the new plantings, partially to the remaining lawn.
• Size – 2,482 ft²; Cost Estimate - $27,882.04; Cost-Share Request - $7,000
• Ms. Cunha asks the Committee if logs should be used on the steepest part of the planting area. Ms. Fraser suggests that small 4” wooden logs could work well.
• The Committee recommends the following:
  • Use Northern red oak, Willow oak, or Swamp white oak instead of Scarlet oak. The area may be too wet and warm for Scarlet oak.
  •  The front right downspout could be extended a short distance and cause water to flow to the street rather than down the steep slope to the back. However, this would mean water is leaving the property and not flowing to the new planting.

REIMBURSEMENT

Douglass Rain Garden: Springfield, Springfield District, Pohick Creek Watershed

• This small DIY rain garden was installed in the backyard and required lots of guidance from NVSWCD staff.
• The 1^st inspection of the project revealed some design issues with the berm and outfall, but these were fixed and the project passed the 2^nd inspection.
• Size – 50 ft²; Cost Estimate - $1,400.05; Cost-Share Request - $1,120.04.
• The Committee recommends checking in somewhat frequently with the homeowner to make sure the project functions well.

Yasin Permeable Paving: Falls Church, Mason District, Cameron Run Watershed

• One of two next-door neighbors who installed a permeable paving driveway.
• A new policy of inspecting the project or receiving photos during construction was inaugurated with this project. The inspection during construction allowed for corrections to some sloping problems with the gravel drainage layer.
• Size – 1,690 ft²; Cost Estimate - $26,069.60; Cost-Share Request - $20,000

Soubani-Falah Permeable Paving: Falls Church, Mason District, Cameron Run Watershed

• The next-door neighbor to the Yasin property.
• Both driveways are located very close to each other.
• The Soubani-Falah project ending up being a littler larger than the approved plan, but the cost-share stays the same.
• Size – 1,510 ft²; Cost Estimate - $26,515.80; Cost-Share Request - $18,172

Crosby Permeable Paving, Great Falls, Dranesville District, Pond Branch Watershed

• The first permeable paving project to use a gravel grid system.
• Due to the slope and length of the driveway, the drainage layer included a complicated series of concrete tiers and underdrains to allow for consistent water storage and dewatering throughout the length of the project.
• Size – 2,500 ft²; Cost Estimate - $58,200; Cost-Share Request - $20,000.
  
  

TRAPA BISPINOSA PROGRAM UPDATE
Ms. Wood gave a presentation on the search for a contractor for herbicide treatment of Trapa bispinosa in the County in 2024. The previous year, only one contractor was found whose bid fell under the budget maximum. This year, Ms. Wood and Mr. Baron consulted with contracting specialists at Fairfax County who showed them how to use the eVA online bid solicitation system. This system allowed the request for bids to go out to many more vendors.

Ten bids were received, and the bid from AEC Lakes for $37,800 was selected. The contractor will use Flumioxazin herbicide to treat 20 ponds at 11 sites between May and October 2024. AEC Lakes will also perform water testing to ensure that the treatments aren’t negatively affecting water quality. The contractor has worked with other SWCDs and the Reston Association.

The bid will be taken to the Board of Director for approval at their March meeting.

APPROVALS

A motion (Fraser-Koerner) to recommend that the Board of Directors approve at their March meeting the Soil and Water Quality Conservation Plan and Nutrient Management Plan presented by Ms. Hunter-Nickels passed without objection.

A motion (Woode-Koerner) that the CAP-VCAP applications and reimbursements be recommended for approval by the NVSWCD Board at their March meeting passed without objection.

ADJOURNMENT
A motion (Hunter-Nickels – Schwartz) to adjourn the meeting was approved. The meeting was adjourned at 12:20.