environment | FFXnow

Published September 15, 2023 at 2:30PM

Mount Vernon District Supervisor Dan Storck (via Fairfax County)

A senior at Langley High School, a county planner who helped craft an environmental plan for Reston, and a local business dedicated to reducing waste are among the recipients of this year’s Fairfax County Environmental Excellence Awards.

Handed out annually since 2000, the awards recognize residents, county staff, businesses and other organizations “who demonstrate extraordinary leadership within the community and exceptional dedication to the preservation and enhancement of the county’s natural resources,” according to the Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination.

News

Vienna moves forward with tree conservation plans

By Acacia James

Published September 7, 2023 at 9:30AM | Updated March 8, 2024 at 7:08PM

Trees and a bench in Vienna's Wildwood Park (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

In an effort to reverse a decrease in the tree canopy, Vienna’s government is taking another step towards tree preservation and plantings. Last week, the town council discussed proposed amendments to enhance tree canopy, including moving forward with a tree conservation ordinance and the possible creation of an independent tree commission.

Town Attorney Steven Brigalia said the tree conservation ordinance would put the town in line with Fairfax County, which has had conservation rules since 1990. He said it would require builders to indicate which trees can and cannot be saved before cutting them.

Countywide

Fairfax County furthers push to replace gas leaf blowers with electric devices

By Fatimah Waseem

Published August 25, 2023 at 11:45AM

Gas-powered leaf blower (photo via Wikimedia Commons/Cbaile19)

Fairfax County is steadily making progress on efforts to cut its use of gas-powered leaf blowers.

By the end of June next year — the conclusion of the 2024 fiscal year — the county plans to ensure that the supply of electric blowers and string trimmers is nearly 50% electric, according to John Silcox, a spokesperson for the Fairfax County Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination.

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Fairfax County to unveil its first all-electric trash truck today

By Acacia James

Published August 25, 2023 at 9:30AM

Fairfax County has acquired its first all-electric trash truck (courtesy DPWES)

The Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services (DPWES) is unveiling its first electric refuse trash truck today (Friday).

The truck will “pick up residential trash and yard waste on routes throughout the county,” DPWES announced. The county says the truck is “a move that will save money and protect the environment.”

Countywide

Invasive spotted lanternfly is spreading its wings more often around Fairfax County

By Fatimah Waseem

Published August 15, 2023 at 3:00PM

Spotted lanterfly (Photo via Magi Kern/Unsplash)

More reports of the spotted lanternfly are popping up throughout Fairfax County, according to local officials.

The invasive insect — which is native to China, India and Vietman — has been seen in more areas of the county, the Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services says.

News

UPDATED: Snakeden Branch stream safe after cause of dead fish found, Reston Association says

By Fatimah Waseem

Published August 4, 2023 at 1:30PM | Updated August 4, 2023 at 5:48PM

Snakeden Branch at Lake Audubon in Reston (photo by Ray Copson)

Updated at 5:45 p.m. — The fish deaths reported at Snakeden Branch stream this morning have been traced to a water main break behind Hunters Woods Plaza, Reston Association says.

“Potable water was discharged and included chlorine, causing the fish kill,” RA Chief Operating Officer Peter Lusk said. “The water main break has been repaired, and the stream is considered safe, and not harmful to humans or animals.”

Countywide

Local environmental group joins challenge to Virginia’s withdrawal from carbon-reducing initiative

By Angela Woolsey

Published August 2, 2023 at 3:00PM | Updated August 2, 2023 at 8:52PM

Smoke coming out of a power plant (via Ella Ivanescu/Unsplash)

Several environmental groups, including one based in Fairfax County, have joined forces to challenge Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s decision to pull Virginia out of a cross-state initiative aimed at reducing carbon emissions.

The Southern Environmental Law Center announced on Monday (July 31) that it will appeal Virginia’s planned withdrawal from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), a market of 12 states on the East Coast that regulates carbon emissions from power generators.

News

Upcoming task force will study how to preserve ‘Tysons Last Forest’

By Angela Woolsey

Published July 26, 2023 at 10:15AM

Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn tours Tysons Forest with community members (courtesy Hunter Mill District Office)

With development starting to pick up in the Spring Hill area, the need to protect some of the last remaining natural green space in Tysons has taken on a new level of urgency.

Acknowledging the potential threat, Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn — who represents Tysons west of Route 7 and north of Route 123 — will create a community task force to determine the best way to preserve Old Courthouse Spring Branch Stream Valley, also known as Tysons Forest.

News

McLean’s Spring Hill Rec Center will get solar panels, energy upgrades

By Angela Woolsey

Published July 25, 2023 at 1:30PM

A man on a bench outside the Spring Hill Rec Center in McLean (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax County’s efforts to become more energy efficient will get a power boost this week, as work begins on improvements at McLean’s Spring Hill Rec Center.

Set to break ground at 2 p.m. tomorrow (Wednesday), the project will add the recreation center at 1239 Spring Hill Road to a growing list of county facilities supported by solar panels. Other planned changes include pool dehumidification unit replacements, LED lighting upgrades, improved building automation systems and a new geothermal HVAC system.

News

Planning to restore Sugarland Run North streams in Herndon underway

By Fatimah Waseem

Published July 19, 2023 at 11:45AM

The restoration of the southern part of Sugarland Run shows reconstructed banks (Photo via Town of Herndon).

Planning is underway for stream restoration at Sugarland Run North.

At a Fairfax County Board of Supervisors meeting on July 11, the board unanimously approved an agreement between the county and the Town of Herndon to design and construct the project.